Spence-Chapin began its commitment to adoption services for the African-American community in the 1940s. Our program is now one of the most respected in the country. We continue to help African-American and interracial couples, as well as single adults, realize their dreams of becoming adoptive parents.

Our clients vary in age, social, professional, religious and economic background. An increasing number of adoptive parents and birth parents are choosing open adoption — opting to meet each other and make plans for future contact. Their common thread is the desire to be parents and to provide a nurturing home for a child in need of a stable, loving family. Whether you are just starting to think about adoption or are confident that you want to become an adoptive parent, Spence-Chapin will be happy to guide you through the process.

Placements

• After you complete your home study process, your profile is included in a special album that we share with birth parents who choose the couple or single adult to parent their child.
• You can also become actively involved in networking, advertising, and making a direct connection with birth parents.

Spence-Chapin provides separate social workers and counseling for birth parents and adoptive parents. They fully support each participant in the adoption with sensitivity and expertise.

Pregnant women are encouraged to explore all their options, including family support and parenting. Birth parents receive extensive counseling to help them make the best decision for themselves and their child. We emphasize to both parties that birth parents will not complete any adoption plan until after the baby is born. If birth parents need time after the birth, interim care can be provided by Spence-Chapin for the baby.

Financial Considerations

• Adoptive parents who work directly with Spence-Chapin pay a fee according to a sliding scale based on income.
• Spence-Chapin assumes all pregnancy-related expenses for birth parents.
• If a birth parent does not go forward with an adoption plan, Spence-Chapin continues to work with the prospective parents towards another plan with no additional fee to the adoptive parents.

Please see Affording Adoption to learn about making adoption from Spence-Chapin more affordable through federal adoption tax credits, corporate employee benefits, state subsidies and Spence-Chapin's special funds.

How to Apply to the African-American Program

The first step is to join us for a free information session. To make a reservation or be notified of future information sessions, please call the Adoption Department at 212-369-0300, providing your name, address and phone number. Information sessions about our Hispanic and International programs are also scheduled frequently. Families who are able to parent infants with special medical or developmental needs are encouraged to consider the ASAP Program.

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For more information, please attend a free information meeting by contacting
the Adoption Department at 212-369-0300.