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Our Programs

Families United

Families United assists relatives as they navigate and complete the kinship caregiver licensing process.
A family in blue plaid shirts celebrating the adoption of a young boy in a courtroom

Navigating Kinship Caregiver Licensing

Relatives caring for children in their family are heroes for many reasons:

  • They receive kids in their home with little to no time to prepare.
  • They must follow the regulations and policies of the child welfare system, including meetings, court dates, and assessments of the children.
  • They help reduce traumatic impact of foster care, as youth are placed with someone they know instead of a stranger.

In Missouri, relatives must be licensed, and the process can be daunting, with extensive background checks, classes, and a home study. Plus, the relative caregiver must complete licensure in 90 days (compared to four to six months for a non-relative), or the child could be removed from the home.

We created Families United to ensure that does not happen. We created Families United to ensure children aren’t removed from the home. In Missouri, relatives must be licensed, and the process can be daunting, with extensive background checks, classes, and a home study.

Plus, the relative caregiver must complete licensure in 90 days (compared to four to six months for a non-relative), or the child could be removed from the home. We created Families United to ensure that does not happen. In all circumstances, we are in awe of the resilience of relatives.

  • I believe all relatives going through this process need a Families United Specialist in their life or on their team!”
    – Kinship Caregiver
  • I learned so much from the Kinship Caregiver training, including how to use foster parent forms that were never explained to me. I appreciated learning about other training
    participants’ scenarios. It helps all of us to feel less alone.”
    – Kinship Caregiver

How Does It Work?

First, we receive an alert from a professional—most often a foster care case manager or court personnel—that a relative needs to become a licensed kinship caregiver. Then we spring into action to complete the licensing process in 90 days.

The Families United philosophy is to meet families where they are and at times convenient to them. Our specialists work with the relative every step of the way, helping fill out mounds of paperwork, providing training, the home study, and gathering resources needed for licensure, such as fire extinguishers.

Additionally, Families United provides ongoing support and/or resources. In all circumstances, we are in awe of the resilience of relatives.

What Makes It Unique?

Families United is unique in that we are 100% focused on the needs of relatives. Our specialists are experts in licensing requirements, walking individuals through the process, and providing one-on-one support throughout the journey.

Family takes care of family. More than 100 studies involving 666,615 children prove that they do best in a kinship home, as measured by physical health, mental health, and education.

Who is Eligible?

An adult (21+) who:

  • Lives in St. Louis City or the counties of Franklin, Jefferson, Lincoln, St. Charles, St. Louis, or Warren
  • Has received placement of a child who is related to them and needs to be licensed as a kinship caregiver

Measuring Impact

No child has been removed from a relative because of the 90-day timeframe

Contact the Coalition CareLine

If you have an emergency, call 911.

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Please expect an initial response within 48 business hours.
Responses are provided during regular business hours: M-Fri 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

If you have any trouble submitting this form, please contact the Coalition at 314-367-8373 and leave your full name and phone number and someone will return your call.