The mission of Good Shepherd is to protect and promote the welfare of children by providing the highest quality foster care, adoption, expectant parent counseling, advocacy, and residential services in response to the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Good Shepherd Children & Family Services was created as the result of a merger of five Catholic Charities Federation children's agencies: Catholic Services for Children & Youth, Fr. Dunne's Newsboys' Home, Marian Hall, Villa Maria, and St. Joseph's Home and Family Support Services.

The goal of the merger was to achieve greater efficiency and position the organization to have a greater impact in St. Louis City, St. Louis County and surrounding areas. Central to this effort was the construction and renovation of a site in University City that includes new residential facilities designed to allow the children in our care to thrive, as well as all administrative offices. This new residential space allows us to serve 12 girls and 12 boys, ages 12 to 21. 

SERVICES

Expectant Parent Support

Provides Counseling and Case Management Services to expectant parents of any age and family members experiencing a stressful pregnancy. The goals of this program are to assure healthy delivery of the child and stabilize the home environment such that the child will not be at risk of abuse or neglect. Services include referrals for appropriate medical care and housing, and adoption planning (as needed). Counseling addresses decision making, parenting skills, stabilizing living situations, communication skills within the family, relationships, problem solving skills, planning and the legal rights and responsibilities of both parents. In the most recent full calendar year, 199 clients were served during 503 service calls, and 91% of births were healthy.

Adoption

Recruits, trains and counsels applicants interested in adoption. Possibilities include: non-special needs infants, special needs infants, infants available through independent adoption, children available for adoption by a relative or step-parent, infants and children available through international adoption, and older children available for adoption. In the most recent full calendar year, 353 families received services (home study, post-adoptive services, information regarding past adoptions, etc.), 56 children received services and 22 adoptions were finalized.

Foster Care Case Management

Meets the needs of children and youth in foster care through the development and retention of foster homes and placement, supervision, and case management services to children placed in foster care. Our goal is to address the individual needs of each child while working towards permanency, i.e. reunification with the family, adoption, or guardianship. During the most recent full calendar year, 71 children were served and 33.8% achieved permanency.

Boys/Girls Residential

Serves boys and girls ages 12-21 who are in the custody of the State of Missouri's Children's Division. Our goal is to provide a structured program that has the flexibility to meet the individual needs of each resident, providing the best odds of success when he/she leaves residential care. Services include mentoring, tutoring, independent living skills training and a range of activities designed to encourage healthy functioning as an adult. Core to the program is the identification of family and community resources that will provide a connection for the child and support his/her continuing progress. In the most recent full calendar year, we served 68 boys and 128 girls who stayed in residence an average of 102 days.

Maternity Residential

Provides care, therapy and skills training for pregnant and parenting girls between the ages of 12 and 21 years who are in the custody of the State of Missouri's Children's Division after experiencing abuse or neglect. The goal for each girl is that she leave stronger and more prepared for a stable, healthy lifestyle than when she entered the program. This includes her having identified a safe home, progressing on educational and employment goals and being connected to at least one caring adult. In the most recent full calendar year, services were provided to 25 pregnant/parenting teens, 11 infants and 23 toddlers.

Family Focus

Supports foster youth who are transitioning from a residential care facility to their home or another home-like setting by providing services and supports that involve the entire family. Operates under the Family Focused Residential Service (FFRS) contract with the Missouri Children's Division. Our goal is to empower children and families to achieve stability, independence and self-sufficiency in a community setting.

Youth/Family Mentoring and Support

Provides mentoring and tutoring for children in foster care throughout the St. Louis metropolitan area. In addition, staff assists family members in providing a home environment that will allow for family reunification. Specifically, family members receive guidance in budgeting, securing employment, housing, and child care issues. Resources are also available to provide youth in care with transportation to family visits and court appearances. During the most recent full calendar year, 70 youth received mentoring services.