In 2021 the ACO undertook a Community Needs Assessment with assistance from an MSW student at Lakehead University.  The ACO wanted to know, from our community’s perspective, what kind of support was needed.  Over 500 individuals were approached by survey.  An essential focus of the survey was related to how adoptive parents prepared for their adoption journey.  ACO also talked with adopted people, first/original family members and adoption professionals in focus groups to understand their needs and perspectives. The analysis from those focus groups is still in process.  

The ACO discovered some interesting trends: 

1. Respondents did not know where to begin to gather information when considering adoption. Respondents experienced navigating the adoption system as confusing, inconsistent and lacking transparency.  
2. Adoptive parents prefer to turn to their extended family support and found that their extended family frequently were unable to support them because extended family members did not have a good understanding of their children’s needs.    
3. While respondents did report attending a large amount of training related to openness prior to their adoption placement, they would like more practical and “hands-on” training available after a child or children joined their family.  
4. Kin caregivers have a unique experience and face significant barriers when accessing support.