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.
Bobby Taylor
Jun 29, 2021

Place is awful. The mailed form has a fax number that is INCORRECT. There are multiple people that have left a question in the Q&A, stretching back all the to three years ago, asking for the correct fax number and nobody from the office has replied.

I went to the office instead and was told I CANNOT just give them the paperwork, it must be faxed, mailed, or emailed. Oh, and the email on the paperwork is incorrect as well.

Rating: 1
Tokina Kerri
May 27, 2021

I went to the DMV it's located in the same building

Rating: 5
Ayla Gehner
Mar 23, 2021

I dropped off a secure packet of my application and all needed support paperwork which obviously included very personal information. I was directed to leave the envelope in a drop box, and they lost it. I have no idea how you can lose such a large, thick packet of paperwork but they have no record of it now. Very concerning and unprofessional.

Rating: 1
Kirby Anderson
Mar 08, 2021

Horrible, People So messy, inconsiderate & unprofessional.... Supposed to be there 2 Help but There not @ All HATE 2 EVEN COME HERE

Rating: 1
Jeremiah Church
Mar 06, 2021

Car test time was acceptable but I still had to wait out in the car.

Rating: 4