Do you feel the call?

Children enter foster care for many reasons – poverty, abuse, neglect, but never because of their own choice. Do you have room in your heart to be a Good Shepherd foster family?

For more in depth information on becoming a foster parent, please visit Saint Louis Partners.

To become a foster parent, you must

• Be at least 21 years of age
• Have a safe house or adequate space for the child
• Be willing to undergo child abuse and criminal history background checks
• Be in generally good physical and emotional health
• Be financially stable
• Be of good moral character
• Be willing and able to accommodate and care for additional children in your home
• Partner with the child’s biological family as needed

Training

The process of becoming a foster or adoptive parent usually takes a minimum of 4 months and includes:

• Completion of a home study with a Family Development Specialist
• Attending STARS training (9 three hour classes taught over 9 weeks)
• Completing a background screening
• Participate in home evaluations and medical screenings
• Obtain character references including employment, school, and personal references

Support

There are a variety of services and support available to foster families. Our Fostering Faithful Families ministry reaches out to churches in the hopes of educating the community about the needs of children in foster care.

• Monthly stipend to help with expenses related to the child
• Missouri Healthnet to cover the child’s medical expenses including Mental Health Services
• Yearly clothing allowance depending on the child’s age
• Day care services at approved centers up to 13 for working families
• Training and support groups offered by local agencies
• Ongoing support of staff who are trained to help with any situation you’ll face

Click here to see more Facts about Fostering on the Saint Louis Partners website.