Fostering or adopting children is rewarding, but also challenging. Family Resource Centers (FRCs) are support systems that provide resources, training, peer support, respite, and other services families need to navigate raising children through foster care, adoption, and guardianship. These centers are regional, and you can inquire about services, resources, and how to get started in foster care or adoption through the resource center that services your area via phone, email, and the center’s website.

What are Family Resource Centers?

Family Resource Centers are not-for-profit agencies that work with Children’s Division to provide support, services, and resources to meet the unique needs of foster, adoptive, relative, and guardianship children and their families.

Am I eligible for support?

If you are in Missouri and a member of a foster,  adoptive, relative, or guardianship family, or if you are a foster, adoptive, relative, or guardianship child, you are eligible for these services.

How can Family Resource Centers help my family?

Family Resource Centers provide 8 core support services for foster, adoptive, and relative care families, including:

  1. Public Information: providing child safety information to the public through websites, fact sheets, newsletters, email marketing, social media, and Children’s Division policy changes.
  2. Training: providing required training for prospective and current foster, adoptive and relative parents, as well as training for child welfare professionals.
  3. Peer Support Groups: organizing peer support groups for caregivers.
  4. Social and Community Activities: organizing community activities for foster, adoptive and relative care children, youth and families.
  1. Financial or Material Supports: providing funds and materials to help foster, adoptive and relative families with routine expenses, like: medical supplies, activity costs, childcare expenses, legal fees, school supplies, transportation costs and clothing.
  2. Respite Care: providing respite care training, hosting respite events, and offering respite connections between families.
  3. Advocacy, Navigation, and Support: helping caregiver families find support services, such as: healthcare benefits, educational services, and other support services.
  4. In-Home Therapeutic Services: help with in-home therapeutic services for children, youth, and young adults.

How do I find a Family Resource Center near me?

Find the Family Resource Center that services your area with the color-coded map below: