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Adopt a Child in Foster Care

Last updated on April 6, 2018

At any given time, there are about 1,000 children in the permanent care of the provincial government who are waiting to be adopted.

Many of our children available for adoption are:

  • Of school age (6-12 years old)
  • Siblings who need to stay together
  • Healing from difficult early childhood experiences (such as neglect or abuse)
  • Sometimes delayed in their development due to pre-natal exposure to drugs or alcohol
  • All have special placement needs

Every effort is made to find an adoptive family who best meets the specific needs of a child and can provide them with a permanent secure and loving home where they can grow into their full potential.

 
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Dealing with Trauma in Children

All of our children in care have experienced trauma of some kind.  Our children require a informed approach to parenting that is different from raising a child who has not been impacted by trauma.

How children recover from trauma depends a lot on the different ways that their lives are changed by what happened. However, there are ways that children can be supported to help them heal over time.
 

 

Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)

A large number our children have been exposed to alcohol during pregnancy. 

FASD is the leading known cause of developmental disability in children.  The term is used to describe the range of problems caused by drinking alcohol during pregnancy, including physical, mental, behavioural and learning disabilities.  These effects can range from mild to severe; having the right tools and support as an adoptive parent will help your child to be successful.

 

Relationships with Important People in their Lives

Sometimes it's in the best interest of the children that they continue to have relationships with important people in their lives.  In these situations, openness agreements are needed.

Openness agreements are designed with the best interest and safety of the child in mind.  These agreements can be with the child's birth parents, grandparents, or any other relative by birth.  They can also be with another person with whom the child has a significant relationship (i.e. a foster parent).

The Post-adoption Openness Registry gives adoptive parents, birth parents and other relatives the option of exchanging identifying or non-identifying information after an adoption order is granted for a child who is under 19 years old.

An openness agreement could fall into one of the following categories:
 

  • Fully Open: frequent contact/visitation. Full names/addresses exchanged

  • Semi-Open: occasional visits, updates, photos

  • Partially Open: initial meeting and/or contact through registry. Non identifying info only

  • No contact: No correspondence or contact with birth family. Social/medical history may be available

 

How To Adopt

Adopting a child or teen who's in B.C. Foster Care takes a special kind of person – someone who shares the desire to help kids reach their full potential.

Post Adoption Assistance Program

This program can provide financial assistance for services related to a child's specific needs, such as counselling, therapy or corrective dental/medical expenses.