Frequently Asked Questions About BC's Waiting Children

Who are BC's Waiting Children?
Why do these children wait?
How can I learn more about special needs?
Am I eligible to adopt a Waiting Child?
What is the process of adopting a Waiting Child?
How much does it cost to adopt one of BC's Waiting Children?
What is "openness" in adoption?
What do I need to know about attachment?
I'm interested — what do I do now?
Do you have an information package I can look at?

Who are BC's Waiting Children?

BC's Waiting Children are children who live with foster families, who will not be returning to their family of birth, and who are available for adoption. Though there are a small number of infants and toddlers, most of the children are between the ages of six and eighteen, and many need to be placed with their siblings.

Some of the children have been exposed to drugs or alcohol in utero, have behavioural or learning disabilities, or may be at risk of developing mental health problems. Many have been neglected and abused and have lived in multiple foster homes.

Because of their difficult early lives, many of these children have developmental and behavioural challenges which can present parents with extra challenges. However, with loving, committed parents it's amazing how well these children do. Amongst the membership of AFABC are hundreds of families who have adopted one or more of BC's Waiting Children. Visit our articles section to read about families and children who have come together through the Waiting Child Program.

Last year, the BC Ministry of Children and Family Development placed over 350 children with adoptive families. People applying through the Ministry to adopt a child with special placement needs can expect to wait 1–3 years for a placement from the date of application, depending on the age range and needs of the child they wish to parent. However, there are always exceptions to this time frame.

Ä

Why do these children wait?

• Some children wait because they are older than two.
• Some children wait because they are part of a sibling group.
• Some children wait because they were exposed to drugs or alcohol in utero and have behavioural problems and learning disabilities.
• Some children wait because they’ve lived in so many foster homes, they have difficulty attaching to a new family and act out in challenging ways.
• Some children wait because they suffered abuse or neglect as children, and this delayed their ability to learn and develop normally.
• Some children wait because they have a combination of the issues above.

Ä

To learn more about special needs, please visit the Special Needs section of our Resource Centre.

Articles on the subject of special needs and drug and/or alcohol exposed children can also be accessed through our Resource Centre.

Ä

The face of adoption is changing. You no longer need to be a homeowner, married, childless, under 40, or university educated to adopt. Under the Adoption Act of 1995, any BC resident over the age of 19 is eligible to apply to adopt a child. Traditional families are still the biggest adopters, but many loving homes have been created by people of all ages, some of whom are single, gay, or lesbian, and some of whom have disabilities.

Ä

All prospective parents must complete a homestudy and an educational component before adopting a child. The homestudy is conducted by a social worker who interviews you and your family over several weeks. The social worker is not looking for perfection. The homestudy is not a test. The social worker is interested in why you chose adoption, your knowledge about adoption, how you have dealt with life's struggles (in particular, infertility, or grief and loss issues), and how you plan to deal with adoption or cultural issues as they arise. The homestudy process can be an excellent opportunity for self-reflection, clarification, and growth. The educational component is also a legal requirement. This series of seminars or one-on-one workshops explores the challenges and issues that may arise during your life as an adoptive family.

Click here to learn more about the process of adopting one of BC's Waiting Children.

Ä

If you adopt a child with special placement needs through the Ministry, your costs are minimal. You pick up the tab for the criminal record check(s), which would cost approximately $40 – $60, and your medical report(s), which would be no more than $100 per adult.

Ä

Here you will find a brief explanation of openness. More detailed information on openness is contained in our online Resource Centre. Click here to be redirected to that section of our site. Use the "back" button in your web browser to return to and continue browsing in the current section.

Openness in adoption means maintaining some degree of contact between adoptive families and birth families. There is general consensus within the adoption community that knowing about the birth family and, if possible or appropriate, having contact with them, helps adoptive children to understand their adoption and answers many questions that they may have. AFABC promotes openness in adoption, and the societal trend is toward openness as well.

Open Adoption involves ongoing contact between the adoptive family and the birth parents and possibly the extended family.
Semi-Open Adoption is neither fully open nor closed. It involves some level of communication between birth and adoptive families, either with or without identifying information.
Closed Adoption means there is no contact between the adoptive family and the birth parents. Popular 20 years ago, closed adoptions occur occasionally locally and in some intercountry adoptions.