Children's Bridge - Programs

Program Manager: Donna Paonessa,
Tel: 905-303-2557,
Email Donna

Jan 24/10 - Please note: We currently have a callback list in place for this program. Please contact Donna for further information prior to proceeding.

General Information:

Adoption is finalized in Thailand in conjuncture with the Royal Thai Embassy in Canada.
Open to all provinces except Quebec.

Considerations:

Trip is approximately 2 - 3 weeks in length.
Post placement reports due 2, 4 and 6 months once home.
Children waiting for families due to socio-economic conditions.
Children reside in orphanages.
Both boys and girls are in need of families (mostly boys). Families may request gender but must be prepared for a longer wait for a girl. May also request twins or sibling groups but this is rare.
Children will be approximately 12 - 24 months of age at referral.

Requirements:

Minimum age 25 years and up to a maximum age of 50 (families over 45 should be prepared for a referral of a child between the ages of 2 and 5).
No same sex or common law couples eligible.
Must be married for a minimum of 2 years and preference is given to childless couples.
Must have a minimum of high school education.
Must be in excellent physical and emotional health – no exceptions.
Must be 5 years cancer free.
Cannot be notably overweight (no more than 30% of Body Mass Index (BMI)). Go to www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi to calculate your BMI.
Sound financial position.
One of a couple must be a Canadian citizen and have no criminal record.
No morticians may apply.

Process:

Completion of home study and approval in province.
File sent for authentication to Foreign Affairs and the Royal Thai Embassy.
File then sent to the Department of Social Development and Welfare (DSDW) in Thailand.
Both parents must travel to Thailand to complete the adoption process (including an official interview).
Stay in Thailand is approximately 2 – 3 weeks in duration.
Adoption process takes approx. 2.5 - 3 years from home study to child in arms.
Completion of three post placement reports is mandatory for adoption finalization to be completed in Thailand.
Thailand informs Royal Thai Embassy in Canada on completion of finalization.
Both parents along with their child must travel to the Royal Thai Embassy in Ottawa to complete the process.

Timelines:

Completion of home study (average time 3 – 6 months).
Approval in province varies from 4 – 16 weeks.
Wait for referral is approximately 24 months.
Travel to Thailand occurs approximately 6 weeks to 4 months after referral.