Spence-Chapin Services To Families And Children

They make you sign up for a webinar before you can even start the process. Totally understandable, but here's the catch: they only have the webinars every three months and you have to sit at your computer and constantly refresh to sign up at exactly the right time to get a spot. The webinar filled up today in a minute, which happens all the time (third time trying for me). No waitlist and they just don't seem to care. Starting an adoption process shouldn't be like getting concert tickets. Make it accessible for families and don't treat it like winning the lottery to just START the process with you. Adopting a child is an amazing thing and the process should be treated better. Really terrible and somewhat insulting.

We adopted through Spence Chapin. We found them to be caring and helpful with the process. We had the pleasure of working with Monica Baker. She is a caring and thoughtful lady. Her help and constant communication from beginning to taking baby home was so appreciated!.. Thank you Monica & Spence Chapin for making our dream of a family come true!

I am a birth mother. Once the adoption was finalized, it seems like they just forgot about me.

I was told I would be provided counseling. 6 session provided and paid by them, and the rest would be on my private insurance. That's fair. I told them up front that I would need counseling right away. I still haven't been contacted to sign up for ANY counseling.

I gave birth almost 3 months ago.

I was told by my case worker that an "open adoption agreement" would be signed right away by both parties. Saying that I was to receive 4 emails with pictures 4 times a year, and 2 in person visits a year.

I have yet to receive or sign this agreement.

Again, gave birth almost 3 moths ago.


I was told that I could get financial help throughout this.
Since I had to miss work when I gave birth, I was told could get grocery money via gift card to a local a grocery chain. Keep in mind I am not a greedy person, But I do live paycheck to paycheck. And although I'm super grateful they would even offer, I counted on that, so when they didn't deliver, it was hard. I had to pay bills.
Lastly, I'm now stuck with the hospital bill. I asked my case worker for guidance to help with this, And she told me "Oh wow. That's a lot. I will ask around here." That was days ago. I get that I had private insurance, but the deductible and co-insurance that's due will ruin me financially. I honestly don't know what to do at this point.

I understand that they are a business, and therefore looking to make money, and they seem to cater to the adoptive parents more than anyone. But I guess I shouldn't complain since they found the most amazing family for my son, and that is the single most important part.

Excellent organization that helps pre-adoptive and adoptive parents and their children.

http://www.spence-chapin.org/arc_directions.html

This place is excellent. No one cares as much about the adoption process as these guys do. The only thing they care about more than the babies there is bringing happiness to all who visit.

Yes, they helped me - for about an hour. I was given one hour in an empty room with the baby screaming because they had dressed him in a wool outfit (in June) and he was hungry with no bottle. I signed the papers and was literally back on the street with no taxi money to go anywhere, and no place to stay (I had recently come home from Germany).
Despite promises to the contrary I learned my baby was adopted by a well off couple who immediately took him to war torn Pakistan and India where he almost died of diseases contracted. Did no one know this? Follow up?
I never heard from Spence Chapin again. All they wanted was the blonde baby.

We adopted our son through this organization and I only have good stories to tell about them. They give the babies the best, regardless of their race, and they make sure that the birth mother feels comfortable with the adoptive family. From my experience I can say that if the birth mother does not want a specific adoptive family, they do not place the baby with that family. Also, they provide workshops to help the adoptive families adjust to the adoption process. They do charge for their workshops, but they are definitely worth it. I give them five stars because they deserve them.
10/25/17 Update: Five years ago, Spence-Chapin changed owners and things have not been the same. Four years ago, my husband and I tried to adopt another child and gave up, because the process was not smooth, at all. I still like the fact that they are very committed to open adoptions.

A horrible experience with Spence Chapin.
would not use them.
would not recommend them.

fee based motivated.
from my experience does doe have best interest of child.

in 1990 i gave up a baby for adoption at spence-chapin. my case worker was a woman named judy linc. she was the nicest person i have ever met. there was no pressure at all. she came to jersey to see me and talked everything over with me. she went through everthing with me. she was at the hospital with me. she told me that i wouldnt be signing the papers for a couple of weeks to see if decided i wanted to change my mind but she never pressured me. when it was time to go the office, they picked up, judy took me out to lunch first and discussed it with me again. when we got there she had me speak to someone else to make sure this is what i wanted to do. she even had me talk to some of the pregnant teens that were there.If not for judy i dont know what i would of done during this time. She is probably retired now but i will never forget her.