Once your adoption application is approved by your local children’s aid society, they will advise you if they have a waitlist and will speak to you about completing the mandatory requirements of a homestudy and parent preparation training.
The homestudy includes four-six interviews with an adoption worker from your local society. The interviews usually take place after personal and medical references, criminal record checks and child welfare checks have been received by your CAS. Parent preparation training consists of 27 hours of in-class or online learning. It is called Parent Resources for Information, Development and Education (PRIDE). Private PRIDE training is also available at AdoptOntario – PRIDE.
For caregivers of Indigenous children and youth, you can undergo the HEART and SPIRIT home study and training instead of SAFE AND PRIDE. These tools were developed by ANCFSAO to be culturally appropriate alternatives to SAFE and PRIDE to engage and train caregivers in a way that supports and nurtures the cultures, heritages and identities of Indigenous children and youth.
Once your homestudy is approved and parent training is completed, you are approved to adopt a child from any society across the province.