What is adoption
Adoption is a compassionate gift of family to a child in need of a permanent, loving relationship. Adoption creates security and acceptance.
When birth families are unable to care for their children, adoption is the legal process that gives these children another chance to experience the stability and lifelong security of a family.
In Ontario, there are several ways in which you can adopt, and people often explore options in all three systems:
- The public child welfare system (Children’s Aid)
- A private adoption agency
- An inter-country adoption agency
Adoption placements are based on the child’s needs, so the waiting time depends on the best possible match for the child and the adoptive family. If the match is right, the process can happen very quickly!
Once the decision is made, there will be several home visits to allow the child to get to know the family before the child moves into the home.
Typically, adoptions are legally finalized typically six months or more after the child moves into his or her new home. The length of time depends on how well the child adjusts into the family. This adjustment period allows everyone time to work out any problems that might arise.
When everyone is ready to complete the adoption, Children’s Aid applies to the court for an adoption order. After the court order is made, adoptive parents are the child’s legal parents, and the child is a legal member of the family.
To learn more about the adoption process in Ontario, click here.
To find out if adoption is right for you, contact your local Children's Aid.
Who can adopt
People wanting to adopt understand the importance of providing a child with a safe, loving and nurturing environment – a home where children can reach their full potential. Adoptive parents can be individuals and couples, unable to have children of their own, parents who already have children and want to add to their growing family, as well as adults whose first choice for building a family is through adoption.
People from diverse cultural backgrounds, single people or same-sex couples are encouraged to consider adoption. People who are open to parenting special needs children, sibling groups or older children are also encouraged to consider adoption.
Children who are in the care of Children’s Aid and become wards of the Crown need a permanent family. Children’s Aid helps children make successful transitions into their adoptive families.
Children range in age from infants to teens and come from diverse religious and cultural backgrounds. Some are siblings, waiting for a family who can keep them together. Others are special needs children who require parents willing to learn the skills to care for them. Although some children may have challenges, they all have one thing in common – a need for a safe and loving home for a lifetime.
To find out if adoption is right for you, contact your local Children’s Aid.
How do I adopt
To find out if adoption is right for you, contact your local Children’s Aid. By working together, a decision can be made about whether adoption is the right plan for you.
Prospective adoptive parents will undergo a home study that involves several visits to their home by a Children's Aid worker. During the home study process, prospective parents will be encouraged to assess their own attitudes and abilities. Training and education will be offered to parents to make sure the adoption process is smooth and successful.
If you are interested in adopting a child, you can read more about adopting, contact your local Children’s Aid or check out Winning Kids, an eastern Ontario foster and adoption recruitment program.
