Learn About RESPOND

Did you know? Our local community is in desperate need of more African American foster parents.

In St. Louis alone, African American children represent nearly 70% of kids in foster care, but less than 1/3 of the general population. Furthermore, only 13% of local foster parents are African American. Twice the number of African American children are placed into foster care compared to Caucasian children. African American children remain in foster care nearly a year longer than their white counterparts, creating more trauma and instability in these children’s lives.

We know that children placed within culturally similar foster homes have a better chance to heal. RESPOND, a program of the Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition, is part of the answer to this crisis. RESPOND’s ultimate goal is to increase the number of Black/African American foster families for African American children in foster care.