Community Services Reviews Adoption Process

The province is looking for ways to help more children in permanent care find loving and nurturing homes of their own.

The Department of Community Services is reviewing the current adoption process in Nova Scotia, exploring ways to improve areas such as administration and communication as well as support services for adoptive parents.

"A stable, loving home is a critical factor in the development and well-being of any child," said Community Services Minister David Morse. "We are looking for ways to find loving homes for children in permanent care by making the adoption process in Nova Scotia better."

Permanent and loving families can offer the stability and support that children need for healthy development. Many of the children who are without a permanent home are older, have special needs or are part of sibling groups.

Over the next few months, a project team will conduct research, hold consultations and develop recommendations. Background research has already been completed to lay the foundation for the review.

The project team will meet with child-welfare staff, community- based organizations interested in adoption, family and child- welfare matters, and lawyers who practise family law across the province.

"Changes to the way the program is administered, and additional supports to potential adoptive parents, are some of the options that we will explore," said Mr. Morse. "Meeting with interested stakeholders is an important step in finding ways to place more children into permanent and loving homes."

The consultation process is expected to last throughout the summer. Recommendations based on the research and consultations will be presented to the department in the fall.

Feedback from the public on Nova Scotia's domestic adoption program is welcome. Comments may be mailed to the Adoption Project, Nova Scotia Department of Community Services, P.O. Box 696, Halifax, N.S. B3J 2T7; faxed to 902-424-0502; or e-mailed to [email protected] .