With another investment of $2 million the Ministry of Children and Family Development is determined to find forever homes for more children and youth in care through adoption and guardianship, announced Minister Stephanie Cadieux during a forum focused on adoption and permanency for First Nations, Aboriginal and Métis children.

This funding will again increase the number of home studies being done so a greater number of families are approved to adopt or permanently care for children and youth. Home studies are mandatory because they help social workers assess the strengths and parenting abilities of the adoptive family or guardian. These assessments help ensure that only the very best family matches are made for each child and youth needing a permanent home. Funding will also go to organizations and agencies that will prepare plans that focus on finding permanency for children and youth in care.

As well, a good portion of the funding will assist children and youth in preparing for the transition to their permanent home. This includes work to map their genealogy to help them make precious cultural and family connections. During the permanency planning process, if such a connection is discovered, the ministry can reach out to the community and ensure available family connections are made - in some cases permanently through adoption.

The ministry is intent on accelerating home studies throughout B.C. to shorten wait times for prospective adoptive parents, and will also focus on child-specific recruitment - working to find permanency for children and youth through people they already have in their lives.

In addition, funding will be used to extend the successful 1000familiesBC social media campaign.

Quotes:

Stephanie Cadieux, Minister of Children and Family Development -

“Last year’s additional investment saw a 17% increase in the number of adoptions, which is good news for those families, but I think we can do better. That’s why we’re making additional investments in key areas that will produce more results. There are great kids out there waiting to find forever homes and parents who are dreaming of expanding their families. We’re committed to making those connections.”

Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, B.C. Representative for Children and Youth -

“Long-term success often begins when we fail to meet a target set. MCFD fell short of its target goal for adoption placements this past year but, by adapting and reinvigorating its efforts, the ministry can build toward long-term success. It is essential that MCFD keeps working to meet its targets and increase adoption numbers for children in care. The continuing financial investment is important and so, too, are necessary legislative changes to raise government’s level of accountability to all of B.C.’s waiting children.”  

Karen Madeiros, Adoptive Families Association of BC executive director -

“We’re very encouraged by the ministry’s commitment to improving outcomes for B.C.’s waiting children. This funding will help us continue to connect children and youth with families, and to ensure that kids remain close to their culture. It also allows us to provide training for adoptive families to give them a solid beginning and to give continued support throughout their adoption journey.” 

Linda Lucas, Indigenous Perspectives Society executive director -

“We’re happy to see the ministry continue its focus on permanent homes for children in foster care - particularly where Indigenous Perspectives Society can help reunite Aboriginal children to their family, community, and culture.”

Quick Facts:

• In 2014-15, the Ministry of Children and Family Development placed 265 children and youth in care for adoption - a 17% increase over the previous year.
• Last year’s target was 300 and the deficit will be included in the following year to ensure a total of 600 adoption completed by end of 2015/16.
• Although the process for adoption can take approximately a year, 40% of youth in care are over 12 and are more involved in the process, which can extend the time required.
• Thanks in part to the1000familiesBC social media campaign, there has been a 17% increase in the number of approved adoptive families.
• There is no cost for prospective parents to adopt a child or youth through the ministry.
• Post-adoption assistance is a financial support available for children placed through the ministry who are designated as having special needs. 
• The program provides two methods of financial support - a basic maintenance payment and coverage for specific services such as respite, therapy or equipment. An adoption worker will be able to provide anyone with information relevant to their family’s unique circumstances.

Learn More:

British Columbians wanting to adopt a teen or looking for more information on adoption have a number of options. They can:

• Contact their nearest MCFD adoption office: www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/adoption/contacts_regional.htm
• Explore the adoption tab on the ministry’s website: www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/adoption/index.htm
• Email: WaitingChild@bcadoption.com
• Contact the Adoptive Families Association: www.bcadoption.com
• Call 1 877 ADOPT-07 (1 877 236-7807)

More information on alternatives to foster care and guardianship can be found at: www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/alternativestofostercare/index.htm

For more on youth agreements, visit: www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/youth/agreements.htm

Information on the Parent Adoption Support Services (PASS) program can be found at: www.bcadoption.com/parent-adoption-support-services

A backgrounder follows.

Media Contacts:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Children and Family Development
250 356-1639

BACKGROUNDER

Organizations receiving permanency funding in B.C.

The Indigenous Perspectives Society is receiving $300,000 to:

• Collaborate with Aboriginal communities, bands and tribes to support permanency planning for Aboriginal children.
• Work with B.C.’s delegated Aboriginal agencies to place Aboriginal children and youth in care of the province into permanent homes.

The Adoptive Families Association of BC is receiving $950,000 to:

• Provide the On-Line Adoption Education Program, which is a mandatory step for those looking to adopt a child or youth from care. Providing this program online will improve access for prospective adoptive parents, so they can complete the program according to their schedules.
• Provide funding for the completion of home study assessments.
• Assist with techniques and strategies to identify and recruit families and individuals that can meet the unique needs of children and youth looking for permanent homes.
• Explore Aboriginal communities for prospective adoptive parents, recruit Aboriginal families that can meet the unique needs of Aboriginal children and youth looking for permanent homes, and complete cultural plans that ensure Aboriginal children and youth remain connected to their culture, traditions, communities and language.
• Develop pre-placement and transition plans and help prepare children and youth to move into permanent home environments.
• Expand the Parent Adoption Support Services (PASS) program provincially. This program provides therapeutic, intensive family support in the first six months of a placement to make sure the placement has a solid beginning. Currently, the program is provided in parts of the Lower Mainland and Capital Region.
• Provide full psychological assessments for kids with special needs who require therapeutic placements.
• Provide project management support to develop recruitment campaign for foster and adoptive parents including a specific Aboriginal recruitment campaign.

Family Services of Greater Vancouver is receiving $100,000 to:

• Complete home studies, assessments and proposal packages for adoption, foster and guardianship homes.
• Undertake family finding, file reviews to identify adults involved in the child’s life and develop genograms for children and youth in care in order to identify family members that may be able to adopt or become permanent guardians of their kin. Genograms are family trees or family histories that provide the child or youth and the worker with a complete picture of the family options for permanency.
• Provide transition support services to adoptive families in the northern Fraser area.

The Adoption Centre (Kelowna Community Resources) is receiving $75,000 to:

• Complete home studies, assessments and proposal packages for adoption, foster and guardianship homes.
• Administer the Adoption Education Program, which is a mandatory step for those looking to adopt a child or youth from care. This will allow more adoptive applicants to take the program by increasing the number of course offerings.
• Prepare children and youth to transition into permanent home environments.

The PACE Program is receiving $60,000 to:

• Support healthy transitions and deliver services to families who adopt or are the permanent guardians of children and youth in care in the Lower Mainland.

 Axis Family Resources LTD is receiving $210,000 to:

• Assist with techniques and strategies to identify and recruit families and individuals that can meet the unique needs of children and youth looking for permanent homes.

 CHOICES Adoption and Counselling Services is receiving $75,000 to:

• Complete home studies, assessments and proposal packages for adoption, foster and guardianship homes

 BC Youth In Care Network is receiving $30,000 to:

• Support youth participate in the Guardianship Forum.

 The Fraser Valley Aboriginal Children and Family Services Society (formerly called Xyolhemeylh) is receiving $50,000 to:

• Provide a Supported Family and Cultural Connections worker who will:
  • Develop genograms for all children and youth in care that fall within the society’s delegation.
  • Develop proposal packages for adoption and guardianship homes.
  • Complete cultural safety agreements.

 Abbotsford Community Services is receiving $50,000 to:

• Look for family members who may be able to adopt or become permanent guardians of their kin in care.

 The Victoria Native Friendship Centre is receiving $100,000 to:

• Assist with the connection to community for Aboriginal children in care in B.C. who have linkages to communities outside of B.C.

Media Contacts:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Children and Family Development
250 356-1639