Missouri Department of Social Services
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
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Oct 24, 2015
It do the job
Sep 21, 2015
sucks
Aug 14, 2015
their NEVER in any kind of rush to do anything, for anyone, ever!!
Aug 13, 2015
The system is set up for failure. They schedule you with a time to call them for your interview, they give you the number, time, and date to call in order to complete the recertification process. When you call you go through all the automation crap that has nothing to do with what you need; you finally get to where you might be able to speak to someone, when you get to that point no one pick up, then you leave a message and no one returns your call.... you attempt this process several times, same result, so now, after your missed appointment they send you a notice of your failure to make the appointment and how it's your responsibility to reschedule. . . It's set up for failure!!!
Jul 14, 2015
If I could rate a zero I would.