The adoption and foster care process may take some time, but the rewards are well worth the effort. You will find there are many resources available to you, and we recommend that you become involved in as many ways with the foster/adopt community as you feel comfortable.
Licensing Requirements for Foster or Adoption
In order to adopt or foster in Missouri, you must:
- Be at least 21 years of age
- Be in good physical and mental health
- Have a stable income
- Live in an apartment, condominium or home as long as it meets licensing standards
You can be single or married, with or without children in your home.
Does it Cost to Foster or Adopt?
No.
Parent Support Groups
There are many support groups available, including:
The Adoption Exchange
PARTNER Program
Trinity Episcopal Church
600 N. Euclid
St. Louis, MO 63108
1-800-554-2222
Meets Every Third Thursday of the Month
Branch House New City Fellowship Church
82nd Street
University City, MO 63132
(314) 863-0335
Creative Families Incorporated
9378 Olive Boulevard, Suite 320
St. Louis, MO 63132
(314) 567-0707
Foster and Adoptive Care Coalition
111 North 7th Street, Floor 6
St. Louis, MO 63101
(314) 340-7722 or 1-800-FOSTER3
Foster Friends
3840 Lindell Boulevard
St. Louis, MO 63108
(314) 817-2285
International Families
Donna Schnieders
538 Oak Court
Webster Groves, MO 63119
Midwest Foster Care and Adoption Association
1700 Blue Ridge Boulevard
Independence, MO 64126
(816) 350-0215 or 1-866-794-KIDS
Parkland Foster/Adopt Families Support Group
Millie Smith
408 North Allen Street
Bonne Terre, MO 63628
(573) 358-3512
Phelps and Maries County Support Group
1111 Kings Highway, Suite A
Rolla, MO 65401
(573) 368-2340
RESOLVE of St. Louis/Adoption Today
PO Box 20008
Brentwood, MO 63144
(314) 567-8788
Southeast Missouri Adoption Support Groups/Area 3
DFS Contact: Francis Gould
(573) 290-5233
St. Louis Attachment Network (SLAN)
Meetings held at:
1170 Timber Run Drive
St. Louis, MO 63146
(314) 469-0606
SW Missouri Foster/Adopt Support Group
PO Box 277
Cape Fair, MO 65624
(417) 538-4362
Agency Contact and Orientation Information
Orientation Information:
To attend an orientation, please contact one of the public, private or nonprofit agencies available through the links below.
Agencies:
In Missouri, we have county-based department of social services offices, nonprofit agencies and private agencies available to you. Find the social services office for your county. View a list of nonprofit or private agencies in Missouri.
Information on Children
There are 11,344 children in foster care in Missouri; 2,278 of these children are waiting for adoptive families.