Current Adoption Information


A series of articles in the Toronto Star about the diversity of CAS approaches to adoption in Ontario has prompted many people to wonder what is the current situation here in Simcoe County. We have written a Letter to the Editor of all local newspapers which, we hope, will clarify our own adoption service.




October 5, 2001


To The Editor:


Over the past week, one of the large Toronto newspapers has run a series of articles about adoption services across Ontario. While there was a brief reference made to the situation here in Simcoe County, we would like to clarify further for residents of our community, the way in which adoption services and post adoption services are provided here.


The Children's Aid Society of Simcoe County has developed an adoption service that provides quality planning for the children who are being placed and good supports for the families who are wishing to invite a child into their family.


The reality of adoption today across Canada is that there are very few infants who become available for adoption placement.. Young unmarried parents are often able, in many cases, to access a variety of supports when they are anticipating the birth of a baby. Planning an adoption for an expected child, grandchild, niece or nephew is one of the most difficult decisions an individual or a family ever has to make and family members will try to find a way to provide a plan for a child.


As a result, those wishing to adopt an infant face a wait of approximately five years before we are able to begin the homestudy process that prepares for a placement. Prospective adoptive parents may then wait one to two additional years before the birth family selects them to be the permanent placement for their child. Those who wish to adopt children under the age of three years will face similar waiting times. There are very small numbers of single children under three who become available for adoption.


The wait is much shorter for families who are prepared to adopt a child over the age of three years or a sibling group. For these families, the wait may total 18 months to two years. During this period of time, prospective adoptive parents participate in a training program called Adoption Decisions. This six week program allows families to learn about some of the challenges posed by the adoption of these children and to make an informed decision about their desire to proceed. There are three Adoption Decisions programs provided each year.


The policy of the Simcoe County Children's Aid Society is to find permanent families for all eligible children at the earliest opportunity available and to support these placements as long as is necessary. Sometimes, additional financial supports are requested in the form of financial subsidies to cover the costs of specialized treatments, assertive devices or therapeutic programs required by a child. We do whatever we can to support these families in order to ensure that the adopted child has a good chance at completely integrating into a new family. Should a family experience some difficulty several years after the adoption is finalized, our practice is to offer supports.


In spite of limited financial resources, we believe that a quality adoption program with complete services and well-prepared families, provides the best opportunity for the children of our community to grow up in a safe and nurturing environment. We believe our children deserve this kind of service and we appreciate the wonderful opportunities we have had to work together with some very caring families in order to make this happen.


Should you have any further questions or concerns about the adoption program offered to the children of Simcoe County, please feel free to call our adoption department at 726-6587 ext. 273.


Yours truly,


Mary Ballantyne Executive Director