The AdoptOntario program is dedicated to using approaches that focus on the strengths, needs, and voices of children and youth. To facilitate this, AdoptOntario works collaboratively with adoption professionals to design the best recruitment approach for the child/youth, ensuring that the child/youth is an active part of the process. AdoptOntario is committed to presenting child/youth profiles in a strengths-based way that invites prospective adoptive families to understand the day-to-day resources needed to support the child/youth. Education and training opportunities are available to prospective adoptive parents to help them learn more about adoption and the needs of children and youth.

 

For all galaxy members, loss is the centre of the adoption experience, including the loss of original and significant relationships. Relationships can also help to heal adoption trauma when adoptive caregivers embrace their role with self-awareness; when they are committed to learning the approaches of therapeutic parenting; and when there is openness about the child or youth’s story and history. The approaches and resources used by AdoptOntario are trauma-informed and aim to support the prospective adoptive family in attuning to the needs of the child/youth.

 

 

The 7 Core Issues in Adoption and Permanency were first introduced by Sharon Kaplan Roszia and Deborah Silverstein in their article “Seven Core Issues in Adoption” (1982). The 7 Core Issues include loss, rejection, shame and guilt, grief, identity, intimacy, and mastery and control.  The AdoptOntario team is committed to using a trauma-informed approach that is rooted in the 7 Core Issues framework.

 

 

AdoptOntario blends clinical support with technology to provide a holistic, effective approach to supporting those in the adoption galaxy. While technology offers opportunities to make province-wide connections, AdoptOntario clinical support offers evidence-informed approaches to understanding adoption and developing child-centred recruitment plans.