The Missouri Alliance for Children and Families provides family-oriented and creative strength-based services that encourage families to no longer rely on the system, but rather to develop and use their personal abilities and gifts so they can do what is necessary for their family to be safe and secure.

We give families, community members and providers the power to work together to create a better future for all of us.

 

Here are some other things we believe
All families have individual and unique strengths.  

• Parents want what is best for their children.
• Families know what their needs are better than anyone else.
• Families have the power to make changes that make their familiy healthy.
• Children and their families reach their goals sooner when help is close to home.
• Families and their communities support children best.  

All children deserve a safe, happy life - including the 513,000 American Children and Youth in Foster Care                Source: Casey Family Programs

Children usually enter the foster care system due to abuse or neglect from a parent or caregiver.

Missouri Alliance for Children and Families is contracted with the state of Missouri to provide care for over 900 of the more than 9,000 children in foster care in our state. Our Specialized Program serves children and adolescents with severe emotional and behavioral needs. Our Permanency Program (MAPP) serves a broad range of children ages birth to 21 years old.

Since the Specialized Program began serving youth in 1999, Missouri Alliance has successfully disenrolled over 1,000 children to permanent or less restrictive settings. Since MAPP began serving children in 2005, we have found safe, permanent homes for nearly 500 children, usually through reunification, adoption or guardianship.

 

Why foster parents are so important

Foster and Adoptive Parents
Protect and nurture children
Meet children’s developmental needs and address developmental delays
Support relationships between children and their families
Connect children with safe, nurturing relaitonships intended to last a lifetime
And work as  members of a professional team 

When children are separated from their parents or cargivers due to abuse or neglect, they need caring foster parents to help them heal.

Foster parents open their homes and their hearts to children when they need it most. Their love and encouragement helps children grow into healthy, stable and loving adults. 

• Must be at least 21 years of age
• May be single or married. If married, both must attend training
• Residence must be a safe environent for the child
• Family must have sufficient funds to meet their own needs
• Foster Parent(s) must be in good health
• Foster Parent(s) must have satisfactory background checks
• Must complete all sesions of STARS/PRIDE  training (27 hours), be able to meet the 5 STARS/PRIDE competencies, and become CPR and First Aid certified
• Must be willing to commit to meet the child’s physical and emotional needs