Waiting Children with Special Needs

Spence-Chapin works hard to find loving homes for children with special needs and maintains a pool of families with completed applications and home studies. Because it is our goal to place infants with forever families as rapidly as possible, the babies for whom we are seeking homes may change from week to week. To contact us about one of the children below or to inquire about other children with special needs waiting for their forever families, please complete the ASAP Pre-Application form or contact us as asap@spence-chapin.org or 212-369-0300.

Maurice
	We are looking for a family for Maurice, a Hispanic and African-American baby boy who was born on June 6. Maurice is an adorable baby. At birth he weighed 5 pounds 12 1/2 ounces. He is slowly gaining weight. Maurice’s birth mother used crack cocaine and alcohol daily, during the first trimester of the pregnancy. She reported that she drank 3 beers each day after using cocaine. In her third month, she entered an inpatient rehabilitation program for pregnant women. She and her counselors at the program report that she remained clean and sober from the time entered the program. Because of this exposure to alcohol, Maurice is at risk for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and other neurological impairments which include learning, behavior and attention problems as well as more significant neurological impairment and more severe cognitive problems. Should Maurice encounter challenges as he grows up, it will be very important for his family to provide him with the nurturance and support services which he would need to help him know that he is loved, maintain his self-esteem and lead a fulfilling life. It is imperative for prospective adoptive families to understand the possible ramifications for the future for any child who has been exposed to alcohol. We therefore request that families research this area thoroughly. If your family could be Maurice’s family forever, and has or could obtain an up-to-date home study within weeks, please complete the ASAP client pre-application form, note your interest in learning more about the baby. Please forward your home study if available to Fax number 212 360-0282, attention ASAP. An ASAP department worker will contact you if your family is a potential match for Maurice and will answer any questions you may have regarding both the baby and the ASAP program.
Cheryl
	We are also looking for a family for Cheryl a Caucasian baby girl who was born on May 21. Cheryl is an adorable baby who is alert and responsive. She is described by her caregiver as a “very good baby.” At birth she was small for her gestational age at 4 lbs, 15 ˝ ounces. She has been gaining nicely and currently weighs 6 lbs, 12 ˝ ounces. Cheryl was exposed to alcohol in utero. Her birth mother stated that she drank during the first two months of the pregnancy. However, Social Workers who have met with her during her pregnancy report that she appeared to have been drinking during the later stages of the pregnancy as well. Babies who were exposed to alcohol are at risk for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder which includes learning, behavior and attention problems. If there is heavy alcohol exposure, then there will be more neurological impairment and more severe problems. If Cheryl does encounter challenges as she grows up, it will be very important for her family to give her the emotional and educational supports which she would need to help her to lead a happy and fruitful life. It is imperative for prospective adoptive families to understand the possible ramifications for the future for any child who has been exposed to alcohol. We therefore request that families research this area thoroughly. If your family could be this baby’s forever family and if you have, or could quickly get, an up-to-date home study, please complete the ASAP client pre-application form. We will contact you if your family is a possible match for Cheryl or for another waiting baby.
Miranda, Jayla and Elias
	Thank you to all of the families that have expressed interest in Miranda, Jayla and Elias. They all will be going home with their forever families very soon.