Adoption

Adoption in Québec

The Centre jeunesse de la Montérégie offers two different adoption programs:

Regular adoption 

A child can be put up for adoption when their parents of origin have signed a general consent to adoption. 

Applicants who want to adopt a child must:

• be comfortable talking openly with the child about their adoption history;
• be open to helping the child find their parents of origin, if that is what the latter decides to do;
• be open to meeting the parents of origin if the latter indicates this intention when signing the general consent to adoption. 

Adoptive families will automatically be assigned to a social worker until the end of the legal adoption process. 

Adoption by a mixed bank foster family 

A child whose chances of returning home are slim can be taken in by a mixed bank foster family. The child may eventually be adopted. 

The parents in a mixed bank foster family home must agree to:

• foster a child with the possibility of adopting, while knowing this outcome is not guaranteed;
• cooperate with all of the child’s caseworkers;
• participate in the intervention plan;
• allow contact between the child and their parents of origin for as long as ordered by the Court of Québec’s Youth Division. 

Mixed bank foster families are subject to the same requirements as regular foster families. They sign a specific agreement and receive services for the child under their care. 

What are the steps involved?

Public information session

This half-day meeting is open to anyone interested in finding out about adoption. It provides general and legal information about the two adoption programs: regular adoption and mixed bank foster families. 

The meetings are held as needed. There are generally 12 per year in French and 2 or 3 in English per year. 

*There is no English session planned at the moment, but you may leave us your informations via the link below so that we contact you when one is scheduled.*

To register to an information session 

To get information about regular adoption and mixed bank foster families, please fill out the registration form for an information session so that our team may contact you, or call the phone number below.

For any question 

Please contact the Adoption service via email at service.adoption.cisssme16@ssss.gouv.qc.ca or by phone: 

Telephone: (450) 928-5125, #14788 
Toll-free: 1-800-641-4315, #14788 
Direct line: (450) 928-4718 

Please note that it is mandatory to attend an information session to submit an application for adoption. 

Pre-screening interview

The purpose of the pre-screening interview is to identify any major obstacles to the applicants adoption plans. 

Education seminars

The education seminars prepare the applicants for taking in a child with a history of abandonment and neglect. They take place after the pre-screening interview and consist of two days of clinical discussions led by caseworkers.

Psychosocial assessment

The psychosocial assessment is carried out by caseworkers from the Centre jeunesse de la Montérégie Adoption ervice. 

The assessment covers several topics : 

• The applicants reasons for wanting to adopt;
• The candidates’ personal histories;
• The conjugal and/or family history;
• Aptitudes for becoming adoptive parents and/or a mixed bank foster family. 

After the assessment, the Youth Centre will match a child with suitable adoptive parents in order to provide a home that best meets the child’s needs. 

International adoption

Depending on the country from which the child is being adopted, candidates applying for international adoption must undergo a social skills assessment. This assessment is carried out by caseworkers designated by the Montérégie Youth Centre and must be approved by the institution. If the country in question requires it, these same caseworkers may also produce progress reports after the child moves in with their new family.

For more information about international adoption, visit the Secrétariat à l’adoption internationale (SAI) website.