Spence-Chapin in The News

Gay Marriage Will Spur Adoption Boom; New York Lawyers Predict

Associated Press

September 21, 2011

With NY giving the okay on same sex marriages, there is speculations that adoption amongst gay couples may increase. Susan Watson, director of domestic adoption and birth parent services, is quoted.

Adoption and Medicine

Sirius XM

September 21, 2011

Rita Taddonio, director of the Adoption Resource Center, and Antoinette Williams, assistant director of domestic adoptions, participated in a conversation about the developmental and physical health of adopted children with Dr. Karen Hopkins (doctor of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics at NYU Medical Center), host of "Doctor Radio."

Should Adoption Be a Reproductive Right?

Huffington Post

May 6, 2011

With Birth Mother's Day as the backdrop, Cristina Page of Spence-Chapin's Adoption Access Network (AAN) talks about the evolution of adoption in the pro-choice movement dialogue.

30 NYC Thrift Stores in 30 Days

Thrift Store Confidential

March 17, 2011

In her review posted on the popular Thrift Store Confidential blog, Nicole Poole writes that the Spence-Chapin's Third Avenue Thrift Shop is like "entering a well-heeled lady's parlor... [where] you'll find spotless items here for less than half of retail."

Muslim Orphans Caught Between Islamic, Western Law

Associated Press

November 28, 2010

Helene Lauffer, associate executive director of Spence-Chapin, discusses how differences in Islamic and Western laws prove to be an obstacle to American Muslims wanting to adopt these orphaned children and what some groups are doing to close it.

Adoption 101: Thinking about growing your family through adoption? Here's what you need to know

New York Family magazine

November 2010

In recognition of National Adoption Awareness Month, Spence-Chapin Associate Executive Director Helene Lauffer offers potential adoptive parents an overview of today's adoption landscape.

Spence-Chapin Thrift Shop Rated Among the Best in NYC

Village Voice

November 2010

In its annual "The Best of NYC" issue, The Village Voice hails the Third Avenue shop as the "Best Place to Look Like a Lady Who Lunches (On the Budget of a Lady Who Brown-Bags)."

Report: Many Adoptive Families Need More Support

Associated Press

October 20, 2010

Spence-Chapin parents Sue Unkenholz and Ward Sutton, who adopted children from Colombia, open up about how post-adoption resources have been a benefit to them. This, in response to the Adoption Institute's national study, "Keeping the Promise: The Critical Need for Post-Adoption Services to Enable Children and Families to Succeed," covering the lack of services available to adoptive families parenting children who were previously neglected or institutionalized. Rita Taddonio, LCSW, Adoption Resource Center director, also comments on the need for more training for health care professionals and educators in this area.

Searching for Birth Parents on the Internet

Adoptive Families Magazine

September/October 2010

In the magazine's column "Ask AF," Adoption Resource Center Director Rita Taddonio, LCSW, answers the question what information is appropriate to share with your child about his birth family—especially details that may have been found on the internet.

Reaching out to Birth Parents

Adoptive Families Magazine

September/October 2010

Spence-Chapin Expert Ronny Diamond, LMSW, makes suggestions to adoptive parents on how to handle it when your child's birth parents are no longer in contact.

Abortion Providers and Adoption Agencies find Common Ground

New York Times

June 18, 2010

Corinna Lohser, program manager of the Adoption Access Network (AAN), talks about Spence-Chapin's groundbreaking initiative to provide training and education for abortion providers and community health workers - enabling them to provide clients facing unplanned pregnancies with a greater understanding of adoption, in addition to the other options that are available to them.

African-Americans and Adoption

Ebony Magazine

June 2010

In a feature story on African-American adoption (The Chosen Ones), Spence-Chapin parents, Rodney and Lisha Epperson speak in-depth about their experiences adopting their three young children and the joy they have had as a result. Toni Williams, assistant director of Domestic Adoption programs, is also quoted in this piece.

Searching for Birth Family on the Internet

Adoptive Families Magazine

May/June 2010

In this article, Adoption Resource Center Director Rita Taddonio, LCSW, advises adoptive parents on how to set safety guidelines and provide assistance for their web-savvy teens wanting to search for their birth families using there internet.

International Adoption: Preparing for the Unexpected

New York Times

April 16, 2010

After a Tennessee woman returned her 7-year-old adopted son back to Russia, many are left wondering if this could have been prevented. Spence-Chapin Executive Director Kathy Legg advises families interested in international adoption to work with reputable adoption agencies like Spence-Chapin, that prepare them for all the potential risks and possibilities that are involved in adopting a child internationally.

Spence-Chapin Advocates for Russia to Continue Adoptions

Associated Press

April 13, 2010

In David Crary's article, Petition Drive Urges Russia Not to Halt Adoptions, American adoption advocates are petitioning leaders of the two nations to intercede. Louise Schnaier, director of International Adoption at Spence-Chapin, is quoted.

Story of a Successful Russian Adoption

NYTimes.com

April 13, 2010

In Judith Belkin's parenting blog, Motherlode, adoptive mom Judith Schoolman speaks out positively regarding her experience adopting her son from Russia through Spence-Chapin.

Most Adoptions From China Special Needs Cases

NYTimes.com

March 27, 2010

Today, challenging special-needs cases make up growing shares of adoptions from China. Spence-Chapin parents Bethany and Kevin Durkin speak about the adoption of their two daughters.

Finding Birth Family on Facebook

Adoptive Families Magazine

April 2010

The growing popularity of social networking sites like Facebook introduce new resources for locating your child's birth family. Adoption Resource Center Director Rita Taddonio gives advice to parents on how to embrace their child's desire to find or meet his/her birth family and methods of contact.

Adoptee Grief for Birth Parent or Personality?

Adoptive Families Magazine

April 2010

When adoptive children's behavior mimics signs of grief, Ronny Diamond of Spence-Chapin's Adoption Resource Center provides tips for adoptive parents on how to help their children work through their emotions.

Transracial Adoption Can Provide a Loving Family and an Identity Struggle

ABC World News

March 3, 2010

Adoption Resource Center Director Rita Taddonio is featured in this segment which explores how well African-American children fare growing up in white adoptive families.

Church Group Arrested for Adoption in Haiti

CBS2 News

February 1, 2010

Louise Schnaier, director of international adoption, cautions families to consider some important issues when thinking about adopting a child affected by a disaster, much like the earthquake in Haiti.

Haiti Adoption Complications

CNN en Español

January 20, 2010

In the wake of the recent earthquake in Haiti that has left countless children orphaned, Louise Schnaier discusses the complexities of international adoption after a disaster.

Lean Times, But No Rise In Adoption

NYTimes.com

December 19, 2009

Despite the economic downturn, there has been no increase in birth mothers coming forward to place their babies for adoption. Associate Executive Director Helene Lauffer talks about Spence-Chapin's pregnancy counseling program.

You Can Adopt

The Martha Stewart Show, WNBC-TV

October 13, 2009

Martha Stewart invited S-C adoptive mother Isolde Motley to discuss the new book You Can Adopt, An Adoptive Families Guide, which she co-authored with Adoptive Families editor Susan Caughman. Also participating in the show were two Spence-Chapin families: Tyra and Rob Witherspoon, who adopted their son Ryan through the African-American program; and Jill Jorschick who, with her husband, adopted son Jaden through the Korean program.

Adoption Law Institute Seminar

December 19, 2008

This seminar for professionals provided comprehensive updates on the latest developments in the fast-changing field of adoption law. Susan Watson, Director of Domestic Adoption & Birth Parent Services, participated on the panel Agency Adoptions: Practice Tips and A View from the Bench.

NJ Bergen Record

November 4, 2008

They Find Joy in Giving Children a Good Start by Heather Kays

Interim care family Jayne and Jake Bosgra featured in the NJ Bergen Record.

Mad Men, AMC TV Series

October 19, 2008

Spence-Chapin was featured in the award-winning Mad Men series during a segment when one of the main characters and his wife considered adoption. Agency noted as New York’s premiere adoption resource.