VICTORIA - November was Adoption Awareness Month in British Columbia and celebrated the loving families created when people open their hearts and commit to sharing their lives with a vulnerable child or youth.

Why It Matters:

More than 1,400 B.C. children and youth in care have been adopted over the past five years, but more than 1,000 still need loving families to share their lives with.

Children and youth who are provided the stability and support found through adoption, experience better outcomes than their peers who leave government care without the foundation of a permanent family environment.

Quick Facts:

• Children and youth come into government care for a variety of reasons:
  • A parent may be unable to provide a safe, stable home or unable to provide the type of care a child or youth needs.
  • A child or youth’s parents may have passed away without naming a guardian.
  • Parents may have decided that adoption is the best option for their child or youth.

• Ministry of Children and Family Development adoption staff work to ensure only the very best match between a child or youth and an adoptive family. Considerations taken before matching a child or youth can include:
  • The child or youth being part of a sibling group.
  • Special needs requirements.
  • Cultural appropriateness of the home.

• Over the past 10 years, B.C. has averaged more than 290 adoptions of children and youth in care annually, a significant increase from 165 in 2000-01.
• Permanent families were found for 23 teens last year, an increase from 10 in 2001.
• Recognizing the need to maintain cultural connections, the number of Aboriginal children and youth placed for adoption with Aboriginal families was approximately 64 per cent last year, up from 27 per cent in 2001.

Learn More:

Meet some of the B.C. children and youth waiting to be adopted at: http://www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/adoption/bulletin_external/profiles.htm

The Adoptive Families Association of BC is contracted by the Ministry of Children and Family Development to provide education and support to adoptive families and those interested in adoption. Visit their website at: http://www.bcadoption.com

Media Contacts:

Sheldon Johnson
Manager, Media Relations
Ministry of Children and Family Development
250 356-1639

*Special thanks to Shaw Television for providing the attached YouTube video*