Adoption offers children who are not able to be raised in their birth families an opportunity for permanence, stability and love. Their families experience the many rewards that come with parenting a child, and the special knowledge that they have opened up their hearts and homes to a child in need.

OUR GREATEST NEED IS TO FIND ADOPTIVE FAMILIES WHO CAN PROVIDE A SAFE AND LOVING HOME TO:

  • live in the Hamilton area and are of the Roman Catholic faith
  • are of diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds
  • are open to adopting children between the ages of 3 and 12 years of age
  • are open to considering children with complex needs including prenatal exposure to drugs and alcohol, and who have experienced adverse life experiences
  • are willing to maintain contact with birth family members
  • are willing to engage in ongoing training and learning opportunities

How can I find out more?

Please contact Centralized Adoption Intake at the Adoption Council of Ontario to learn more about adoption in Ontario Centralized Intake can be reached at:

1-877-ADOPT20

info@adoption.on.ca

To learn more about adopting specifically through CCAS Hamilton please Contact Carrie MacNeill @carrie.macneill@hamiltonccas.on.ca.  You can also attend an in-person Adoption Information Session or an online Foster/Adoption Information Webinar (click here for date and time)

Interested about learning more about adoption in Ontario?  The following websites can provide more information:

Ministry of Children and Youth:

Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services / Ministère des Services à l’enfance et des Services sociaux et communautaires (gov.on.ca)

Adopt –Ontario: Home | AdoptOntario, Every Child Deserves A Forever Family

Adoption Council of Ontario: Home | Adoption Council of Ontario

Adopt for Life:   Adopt4Life

Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies: Permanency – Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies (oacas.org)

Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies: Additional Information “What is Adoption in Ontario?”

Frquently asked questions – Adoption

Click on each of the following questions to reveal the answers.

Who are the Children That Are Placed for Adoption?

All of the children that are placed for adoption through the CCAS Hamilton are of the Roman Catholic faith.   The children placed for adoption through CCAS Hamilton have complex needs and/or developmental delays and have either been impacted by abuse or neglect or are impacted by prenatal drug and alcohol exposure.

At this time we are placing very few children with families on our waiting list.  Prospective parents who are not open to complex needs, developmental risks, or older children are very unlikely to be matched to a child.

Why Do Children Become Eligible for Adoption?
  • Most are available due to a court decision terminating parental rights
  • A very small number of children are placed for adoption voluntarily by their birth mothers
What is Adoption?
  • The permanent placement of a child with an adoptive family
  • A viable and rewarding way to build a family
  • Done through both child welfare agencies and private adoption agencies
What Does Becoming an Adoptive Parent Mean?
  • Making a child a permanent part of your family
  • Caring for a child and their physical, spiritual, emotional, and social development
  • When appropriate, providing opportunities for birth parents to participate in the lives of their birth children
What are the Key Qualities of being an Adoptive Parent?

We are looking for families, couples and individuals who:

  • are open to new challenges and building new relationships
  • are open to unknowns and who are willing to adjust and make changes to their lifestyle to accommodate a child with potential complex needs
  • are willing to be part of a team and who are willing to acknowledge the need for outside resources and services
  • have a high level of commitment and perseverance and who are willing to support their children well into adulthood
  • are good at communicating, advocating and problem solving
  • are flexible, optimistic and have a good sense of humour
Who can become an Adoptive Parent with the CCAS of Hamilton?
  • You can be single or a couple, with or without your own children
  • You must be Catholic
  • You must be at least 21 years of age
  • You may own or rent your home
  • You must be self-supporting
  • You may work outside the home
  • You must submit a vulnerable sector screening report by police and be approved through a Home Study
  • You must complete the Parent Resources for Information, Development and Education (PRIDE) training
  • You must be willing to work within the guidelines and philosophies of the Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Hamilton.
  • Must live in the New city of Hamilton, Burlington, Oakville, Grimsby, Smithville, Vineland and Beamsville
What Supports will an Adoptive Family Receive?

We offer a range of services delivered by experienced staff, intended to provide you with information, guidance and support. We want you to be active participants in this process and ultimately make the decision that is best for you and your family as to the type of child you feel best suited to parent. We provide extensive information and preparation to our adoptive families about any child they may be interested in.