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In Nova Scotia,
there are several types of adoptions families
can pursue:
- Public or "Agency"
adoption - there are two types of agency
adoptions:
- Children in Care
and Custody
- Section 68 Agreement
(Voluntary Placement of Child for Adoption)
- Private Interprovincial
Adoptions
- Private Relative Adoption
- International Adoption
An 'Agency' or
public adoption in Nova Scotia is arranged through
an Agency or District Office of the Department
of Community Services. When it's determined
through the court system that a birth family
is unable to meet the needs of a child on a
permanent basis, the Agency or District office
becomes the child's guardian. The child can
then be placed for adoption. The majority of
these children have special needs but range
in age from infant to 16 years old.
The other type
of 'public' adoption is called a "voluntary"
or "direct placement" adoption. In
this situation, a birth mother voluntarily places
her child with a Child Placing Agency, Child
Welfare Agency or District Office of the Department
of Community Services for the purpose of adoption.
Or, in some cases, the birth mother may already
know of a family to adopt her child.
Private interprovincial
adoptions are complex as adoption laws vary
from province to province. Before entering into
an arrangement with a family from another province,
the parties involved should contact their local
Children's Services agency and/or a lawyer.
A private relative
adoption is when a birth relative comes forward
and adopts the child. There is no child welfare
involved in this type of adoption.
Inter-country
or international adoption is another option
for many Nova Scotia families. International
adoptions are complex, time consuming and expensive
but there are many countries and programs. |
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