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Thinking About Adoption?
Attend one of our monthly
Information sessions.
Request information/ask questions >
You can also call us at 212.369.0300 for more information.
The Adoption Resource Library contains recomended books and articles by adoption professionals, birth parents, adoptive parents and adopted children, who share their unique insights.
Adoption Without Fear
James L. Gritter James Gritter, a social worker who was a pioneer in the transition from closed to open adoptions, gathers the stories of seventeen couples who tell of their experience with open adoption, ranging from occasional contact, to sharing the birth experience, and their lives beyond. While each relationship has its unique qualities there are also many common threads in these emotion-filled and often complex family stories. Published 20 years ago, this book still has relevance for families today.
Out of the Shadows: Birthfathers' Stories
Mary Martin Mason Based on in-depth interviews, this book profiles a diverse group of men "who have fathered a child whom they are not parenting" including, but not only, through adoption. Common issues emerge in their often painful stories: grief, regret and shame, damage to self-esteem and subsequent relationships, and lasting feelings for the child. Besides the emotional cost to the birthfather, Mason also examines the impact of shutting out birthfathers on adoptive parents and children.
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Domestic FAQWhat makes Spence-Chapin unique?Spence-Chapin has been around for over 100 years. We offer innovative and quality services to all members of the adoption community. We have experience in all aspects of adoption and use that knowledge to offer support and guidance during all phases of your adoption process.
Who becomes an adoptive parent?Adoptive parents vary in age, religious, racial, and economic background. Many are couples who may have been challenged by infertility. Others are already parenting and want to expand their families. Some are single adults who wish to share their lives with a child.
I have a modest income. Can I still adopt?Yes, please see our Fees and Expenses page.
Are there age or health restrictions? What about past history?Adoptive parents must be at least 18 years of age. There is no upper limit in age mandated by state law. However, birth parents are generally young and often prefer adoptive parents who are under 50. Some prefer married couples; others will choose a single parent or same sex parents. The agency looks for prospective adoptive parents in good health; specific medical conditions can be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Screening for criminal history is conducted as required by state law.
What is the first step in adopting?If you are considering Spence-Chapin as your adoption agency, you will be required to attend a free in person or online information session. At this meeting, you will receive various materials including a registration packet. We will review your completed packet and one of our social workers may follow up with a phone call if we have any additional questions. You will then be invited to begin your home study and parent preparation.
What is an adoption home study?An adoption home study is a supportive and educational process where you begin to work toward becoming an adoptive parent. Through group sessions as well as in individual meetings with a social worker, you’ll learn about forming a family through adoption. During the home study process you will provide us with information about yourselves, and discuss your philosophies on parenting, your personal history, your relationships, and how you decided to pursue an adoption. This process results in an actual document — your adoption home study.
Will there be a long wait for a baby?Most families are chosen within six months to two years after completing their home study. The average age of the baby at placement is six weeks old.
What happens after a baby is born?Many birth parents choose to temporarily place their babies with one of our experienced interim care families while they are making a decision.
What about the baby's health care?The birth mother is referred for outside medical care from the time she is in contact with the agency through the delivery period. After birth, the baby is examined regularly by a Spence-Chapin pediatrician. All medical information obtained by the agency about birth parents, their families and the baby is shared with the prospective adoptive parents.
Why does a birth parent choose adoption?Birth parents choose adoption for many different reasons. They may be too young to be a parent, or they may not be in a position to support a child. Birth mothers who come to Spence-Chapin receive counseling about all of their options so they can make an informed decision. About one third of the birth mothers we counsel decide to make an adoption plan. The others are assisted in making other plans to parent their baby.
How are babies and adoptive parents matched?The birth parent selects the adoptive family for her child from profiles of waiting parents. Most birth mothers are primarily concerned that the child be raised in a loving home.
What contact will we have with the birth parent(s)?Spence-Chapin supports open adoption. In an open adoption, birth parents and adoptive parents agree to some kind of ongoing contact which may range from the exchange of pictures and letters to periodic visits. Learn More
What happens if we get pregnant during the adoption process?We are aware that many families begin to explore adoption while engaged in infertility treatment. We know that both the process of infertility treatment and the process of adoption are emotionally, financially, and logistically taxing. Our experience has shown that it is very difficult to pursue both simultaneously, but ultimately each family will make a personal decision about their own plans and timing. We ask clients to be open with the agency, so that we can offer our full support throughout the process. If a pregnancy does occur, Spence-Chapin’s typical practice is to put an adoption case on hold. Many families in this situation return to Spence-Chapin in the future to complete an adoption plan.
What is Spence-Chapin’s African-American Program?Since the 1940s, Spence-Chapin’s African-American adoption services have been a cornerstone of our domestic adoption program. Over the past twenty years, Spence-Chapin has placed almost 700 babies in the African-American community. Today, the sense of community that prevails throughout this program is strong and unique.
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