Many Children and Youth Awaiting Adoptive Parents in Ontario

    November is Adoption Awareness Month

    TORONTO, Nov. 3 /CNW/ - During Adoption Awareness Month in November, the
Ontario Association of Children's Aid Societies (OACAS) and its member
agencies remind Ontarians that many children and youth in care need adoptive
families.
    "All children and youth need loving families to flourish. Many children
in the care of Ontario's Children's Aid Societies dream of being adopted into
their 'forever family'," said Jeanette Lewis, Executive Director, OACAS. "We
know children develop better in the stable setting that an adoptive family
offers and that's why more families are needed for adoption of older children
and youth, sibling groups and children of diverse culture and heritage."
    People from diverse cultural backgrounds, single people or same-sex
couples are encouraged to consider adoption. As well, people with the capacity
to adopt children with special needs, sibling groups or older children are
needed.

    At March 31, 2008, there were approximately 9,200 children in care who
could be adopted in Ontario. Of them:
    -   12 per cent were children aged 0 to 5
    -   32 per cent were children aged 6 to 12
    -   56 per cent were teenagers 13 years and over

    Last year, Ontario's Children's Aid Societies finalized 822 adoptions;
but there are many more children and youth who can still be adopted.
    Children's Aid Societies provide a free, public adoption system in
Ontario and are always looking for permanent homes for children and youth of
all ages. "A strong and free public adoption system, available and easily
accessible to Ontarians, is important and necessary to ensure parents looking
to adopt can give children in care, who dream of being adopted, their forever
family," added Lewis.

    Ontario's Children's Aid Societies provide adoptive parents and children
with ongoing support, training and education. Financial supports and subsidies
may also be available to adoptive parents to help them meet the needs of their
adopted children.
    In addition to adoption, Children's Aid Societies provide services and
supports to families to help them become better parents and build stable
families. Working with community social agencies and the government, agencies
help create and sustain safe, nurturing environments for children.
    OACAS encourages full and continued support for all services for children
in need to ensure they are not adversely impacted by the current economic
situation. Especially during times of economic uncertainty, child welfare
agencies act as safety net for children and their families. More services,
supports, temporary and long term care such as foster and adoptive families,
are needed to protect children and assist families.
    If you are considering adoption, please contact your local Children's Aid
Society for more information or visit www.oacas.org.

For further information: Marcelo Gomez-Wiuckstern, OACAS, Communications
Director, (416) 987-9648