LOUISE WISE SERVICES was founded in 1916 in New York City to ensure that Jewish children in need of adoption were placed with loving families. While the mission remained, “To protect and encourage the healthy growth and development of children and families in the communities in which they live,” over time the needs of New York City’s families and children changed. In response new programs were developed providing foster and preventive care, residential care, and adoption services to families from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds.

In 2010, Louise Wise Services formally dissolved in accordance with the nonprofit laws of the State of New York. It made a gift of its remaining assets to Spence-Chapin Services to Families and Children to ensure that children adopted through the foster care system and their families will continue to receive the supportive services they need.

Spence-Chapin www.spence-chapin.org has received all of Louise Wise Services’ records related to voluntarily surrendered children and will respond to inquiries from birth parents, adoptees and their families according to the governing laws.

Post-adoption services for these clients are available from Spence-Chapin’s Adoption Resource Center (ARC). For information or to set up an appointment, call Gladys Ramos at 212-360-0259 or email gramos@spence-chapin.org

To access records involving foster care, residential care, preventive services and adoptions that resulted from termination of parental rights by the Family Court contact the Administration for Children’s Services of the City of New York.