What is Adoption?

Adoption is a legal social process, which establishes a parent child relationship, providing permanence and security for the child. Adoption has changed over the years to reflect changing patterns in our society. Not long ago, it was considered appropriate only for babies. Currently the adoptable population is a mixture of children from all age groups, some of them with very special needs. Because older children's characters have been formed to a great extent, adopting them is a very different matter from adopting a newborn infant. Parents must not only possess the maturity and flexibility to meet the type of challenge it often involves, but in many cases will need to develop specialized skills to meet their adopted child's special needs.

Who Can Access?

Any resident of the Districts of Nipissing or Parry Sound can be serviced by the Society.

How Does One Adopt a Child in Nipissing or Parry Sound?

When an applicant approaches our Society about adoption, he / she is invited to attend an orientation meeting with other adoption applicants. Agency staff will describe the various aspects of adoption locally and within Ontario. If the applicant wishes to proceed after hearing what is involved, he /she will then be invited to attend a mandatory training when it's offered. This training becomes part of your home study.

The home study enables the worker to acquaint himself /herself with the applicant, his / her lifestyle, attitudes and expectations. This process will enable a mutual decision to be made as to the type of child or children who will be best suited to their family. Because the child's welfare is of primary concern, the worker concentrates on finding the most appropriate home for the child rather than on finding a child for the applicants.

After Home Study, then what?

Once a family has been selected and has accepted a child, a pre-placement plan will be set out. This will include visiting, the exchange of information such as life book, video, and any other information that might help the child and family acquaint themselves with each other. Only after that does the child move into the home. The law specifies a probation period of not less than six months from the time a child moves into the new home. Sometimes the period is longer. During this time the Children's Aid Society adoption worker supervises the placement and helps to resolve problems or difficulties, which the family or the child may encounter.

When all parties are ready to complete the adoption, the Children's Aid Society makes an application to the court for an Adoption Order, making the adopting parents the child's legal parents, and the child a legal member of their family. With some exceptions, adoptions become happy experiences for all concerned. However, adoption, like child rearing, is not without problems. When these occur, the Children's Aid Society stands ready to help.

Cost

For adoption there are no costs associated with an adoption through the agency.

How to Place Your Child For Adoption

Should you be considering placing your child for adoption one of our staff will meet you and discuss all of the available options. You will be told how adoption works and will be able to make your own choice.

Adoption Disclosure

Adoption Disclosure Legislation provides for the sharing of both non-identifying and identifying information to adults who are a birth parent, an adoptee, a birth sibling, or a birth grandparent. A request for non-identifying information should be made to the Society that arranged the adoption. It is recommended that this information be obtained prior to a reunion.

A pamphlet entitled "Adoption Disclosure Services in Ontario" is also available, and it is preferable to read this pamphlet prior to completing an application form to be named in the Register. The Adoption disclosure Register is operated by the Ministry of Community and Social Services in Toronto, whereby parties to adoption can submit their name when they would like to find a birth relative. Application forms for the Register are available through the Ministry of Community and Social Services in Toronto, or any Children's Aid Society. At the present time there is no fee for this service.