Saint Luke's Crittenton Children's Center expands Foster Care Services to Help More Kansas City Children


Hundreds of children and teens in Missouri need a safe place to live, grow, and thrive when their family is unable to care of them, and many are waiting and hoping for a family that will be theirs forever. Saint Luke’s Crittenton Children’s Center specializes in the unique needs of these children and families, and this year was chosen as one of only two private agencies to provide foster care case management and adoption services for Jackson and Cass Counties. The state of Missouri extended Crittenton’s contract based on exceptional performance over the past five years.

As of today, Crittenton’s foster and foster-to-adopt program began taking additional children. In the months ahead, Crittenton will increase the number of foster children it serves from 225 currently to 435.

“We take great pride on this service we are able to provide to the youth of our community,” said Jeanette Koster, Director of Saint Luke’s Crittenton Children’s Center Foster Care and Adoption Program. “We count on our community and supporters to help provide for the needs and care of these children – including providing stable, safe, and loving homes.”

Crittenton supports four different types of foster homes:

 Opportunities to Foster or Adopt

Through Crittenton, there are opportunities for residents of Jackson, Cass, Platte, and Clay counties in Missouri to foster or foster-to-adopt.

Foster and foster-to-adopt parents:

  • Can be single or married
  • May or may not have children
  • Can be a home owner or renter
  • May or may not have pets
  • Must be at least 21 years of age
  • Must complete STARS foundation training of 27 hours (provided at no cost)

 Learn more about the requirements and next steps of fostering.

The need for loving and caring environments for these children to grow and flourish continues to grow. If you or anyone from  your school, church, or community group might be interested in opportunities to help children in need, please share this flier to help find loving, stable homes for these incredible children.

Fostering is not the only way to make a difference in your community. Donating to the program to help with the needs of foster children help provide them with the best childhood possible.

Hiring to help serve additional children

To help meet the needs of a substantially greater number of children, Crittenton is currently hiring for several positions, including Family Engagement Specialists and Foster Care Case Managers.

For more information on Crittenton’s Foster and Foster-to-Adopt program call 816-765-6600 or visit saintlukeskc.org/foster