Options Counseling Training

When families make a plan in response to an unintended pregnancy, they need information about a baby's needs and complete, unbiased information about all of their options: parenting, pregnancy termination, voluntary adoption, care by family members and other options which might be unique to an individual's circumstances.

The Collaboration for Permanency

The Collaboration for Permanency represents a partnership between Spence-Chapin Services and the NYC Administration for Children's Services (ACS) to ensure that the earliest possible permanency plan is made for every newborn and infant. This partnership is founded on the belief that the best permanency planning begins during pregnancy and that every family faced with an unplanned pregnancy deserves options counseling in accordance with best practices in child welfare.

Collaboration for Permanency activities include:

  • Options Counseling training and consultations
  • Adoption training and consultations
  • Direct services for families coping with unplanned pregnancy.

For more information about the Collaboration for Permanency, to receive consultation services, or to schedule a training, call Cori Lohser, Project Manager, at (212) 360-0239 or clohser@spence-chapin.org.

Options Counseling Guidelines

  • Not all women feel positively about being pregnant.
    An unplanned pregnancy presents a crisis in many families and for many women. It is important for families to feel comfortable talking about a range of thoughts and feelings.
  • It can be helpful for parents to talk through their plan with someone they trust who can support them at different points during pregnancy and after the baby is born.
    Deciding who might be a helpful resource is a good way to start exploring options.
  • A woman facing an unplanned pregnancy has options. Thoroughly consider each one.
    Many women feel trapped by an unplanned pregnancy. Discussing the choices available to everyone is empowering, and exploring options is healthy and normal.
  • Work with complete information
    Educate yourself about each available option and gather more detailed information as necessary.
  • Visualize how life would change with each option.
    Sometimes it's difficult to visualize the long-term impact of each possible decision. Counseling can help women fully consider their decisions.
  Collaboration for
Permanency Materials		  
 
Books &  Resources