FAQs

Adoption | Volunteering | Help for Parents | Career Opportunities | Our Foundation



What's the process for adopting a child?

• Contact  a Recruitment Worker to discuss your interest in adoption. 
• An information package will be sent to you
• Submit the Adoption Application to the worker and an in home interview will be scheduled
• Attend nine week PRIDE pre-service training
• Complete adoption questionnaires, including financial information
• 5 Reference letters
• Police checks for each adult living in the home over 18 years of age
• Driver's abstracts for each driver living in the home
• Medical report detailing the past and current health of each applicant
• SAFE homestudy- consisting of 4-5  interviews and a safety inspection of your home
• A family picture or profile

How long does the adoption process take?

• 6 months to 2 years for the process above
• it can take much longer to actually proceed in adopting a child

Who decides which people will receive adoptive children?

• the birth families decide in the case of infants
• agency workers will match children and families

Do I have to be wealthy to adopt a child?

• No, but you must show that you can support a child on your income

Do I have to be married to adopt a child?

• No

Back to Adoption.

Who will answer if I call with a concern about child abuse or neglect?
Family and Children Services has staff available to respond to calls around the clock, including holidays. If you are calling after-hours, you may need to leave your number for someone to return your call. Please listen carefully to the instructions on the automated greeting on the voice mail.

What will happen if I call Family and Children Services if I am overwhelmed with being a parent or if I have a concern/suspicion of abuse of a child other than my own?
The worker taking your call will ask you various questions such as details of your concern, dates , names of the children, address, phone number where you can be reached. Depending on the information you have given, the worker may be able to deal with the situation over the phone or they may consult with their supervisor as to how best to respond to this concern.

Will I be asked to give Family and Children Services my name?
You will be asked for your name if you are calling about your own children.
If you are a person calling in with a concern about another child and do not wish to leave your name, you can remain anonymous.

Will it be on record if I call?
All the calls are documented but a file is only opened if a call warrants an investigation and/or home visit.

If Family and Children Services decide that my children need to be removed from home for their safety and well being, where will they go?
Where possible, children are placed with a family member. If that is not an immediate or possible option, children will be placed in a foster home within the Waterloo Region. If a family member's home becomes available in the future, this will be considered.

Will I be able to see them or talk to them?
In most cases, an access visit will be arranged as soon as possible and you will be consulted about setting up a regular visiting schedule to see your child/children. Depending on the age of the child and circumstances, phone calls may or may not be allowed.

If I am finding parenting overwhelming, what will Family and Children Services do for me?
The worker responding to your call will make every effort to discern what kind of help would be most beneficial for you for whatever your need is. They may suggest various options: do you have someone you can call for support or help, have you tried counseling or do you need help finding a counseling agency, are there other community supports that might be able to help you, if are you afraid that you will hurt your child or do something you might regret, they might suggest that your child come into care with your voluntary agreement.

Back to Help for Parents.

What is the FCS Foundation?
The Family and Children's Services Foundation is the fundraising arm of Family and Children's Services of the Waterloo Region. We raise money in the community to provide programs promoting healing, learning, and growing that are not funded through government subsidies.

Why do you need a Foundation?
Government funding does provide most of the basics, and we are very glad of that, but they do not stretch far enough to provide a variety of opportunities that you and I can give to our children and which we consider essential - essential because they offer the type of experiences that spark the discovery in children of their creativity, curiosity, talents and skills, their imagination and intelligence, their vision of a future and what they would like to be when they grow up, and the opportunity to make that future a reality.

Where does the money go?
Through the growing support of our donors, the way the agency is able to encourage children and youth in its care to think about the future has changed. We are now able to open up the doors to a brighter future for vulnerable children through post secondary scholarships, summer camp adventures, tutoring programs or a class trip, even just a Christmas gift for children who might otherwise go without. We feel these opportunities enrich children's lives and help them to grow up to become well-adjusted, productive citizens.

These opportunities are a critical part of getting kids lives back on track and of opening up the possibilities for very different futures. The growing support of our donors has changed the way the agency is now able to encourage the children and youth in its care to think about the future.

"There is a partnership between the agency and the community that is growing, rather than diminishing, and it is literally changing the future for our children for the better and opening doors and opportunities that otherwise would remain beyond reach for most of them".
--Peter Ringrose, Executive Director

Is it possible to give a gift in memory of a loved one?
We welcome memorial gifts. They are a tribute to your family or friend. There is a range of options based on the size of the gift made to the Family and Children's Services Foundation. We would be pleased to discuss them with you.

Can I name the Family and Children's Services Foundation as beneficiary on my existing life insurance policy?
Yes. A life insurance policy can be assigned in whole or in part to the Family and Children's Services Foundation. The donor of the policy will continue to make premium payments unless the premium is paid in full. There are also tax benefits to the donor while alive, if he or she decides to make a gift of life insurance naming the Family and Children's Services Foundation as beneficiary.

How can I remember the Family and Children's Services Foundation in my will?
You may wish to include the Family and Children's Services Foundation as a beneficiary when you draw up your will, or you may amend your existing will to include a provision for the Family and Children's Services Foundation. Your lawyer is the best person to help you draft or change your will to ensure that your wishes are clearly stated.
Your gift of love will make a world of difference in the lives of disadvantaged children within our community.

How can I help?
Volunteer...Foster...Adopt...Donate
Foundation grants are only possible with the generous support of our local community. n investment today, means a brighter tomorrow for vulnerable children. To learn more about the Foundation and how you can make a difference in the lives of this community's families, youth, and children, call (519) 576-1329 ext. 3145.

Back to the Foundation.

What format should my resume be in?
Preference is to have your resume in a Word or PDF document.

How do I know that you have received my resume?
90% of our resume submissions come through our resume@facswaterloo address. Once you have e-mailed your resume to our data base a thank you reply indicating it has been received is automatically sent back to you.

What is the status of my resume?
We receive a very high volume of resumes on a weekly basis and unfortunately not able to confirm everyone's resume was received. A separate cover letter and resume should be submitted for each position that you are applying for. You must also indicate in the Re: or Subject line of your email what position number you are applying for.

How long do you keep my resume on file?
Your resume will be kept on file for a six (6) month period. If you meet the minimum qualifications for the position you are applying for.

How do I know where the screening process is at?
Only those candidates who are selected for an interview will be contacted directly. Typically within two weeks of the close date of any job posting, interviews are usually scheduled. Please ensure we know how to contact you during the hours of 9:00 am and 4:00 pm Monday through Friday.

I have been interviewed, how will I be notified?
If you are the successful candidate you will receive a call with a job offer. If you are an unsuccessful candidate you will receive a letter by mail. Unless you have been advised otherwise during the interview process.

Up until what time will my resume be accepted?
All resumes are to be submitted by 4:00 p.m. on the date of closing. Resume received after the closing time and date are marked as such and might not form part of the pool of applicants.

Back to Careers.

How can you help?
Over 200 volunteers help us provide service to children, youth and families each year. Their contribution to the work of the agency is invaluable and they provide a vital link between the agency and the community we serve.

Who can volunteer?
Men and women of all ages, single and partnered, working, retired, students. Volunteers represent various racial, cultural, and ethnic groups. Volunteers are people who choose to contribute some of their time, energy and special skills to our agency.

What do volunteers do?
Agency volunteers provide a wide range of services. Some volunteers befriend, tutor, provide child care, drive, and supervise access meetings. Volunteers may also research lifebooks or adoption disclosure information, assist in fundraising and public relations, provide administrative support. And volunteers make up our agency board of directors and Foundation board of directors. We try to fit the assignment to meet the skills, interests and available time of each volunteer.

How can I become a volunteer?
Call our Volunteer Services staff at (519) 576-0540, or e-mail us at Volunteer.Services@facswaterloo.org. You will be asked to come to an interview, provide three references, complete a criminal record check, consent to an agency record check, and attend four two hour orientation sessions. This process will help both of us decide whether volunteering some time at our agency is the right thing for you.

Once you are approved as a volunteer we will match you to an assignment that most closely relates to your interests and skills.

Back to Volunteering.