Adoption is a legal and social process which establishes a parent-child relationship, providing permanence and security for the child/youth.
Ontario’s adoption rate has declined over the past several years and this trend has been reflected in the communities we serve. This is due in part to significant social and cultural changes. For example, not only is it now socially acceptable for a young single parent to keep their baby, but the birth rate is lower due to birth control measures. Services that help keep families together have also improved.
Most of the adoption placements at CFSGE have been occurring within family and community systems known as kin, or kith. For First Nations, Inuit, and Metis children, we work closely with their Band or affiliated community to establish Customary Care Agreements, which ensures a child’s lifelong cultural safety and permanent connection to their respective community.
If an adoptive placement is required for any children outside their family circle, we seek homes based on their specific needs as the needs of the child come first. A successful match only takes place when a family can meet the needs of the child/youth or children (i.e., in the case of a sibling group.)
For more information on adoption in Ontario, you may wish to consult the following sources:
- Interested in Adopting an Infant – Centralized Adoption Intake
- Adoption Council of Ontario: https://www.adoption.on.ca/
- Ministry for Children & Youth Services: This site provides information on public, private and international adoption, including links to private adoption practitioners and agencies within the region. http://www.children.gov.on.ca/htdocs/English/adoption/index.aspx
- Adopt4Life: adopt4life.com