Missouri Resources

Getting Started

• Child Adoption Laws
  Adoption laws for state of Missouri
• CHS Pre-Service Training
  Children’s Home Society of Missouri provides STARS training to foster and adoptive families.
• DSS Offices
  Contact information for county DSS’ offices.
• LGBT Adoption Laws
  LGBT adoption laws in Missouri.
• Pre-Service Training Information
  Contact your county Children’s Division to learn more about STARS pre-service training classes.
• Private Adoption Agencies
  Adopt Us Kids compiled a list of private adoption agencies in Missouri.
• Public and Private Agency Search
  Public and private foster care adoption agencies in Missouri.
• Steps to Adoption
  Missouri Heart Gallery outlines the steps to becoming an adoptive parent in Missouri.
• Adoption Information
  Adoption Information by state
• Understanding Missouri Adoption Laws and Policies
  An overview of adoption laws
• Adoption Services
  DSS provides an overview of adoption services
• Home Study Requirements (See bottom of page for providers)
  Information on the Home study program and requirements

Searching for Children

• Adoption Exchange
  Scroll down and check Missouri to search for waiting children.
• Heart Gallery featuring Missouri’s waiting children.
  
• WWK Recruiters
  Scroll down and click on Missouri to view contact information for Wendy’s Wonderful Kids Recruiters families may contact regarding waiting Missouri children.
• Heart Gallery Of America
  Photo lists of waiting children

Pre-Placement

• ICPC Information
  Provides general information on ICPC process in Missouri, including contact information for state ICPC offices.

Post-Adoption Support & Resources

• Adoption Assistance
  Select Missouri to view more information on adoption assistance in the state of Missouri, courtesy of Child Welfare Information Gateway.
• Adoption Events
  DSS provides a calendar of adoption events taking place in Missouri.
• Adoptive Parent Network
  Central Missouri Foster Care & Adoption Association provides counseling referrals, support groups, and education assistance.
• CHS Counseling
  Children’s Home Society provides counseling to adoptive families. The accept Missouri Medicaid.
• CHS Support Groups
  Children’s Home Society provides support groups for adoptive parents, grandparents, school-age children and adolescents, and a therapeutic support group for children in need of more structure.
• CHS Training Opportunities
  Children’s Home Society offers various training classes. Contact them for more information on upcoming trainings.
• Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition Events Calendar
  Calendar of events hosted by Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition.
• Foster & Adoption Care Coalition Respite Care
  Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition will periodically provide free respite services to families for an afternoon. Selection is based on a lottery and registration is required.
• Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition Support Groups
  Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition provides support groups to adoptive families and teenagers.
• Missouri Adoption Subsidy Program
  DSS provides information on Missouri’s Adoption Subsidy Program.
• Resource Center
  Central Missouri Foster Care & Adoption Association provides a resource center for families to check out books on adoption. It also provides a free clothing closet for foster parents who need clothes for children just placed in their care, and a prom closet for foster parents who have teens going to prom or another special event.
• Support Groups
  List of adoption groups, courtesy of Adopt Us Kids.
• State Subsidy Information
  NACAC provides general information on adoption subsidies in Missouri.
• Attachment and Trauma Specialists
  A list of local therapists that specialize in working with attachment and trauma related issues.
• Behavioral care treatment centers
  A list of local treatment centers for behavioral care
• Adoption Therapists
  A list of local therapists that specialize in adoption
• Child Care Resources
  A compiled list of child-care resources
• Child Sexual Abuse Treatment Programs
  A list of local treatment centers specializing in child abuse treatment
• Counseling Resources
  A compiled list of counseling resources
• Kid Counseling
  A list of local therapists specializing in treating children
• Kinship Care
  Kinship programs and information
• Medical Resources
  Health and medical resources
• NPEN National Parenting Education Network
  A list of programs by state
• NOFAS FASD Support
  State resources and support group information
• Trauma Counseling
  A list of local therapists specializing in trauma related issues.
• Online Support Groups
  A list of online support group resources
• Post-Adoption Questions and Answers
  Frequently asked questions and answers regarding adoption
• Special Health Care Needs
  Resources for parents of children with special health care needs.

Events and Activities

• Cultural Events
  Events Calendar
• Summer Activities
  A list of activities for kids.

Home Study Service Providers

• Abby’s One True Gift
  Home study service provider
• American Adoptions
  Home study service provider
• Missouri Adoption Services
  Home study service provider