Adoption Services
There are several different paths to adoption in Ontario. It can feel quite overwhelming to know where to turn for support and advice around hopes for your family.
I am a part-time adoption practitioner, and would be more than happy to discuss options for your family in a no-obligation consultation appointment to discuss adoption. Please reach out to my assistant to schedule an appointment so that we can talk about your family’s needs.
August 2024: I am currently running a waitlist for consultation appointments based on the demand over the summer. Please send me an email using the “Get in Touch” button on the above menu to learn more about starting a homestudy with me.
Public Adoption
Public adoption refers to an adoption through a Children’s Aid Society / Family and Children’s Services organization or an Indigenous Child and Family Well-Being Agency. In other provinces, some of these agencies are run directly by the province. In Ontario, these ‘arm’s length’ organizations are tasked with interpreting legislation under the Child, Youth and Family Services Act (2017).
In previous years, these agencies had high numbers of adoptions. More recently, we have seen anecdotally that these organizations are ensuring child safety via kin arrangements (placing children with extended family). This means that the number of adoptions have rapidly declined in recent years.
If you are looking to adopt an older child, a sibling group, or a child with medical or developmental needs, this may be the option for you. All children available through the public system have a history of adverse early childhood experiences.
It is possible you are coming to my website to explore working with me and completing a homestudy for public adoption. Given their low numbers, many agencies are recommending that prospective adoptive parents connect with private practitioners to complete their homestudy or their homestudy update. Most Children’s Aid Societies require that families are prepared to accept a number of risk factors, and it is important that this is an informed decision. I would be happy to meet with your family to discuss this exciting option.
Please feel free to book a free consultation if you are interested in reaching out to complete a homestudy for public adoption.
August 2024: I am currently running a waitlist for consultation appointments based on the demand over the summer. Please send me an email using the “Get in Touch” button on the above menu to learn more about starting a homestudy with me.
Private Domestic Adoption
Private adoption refers to adoption of a child through an Agency or an individual Licensee. Most private domestic adoptions in Ontario are for newborn children. Birth families are the decision-makers in private adoption, and are supported by Licensees or private adoption agencies. These birth families almost always want some level of openness with an adoptive family, and they are the ones to choose the adoptive family and to make an adoption plan for their child.
There are three agencies and many individual licensees in the province of Ontario: for more information, please see the Ministry’s website: https://www.ontario.ca/page/licensed-agencies-and-individuals-private-adoptions
Unfortunately, there are few private adoptions happening in the province currently, though numbers shift and change. There is a waiting registry at many Agencies, who open and close their list periodically based on different factors. To find out more information, please book an individual consultation with me below to discuss your options. Following our consultation, you will want to connect with these agencies yourself to find out more about their process.
Birth parents who work with agencies are supported by birth parent counsellors throughout the process. Birth parents tell their agency about the qualities and characteristics they are looking for in an adoptive parent. In turn, the Agency or Licensee assemble prospective adoptive parents’ profile books. In the homestudy process, we will work on developing your own family’s profile book together to help you maximize your chances to adopt.
I would be more than happy to discuss the current landscape of adoption in a consultation appointment so that you can make the best decision for your family.
August 2024: I am currently running a waitlist for consultation appointments based on the demand over the summer. Please send me an email using the “Get in Touch” button on the above menu to learn more about starting a homestudy with me.
Private International Adoption
Private international adoption refers to adoption from a country outside of Canada. Most of these adoptions are finalized in the child’s country of origin.
You will work with an internationally-approved Licensee to facilitate the adoption, and all countries have different requirements. For instance, some countries require that you must be a relative to adopt from the country. Other countries require a certain number of visits to the country. Once you have determined you are eligible for a program, you will book a meeting with a Licensee who works with that country, and then reach out to a practitioner such as myself to discuss the homestudy requirements for the country. I encourage you to book appointments with multiple practitioners to find the best fit.
Following the submission of the homestudy and related documents, the Ministry will issue a Letter of Approval allowing you to move forward with the process.
These adoptions are very different from one country to another. You will want to connect with a Licensee from the Ministry’s website for a consultation before approaching me for my homestudy consultation.
Please note that neither I, nor the Licensee, are responsible for the immigration process for an internationally adopted child. This is a separate process from the adoption homestudy requirements. We can discuss this further during our first initial consultation.
August 2024: I am currently running a waitlist for consultation appointments based on the demand over the summer. Please send me an email using the “Get in Touch” button on the above menu to learn more about starting a homestudy with me.