Safe Children Bright Futures

 

Adopt a Child

Adoption is a legal and social process through which a child becomes part of a new family and families are given the opportunity to experience all of the rewards that come with parenting a child.

In Ontario, adoption can be arranged through:

  • Public adoption through Children's Aid Societies
  • Private adoption through a licensed agency or individual
  • International adoption through a licensed organization

CAS is committed to providing permanent and loving families for children who cannot remain with their birth families.

Questions? Please call us at 519 455 9000 extension 777 or click here to submit a question.

Getting Started
  1. Call CAS at 519 455 9000 extension 777 to discuss your preliminary questions about adopting or Contact Us. 
  2. At your request, a CAS resource worker will arrange a meeting at your home to discuss the process in detail. If you and the worker mutually decide to take the next step in the process, the worker will leave an application package with you.  
  3. Once you have completed and submitted your application package, a worker will schedule you into the PRIDE (Parent Resources for Information, Development and Education) pre-service training program. CAS offers PRIDE at a variety of times (evenings, Saturdays, weekdays) so that you can attend whenever it is most convenient.
  4. Complete PRIDE, a 9 week, 27 hour pre-service intensive training program for prospective foster, adopt and kinship families. Homework assignments (PRIDE Connections) correspond to in-class training.
  5. Complete a home study. You will be assigned to a home study worker either during or shortly after you have completed PRIDE.

There is no set waiting time or waiting list. Waiting times depend on an appropriate match between a child and an approved family. By law, there is a minimum 6-month adjustment period from the time a child moves into the new home until the adoption is completed. A longer adjustment period may be necessary depending on the needs of the child and the adoptive family.

Who Are Adoptive Children?
  • All ages and stages, but the majority are age 3 and over
  • Variety of cultural, racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds
  • Brothers and sisters waiting for a family who can adopt them together
  • Have developmental or physical challenges

Each child is different but every child can benefit from becoming part of a warm and loving family

Who Makes A Great Adoptive Parent?
  • Committed to a permanent, lifetime relationship
  • Ability and willingness to cope with the child's needs now and in the future
  • Experience with children and dealing with difficult situations
  • Ability and willingness to accept natural family involvement (if in child’s best interests)
  • At least 19 years of age
  • From any cultural, racial or ethnic background
  • Single, married, divorced, widowed, gay or lesbian
  • Financially able to manage the addition of a child(ren)
  • Experience with adoption
  • Extended family support
  • Lots of parenting experience or none at all