2013
Department of Child, Youth and Family Services

Forward thinking, inspirational, engaging and respectful are words used to describe Christine Osmond, Provincial Director of Adoptions for the Department of Child, Youth and Family Services. Christine has exhibited leadership and service excellence throughout her 25 years in the field of child protection and adoptions. Never afraid to tackle complex, sensitive and deeply personal issues, Christine has used her unique leadership style to forge collaborative relationships with her colleagues, her executive and, most importantly, the community she serves. Christine was the driving force behind the province’s new Adoption Act passed in 2013 and the impact of her work will have a profound effect on the lives of many.

A truly monumental achievement, her work in shepherding this act to fruition will see more children adopted more quickly, adult adoptions will be permitted and post adoption services will be significantly improved. Her work also positively affects other Provincial Government employees giving front-line staff the tools necessary to expedite adoptions and enabling them to provide advice to adults on reunification of families.

To develop the new Adoption Act significant consultation was required. Due to the private and sensitive nature of adoptions, Christine held extensive one-on-one meetings with key stakeholders and personally reviewed and responded to written submissions that were guided by a discussion document she developed. She also engaged colleagues, within and outside the province.

Serving as a mentor to many for more than two decades, she has helped to shape and empower many junior social workers and advance the practice and client focus of child protection and adoption services in Newfoundland and Labrador. Through her tireless efforts, she continues to advocate for the best interests of children throughout the province.

Her nominators describe the impact of Christine’s work as life altering for many individuals, including both those placed for adoption and those seeking to find biological relatives. Christine is recognized for her vision, genuine compassion and dedication to the well-being of children and families.