Spence-Chapin Services International Adoption: Moldova

Spence-Chapin was recently reaccredited by the Moldovan Adoption Committee in 2008, and we are excited to be accepting new families for this program. Moldova is a toddler adoption program. Children are generally 1-4 years of age and live in an orphanage in the capital city of Chisinau. Spence-Chapin's representative in Moldova manages the pre-adoption process, travels with adopting families and helps them complete the adoption. Moldova is a lovely country located between Romania and the Ukraine with a population of 4.5 million people.

Program Requirements and Specifics

At least one prospective parent must be a U.S. citizen to be able to sponsor a child to enter the country.
Spence-Chapin requires that both parents travel to Moldova on the first trip.
Married couples and single women may apply.
Parents make two brief trips (about 1 week each) to Moldova, about 1 month apart.
Parents should be in good mental and physical health and at least one applicant must be under 50 years of age prior to adoption completion.

The Children

Children available for adoption in Moldova range in age from 1-4 years old and school aged children are also available. Both boys and girls are available. Families should expect the typical delays medical risks associated with international adoption, institutionalization and the difficult life histories that the children may have experienced. Children are primarily of Moldovan, Russian or Romanian heritage.

From Referral to Homecoming

After your file is submitted, the average wait for a referral is about 12 months. Referrals include photographs and a medical history. Parents may expect to travel 1-2 months after receiving the referral. Two trips are required, about 1 month apart. During the first trip, parents meet their child and appear in a court proceeding. On the second trip, they may bring their child home.

Humanitarian Aid to Moldova: Spence-Chapin Granny Program

Warm hugs and kisses. Tender touches. Games and storytelling. Joyous laughter. Children growing up in an institution are often deprived of these basic interactions, putting them at risk for developmental delays. Understanding the positive impact physical and emotional contact can have during a child's early stages of development, Spence-Chapin Services staff and board of directors decided to sponsor "granny" programs to help children in orphanages who are most “at-risk.”

The first Spence-Chapin Granny Program opened in 1998 in Varna, Bulgaria. In 2005, a new program was started in Moldova at the Chisinau Municipal Special Children's Orphanage. Ten grannies currently participate. Thanks to their attention, the 40 children entrusted to their care have shown improvement in behavior, speaking ability, and motor skills. Some of the children helped by these programs will be adopted, but many of them will not. All of them have a brighter future due to the positive effects of early intervention—and loving attachment—on their development.

Cost Guidelines

Spence-Chapin has a sliding fee for the services provided by the agency, based on the applicant's adjusted gross income.

When adopting internationally, the sending country assesses fees separate from Spence-Chapin's service fee. Please contact us for specific information about Moldova's fees. Additionally, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service and some states assess fees, including those for fingerprinting. When you travel to Moldova, you will incur costs for airfare, hotel, food and incidental expenses. For information about making adoption more affordable, please see our information in Affording Adoption.

Celebration for Children from Eastern Europe

Every year, Spence-Chapin hosts a party for children adopted from Eastern Europe. Families come together to celebrate with traditional food, crafts and entertainment and to share their experiences with each other. Children get an opportunity to explore their common heritage. For information about this year's celebration, please contact Heather at 212-360-0274 or hluboff@spence-chapin.org.

Out-of-State- Families

Spence-Chapin welcomes families from other areas of the country to adopt through our international adoption program in Moldova. Families outside our geographic area work with a local agency in addition to Spence-Chapin, allowing them to benefit from our well-established international placement program in Moldova while receiving direct service from a social worker in their area. Spence-Chapin collaborates closely with other high-quality and reputable adoption agencies to help families complete all stages of the adoption process and receive support from both agencies that follow them every step of the way. For more information about networking and a list of Spence-Chapin network agencies, please contact our International Inquiry Coordinator at 212-400-8150.