Missouri is not privatized like Kansas. Children are placed directly from the State of Missouri Division of Family Services. Visit moheartgallery.org for general information on the foster care and the adoption process in Missouri.
FosterAdopt Connect, formerly Midwest Foster Care and Adoption Association (MFCAA) - This organization is a great resource for Missouri foster parents in regards to the MO-required training program STARS and information on fostering in Missouri. They also offer metro-wide foster parent support for KS and MO foster parents, including a resource center for clothing.
Cornerstones of Care - This behavioral healthcare organization is certified in trauma-informed care. Providing prevention, treatment and support services to help more than 10,000 children and families each year, they specialize in six key service areas:
- Education
- Mental & Behavioral Health
- Foster Care & Adoption
- Youth Support
- Family Support
- Community Training Opportunities.
YES Program - The YES (Youth Educational Success) Program is part of Cornerstones of Care. The goal of this program is to help foster youth in MO attend college or vocational school. The YES program is seeking life coaches/mentors, tutors for the youth, and transportation volunteers – more information can be found on their website.
Crittenton Children’s Center - Crittenton Children's Center offers a range of services including psychiatric hospital programs for young children and adolescents, and residential treatment for adolescent girls and boys. They also offer foster care and adoption services.
Synergy Services - Synergy provides a full continuum of care to assist individuals and families with immediate respite from violence, and services which empower clients to find and choose good options for future safety and success. They provide supportive services to families in crisis in an effort to prevent violence. Their programs include crisis hotlines, emergency shelter, transitional housing, therapeutic services, advocacy, mentoring and violence prevention programs throughout Greater Kansas City.
Stepping Stones - Kansas City Steppingstone is a transitional living program working with young people ages 16-21 that helps them transition safely and successfully into independence. The program is based on positive youth development strategies and provides housing, employment services, education counseling, life skills training, and permanency planning. Part of the Steppingstone program is safe, stable housing accommodations in either campus or community apartments. Steppingstone offers life skills training to help youth find work, with the end goal being self-sufficiency. The program helps youth create an education and career plan, develop work readiness skills, learn how to apply for jobs, dress for interviews, etc.