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How to Apply

Whether you are applying to foster or adopt, the process is essentially the same.  The Ministry of Child and Youth Services has streamlined the process for both types of applications and has introduced a new training and home study format that will be used to educate and assess potential families.

The first step is to contact a Recruitment Worker from Family and Children's Services. The worker will speak to you about your current situation and answer any questions you may have about adoption. An information package will then be sent to you.  Should you be interested in pursuing adoption, please complete the Application form found in the package and submit it to the Recruitment Worker.  An appointment will then be scheduled to meet with you in your home to further discuss adoption and answer any questions that you might  have. 

You will then be registered for the next PRIDE (Parent Resources for Information, Development and Education) Pre-Service training for adoption and foster parents.  This training is a standardized training being offered to all adoption and foster parents throughout the province of Ontario.  It is a mandatory requirement to complete this training program.  This nine session training is an informative, thought and feeling provoking look at adoption and fostering. The training assists you in looking at the issues involved in adopting and fostering, the impact on your own family and how to care for the children who are placed in your home.

During the course of the pre-service training, you will be asked to complete a questionnaire and submit supporting documentation, including police record checks, medical references and five character reference letters. You will be assigned to a Recruitment Worker, who will conduct your homestudy.  In some instances the homestudy interviews will occur concurrently to the PRIDE training. 

All adoption and foster home studies conducted by CAS’s use a format called SAFE (Structured Analysis Family Evaluation).  The SAFE homestudy is a mutual process that evaluates the capacities of the applicants for adoptive and fostering parenthood and relates these to the needs of the children.  It involves the discussion of important issues pertaining to parenting and invites applicants to examine their own beliefs, values and feelings. The homestudy process includes 4-5 interviews including a home safety inspection. The interviews focus on family backgrounds, motivation for fostering &/or adoption, couple relationship (if applicable), financial circumstances and experience with children. The process also assists the applicants to become aware of what fostering and adoption involves, how adoptive parenthood differs from biological parenthood and prepares the applicants for the process best suited to the applicant.

We are looking for families, couples or individuals who have proven problem-solving abilities and can provide patient, skilled parenting and long-term commitment when considering adoption. Being able to accept differences is vital in reinforcing a child's self-esteem and feeling of belonging within the adoptive or foster family. Adoptive applicants who have the patience to let children progress at their own pace, and who can accept potential future problems, and provide children with security and permanence, are the most likely to succeed with adoption. 

Obviously, you will want to know our decision. If we believe that we have to decline your application, we will let you know quickly and meet with you face-to-face to explain our decision. You have the right to appeal the decision and there are channels available to appeal.

From this, a decision can be made regarding the kind of child the applicant could parent and the matching process begins. A child with a family background containing risk factors for future problems, such as drug and alcohol abuse and mental illness creates special placement considerations when locating a potential family. Special consideration is also called for during the placement of a child with one or more siblings who need to remain together. Great significance is placed in making an appropriate cultural and racial match whenever possible for each child. The process may seem intense but reflects the sensitive and delicate nature of adopting a child with special needs.

*If applicable.

Our Mailing address is:
Foster Adopt Recruitment Team
Family and Children's Services of the Region of Waterloo
300 Ardelt Avenue
Kitchener, Ontario N2G 2S6
Call (519) 576-0540, ask for a Foster/Adopt Recruitment Worker
E-mail: foster.adoption@facswaterloo.org