Home - Belonging Network

Belonging for all.

At the Belonging Network (formerly Adoptive Families Association of BC), we provide support, learning, and connection for adoptive and permanency families and youth from government care.

You belong here

Find support and resources for wherever you are on your adoption and permanency journey or your transition from government care. We’re here to help.

What is permanency?

Permanency means belonging and lifelong connection. When a child or youth has permanency, they have stability and people they can rely on. We support all kinds of families that create permanency for children and youth. We also help youth from care get the skills and supports they need to develop physical, cultural, and relational permanency as they enter adulthood.

Adoption

A lifelong, legal arrangement that creates permanency for a child or youth who cannot return to their birth family.

Guardianship

A legal relationship that lasts until the child becomes an adult, though the emotional relationship often continues for much longer.

Kinship care

Arrangements where a child or youth is cared for by family, which can include chosen family. Grandparents caring for grandchildren are a common kind of kinship family.

Indigenous customary care

Indigenous ways of caring for children whose parents cannot care for them. These arrangements often emphasize keeping children connected to their families, communities, and culture.

Programs & workshops

Everyone finding or raising a permanency family needs special support. So do youth who are moving from government care into adulthood. Learn with us and gain the skills and confidence you need to navigate adoption, permanency, or independent adulthood. All of our educational opportunities are offered online so you can join us from wherever you are.

Adoption Education Program

A required adoption education course for prospective parents in BC to prepare for the realities of parenting and adoption.

Trauma-Informed Parenting

Trauma affects a child’s well-being and can shape their behaviour and outlook in life. This workshop teaches you how to parent in a trauma-informed way.

Stepping Stones life skills curriculum

Our Stepping Stones program helps young people build the foundational skills they need to transition into adulthood.

Resources

Ever thought, “If only parenting/adult life came with a handbook”? We’ve produced and curated many resources that speak to many common (and uncommon) situations that adoption and permanency families and youth from care may find themselves in. Browse our toolkits to find resources organized into themes.

Toolkit

Prenatal Substance Exposure

A collection of resources about prenatal drug and alcohol exposure and associated conditions, including Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and Neonatal Abstinence Disorder (NAD).

Adoption & Permanency 101

Learn about adopting from foster care, international adoption, local infant adoption, and other forms of permanency, including guardianship, custom adoption, and relative adoption.

Publication

New Beginnings podcast series

Listen to our podcast to hear from Isla, a birth mom; Sam, an adoptee; and Thomas, an adoptive dad. This three-part podcast follows the experience of each character as they navigate their way through placement day.

Podcast

Be ready to support LGBTQ+ Youth

Learn what you can do as a parent or caregiver to help 2SLGBTQIA+ young people feel safe and supported.

Article

Our impact

In 2023-24, the Belonging Network made a difference for children, youth, and families.

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Families, children, and youth served in 2023-2024 fiscal year

Years of helping families and youth thrive

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Registered users of AgedOut.com

Our impact

In 2023-24, the Belonging Network made a difference for children, youth, and families.

0 +

Families, children, and youth served in 2023-2024 fiscal year

Years of helping families and youth thrive

0 +

Registered users of AgedOut.com

Give the gift of belonging

Donate today to help us find caring families for waiting children, support foster youth as they transition to adulthood, and give adoptive and permanency families a place to turn to for support and connection during their unique and challenging journeys.

News & Stories

Story

A birth mother’s journey: Unpacking the complexities of adoption (continued)

In part two of her story, a birth mom opens...

Story

A birth mother’s journey: Unpacking the complexities of adoption

In this honest and heartfelt story, a birth mother opens...

Article

Teen adoption Q&A: part two

In part two of our teen adoption Q&A, Ashleigh Martinflatt,...

Story

Meet Desaray: a story of finding permanency through kinship care and adoption (continued)

In part two of her story, Desaray opens up about...