Information for Foster Parents
Foster parents provide safe and caring temporary homes for children whose families are currently unable to care for them. Individuals who provide foster care services are assessed by the Children's Division and our contractors to meet regulation and policy requirements for licensure.
Foster parents are required to complete initial training as well as continuing training, along with on-going support to meet the needs of the foster youth population. We are here to offer information to assist, support and connect you to the training and resources you need.
For more information about the rights and responsibilities of a foster parent, please review:
Community Support Groups
Community Support Groups are available to foster & adoptive parents to offer additional support services and guidance. For more information, reach out to a Community Support Group near you.
In addition, the following services and support are also available:
To learn about other opportunities for services and support, you can also contact your Resource Licensing Worker.
Required Training Documents:
- Policy
- Introduction to Missouri Foster Care
- Foster Care Bill of Rights (SB 160) Presentation
- Making Healthy Choices: A Guide on Psychotropic Medications for Youth in Foster Care, Children's Bureau et al. (2012) Washington, DC: Author
- Legal Aspects of Relative Placements Training
- Reasonable and Prudent Parenting
- Supporting Youth in Foster Care in Making Healthy Choices
- Protecting Foster Youth from Secondhand Smoke Exposure
- Large Family Resource Home training
Grievance and Appeal Information:
Parenting Tips:
- Grief and Loss Coping Strategies for Foster Parents
- Reasonable and Prudent Parent Standard, H.B. 4980
Additional Resources:
Safety Tips:
- Consumer Product Safety Commission
- Consumer Product Safety- Safe Sleep
- National Center for Missing and Exploited Children- Internet Safety, Trafficking
- National Child Traumatic Stress Network
- National Crime Prevention- Identify Theft
- Bullying
- Commonly Abused Drugs
- Prescription Drugs
- National Safety Counsel
- Tornados
- Fire
- Car Seats
- Gun Safety: Before you send your child to someone's house
Transportation Reimbursement Information:
Children's Division
For questions and comments, please email
askcd@dss.mo.gov