Spence-Chapin welcomes families from all areas of the country to adopt through our international adoption programs in China, Guatemala and Korea.

Families outside our geographic area will work with an agency in their local area in addition to Spence-Chapin. Networking benefits families by allowing them to work with Spence-Chapin's well-established international placement programs while maintaining in-person contact with and direct service from a social worker in their local area.

 

Spence-Chapin Partner Agencies

Spence-Chapin maintains ongoing relationships with various agencies accross the U.S. These agencies are familiar with the adoption process and the eligibility requirements for our international programs. If our list does not identify an agency in your area, please call 212-400-8150 directly for assistance in selecting a local agency.

For more information about the international adoption process at Spence-Chapin through networking:

Contact our International Inquiry Coordinator at 212-400-8150. We are happy to share more about each program's eligibility requirements and to send you a registration packet so that you can get started.

Join Us at a Spence-Chapin Networking Program Information Session

Join Us at a Spence-Chapin Networking Program Information Session where Spence-Chapin representatives periodically visit our partner agencies and meet with local families to discuss Spence-Chapin programs and the services available to networking families.

Questions? Below are some frequently asked questions about Spence-Chapin's networking program.

• What does “networking” mean?
  Networking occurs when Spence-Chapin works with another adoption agency to help families complete an international adoption. One agency provides local services, while we provide the placement portion of the services to the family.
• What is a “local agency?”
  For networking, the “local agency” is the adoption agency that provides services to the family locally. Services often include preparing the home study, supporting the family throughout the process and completing the post-placement requirements with the family. Spence-Chapin networks with local agencies across the country.
• What is a “placement agency?”
  A “placement agency” is the adoption agency that maintains a relationship with overseas representatives and facilitates the child referral for a family. Spence-Chapin is a placement agency for families adopting from China, Guatemala and Korea.
• How do the local and placement agencies work together?
  After Spence-Chapin establishes partnerships with our network agencies, we sign an interagency agreement that outlines the responsibilities and services for both agencies. Throughout the adoption process, our staff will communicate regularly with you and your local agency to ensure that you are prepared for all the steps needed to complete your adoption.
• Why work with Spence-Chapin?
  Spence-Chapin's mission has always been to find loving families for children who need them. We are proud of our nearly 100 years of service. Since 1908, we have helped almost 18,000 children find nurturing homes. As a full-service agency, Spence-Chapin is dedicated to providing adoption services to families throughout their lifetime. Certifying that we adhere to the highest standards in adoption, we are accredited by the Council of Accreditation (COA).
• Which Spence-Chapin international programs are available to families across the country?
  Currently, Spence-Chapin welcomes families from around the country to adopt from our China, Guatemala and Korea programs. We network with other adoption agencies that have experience working in these programs as well. We may be able to offer additional international programs through networking at a future date, so please continue to check our web site for updates.
• Will I ever meet a representative from Spence-Chapin?
  Families that have adopted through Spence-Chapin's programs, either locally or through networking, are always welcome to visit our agency. Spence-Chapin conducts co-information meetings with a number of our network agencies and may be visiting your area. No matter where you are in your adoption process, you are welcome to attend a meeting when we are in your area. Also, we offer a number of social and educational events that families are welcome to attend.
• What are Spence-Chapin's fees for families in the Network Program?
  Fees payable to Spence-Chapin include a $300-registration fee that covers pre-screening for eligibility in our international programs and reviewing your home study, and a $4,000-network service fee. Spence-Chapin's fees support comprehensive professional services, including but not limited to: application processing, adoption support and education, assistance with dossier preparation and submission, child referral, coordination and preparation for travel, and post-placement support.
• What if I already have a completed home study from an agency?
  If you have already completed a home study and are interested in adopting through Spence-Chapin's international program in China, Guatemala or Korea, we may be able to help you. Contact our International Inquiry Coordinator at 212-400-8150, to learn more.
• How do I complete all the paperwork required for the country?
  During the home study process, Spence-Chapin will provide you with a country paperwork packet that will include a checklist of all the documents needed to complete a dossier for your adoption program and instructions on authenticating documents.
• Will I be prepared for travel?
  Spence-Chapin will provide you with a travel packet and you will speak directly with a country coordinator who will help inform you about what to expect when traveling to meet your child. The country coordinator will also assist you in completing any country paperwork needed before travel and in making arrangements for your trip. For families utilizing the Korea Escort Program rather than traveling, Spence-Chapin will coordinate with the Korean agency, Social Welfare Society (SWS), and help you make plans to meet your child at the airport.
• If we decide to use the Korea Escort Program, can we choose to have the baby escorted to the airport nearest to our home?
  Since SWS has regular arrangements with their escorts, networking families will need to be prepared to travel to LAX airport in Los Angeles, O'Hare airport in Chicago or to JFK airport in New York.