The Hogan family
Photo credit: the Hogan family, participants in our photo contest and a beautiful family formed through adoption.

November is Adoption and Permanency Awareness Month!

Join us in raising awareness about children and youth in BC who are waiting for permanency and celebrate permanent families of all kinds.

What is Adoption and Permanency Awareness Month? | What is permanency? | 2024 APAM | Get involved | Access resources 

Because nearly half of the children waiting for permanency are between the ages of 12 and 18, this year’s APAM theme will center on permanency for youth. Our efforts will be dedicated to:

  • Raising awareness about the amazing teens and youth who need loving families (or another form of permanency).
  • Informing and educating individuals and families considering adopting older children.
  • Providing support to adoptive and permanency families with children of all ages, including youth.

What is Adoption and Permanency Awareness Month?

Adoption and Permanency Awareness Month (APAM) takes place every November in BC to draw attention to the children and teens who are waiting for permanent homes through adoption, guardianship, kinship placement, or another form of permanency.

Successful adoption and permanency matches are based on the best fit for the child. That means that some families will be matched quickly, while others will wait longer. The greatest need is for prospective parents who are:  

  • Indigenous;
  • open to adopting siblings;
  • open to adopting a teenager; and/or
  • open to adopting children with special needs (such as early abuse or neglect, behavioural challenges, learning disabilities, Autism Spectrum Disorder, or Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder).
Learn more about adoption in BC

What is permanency?

Permanency means family, belonging, and lifelong connection. There are many ways to create permanency including adoption, guardianship, kinship care, and Indigenous customary care. Permanency has four dimensions: legal, physical, cultural, and relational permanency.

Learn more about permanency

2024 APAM

Three teens smiling and walking together outdoors.

If you’re interested in learning more about adopting or raising a teen, tween, or youth, be sure to check out these events and resources:

If you’re an adoptive or permanency parent or caregiver, we’d love to see you at one of our online support groups or in-person events:

In-person events:

If you’re a waiting parent, please come and join our monthly discussion group:

If you’re a professional, join us to learn about our new program:

Get involved

Children and youth in BC are waiting for permanency. You can make a difference.

  • Share our Adoption & Permanency Awareness Month content and create your own! Use the hashtags #APAM2024 and #PermanencyMeansFamily and don’t forget to tag us @belongingnetwork
  • Watch this Q&A town hall with Métis Family Services and the Ministry of Children and Family Development. Watch here.
  • Follow us on Facebook, Instagram & X.
  • Donate to the Belonging Network and help us continue to provide programs and services in your community for families and kids! Your donation also helps us create new programs. Donate online now!
  • Host a Belonging Network fundraiser for your birthday or special event! Email us at development@belongingnetwork.com to learn about hosting a fundraiser.
  • Do you have a permanency story to share? We’d love to hear from you. All perspectives and permanency experiences are welcome. We’re especially interested in amplifying the voices of adoptees and people who joined their families through other forms of permanency, and from birth/first family members with open relationships. Contact Brianna at bbrashnyberg@belongingnetwork.com or message or tag us @belongingnetwork on social media.

Access resources