About Adoption

WHO are adoptive children?

Adoptive children come from a variety of cultural, ethnic, and religious backgrounds. In most cases, these children and youth are currently living in foster homes. Most of the children waiting to be adopted have experienced challenges in their short lives and need time, patience and help to adjust to a new home. It is important that you are aware of the varied needs of the children who seek adoption to prepare you for your role as a parent.

ROLE of birth parents and first families

The Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa honours a birth parent’s’ right to be involved in decisions about their child’s permanency, and to have an ongoing role in the child’s life.  Prior to an adoption, the birth parent(s) may provide input about the kind of family they would like for their child and may in some cases even select the adoptive family with the support of the Society..

Preserving a child or youth’s relationships with birth parents, siblings, grandparents, and other significant connections are the cornerstones of openness. The modalities of openness relationships, are carefully considered early in the adoption process.  The goal of openness is to support continuity of relationships, community and culture for the adopted child or youth and this also needs to form part of the adoptive parents’ plan when considering adoption.  We are looking for adoptive families who value and will maintain these connections for the adopted child and youth.