[Leigh131313]

I thought it would be a good idea to talk about what we do/don't know regarding our province (laws, attitudes etc.)

I'm in Alberta. For us, you have 4 choices

1- go through the gov't (older child/special needs, free of charge)

2- go through an agency (domestic infant/older child) fees range from 5-10,000 ish

3- International...well, you know, expensive

4- Direct placement- now, it's only lawyer fees ( I THINK) you may possibly need a homestudy.


Some of the particulars here..

You cannot solicit a birthparent. So, no newspaper articles or Doctor's asking patients, that sorta thing. I'm not sure what the rule is as far as the Internet.

The birthmom has 10 days to revoke her consent after signing....after that, there has never been a case where the birthmother could get her child back without the adoptive parents agreeing.

Birthfathers are only considered the Legal father if they have been married or lived with the birthmom in the past year.

No birthparent expenses are allowed



Hmmm...i can't think of anything else at the moment...

Let's discuss!!!

Leigh

[blessedbybug]

Leigh ~ I would add that ALL adoptions are considered open in Alberta unless it is dangerous for the child/family. All records, even from the closed era are now open and searchable (is that a word?)

And no internet advertising either... at least according to AO. There is the ACS website which has listings of kids adoptable our of day care. A great resource IMO.

[taramayrn]

Just to let you guys know, if you do direct in alberta you no longer need a homestudy...

[taramayrn]

Any questions on how it is for a bparent placing in Alberta? Not sure there is really anything exciting to share.

[Leigh131313]

Yes, it is true that they are all basically open...But what do you find is the norm as far as contact?

It seems to ME that the norm is semi (open with communication) But, from what I have heard/experienced it doesnt seem that ongoing visits are the big norm here...What do you guys think?


Tara, Thats what I thought...my friend is STILL (After 2 years of having babe) trying to get her adoption finalized, but there has been issues because it is a direct placement. Not because birthparents have tried to stop it, just no one seems to know WHAT needs to be done... So I'm a little confused as to the new law.

What would you like to share as a birthparent? Have you noticed any differences as to how you were treated/what your rights were, compared to other provinces? What were you made aware of?


So, how about all the other provinces? Whats different? Whats the same? Are open adoptions legally binding anywhere in Canada?

Leigh

[taramayrn]

Originally Posted by FH-Leigh131313

What would you like to share as a birthparent? Have you noticed any differences as to how you were treated/what your rights were, compared to other provinces? What were you made aware of?


So, how about all the other provinces? Whats different? Whats the same? Are open adoptions legally binding anywhere in Canada?

Leigh

I'll write more when I get home from work. Just wanted you to know I haven't forgotten.

[TheQueen]

We are planning to adopt from the province...anyone know what all is involved in the process? We are hoping to adopt an older child! We live in Edmonton

[blessedbybug]

Hey Queen ~ I posted to you some on another thread but here is our experience with approval in the province.

Our application was accepted immediately when sent in. We had quite a wait to the homestudy although I don't think this will be an issue for you considering your child desired is an older child. We are interested in a younger child.

When our file finally came up for homestudy we attended four weeks of classes, six hours every Saturday. We did it in Edmonton even though that wasn't our region and we really enjoyed them. They were very intense but so well done and informative on the process. You will understand things much better once you go through this process.

When we completed the course, we left with tons of paperwork. Again, the homestudy questions took a lot of time to answer. You just have to plug through them. When you have them all submitted then they'll plan on the home visits.

We also found the home visits a good experience, even though we didn't necessarily click with our worker. We had three visits and got the call that we were finally approved after about 10 days. Ironically, our file was put immediately on hold because our DD was born and placed with us through a private agency the week before. When Bug was a year old, we had our homestudy updated and are currently waiting with them for a foster-to-adopt placement.

HTH... for documents, you'll need criminal record checks, child welfare checks, birth certificates, marriage certificate, medicals with your doctor and a statement of income. We didn't have to do a photo album but that might be different with older children who will be transitioned to your home.

Do you know about the website with waiting children? You can make inquiries directly about specific children. If you find a child that might be a potential match, this would speed up your homestudy process.

[Leigh131313]

LONG LIVE THE QUEEN!!! lol

Just wanted to wish you luck! I have no knowledge about going through the gov't, but I hope it all goes smoothly. We looked into it when we first thought about adoption, but we decided it wasnt for us.

Welcome!!

Leigh

[phills]

Originally Posted by FH-Leigh131313

I thought it would be a good idea to talk about what we do/don't know regarding our province (laws, attitudes etc.)

I'm in Alberta. For us, you have 4 choices

1- go through the gov't (older child/special needs, free of charge)

2- go through an agency (domestic infant/older child) fees range from 5-10,000 ish

3- International...well, you know, expensive

4- Direct placement- now, it's only lawyer fees ( I THINK) you may possibly need a homestudy.


Some of the particulars here..

You cannot solicit a birthparent. So, no newspaper articles or Doctor's asking patients, that sorta thing. I'm not sure what the rule is as far as the Internet.

The birthmom has 10 days to revoke her consent after signing....after that, there has never been a case where the birthmother could get her child back without the adoptive parents agreeing.

Birthfathers are only considered the Legal father if they have been married or lived with the birthmom in the past year.

No birthparent expenses are allowed



Hmmm...i can't think of anything else at the moment...

Let's discuss!!!

Leigh

We are also Alberta, Adoption through Alberta Childrens Services. We chose this because of several reasons, Mostly being that we having 3 children allready are not very likely to be chosen by a birth Mom, in Private Adoption. International is too expensive for us. Public seemed to be the way to go. We almost did a direct placement with my 17yr old sister-in-law, but she chose to parent.
The process was relatively fast in the beginning, but since we've been approved since August 2004 and still waiting. We have had NOTHING in the way of even possible matches.
We are moving to Foster to Adopt and are just waiting for our home to be approved for Foster (getting a foster license) This should happen within the next couple of weeks (crossing fingers) HOPEFULLY we will have better luck in this program.
We are wanting 0-2, boy or girl, pre-exposed to anything, pretty much any major medical issues. We just want a child!

[Leigh131313]

Since 2004? how completely frustrating!! I'm so sorry it is taking so long. I hope the step to foster to adopt makes a big difference!!

Good Luck!!

Leigh

[blessedbybug]

Originally Posted by phills

We are also Alberta, Adoption through Alberta Childrens Services. We chose this because of several reasons, Mostly being that we having 3 children allready are not very likely to be chosen by a birth Mom, in Private Adoption. International is too expensive for us. Public seemed to be the way to go. We almost did a direct placement with my 17yr old sister-in-law, but she chose to parent.
The process was relatively fast in the beginning, but since we've been approved since August 2004 and still waiting. We have had NOTHING in the way of even possible matches.
We are moving to Foster to Adopt and are just waiting for our home to be approved for Foster (getting a foster license) This should happen within the next couple of weeks (crossing fingers) HOPEFULLY we will have better luck in this program.
We are wanting 0-2, boy or girl, pre-exposed to anything, pretty much any major medical issues. We just want a child!

We just got our foster license for foster-to-adopt in the mail today. Hoping it happens for you soon!

Our chances of a placement in our region for foster-to-adopt are quite small. There just aren't as many situations as in urban areas. But right now, we're the only fost2adopt family approved so we'll see. We just wanted every door open, you know?

Good luck!

[phills]

Congrats on getting your license

I'm a bug and have called the intake worker twice since he did his first walk through, I'm sure he is loving me.

I guess I just can't sit back anymore and wait for them to do it when they feel like it. This all comes from 10 months without a worker at all and I felt like this on a daily basis!!!!

How long did it take you to get your license?

[blessedbybug]

Originally Posted by phills

How long did it take you to get your license?

We completed the homestudy for foster-to-adopt in January. SW came for two visits, last week and the week before and we got the license in the mail this week.

For us it was really fast but we are in a much less active region too. That helps us in the approval process but not in the placement process. Our chances are pretty slim but we just wanted to open this door.

You have the list of what you need to do don't you??? Let me know if you need it... Hope things happen quick for you too. You do have to be a squeaky wheel...keep it up!!!

[TheQueen]

Thanks for breaking down the process for me! That really helps me to know what to expect next!

We can't wait for approval!