Helping More Kids Find Permanent Homes
McGuinty Government Makes It Easier For Parents To Build Families Through Adoption
NEWS September 1, 2011
Thousands more Ontario children and youth are now eligible for adoption and other supports thanks to changes now in effect.
The Building Families and Supporting Youth To Be Successful Act, 2011 removes barriers so more kids in the care of children’s aid societies (CASs) can be adopted. To help with the transition to adulthood, older youth whose care ended at ages 16 or 17 are now able to return to their CAS and receive financial and other supports until the age of 21.
To help more kids find permanent homes, Ontario will also provide subsidies to eligible families who want to adopt or gain legal custody of a Crown ward. These subsidies will be available through CASs for siblings and children 10 years and older. The new funding is in addition to existing subsidies that most CASs already provide to some adoptive families.
These changes are an important step in the government’s efforts to strengthen Ontario’s adoption system and help more children and youth reach their potential and succeed.
QUOTES
“There is nothing more important in the life of a child than knowing he or she will always have a place to call home. With the new legislation and new subsidies, thousands more kids will have the opportunity to find their forever family.”
- Laurel Broten, Minister of Children and Youth Services
"The Expert Panel is pleased with the McGuinty government's introduction of targeted supports for adoptive families. Older children and siblings represent important groups to target and these funds could be the difference between a child being adopted into a loving home and remaining in foster care. With this money and the proclamation of Bill 179, Minister Broten has moved forward with significant reform of our public adoption system."
- Will Falk, Co-Chair, Expert Panel on Infertility and Adoption, Adoption Work Group
QUICK FACTS
Previously, 75 per cent of the 9,000 kids in CAS care had access orders that prevented them from being adopted. As of Sept. 1, these kids are now eligible for adoption.
Ontario is more than doubling the number of Adoption Resource Exchanges — forums that match adoptive families with children needing adoption — across Ontario.
In the last two years, Ontario increased adoptions by 21 per cent over 2008-09.
Research shows that children and youth in permanent homes are more likely to graduate from high school, hold a job and contribute to their communities.
LEARN MORE
The Building Families and Supporting Youth To Be Successful Act, 2011.
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Balian Taleen 9/1/2011 |
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