Adoption Information
 What
is Adoption?
Adoption offers a child the opportunity
for a permanent family. Adoptive parents are experiencing progressive
changes in the Adoption process and the rewarding outcome of welcoming
a new family member.
The Child and Family Services Act of Ontario (CFSA) details the legal
process of adoption. This legislation is intended to protect the rights
of everyone involved in an adoption, the child, the child's birth parents
and the adopting parents.
Families and individuals adopt through Children's Aid Societies in Ontario;
through private agencies or individuals licensed by the Ministry of Community
and Social services; OR , in the case of step-parent adoptions, directly
through the Court without agency involvement.
Who are the children needing adoptive families?
Infants: There are fewer newborns available for adoption and there are
often long lists for people wanting to adopt an infant. This is a result
of more single mothers parenting, and a lower birth rate due to increasing
availability of birth control measures.
Older children and special needs children: Are at various stages in development.
Children beyond infancy often have had painful experiences and will require
a great deal of understanding, maturity and flexibility in adoptive parents.
Some children have developmental or physical disabilities. Some are from
a diversity of ethnic backgrounds.
Who can apply to adopt?
Couples or individuals, those who have children, and those who do not.
Couples should be in a relationship of two years or more. If applying
to this agency, applicants must be a resident of Bruce County.
What are the steps in adoption?
Contact the adoption intake worker at the CAS. They will record some
initial information and answer questions. This offers the opportunity
for applicants to explore their feelings and understanding about adoption.
You will be invited to attend an Adoption Information meeting to learn
more about adoption process and then asked to attend adoption training.
A homestudy is completed, involving interviews and reference letters
along with a police clearance and health record. A waiting period follows
the approval of your homestudy before you are approached considering a
particular child. (This waiting period may vary).
For more information on adopting through The Children's Aid Society
of the County of Bruce fill in the form below or contact
our office.
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