Getting started in adoption planning?

Adoption in Ontario happens in four ways: waiting list, waiting list plus networking; international adoption and adoptions of waiting children from a local Children’s Aid Society.

Prior to entering any of these pathways, you need to have a homestudy done by an Approved Adoption Practitioner.

We help applicants begin the process by providing a consultation on adoption planning - to review your circumstances and to assist you in preparing yourself for the choices available to you. If you wish to proceed following the consultation, we can arrange for a homestudy to be completed for you. [top]

Preparation and Education for Adoption

Preparation and education in adoption is an essential aspect of adoption planning. Here are some links to training, education and preparation programs conducted by Approved Adoption Practitioners in Ontario. [top]

Relative Adoptions

We have worked with many families in the adoption of a relative, in Ontario or Internationally. International cases are complicated by the dual process that you need to complete - the adoption and the immigration aspects. Relative adoptions are complex. Each case must be considered on its own merit and must consider the impact of the adoption process on the relative involved. The first priority is that the best interests of the child identified for adoption by a relative must be met by the process. Related adoption should not simply be for the purpose of finding a child for a childless couple or for the purpose of creating a speedier immigration for the relative.

In your consultation meeting, we will identify the relevant issues in your case and tell you whether your plan has merit. We will advise you of the considerations that must be taken to en sure likely success - both in the adoption plan and the immigration aspects. If the immigration aspects of your case are complicated, we can provide you with names of immigration lawyers who are familiar with adoption matters. [top]

Step-Parent Adoptions

There are many situations where a step-parent has formed a significant parenting role with their partner’s child. If there is no other biological parent involved or if that biological parent will give consent to the adoption of the child by the step-parent, the procedure for this kind of adoption in Ontario is not difficult.

We are happy to consult with you about this kind of adoption and whether a step-parent adoption makes sense for your child and you family. At the time of the consultation, we will identify and adoption planning issues and suggest choices and alternatives for you, as you attempt to formalize and legalize the role of the step-parent in your child’s life. [top]

International Adoption

In March 2000, Ontario implemented the Intercountry Adoption Act (IAA). This act implements the Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Co-operation in respect of Intercountry Adoptions.

Ontario has chosen to license Intercountry Adoption Agencies baased on the country of origin of the child. Many countries have children in orphanages who may be eligible for intercountry adoption to Canada. Here is a list of Intercountry Adoption Agencies who are licensed to deal with these countries.

We are not a “program” agency. that is, we do not have agents abroad who are relating to government bodies or orphanages that find children for adoption. As a result, we do not have brochures or promotional material to send out to you about our “international adoption program from a specific country”.

We have worked with many countries, where adoptive families have identified children to adopt and need a licensed Ontario Intercountry adoption agency to work with to enable the adoption planning. Each of these cases is a one-of-a-kind, custom situation.

If you have this kind of international adoption in mind, please call us to schedule a consultation meeting to review your adoption planning and advise you of the steps necessary to complete your adoption plan. [top]

Post-Adoption Counselling

Even with the best adoption education, preparation and training together with the best pre-adoption planning, adoptive families may find themselves faced with finding the best way to help their adopted child and themselves with some aspect of the way adoption has touched their lives.

Some children have developmental issues, whether originating from pre-birth impacts or post-birth experiences in foster-care or orphanage situations. These factors may cause life-long developmental delays, physically, emotionally or psychologically.

Some families have challenges in addressing the fact of adoption in their lives or in their child’s lives. Questions about openness, what, how and when to talk about adoption with a child may present issues. Sometimes, there are issues arising from the mix of biological and adoptive children in a family. Some families may wonder if they are handling adoption issues properly. Some families have left things muddle ahead for too long.

There is no substitute for early and appropriate identification of adoption related issues. Early and thorough remediation of these concerns is very important to life-long functioning of members of families touched by adoption.

We have many years of experience in counselling and therapy with families and children or adolescents. Please call for a consultation with respect to any of these issues. [top]