ADOPTION

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 (Hastings Children’s Aid Society)
• 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.

The recent creation of the Regional Adoption Program of Hastings, Northumberland and Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Aid Societies means the agencies can now work collaboratively to ensure an optimal match is found and restrictions due to geographic location are avoided.

Once a 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 usually 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, Hastings Children’s Aid Society 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.

How do I adopt?

To find out if adoption is right for you, contact Hastings Children’s Aid Society. By working together with our trained professionals, you can make the decision about whether adoption is the right plan for you.

Prospective adoptive parents undergo a home study that involves several visits to their home by one of our workers. During the home study process, prospective parents are encouraged to assess their own attitudes and abilities. Training and education are offered to parents including Pride to make sure the adoption process is smooth and successful.

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 Hastings Children’s Aid and become wards of the Crown need a permanent family. Hastings 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.

Regional Adoption

Services, in conjunction with Northumberland and Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Aid Societies.

The three agencies pool their adoption resources and work collaboratively as a team to prepare, match and support parents and children for the lifelong journey of adoption.

If you’re interested in adopting a child, click here, check out Winning Kids an Eastern Ontario foster and adoption recruitment program, Adoption Ontario or please contact us.