Spence-Chapin Services To Families And Children

THE MISSION OF SPENCE-CHAPIN IS TO HELP FIND LOVING FAMILIES FOR CHILDREN WHATEVER THEIR NEEDS OR CIRCUMSTANCES AND PROVIDE COUNSELING AND SUPPORT FOR ALL CHILDREN AND THE FAMILIES TO WHOM THEY HAVE BEEN BORN OR ENTRUSTED.

ADOPTION PROGRAMS:DOMESTIC ADOPTION PROGRAM: WE FIND FAMILIES FOR INFANTS AND CHILDREN DOMESTICALLY. WE PREPARE FAMILIES FOR ADOPTION THROUGH TRAININGS, COUNSELING, AND SUPPORT PRIOR TO AND AFTER PLACEMENT.INTERNATIONAL ADOPTION: WE FIND FAMILIES FOR CHILDREN FROM THREE COUNTRIES (SOUTH AFRICA, BULGARIA, AND COLOMBIA),AND PROVIDE TRAINING, SUPPORT, AND ONGOING SERVICES TO THE FAMILY AND THE CHILD. SPECIAL NEEDS ADOPTION: WE PLACE CHILDREN WITH SIGNIFICANT MEDICAL CHALLENGES INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, RARE GENETIC DISORDERS, CHRONIC DISABILITIES, AND PRENATAL EXPOSURE TO DRUG AND ALCOHOL. WE PROVIDE EXTENSIVE EDUCATION TO POTENTIAL FAMILIES ABOUT EACH CHILD'S SPECIFIC NEEDS TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE PREPARED FOR THE CHALLENGES OF PARENTING CHILDREN WHO HAVE COMPLEX MEDICAL HISTORIES/DIAGNOSES.

CLINICAL SERVICES:THERAPY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENTS:WE PROVIDE ONGOING SUPPORT AND THERAPY TO ALL INDIVIDUALS CONNECTED TO ADOPTION. WE BUILD COMMUNITY AND AWARENESS THROUGH SOCIAL AND THERAPEUTIC COMMUNITY EVENTS AND ENGAGEMENTS FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS CONNECTED TO ADOPTION. SERVICES FOR BIRTH AND EXPECTANT WOMEN AND FAMILIES: WE PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE OPTIONS COUNSELING TO WOMEN AND THEIR PARTNERS WHO ARE CONTEMPLATING AN ADOPTION BEFORE OR AFTER BIRTH. SPENCE-CHAPIN PROVIDES THE OPTION OF INTERIM CARE FOR THE BABY AND COVERS ALL SUPPLIES AND MEDICAL VISITS. FOR WOMEN WHO CHOOSE ADOPTION, SPENCE-CHAPIN OFFERS THEM COUNSELING AND SUPPORT THROUGH THE PROCESS, INCLUDING FREE INDEPENDENT LEGAL COUNSEL.COUNSELING AND COMMUNITY: WE PROVIDE SUPPORT, EDUCATION AND COUNSELING TO ADOPTIVE FAMILIES, ADOPTEES, AND BIRTH PARENTS. PROGRAMS INCLUDE EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS, GROUPS FOR YOUNG CHILDREN, MENTORSHIP PROGRAMS AND SUPPORT GROUPS. POST-ADOPTION SERVICES: WE PROVIDE PERSONAL ADOPTION HISTORIES TO INDIVIDUALS WHO MEET THE CRITERIA TO RECEIVE NON-IDENTIFYING INFORMATION UNDER THE APPLICABLE STATE LAW. WE OFFER CLINICAL SUPPORT FOR INDIVIDUAL(S) WHO ARE CONTEMPLATING OR HAVE BEEN IN REUNION WITH THEIR BIRTH FAMILY.

GRANNY AND GRANNY RELATED PROGRAMS:THE AGENCY ALSO HAS A THRIVING GRANNY PROGRAM OVERSEAS, WHERE WE ENSURE CHILDREN LIVING IN ORPHANAGES RECEIVE THE LOVE AND ATTENTION OF A DEDICATED PRIMARY CAREGIVER, A "GRANNY." THE RECRUITED GRANNIES PROVIDE ACTIVITIES THAT NURTURE PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN RESIDING IN ORPHANAGES.