What is a Foster Parent?
When a person can not or will not perform their duties as a parent resulting in abuse or neglect of a child, that child may come into care. Once in care, these children still need the care, love, and nurturing of a parent. A foster parent is given to the child to temporarily provide the child that care.
Who can be a Foster Parent in Missouri?
- At least 21 years of age
- Must pass a criminal background check
- May be single, married, divorced, or widowed
- May live in an apartment, house, ranch, mobile home in the city our country
- Must be able to take care of your current expenses (earn more than you spend every month)
- Must be willing to commit to meeting the needs of the children in your care
- Must be willing to commit to Foster Parent training
- Must be willing and able to ask for help when you need it
- Any race or ethnicity
- Any gender or gender identity
- May or may not have biological children
How Much Does it Pay?
Actual rates vary based on the type of license and age of the child.
For example, a traditional foster home with an 8 year old child of common needs would receive a maintenance payment of $356 while an 8 year old with elevated needs in a level A licensed foster home may receive $777 each month.
What Am I Missing?
It is true, we cannot put every detail about Foster Parenting on a single page of a website. You are correct.
There is more to Foster Parenting.
Feel free to continue to look around or call our caring and knowledgeable staff and a licensing worker will answer questions and schedule your initial home walk through.