Nova Scotians Encouraged to Consider Adoption

November is Adoption Awareness Month and Nova Scotians are encouraged to consider adopting a child who needs a permanent loving home of their own.

An adoption awareness and recruitment campaign called Kids Can't Wait to Have a Family will run this month. The campaign involves print and television advertising and a variety of promotional materials aimed at encouraging more Nova Scotians to explore adoption.

"There are more than 100 children and youth in Nova Scotia who are waiting to be adopted into a loving family," said Judy Streatch, Minister of Community Services. "We encourage people to consider adoption year-round, but November is a time to create awareness and urge Nova Scotians to consider opening their home to a child and provide a stable, loving environment for them to grow."

In 2006-07, 99 children were adopted by Nova Scotian families. The majority of children waiting to be adopted are older with special placement needs. Single, common law partners or married people may qualify to become adoptive parents, as long as they are over 19 years of age.

More information about adoption, including how families can take the first steps towards adopting a child in Nova Scotia, is available by phoning the adoption information line at 1-866-259-7780 or by visiting the Community Services web site at www.gov.ns.ca/coms.