Cornerstones of Care
Thousands of children need loving, temporary homes. Unfortunately, the number of licensed foster homes has not kept pace with the number of children entering state care.
In honor of National Foster Care Month, Cornerstones of Care is excited to release four new videos that capture the essence of what you need to know to begin your journey as a foster parent. These professional videos feature the voices of our team members and current or former foster parents who share their insights about foster parenting and the positive difference it makes in the lives of youth in their care.
Our mission is the core of what we do. It honors our history, reflects our day-to-day, and focuses on the future. It leads us in designing and delivering programs that improve the lives of more than 15,000 children and families each year in Kansas, Missouri, and beyond.
Services and information
- Traditional Foster Care
- Emergency Foster Care
- Respite Foster Care
- Adoption
- Other
Requirements to become a foster parent
Foster parents receive a maintenance payment to help cover some of the care costs of raising a child. The rate parents receive varies depending on the child's age and their special needs. Foster children also receive a clothing allowance, covering their medical needs.
The Missouri Department of Social Services website shows you the latest rates.
However, these maintenance payments aren't always enough. Everything from school supplies to toys can cut into that budget. Many businesses and organizations are stepping up to help cover the gaps and assist foster families.
Foster Together provides a walk-in shopping service for foster children free of charge. Kids can find new and like-new clothing, toys, car seats, and more.
Foster parents caring for younger children can look to Nurses for Newborns, which provides health assessments, screenings, education, and more support.
Another valuable resource is respite care, which gives foster parents a break when needed. Respite foster care is a temporary service offered by other trained foster families. It's also useful in the event of an emergency situation.
Ratings and Reviews
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Aug 02, 2023
INCREDIBLE organization doing God’s work. I’m so thankful that there are such caring and empathetic people making this world a better place.
Jul 02, 2023
I would definitely suggest not to go through this agency. The lack of communication is horrible. We switched agencies and it was the best decision. I urge you to really do research and read reviews before going through with them.
Jun 05, 2023
I'm a retired licensed social worker from another state and I'm so saddened and appalled to see how this agency takes care of our children. So many people in leadership roles but the actual work is not getting done. A wonderful woman (age 39) that I have known all her life became licensed to be a foster parent. She is single and works full time. She got a call for a 4 year old with no background information until a few weeks after he was placed with her. She found out he had been in 6 other homes and was agressive. Yes he was extremely agressive. Poor little guy had been passed around and around as is the case with many little ones who have trauma history. She tried repeatedly to get him in therapy but the worker never did the paperwork to get it approved. She had him for about 5 months when she felt she was not meeting his needs. He definately needed a two parent home and therapy. (She did get him into a wonderful preschool.) The worker refused to move him for almost 3 more weeks. She felt so much guilt but she had zero agency support!! Communication was beyond horrible with the worker. Three months after he left her home, she recieved a letter saying therapy had been approved for him! It's been a year since then and absolutely no phone calls for another child who needed placement. And we all know there are way too many children needing placement than there are foster homes. Later I learned that there is only one worker for her area (suburb of Kansas City MO). I looked on the website and see dozens of leadership people. What are you doing exactly? And this is the best you have to offer our children who have experienced trauma?
Apr 19, 2023
They are friendly, neat working environments and providing excellent service Thanks.
Jan 17, 2023
They lied to me, and lied to me. They aren't what they say. They aren't about helping, or family preservation. I've been trying to adopt my grandauhters