Children and Family Development
School-age children and teens need the love and stability of a forever family, just like younger children.
That’s why, during Adoption Awareness Month in November, British Columbia is expanding its 1000FamiliesBC marketing and social media campaign to encourage British Columbians to consider adopting one of the more than 350 older children, those over the age of 12, currently seeking permanent homes.
Now in its second year, the 1000FamiliesBC campaign is a powerful recruiting tool that raises the profile of ministry adoptions, dispels common myths about adoption, and promotes unique and diverse adoptive families and children waiting for adoption through online advertising, tweets and Facebook posts.
The ministry worked in partnership with the Adoptive Families Association of BC (AFABC) to design the campaign. To read profiles of adoptive families and children in care seeking forever homes and to view campaign videos, visit: www.1000familiesbc.com
To find out more about adoption in B.C., call 1 877 ADOPT-07.
Quotes:
Stephanie Cadieux, Minister of Children and Family Development –
“When people consider adoption, babies and young children often come to mind. However, one in three kids waiting for adoption in our province is over the age of 12. All children deserve a place at the family table. This November, 1000FamiliesBC is shining a light on teens seeking the love, stability and guidance of a forever family.”
Sydney Nachtigall, 15, successfully transitioned from foster child to adoptee –
“When I was 12 years old, my foster mom came into my room and asked me if I wanted to be adopted. It wasn’t a hard decision to say yes right away. I’m still very close with my birth father, but I am also thankful to have found such kind and loving adoptive parents who welcomed me with open arms into their family.”
Bev Nachtigall, foster parent who adopted three children in care –
“We chose to foster and then adopt because we love children and wanted to give back. Adopting our former foster daughters has been such a gift – there’s a great deal of satisfaction in knowing we’ve helped to improve their lives.”
Karen Madeiros, executive director of the Adoptive Families Association of BC –
“There are hundreds of older children and teens in care in B.C. who need a permanent home, and we know that having a stable family is the single most important determinant of success in their adulthood. Adoption Awareness Month gives us a special opportunity to acknowledge adoptive parents and families across B.C. who have opened their hearts and homes to building family through adoption, and to encourage those who are thinking about it to find out more.”
Quick Facts:
- This year’s provincial budget for adoption services is $27.7 million, up $1.1 million from last year.
- Currently, there are approximately 1,000 B.C. children in care waiting to be adopted.
- Potential adoptive parents come from diverse backgrounds and have a range of life experiences. Any B.C. resident 19 and over who is interested in providing a loving, nurturing home may be eligible to adopt.
- Over the past 10 years, an annual average of approximately 270 children have been adopted in British Columbia.
- Approximately 42% of adopted children are adopted by their foster family.
- Many of the children and youth still waiting for adoption are school age. They may be siblings who need to stay together. Some may have special placement needs due to difficult early childhood experiences, prenatal exposure to alcohol or drugs, learning delays or other developmental challenges.
- In September 2015, Grand Chief Ed John was appointed senior advisor on Aboriginal child welfare to the Minister of Children and Family Development. His role is to assist in finding forever families for a greater number of Aboriginal youth in care through adoption, guardianship or other options.
- For a list of Adoption Awareness Month events taking place in communities throughout B.C., visit: https://www.bcadoption.com/all-events
Learn More:
Adoptive Families Association of BC: www.bcadoption.com
B.C. Federation of Foster Parent Associations: www.bcfosterparents.ca/
Federation of BC Youth in Care Networks: fbcyicn.ca
Contact the Adoption Reunion Registry toll‐free at 1 877 387‐3660 or visit: www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/adoption/reunion/index.htm
Read more about the Nachtigalls' experience with adoption: https://news.gov.bc.ca/09666
Adoption Awareness Month Videos:
