Missouri Department of Social Services

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Contact Information

3101 Chouteau Ave
St. Louis, MO 63103
United States
Online Contact Form
DayHours
Monday 8 AM-5 PM
Tuesday 8 AM-5 PM
Wednesday 9 AM-5 PM
Thursday 8 AM-4:45 PM
Friday 8 AM-4:45 PM
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed

Social Media

Adoption in Missouri

There are many Missouri children in foster care who are unable to return to their biological parents and are in need of adoptive parents to provide a permanent home and a family to help them move forward in their life. We encourage all families who are willing to open their homes to assist children in need to learn more about adoption in Missouri. To meet a few of the children looking for a home, visit the Missouri Adoption Heart Gallery.

Who can become an adoptive parent?

In Missouri, you must:

  • Be at least 21 years of age
  • Complete a child abuse/neglect check and criminal record check including fingerprints
  • Be in good health, both physically and mentally
  • Have a stable income
  • Be willing to participate in and complete a free training and assessment process
  • Be part of a professional team willing to voice perspectives and concerns

Services and information

  • Traditional Foster Care
  • Specialized / Therapeutic Care
  • Emergency Foster Care
  • Respite Foster Care
  • Adoption

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

Average user rating

2.9 / 5
Rating breakdown
5
4
3
2
1
If you have an experience with this agency, please write a review.
Elizabeth Twente
Apr 15, 2016

very Friendly and quick

Rating: 5
Pjbrownjoseph 1990fordrangerXLT
Apr 04, 2016

Missouri Department of Social Services just passed a law recently if a citizen doesn't work more than 20 hours a week with proof on paper in your hand present when you apply for food benefits ,you get no more food benefits. I can't wait to see how hard of a summer the city of st. Louis is going to have are homeless that cannot work starving to death people will be dying this summer promise you that because of the Department of Social Services passing this law so all are homeless and old Vietnam vets that can't work will be starving to death lives will be lost this summer thanks to Missouri Department of Social Services and the government hope you guys are happy. So if you don't have proof on paper you work at least 20 hours a week you just starve to death and Fox 2 news says help build st. Louis lol more like help starve st.louis to Death.

Rating: 1
rachel guerrier
Apr 01, 2016

Amazing place, 5 star meals everytime

Rating: 5
Candis Martin
Jan 19, 2016

Iam glad that i get public assistant.i wont complain.

Rating: 5
shirley dunn
Dec 22, 2015

Good luck getting a number for this office where you can actually speak to a human to make a appointment

Rating: 1