Adoption
We prioritize the long-term care and wellbeing of children and youth through adoption, emphasizing the significance of cultural connections and positive identity development.
When a child or youth is unable to permanently live with their family, and extended family, cultural and community members have been exhausted as possibilities for permanency options, we seek an alternative to ensure the child or youth’s long-term care and well-being. Adoption is intended to provide children and youth with permanency, security, and lifelong support. Children and youth of all ages can be adopted and come from a variety of cultural, racial, ethnic, and religious backgrounds, as well as complex lived experiences.
We are committed to making cultural connections
The Child Youth and Family Services Act (CYFSA) recognizes the importance of race, ancestry, place of origin, and cultural and linguistic heritage in making decisions in the best interests of a child or youth. The Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa is committed to this value and acknowledges that historical practices within the child welfare system have often minimized or dismissed the significance of these connections for children and youth.
Given the over representation of First Nations, Inuit, Métis and Black children and youth in our care, we are continuously recruiting adoptive parents who either share the child’s racial and cultural background, or who can make an additional commitment to ensure that the child is able to develop a positive and cultural identity. Additionally, we work to ensure that children and youth are well-supported through experiences of racism and discrimination. Supporting connections with the birth family and the child’s cultural community is an essential component with all adoptions.
When members of a child or youth’s extended family, cultural circle or community are not able to provide permanency, we then match children to approved and waiting adoptive applicants.
Explore more
About Adoption
Explore adoptive children’s backgrounds and the vital roles of birth parents and familial connections in the adoption process.
Adoption Process
Discover the step-by-step process to becoming an adoptive parent with The Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa, from intake to training.
Group Information Sessions
Register for our online Group Information Sessions to learn about fostering and adoption with The Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa.
Current Opportunities
Find current opportunities to adopt children of varied ages, needs, and backgrounds with The Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa.
Related FAQs
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Adoption
What is adoption openness?
Adoption openness is written, verbal, or face-to-face communication or contact between a child and their birth parents. Adoption openness is agreed upon by both the birth parents and the adoptive parents.
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Adoption
What information is shared between the birth parents and the adoptive family?
Birth parents are entitled to non-identifying information about the adoptive family. No names or addresses are shared without everyone’s permission. Pictures and letters can be exchanged over the years so long as there is a mutual agreement between the birth parents and the adoptive family.
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Adoption
Can I adopt more than one child at a time?
You can only adopt more than one child at a time if the children are siblings. Otherwise, you must wait until your first adoption has been completed until you can initiate the adoption process for a second time.
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Adoption
Can I specify what type of child I am looking to adopt?
Yes, during the Home Study process you will have the opportunity to explore what type of child would be the ‘best match’ for you and your family.
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Adoption
Will adopting through a CAS cost anything?
No, there are no fees involved in adoption through a CAS.
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Adoption
How long will I have to wait until I’m placed with a child?
There is no standard timeframe for a placement. The time can vary depending on the child(ren) being referred for adoption and your own family’s strengths and experiences. However, the more open a family is to the age and details of a child, the less time a placement might take.
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Adoption
What’s the difference between foster care and adoption?
Adoption is a lifelong commitment where the rights of a child or youth are transferred from the birth parents to the adoptive parents. On the other hand, foster care is typically short-term or a temporary arrangement where a child or youth is placed with a family, with the ultimate goal of reuniting the child or youth with their birth family. However, in some instances, foster parents end up adopting the foster children themselves.