STARS

CHS provides training for families interested in becoming licensed foster parents or adopting a child through the Department of Social Services Children's Division. The Specialized Training, Assessment, Resources & Support (STARS) program is required for families interested in foster care or adoption for children in the custody of the State of Missouri (as well as most of the other states).

There are approximately 10,000 children in the foster care system in Missouri at any given time. When state of Missouri finds reasonable evidence that a child has experienced abuse or neglect, they are removed them from their birth families and placed into foster care.

While the children are away from their own families, they live with foster families who provide their daily needs as well as the love and structure they may not have received in the past.

Many of these children will be able to return to their families after services have been provided to help create safer and more nurturing home environments. However, some of these children will never return to their birth families and will need the love and guidance of a new family through adoption.

Our STARS training consists of 27 hours of class time (usually offered for 3 hours one night per week for 9 consecutive weeks). STARS is designed to help families learn the effects of abuse and neglect on a child's development and behavior, as well as effective ways to manage these issues. Classes are free to families but do require registration. If you would like additional information, please contact your local Children's Division office or visit www.dss.mo.gov

For more information, please contact us at educationandcounseling@chsmo.org or 314.968.2350 x223