Getting ready to adopt a child or youth in Ontario involves successfully completing two steps—PRIDE (Parent Resources for Information, Development and Education) Training and a SAFE (Structured Analysis Family Evaluation) Homestudy.
PRIDE Training is a nine-part training session designed to provide you with the basic tools needed to successfully adopt a child or youth. Sessions are facilitated by a Halton Children’s Aid Society Resource Worker and a Resource Parent.
The SAFE Homestudy will take place after your PRIDE training is completed. This mutual evaluation process includes four to six (4-6) interviews in your home and identifies your readiness, willingness and ability to adopt a child or youth.
During both the PRIDE training and SAFE Homestudy processes, you will be provided with a package that asks for several documents to be completed. These include:
- police checks;
- RCMP fingerprinting;
- child welfare record checks;
- a medical form from your doctor; and
- personal references
These, and a few other documents, help us complete the assessment of your family. Often, families are curious as to what we are looking for when we assess families for adoption. We know children and youth require stability, consistency and security in their home environments. Typically, we have found that families who are successful in adopting have:
- patient parenting skills;
- a strong commitment to a child or youth;
- the ability to accept differences in others;
- ability to encourage a feeling of belonging within the adoptive family;
- the patience to let children and youth progress at their own pace; and
- realistic expectations.
We know life can bring challenges to all families at times. If your family has recently experienced a loss or is under significant stress, it would be better to wait for a period of time before continuing with your adoption plans. Having a stable and healthy family environment at the beginning of the adoption process is key to a successful adoption.