Adoption | Children Waiting for Adoption | The Adoption Process | Adoption Placement | Adoption Disclosure | Links | Adoption Stories Video


How to Apply

Whether you are applying to foster or adopt, the process is essentially the same.  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 available PRIDE (Parent Resources for Information, Development and Education) Training for adoption and foster parents.  This training is a standardized course that is required for all adoptive and foster parents throughout the province of Ontario.  This nine session training is designed to provide you with the basic tools you will need in order to be successful in adopting or fostering a child.  During PRIDE, you will be provided with a package containing the supporting documents that will be needed to complete your file.  These will include police checks, medical references, and personal references. 

All adoption and foster home studies use a format called SAFE (Structured Analysis Family Evaluation).  The SAFE homestudy includes 4-5 interviews and a home safety inspection. It is a mutual evaluation process that identifies the strengths, skills, and capacities of the applicants as well as areas for further growth. 

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. 
Adopted children require stability, consistency and security in their home environments. There may be life situations that impact the stability of your home and therefore the timing of the adoption process.  If there has been a period of major challenge, we will ask for a  period of stability prior to proceeding with the adoption process.

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