Missouri foster and adoption guidelines
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 and adoption community as you feel comfortable.
On this page:
- State contact information
- Foster and adoption licensing requirements
- Costs to foster and adopt
- Agency contact and orientation information
- Post-adoption support services
- Information on Missouri's children
State contact information
The Adoption Exchange
Contact: Jessica Hartwig
Phone: 702-436-6335
Email: jhartwig@adoptex.org
Foster and adoption licensing requirements
In order to adopt or foster in Missouri, you must:
- Be at least 21 years old
- Be in good physical and mental health
- Complete a child abuse and neglect check and criminal record check including fingerprints
- Have a stable income
- Live in an apartment, condominium or home as long as it meets licensing standards
- Be willing to participate in and complete a free training and assessment process
- Be a part of a professional team willing to voice perspectives and concerns
- Be willing to partner with the child’s family
You can be single or married, with or without children in your home.
Costs to foster and adopt
It does not cost to foster or adopt.
Agency contact and orientation information
For more information or to attend an orientation, contact the social services office for your county or a nonprofit or private child welfare agency in Missouri (47 KB PDF).
Parent support groups
Primary service provider: Missouri Department of Social Services
There are many support groups available, including but not limited to:
Foster and Adoptive Care Coalition
Phone: 800-FOSTER-3 (314-367-8373)
Address: 1750 South Brentwood Blvd., Suite 210, St. Louis, MO 63144
Foster Adopt Connect
Phone: 816-350-0215
Address: 3210 S Lee’s Summit Road, Independence, MO 64055
Parkland Foster/Adopt Families Support Group
Contact: Millie Smith
Phone: 573-358-3512
Address: 408 North Allen St., Bonne Terre, MO 63628
Meetings are held the last Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m.
Southeast Missouri Adoption Support Groups/Area 3
Contact: Stacie Frueh
Phone: 573-388-3757
Address: 583 B Ste. Genevieve Drive, St. Genevieve, MO 63670
SW Missouri Foster/Adopt Support Group
Contact: Angie Swarnes
Phone: 417-629-3218
Address: 601 Commercial, Joplin, MO 64801
Children’s Home Society of Missouri
1167 Corporate Lake Drive
St. Louis, Missouri 63132
314-968-2350
Adoption informational meetings are held on the first Monday of the month, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Registration required. Please inquire at lauraw@chsmo.org.
Missouri Foster Care & Adoption Association (Warren County Chapter – Circuit 12)
Contact: Cathy Pritchett
Email: cathy@logicblast.com
Phone: 314-583-1716
Address:103 Morgan Trails Court, Warrenton, MO 63383
Foster & Adoptive Parent Support Group Serving Camden County
Contact: Kathy Hodel
Phone: 573-346-3363, ext. 228
Address: United Methodist Church, 340 W Us Highway 54
Camdenton, MO 65020
Meetings are held the third Thursday of the month, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Foster Parent Support Group Meeting – Laclede County
Contact: Dawn LeFors-Jemes
Phone: 417-532-3137, ext. 229
Address: Oasis Worship Center, 22044 East Highway 32, Lebanon, MO. (located on S curve past Copeland on right hand side of road)
Foster & Adoptive Parent Support Group Serving Miller, Morgan and Moniteau Counties
Contact: Angela Watkins
Phone: 573-392-5141, ext. 231
Address: Alternating between First Assembly of God at 1395 NE View St Eldon MO and First Assembly of God 501 W Hicks St in Versailles MO
Meetings are held the fourth Tuesday of every month, 6-8 p.m.
Foster/Adoptive Parents of Mid-Missouri
Boone Foster Parent Support Group
The Crossing Church
2nd Thursday of each month 6:30- 8:30 p.m.
Nathan Schuetze-President
573-825-7724
The Central Missouri Foster Care and Adoption Association (CMFCAA)
Serves 13 Counties (Boone, Cole, Callaway, Osage, Phelps, Maries, Laclede, Miller, Morgan, Camden, Moniteau, Pulaski and Audrain)
Contact: DeAnna Alonso, Executive Director
Email: ccfosteradopt@gmail.com
Phone: 573-298-0258
Missouri Foster Care and Adoption Association St. Charles Chapter
Contact: Rachel Kleinbach, president
Phone: 716-704-9235
Information on Missouri's children
There are over 13,000 children in foster care in Missouri; 1,500 of these children have no identified adoptive parents. You can also learn more about children and adoption resources at the Missouri Heart Gallery website.