Adoption
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What is adoption?
 Adoption
is the process through which a child becomes a permanent part
of a new family. All children need roots and a feeling that they
belong to a family. Children who grow up in stable and healthy
families become the adults who will build the strong and supportive
communities of the future. There are children of all ages who
need adoptive families.
Adoptions in Manitoba occur under the legislation of The Adoption
Act and The Child and Family Services Act. This includes
adoptions of children living in Manitoba and children from other
provinces and countries.
In all cases, greatest consideration is given to the child's
best interests. This includes the child's opportunity to belong
as a wanted member of a family, the adoptive parents' ability
to meet the child's mental, emotional and educational needs, and
the child's cultural, linguistic, racial and religious heritage.
The legislation is intended to protect the rights of everyone
involved in an adoption: the child, the child's birth parents
and the adoptive parents. For example, no one
can give or receive
a payment or reward of any kind in connection with the adoption
of a child, except for standard legal fees and
fees to agencies for certain services.
Adoptions that occur in Manitoba are made legal by an Order of
Adoption granted by a judge in the Court of Queen's Bench.
Who may adopt?
Applicants must be Manitoba residents 18 years of age or older.
Who are the children being adopted?
In some situations where parents are not ready and able to raise
their child, they plan adoption. Sometimes they cannot provide
the kind of upbringing they want their child to have. Birth Parent Counselling
is available at agencies to help them talk about their feelings
and discuss their options.
Often there is no one in their extended family who is in a position
to raise the child. With some older children who need adoptive
families, their parents are unable to cope with the responsibility
of raising a child, sometimes as a result of a parent's addiction,
illness or disability.
Infants
There are fewer infants now who need adoptive families. There
are more families approved for adoption than there are infants,
creating a long waiting period for people who want to adopt a
healthy infant.
 Toddlers,
Older Children and Children with Special Needs
Adopting toddlers and older children is very different from adopting
an infant. Because older children have had many experiences in
their lives, adoptive parents must have an especially high degree
of maturity and flexibility to meet their needs. Adoption is
not always without problems; it is a lifelong process that requires
patience and skill.
Children with special needs are of all ages. They require special
understanding and acceptance. Examples of children with special
needs are:
- Children who have a history of painful experiences including
abuse, neglect, or problems due to separation from their family
and familiar surroundings. These children usually need to resolve
their emotional hurts, abandonment issues and fears about the
future. Where needed, these children receive professional assistance
while they are in foster care prior to joining an adoptive family.
- Children who have developmental or physical disabilities.
- Sibling groups who need a family who can adopt them together.
What are the steps in adopting a child?
Application for adoption
After making the decision to adopt, applying is the first step.
You need to apply to a Child and Family Services agency for adoption
of permanent wards. You may apply to a licensed
adoption agency or a Child
and Family Services agency for other kinds of adoptions.
Orientation Meetings and Preparation Workshops
These are available with most agencies and will help you decide
whether adoption is right for you and for whom you would be the
best parents. You will have the opportunity to learn from social
workers and from parents who are having real-life experiences
in adopting.
The Homestudy
A homestudy is an assessment process between you and a qualified
adoption social worker. The homestudy helps decide whether you
are able to assume the responsibilities of being an adoptive parent
and for which children you are most suitable and capable of being
a parent.
Together with the social worker, you will discuss your home and
community, your marriage relationship and your thoughts about
parenting. You will also discuss many other aspects of being parents
of an adopted child, such as your knowledge of adoption issues,
including those of separation and loss and their effect on behaviour
and development.
The adoption social worker will get to know your family and help
you explore feelings, attitudes, capabilities and expectations.
He or she will help you get ready for reactions you may have following
adoption placement that you didn't expect.
Your social worker may also discuss issues that arise in specific
cases, particularly with international adoptions, where special
consideration must be given to children of another race or culture
who will have to adjust to a new country and language. These children
may have experienced institutional care, and there may be limited
social and medical history available.
As part of the homestudy process you will need to provide information
such as medical reports from your doctor, financial statements,
police checks and letters from references.
Following the homestudy process, the agency's social worker will
give the agency a report that includes a recommendation about
placing the child with you. You are entitled to a copy of the
report.
Additional Steps
Find out more about additional steps for the different types
of adoption through the links in the section below.
Post-Adoption Registry
Following the adoption of your child, you may register on his
or her behalf with the Post-Adoption Registry.
The Registry provides non-identifying information, search and
reunion services to family members involved in an adoption that
was finalized in Manitoba.
 What
is "Openness" in adoption?
Adoptive parents have the opportunity to have contact with birth
family and others. Openness
is a standard
practice between birth families and adoptive families in private
adoption. As well, with adoption of a permanent
ward, openness is becoming common, including with
older children.
Contact can range from limited or ongoing visits with birth family
members to the exchange of cards, letters and photographs, either
directly or through an agency.
Where there is an agreement, the degree of openness may be determined
between the adoptive family and the birth parents or other appropriate
parties such as foster parents, considering the needs of the child.
The Adoption Act provides for openness agreements, which
formalize the details of contact agreed upon. It is possible to
renegotiate the agreement over time.
What types of adoption are available in Manitoba?
Select a type of adoption to learn more:
How can I learn more about adoption?
If you would like more information on adoption, visit our Frequently
Asked Questions page or contact the adoption department of a Child and Family
Services agency or a licensed adoption agency. A worker will explain adoption to you in detail, and answer
any specific questions you may have.
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