Children’s Division

May is Foster Care Month in Missouri

The Children’s Division encourages you to consider becoming a foster parent. If your situation won't allow you to become a foster parent, there are many ways to open your heart to youth in foster care who have suffered abuse and neglect:

• Ask a local church to help promote foster parenting
• Offer to buy a youth in foster care a new pair of glasses
• Buy a new pair of shoes for a youth in foster care starting school
• Contact Children’s Division during the holidays to see how you can help
• Offer to buy a class ring for a youth in foster care
• Contact your local state representative or senator to discuss the needs of youth in foster care
• Offer to buy uniforms or equipment for youth in foster care involved in activities such as cheerleading or other sports
• Buy a scout uniform for a youth in foster care
• Provide respite care
• Have a luggage drive to collect luggage or backpacks for youth in foster care
• Provide tutoring or mentoring
• Buy a prom dress for a youth in foster care
• Pay for a prom tuxedo for a youth in foster care
• Buy a yearbook for a youth in foster care
• Pay for the graduation cap and gown for a youth in foster care
• Provide valentines, cupcakes, or Halloween candy for youth in foster care to distribute at school on special occasions
• Offer to pay for summer camp for a youth in foster care
• Offer to pay little league or other athletic fees
• Offer to buy school pictures for a youth in foster care
• Offer to pay for a membership to a swimming pool

Donations May Be Given To A Foster Parent Or Foster Parent Association

• Donate gift certificates for a foster family movie night
• Donate Christmas ornaments
• Donate a new coat for a youth in foster care
• Donate fingernail polish, makeup, or earrings for a girl in foster care
• Donate a gift certificate for a haircut
• Donate laundry detergent and fabric softener to a foster family
• Donate a gift certificate to a local restaurant for a foster family night
• Donate bedding
• Donate a gift certificate for a foster youth to have their hair and nails done for prom
• Donate underwear or socks
• Donate a musical instrument to a youth in a school band
• Donate children’s books to a foster family
• Donate school supplies
• Donate hygiene items, such a toothbrushes, deodorant, and hair care supplies
• Donate phone cards so that a youth in foster care can stay in touch with family members