JFJ HOPE CENTRE ADOPTION SERVICES
6655 Kitimat Road, Unit 5, Mississauga, Ontario L5N 6J4
Telephone: 905-821-7494
Fax: 905-821-6311
Website: JFJHopeCentre.ca
Email: helpline@JFJHopeCentre.ca
FEES AND SERVICES AGREEMENT
I/We the undersigned do hereby retain JFJ Hope Centre Adoption Services for the provision of adoption services.
Our signature on this agreement indicates our understanding and acceptance of the terms and conditions stated in
this document. “JFJ Hope Centre Adoption Services” is also referred to as “the Agency”.
THE ROLE OF THE LICENSEE
I/We understand that JFJ Hope Centre Adoption Services is a non-profit organization working exclusively in the
Province of Ontario. JFJ Hope Centre Adoption Services was licensed as a private adoption agency by the Ontario
Ministry of Children and Youth Services in March 1986. JFJ Hope Centre Adoption Services is a Christian agency
committed to providing professional adoption services in a caring Christian environment.
As a licensed agency JFJ Hope Centre Adoption Services is required to obtain approval for a proposed adoption
from the Ministry of Children and Youth Services before a child may be placed for adoption. Once approval is
granted, the Agency is responsible for the management of the adoption placement and probationary period until
finalization of the adoption. After all the consents are valid, the Agency assumes legal custody of the child until the
adoption is finalized. The Agency has the authority to remove the child prior to the finalization of the adoption if, in
their judgement, removal would be in the child’s best interest. The responsibility of the Agency is to ensure that the
best interest of the child is served, and the rights of both the prospective adoptive parents and the birth parents of the
child are protected. The Agency does not act for, or represent, the adopting parents or the birth parents but
maintains a neutral position in the adoption process.
CHILDREN PLACED THROUGH JFJ Hope Centre
I/We understand that JFJ Hope Centre Adoption Services works exclusively with birth parents making a voluntary
adoption plan. The children come from a variety of ethnic and racial backgrounds, as well as medical histories. The
Agency strives to obtain as much social and medical information as possible from the birth parent(s); however, the
Agency cannot guarantee the health or racial background of a child placed with us. The Agency is not responsible
for any medical, physical or emotional problems which may arise in a child that is placed with us for adoption. I/We
absolve JFJ Hope Centre Adoption Services from any claim or suit.
ADOPTION PROCESS
I/We understand that in order to retain the services of JFJ Hope Centre Adoption Services I/we are required to
present to the Agency a homestudy assessment with a favourable recommendation conducted by an approved
adoption practitioner, take part in PRIDE training and attend a personal interview with the Agency’s Program Director
or Executive Director.
I/We understand that the Agency is required to ensure that the birth parents of the child are provided with the
opportunity for counselling throughout the process and with independent legal advice prior to the giving of formal
consents to the adoption, and that it will be our responsibility to pay for these services.
I/We understand that the Agency will request the assistance of my/our Adoption Practitioner during the matching and
pre-placement period.
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I/We understand that the Agency is required by legislation to ensure that a child requiring foster care is cared for in
an approved foster home pending the adoption placement of the child and that the costs for the care of the child will
be our responsibility.
I/We understand that wherever possible, it is the practice of JFJ Hope Centre Adoption Services, under Ministry of
Children and Youth Services’ guidelines, to honour the requests of the birth parents regarding the type of family the
child will be placed with and, therefore, there is no guarantee that I/we will receive a child from the Agency.
I/We understand that JFJ Hope Centre Adoption Services is not a medical or legal facility. Information provided by
JFJ Hope Centre Adoption Services should not be considered medical advice or legal advice, and clients are advised
to seek independent medical advice and legal advice for any questions of a medical or legal nature.
I/We have been provided with the Information Sheet for Prospective Adoptive Parents regarding The Access to
Adoption Records Act.
FINANCIAL AGREEMENT
I/We understand that fees are charged for services rendered in the enactment of the adoption process and that these
fees apply regardless of the successful completion of an adoption. Costs may vary depending on the complexity of
the adoption and applicants are encouraged to inquire about costs specific to their proposed placement. Fees will be
reviewed annually and may be increased. I/We have reviewed and agree to the attached Fee Schedule and
Explanation of Fee Schedule.
I/We have reviewed and signed the Memorandum for Adoptive Applicants, which sets out prescribed expenses of a
licensee and the restrictions relating to any payments or rewards to a birth parent for an adoption. I/We agree to full
compliance with the regulations.
I/We are aware that I/we can claim eligible adoption expenses on my/our income tax return for the taxation year in
which the adoption is finalized. Details are available on the Canada Revenue Agency website.
CONFIDENTIALITY
I/We understand that personal information will be collected for the purpose of providing adoption services and to
ensure that the best interests of the child are protected. Information is collected in accordance with privacy
legislation and will be shared with the Ministry of Children and Youth Services, other professionals, and any
representative of any court of competent jurisdiction, as necessary, in the provision of adoption services. I/We
understand the Agency cannot guarantee the security of information sent or received via e-mail, fax, postal services
or courier. Personal information will be collected and shared as described above only with the consent of the
applicants. A signature on this document indicates the applicants’ consent. The following situations supersede the
preservation of confidentiality:
a) a reasonable suspicion of abuse or neglect of a minor;
b) a reasonable suspicion of a threat to harm oneself;
c) a reasonable suspicion of a threat to harm another person;
d) a client’s right of access to personal information;
e) information contained in public documents;
f) when required by law.
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FEE SCHEDULE
Effective September 1, 2011
INITIAL REGISTRATION FEES
Application Fee
Intake Interview Fee
$150
$350
WHEN A PLACEMENT IS PROPOSED
A $10,000 RETAINER is payable upon acceptance of the match and held in trust.
ALL FEES WILL BE DEDUCTED FROM THIS RETAINER.
Additional retainers will be required when adoption costs exceed funds held in trust.
LICENSEE FEES PERTAINING TO A PROPOSED PLACEMENT
Administrative Fee
Licensee Case Management Fee
- Travel
Birth Parent Services
- Travel
Adoption Finalization Fee
$2,500
$100/hour
$50/hour
$90/hour
$40/hour
$2,500
DISBURSEMENTS PERTAINING TO A PROPOSED PLACEMENT
Adoption Practitioner Fees
Foster Care – Daily rate
Foster Care – Expenses
Legal appointments for birth parents
Legal fees for adoption finalization
Additional legal fees, if applicable
Telephone/fax charge
Miscellaneous
Varies
$50/day
Varies
Approx. $150-$350/appt.
Varies
Varies
$150
Varies
The estimated costs for adoptions facilitated by JFJ Hope Centre Adoption Agency is in the range of $12,000
to $18,000.
Please note that costs can vary significantly depending on the circumstances of your adoption and can
exceed this range. Applicants are encouraged to inquire about costs specific to their placement.
Please refer to the Explanation of Fee Schedule for further details
The Fee Schedule is subject to change without notice
A 1% service charge will be added monthly for overdue invoices – A 5% service charge will be added if paid by VISA or MasterCard
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EXPLANATION OF FEE SCHEDULE
INITIAL REGISTRATION FEES
Application Fee – A non-refundable administrative fee for application processing.
Intake Interview Fee – Applicants are required to attend an interview with the Program Director or Executive Director. This
interview determines a couple’s status with the Agency, includes a review of the applicants’ profile and homestudy, and provides an
overview of JFJ Hope Centre’ adoption program.
No further fees are required until the applicants have been selected for a placement.
WHEN A PLACEMENT IS PROPOSED
RETAINER – The retainer is payable once the applicants have accepted a proposed placement. It is held in trust and all fees
and disbursements are deducted from the retainer. An invoice will be issued for any fees exceeding the retainer. Should an
adoption not proceed to finalization, fees for services rendered will be deducted from the retainer. Should fees not exceed the
retainer, the remainder will be refunded to the applicants. An invoice will be issued for any fees exceeding the retainer.
LICENSEE FEES PERTAINING TO A PROPOSED PLACEMENT
Administrative Fee – An administration fee for file management and the preparation of a proposal to the Ministry of Children and
Youth Services (MCYS).
Licensee Case Management Fee – An hourly fee that covers the case specific costs incurred by the licensee in providing
adoption services. These services include, but are not limited to, consultation with your Adoption Practitioner, the Birth Parent
Worker, the MCYS, lawyers and other professionals as needed; oversight of the proposal; communication with adoptive family;
hospital support; placement of the child; and travel as necessary.
Birth Parent Services – An hourly fee for birth parent services including, but not limited to, sessions with birth parents; telephone
support; paperwork preparation; hospital support; support while meeting the adoptive applicants; consultation with licensee,
hospital social workers and other professionals as needed; accompaniment to lawyers’ appointments as requested; postplacement support.
Adoption Finalization Fee – An administration fee for the preparation of an application to the court requesting the finalization of
the adoption.
DISBURSEMENTS PERTAINING TO A PROPOSED PLACEMENT
DISBURSEMENTS ARE PAYABLE WHETHER OR NOT AN ADOPTION MOVES TO COMPLETION
Adoption Practitioner Fees – Fees charged by the applicants’ Adoption Practitioner for services provided to the applicants in
a proposed placement. The fees are billed to the licensee by the Practitioner and paid from the retainer. These services
include: homestudy update and recommendation of the proposed match; review of birth parent(s) social and medical histories
with the applicants; support of the applicants during the pre-placement phase; support of the applicants during pre-placement
meeting the birth parent(s); and supervision of the adoption during the probation period. A fee schedule can be obtained from
your Practitioner.
Foster Care - A daily rate plus expenses (diapers, formula, supervision visits and reports, etc.)
Legal Appointments for Birth Parents – Fees charged by the lawyer(s) providing independent legal advice to the birth
parent(s) when consent to adoption is given.
Legal Fees for Adoption Finalization – Fees charged by the lawyer for commissioning required affidavits.
Additional Legal Fees, if applicable – Occasionally additional legal services are required in the facilitation of an adoption. These
required services and ensuing fees can vary from case to case. Applicants are encouraged to inquire about additional costs
specific to their placement.
Miscellaneous – Mileage, hotel, meals, couriers/postage, etc.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
AND REQUEST FOR ADOPTION SERVICES
My/our signature(s) below signifies that I/we have read and understand the FEES AND SERVICES AGREEMENT,
FEE SCHEDULE and EXPLANATION OF FEE SCHEDULE and agree to abide by these policies and procedures.
This Agreement comes into effect on the date signed by the applicants and will terminate when an adoption is
finalized through JFJ Hope Centre Adoption Agency. It may be revoked at any time by either party through the
provision of written notice and the fulfilment of all financial obligations.
_________________________________________
Signature of Applicant
_________________________________________
Date (mm/dd/yyyy)
_________________________________________
Signature of Co-Applicant
_________________________________________
Date (mm/dd/yyyy)
Please print name, address, phone number and email address below:
Name (Applicant): _________________________________________________________________
Name (Co-Applicant): ______________________________________________________________
Address: ________________________________________________________________________
City: _____________________________ Prov: __________ Postal Code: ____________________
Phone (home): ________________________________ Cell: ______________________________
Email address: ____________________________________________________________________
RETURN TO: JFJ HOPE CENTRE ADOPTION SERVICES
6655 KITIMAT ROAD, UNIT 5
MISSISSAUGA, ON L5N 6J4
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