The Application and Home Study Process

The adoption process may seem intense but reflects the sensitive and delicate nature of adopting a child with special needs. It involves an initial home visit, where your questions are answered and documents are provided for you to complete i.e. personal questionnaires, criminal reference checks, medicals and personal references.  If you live outside of the GTA, this package will be mailed to you.

Once you return all of these documents, you are scheduled into the next available training session (note it’s critical that all documents are returned as until then you will not proceed to training) The training consist of several sessions in which critical information is shared, and discussed to educate you on adoption issues, and to assist you in making an informed decision on which children to apply for, and how best to support their adjustment and growth within your family. Upon completion of the training a social worker completes the home study, which usually takes four to five months to complete. The home study process includes 3-4 interviews including a home visit and inspection. The interviews focus on family backgrounds, motivation for adopting, couple relationship, financial circumstances and experience with children.

Once a home study is completed and approved, applicants will be considered for potential adoptive children.  When a match has happened the adoption worker will contact you to give you some background information on the child (ren).  If you are interested in being considered for this child then the adoption worker will visit you and go over more detailed information on the child.  This information will be medical, child and family social history and any assessments the child has received.  If at this time you would like to move forward then your family will be considered at an adoption conference.  Often more then one family is considered and the family that best meets that specific child’s needs will be chosen.  If you are chosen then you will be notified immediately and a first visit will be arranged.  From there a transition schedule will be created in order to help the child move to your care.  The transition time period will depend on the child and factors such as age and development dictate this.  During the transition time the adoptive parent(s) will be expected to spend intense amount of time with the child(ren) in and out of the foster home.  Once the child is placed in your home then the family is on adoption probation which typically lasts a minimum of 6 months.  After this probationary period the adoption will be finalized in the courts.
 
From time to time, families may require the support of the agency long after the adoption has been finalized. Those families may call us for assistance.
For some families who experience financial hardship in providing fully for an adopted child, due to the special needs of their adopted child, a subsidy may be requested in order to secure stability for the child. Approval is based upon the needs of the child, and the family's ability to provide for the child financially. This subsidy is reviewed with the family on an annual basis.
For other families where the issues are not financial, we may assist in accessing additional community services to support the child and family.

If you are not selected at the adoption conference, it does not mean that your family will not get a child.  It means that you were not the right fit for that particular child, but your family will be considered for other children.  This can be a difficult time for people as they are excited about the possibility of adopting and it is important to have a strong support system around you during this time.

 Who is eligible to adopt?
 
 The following are the minimum requirements to begin the application process: 
• Minimum 18 years of age
• Good general health
• Financially self-sufficient
• Stable relationship for two years (including same-sex couples, common-law, single applicants)
• Consent of all immediate family members
• Demonstrated healthy individual and family histories
• Sound mental health
• No substance abuse; no condoning of illegal substances
• No criminal charges pending or significant criminal background
• No verified or suspected incidents of child abuse
• No significant previous client involvement with a CAS
• Adequate living and sleeping premises for a child
• Demonstrated ability to carry out essential duties of parenting
• Ability to ensure a child will have appropriate developmental environment
• Adequate language and communication skills
• Willingness to learn new skills
• Willingness to work with the agency and other professionals
• Adequate understanding of adoptive care
• Adequate understanding of circumstances around which children come into the care of CAS
• Sensitivity to cultural differences and backgrounds of children
 
If you are interested in an application to adopt please click on the Contact Us link on the main menu and in the subject line select Ask an Adoption Worker. Send your name and address via email and we will reply with the requested information. Or if you prefer, send us an email at Adoptioninfo@nativechild.org