Message from the Executive Director
By Jeanette Lewis

The Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies (OACAS) believes that every child deserves a family that will love and nurture them always. There are currently more than 2,600 children legally available for adoption in Ontario foster care. A strong public adoption system is essential for children who both deserve and need a permanent family.

Children’s Aid Societies (CASs) believe that successful adoptions are based on the child’s needs and are committed to a strong public adoption system, free of charge for those who adopt from the child welfare system. The public system is structured, regulated and monitored, and affords the government and the public confidence in the trust placed in CASs as workers prepare and match families. Adoption through the public system is far less expensive and results are far better for children than long-term foster care.

The Government of Ontario provides special post-secondary grants for all former Crown wards, including many who were adopted; however, more is needed. Provisions must be made to make it easier for Ontarians to open their doors to children and youth in care. Ontario needs a system that makes it easier for potential adoptive parents to learn about children who might be suitable matches.

Over the past two years, OACAS has developed recommendations for change, many of which are included in the Report of the Expert Panel on Infertility and Adoption. They include:

- A fully funded provincial system, centred on the child and supported by an enabling legislation, a clear policy framework, recruitment campaigns, subsidies, post-adoption services and disclosure services. OACAS recommends building on new and emerging provincial components such as standardized and portable assessments, training and matching services.

- Public education to increase awareness and to communicate that every child and youth can have a permanent and legal family, given the right supports.

- Removal of legal and/or policy barriers that stand in the way of adoption for many, including clarification around the legal and policy definitions of “Crown wards with access” to truly facilitate open adoption.

- Adequate subsidies to enable families to adopt and for children to have families. The Report on Infertility and Adoption recommends immediate implementation of subsidies in the range of 50–80 percent of current boarding rates for special needs children and youth.

This edition of the Journal focuses on openness planning in adoptions, mental health issues with children and youth in care, and engaging communities in the work of child welfare.

Jeanette Lewis
Executive Director

Next article: Developing a Model to Guide Openness Planning in Child Protection-Based Adoptions