FOSTER ADOPTION SUPPORT GROUP OF SAINT CHARLES COUNTY

Foster Adoption Support Team (FAST) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a lasting and direct impact on the lives of children and their families involved in the state foster care system in St. Charles County, Missouri. Officially established in 2009 as a 501c3 organization, FAST is set up to support foster and adoptive families caring for children in the state’s care. Every day in our country, in the state of Missouri, children are being removed from their parents and separated from their brothers and sisters, because of parental abuse, neglect, incarceration or death. Due to no fault of their own, these children enter the whole new world of foster care. They become wards of the state! Many of these children have emotional, developmental, physical and mental challenges. The state of Missouri has over 10,000 of these children, children who will shape the future of our families, communities, government and our world. St. Charles County has approximately 300 children in the foster care system at any given time. The children range in age from infant to 18 years, of any race, religion, or economic status. The average age is 10 years, and the average length of time in custody is 2 years. The odds are just above 50% that they will ever be returned to their biological parents! Missouri has one of the lowest state subsidies in the nation for funding the needs of these children. FAST has no paid staff, we are run strictly by volunteers from the community. All involved share their talents and volunteer their time, experiences and knowledge along with providing direction and moral support. Through the generous support of our devoted volunteers, supportive community partners, and dedicated families, FAST has committed to providing the resources necessary to improve the lives of foster and adoptive families in our community.