Spence-Chapin has been serving children and families in adoption for nearly 100 years. From experience, we know that adoptive families, adopted persons and birth mothers all face unique challenges even after a baby is placed. We are proud to offer comprehensive post-adoption services to the entire adoption community. Our doors are open to any member of the adoption triad—adoptees, birth parents and adoptive parents—including those who have not worked with Spence-Chapin in the past.

The Adoption Resource Center

The Spence-Chapin Adoption Resource Center (ARC) offers workshops, training for professionals, adoption awareness for educators, and extensive resources for adoptive families. ARC workshops offered in Manhattan, Brooklyn and suburban locations in New York and New Jersey, provide training, support and resources to adoptive parents waiting for their child to come home, parents of toddlers and young children, and families with teenagers living with the social and practical challenges that adoption can present. Support groups for adoptive parents and birth parents are offered monthly and cover adoption-related issues such as search, reunion and “sharing our stories.”

SPARK Child Development for Adoptive Families

SPARK Child Development for Adoptive Families is a component of the Adoption Resource Center whose focus is on helping adoptive parents learn how to maximize their child's growth and progress from birth through adolescence. SPARK workshops and playshops address a broad range of issues related to the impact that adoption has on a child's acquisition of developmental skills. SPARK provides ongoing support for the behavioral and social-emotional challenges sometimes experienced by adoptive families through office and telephone consultations; home visits; and short-term counseling. The depth of the SPARK referral database of multidisciplinary providers in the tri-state area allows parents to identify the specialist that is most appropriate to their child's specific needs. SPARK also provides information to pediatricians, educators, therapists and other professional service providers so they will increase their understanding of how factors related to adoption interact with development.

Adoption Counseling Team

Adult adoptees and birth parents often have questions after the fact. How is my child doing? I wish I knew more about my medical history. What did my birth mother look like? The Spence-Chapin Adoption Counseling Team (ACT) offers support to fit the needs of each particular family and situation. Background histories and search counseling are available for Spence-Chapin adoptees and birth parents as well as clients of the former Louise Wise Services and Talbot Perkins Childrens Services. Our counselors can assist with registering with the NYSAIR and SOUNDEX indices and provide all available information in accordance with New York state registry laws. ACT also provides short-term consultations and counseling for individuals, couples and families which may be helpful in addressing questions and concerns related to adoption.

The Book Nook

The Book Nook stocks more than 100 adoption titles and includes books suitable for adoptive and birth families, adults and children, international and domestic adoption, and academic or general interest. Books are for sale at the Manhattan location. To order books or for a list of books, please contact Eneida at 212-360-0287 or elamberty@spence-chapin.org. You may also browse our suggested book list and purchase through Amazon.com. A portion of the proceeds will support Spence-Chapin.