The glossary below will help define terms used throughout the text on this site, as well as in the Adoption Act

ADOPTION AGENCY: a society licensed to provide a full range of adoption services in accordance with the Adoption Act and the regulations

ADOPTION ORDER: the court order finalizing the adoption

ADOPTIVE PARENT: a man or woman who has adopted a child

BIRTH PARENT: a child's biological mother or father

CHILD: an unmarried person under the age of 19

CONSENT TO ADOPTION: a legal process whereby a birth parent or guardian voluntarily places a child for adoption

COURT: the Supreme Court of British Columbia

HAGUE CONVENTION ON INTER-COUNTRY ADOPTION: an international law that sets minimum standards for participating countries. (Link)

HOMESTUDY: includes an assessment of the prospective adoptive parents and an educational component to prepare the family to meet the needs of the child to be adopted

LONO: Letter of no objection

POST-ADOPTION OPENNESS REGISTRY: a passive registry (meaning that both parties must be registered before they are contacted about establishing an agreement) for relatives of the adopted child under age 19. (Link)

RELATIVE: someone related to another by birth or adoption

SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN: refers to a broad range of needs. Some of the children have a diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Effects/Syndrome, but many do not. Those noted as "substance exposed" are generally mild to moderately exposed, based on birth family history information.