Welcome to AdoptOntario

Providing possibilities for meaningful connections between children, youth, and prospective adoptive parents across the province.

Every Child and Youth Deserves a Family

Through the blending of clinical support and technology-based resources, the AdoptOntario program builds critical connections to support permanency for children and youth in Extended Society Care.  There is an urgent need to find families who can provide permanent care for youth who experience a diagnosis of Autism.

3/4

adoptions included Openness Provisions

(Source: OACAS) (2020-2021)

51%

(Over half) of those in care or receiving supports were youth aged 16-20+

(Source: OACAS) (2020-2021)

100%

of children/youth in foster care have experienced loss and some form of adverse childhood experience

Getting Started with AdoptOntario

 

View profiles of our incredible children and youth in Kids Korner!

AdoptOntario provides public access to information about some of the children and youth currently waiting for permanency through adoption.

Preparation training for Prospective Adoptive Parent(s)

Meeting the needs of adopted children is now recognized in Ontario as essential for all adoptions whether public, private or international. PRIDE is the standardized educational training program to prepare all applicant families to foster or adopt children.

Learning about therapeutic parenting

All children and youth who are adopted have experienced loss, grief and trauma. AdoptOntario helps parent(s) understand these needs and provides information and resources in support. If you are looking for support for yourself after adoption placement check out Pathways to Permanence.

1417

children/youth referred to AdoptOntario have been connected with families since 2006

6-10 years

The most frequent age range of children referred to AdoptOntario

1680

new families have registered for public accounts on AdoptOntario

Source *AdoptOntario Family/Child Aggregates Data 2021-22

Shared Experiences

Miles

Miles is a social butterfly who loves to show off his hearty laugh and a big smile with those around him. He is very inquisitive and very aware of his environment and wants to “be in the know.” He is a content little one who loves nothing more than to be cuddled and held. Miles was profiled at eleven regional and provincial AREs A match was identified in 2020 and further pursued in 2021.

Chloe

Chloe, 6 was referred to AdoptOntario in early 2019, she has since been profiled at three AREs, and has been supported with every recruitment strategy available to help her find permanency. It was in January 2021 when a wonderful and experienced family learned about Chloe.

Margret

Margret, 10 was first referred to AdoptOntario in early 2016. An experienced foster family first learned about her through the Waiting Children Photolisting. Coincidently, Margret and her family were both affiliated with the same Children’s Aid Society.

Max, Levi & Noah

Max, Levi, and Noah were presented at the “Nurturing Identity, Seeking Black/Biracial Families” event in October 2020. Three months after the event the children’s adoption worker shared that a family had been selected through the event.

Eloise

Eloise, age 8, is a bright-eyed, engaging young person with a winning smile. Referred to AdoptOntario in April, Eloise was presented at the Spring ARE in May. During this event, a family worker learned of Eloise and put forward a skilled and identity supporting family for consideration. This family had also been identified through the AdoptOntario Databank matching tool. The match was confirmed 4 months after the ARE, 5 months after being referred to the program.

Having access to the child/youth pre-recorded presentations helps me to understand the child and youth who are looking for permanency, it reminds me that these are individual people, and it helps me figure out what I think my strengths would be as a parent, and what I might struggle with.

Having access to the child/youth pre-recorded presentations helps me to understand the child and youth who are looking for permanency, it reminds me that these are individual people, and it helps me figure out what I think my strengths would be as a parent, and what I might struggle with.

I thought the presentation did portray a sense of hope and joy, and that’s not something I’ve heard too much in the adoption process.

I have really appreciated the support of our agency liaison at AO. The experience and connection with this worker is invaluable. It helps to ensure that all potential permanency families are being explored and therefore meet the needs of the children and youth I am working with.