SPENCE-CHAPIN COVID-19 RESPONSE

LETTER FROM OUR CEO

Dear Spence-Chapin Community:

We are closely monitoring the COVID-19 virus developments here in NYC and across the globe. It is a frightening time for the world. The rapid and unpredictable spread of the virus compels us to make immediate adjustments for the safety of our employees, clients, vendors and the organization as a whole.

Effective March 16th through March 27th, 2020, Spence-Chapin offices will be closed and staff will work remotely. All in-person counseling sessions, trainings, home visits, and public events have been suspended through the end of March, 2020. Staff have already begun to contact clients directly. Clients may continue to connect with Spence-Chapin staff as usual, i.e., via email and by telephone, as preparations have been made for remote staff to receive forwarded calls and to access work online.

Spence-Chapin is committed to taking the actions necessary to support our community in these challenging times. We will continue to update this page. Please check back for the most current information and follow us on social media (links below) for the latest details.

Respectfully,

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Kate Trambitskaya
Chief Executive Officer

COVID-19 UPDATES

Adoption Programs

Our International AdoptionDomestic Adoption, and Special Needs Adoption Programs are still up and running! For those interested in pursuing an international adoption, the application to begin your process is now free. We also continue to update our Waiting Children page with children who are awaiting their forever homes. Our team would love to speak with you. Contact us at info@spence-chapin.org or call 212-400-8150. 

Home Study Services

Home study services are still available! We are moving families forward in the home study by processing applications, paperwork, and trainings. Where permitted by their state of residence/country they are adopting from we are holding initial home study interviews via video conference.  To get your home study process started, please visit www.spence-chapin.org/home-study-services

Post-Adoption Services & Support

We are working hard to ensure that our post-adoption support services continue to serve the children and families that rely on them. The following services and programs have been updated:

  • Counseling and coaching sessions are being held via video conference
  • If you are a current client that has been financially impacted by the current COVID-19 crisis, we can work with you to make sure your sessions are not interrupted. 
  • We are available to provide support and answer any of your adoption inquiries at any time! Feel free to reach out to us at 646-539-2167 or via email at postadoption@spence-chapin.org
  • Post-placement visits are also happening via video conference with home visits to follow when public health guidance suggests it is safe for the community to resume in person visits.
  • Stay tuned for new webinars and live chat groups about various topics including how to talk to your child about this crisis, balancing work and childcare in this time, and more. If you would like to be notified about these developments, let us know
  • We are also working to develop fun and educational programming to help entertain your child while you work from home! Check back here for more updates as these programs become available. We can also notify you when these are scheduled. 

Birth Parent Services

We will continue to be here to provide options counseling, adoption planning and guidance. Our staff continues to support women who are facing an unplanned pregnancy or having recently given birth and are in need of options counseling and support via phone, text, and hospital visits where permitted. Our social workers are in regular communication with local hospitals and women’s health clinics about their current policies and procedures to ensure that we can work collaboratively to support their patients and to help them make a secure plan that they feel confident about.  

  • We are available to provide support 24/7. All information provided is free, confidential, and unbiased.Please Call 1-800-321-5683 (LOVE), Text 646-306-2586 or email helpline@spence-chapin.org
  • If you’d like to learn about how more about Spence-Chapin’s counseling and adoption services for expectant and biological parents, please join our team for a FREE online webinar on Tuesday, April 21st at 1pm EST.

Weekly Updates Email

Sign up for our weekly email to receive pertinent updates about our programs and services as well as helpful information from our social workers. 

Questions? Contact us