In cooperation with Missouri Department of Social Services- Children’s Division, Bringing Families Together recruits, trains, and licenses foster and adoptive families. This cooperative effort was initiated by Missouri to aid in the location of resource families for abused and neglected children who have been placed in the custody of the state. We believe that all children deserve to live safely with a family. It is a great responsibility for a family to open their home to a foster or adoptive child and families must be committed to the children they serve.

óóS.T.A.R.S.- Specialized Training Assessments Resources Supportsóó

S.T.A.R.S. is a foster parent training program developed by the Child Welfare League of America and used by Missouri Department of Social Services- Children’s Division for preparing families for the challenges of fostering.

ôIntensive nine-session program

ôOne, three-hour session per week for nine consecutive weeks

ôFive in-home visits by the Family Development Specialist to assess

RFamily life

RHome

RTraining progress

All training and assessments are provided at no charge to the family.

Fostering for Teens

There is a growing need for foster homes for teenagers. Bringing Families Together has entered into a contractual agreement with Missouri Department of Social Services- Children’s Division to recruit foster and adoptive homes specifically for our teenagers in foster care. Families interested in fostering difficult teens will be given specialized therapeutic training in addition to the S.T.A.R.S. training offered to foster parents. This training will help families work with the special issues and needs that face our teenagers in care.

Who can become a foster parent?

Any couple or individual over the age of 21 who:

PIs financially and emotionally stable

PFree from criminal and child abuse/neglect charges

PUnderstands and is willing to apply the S.T.A.R.S. competencies

PIs committed to providing a safe, nurturing home

PIs committed to working as a team player with Children’s Division, the Family Court, and the birth family.

PIs willing to put forth time and personal investment even in the face of serious challenges

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HOW YOU CAN BECOME A FOSTER PARENT, CALL (314) 731-3969, ext 304 or e-mail our Resource Family Development Director.