FAQs

What We Do

How are you able to help so many children?

We help more kids by licensing and training more foster parents, then providing those parents with a Family Advocate. This is something no organization is doing! Family Advocates are essential to the mission of Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries. A Family Advocate’s role is to “walk through life” with the foster family, while also providing in-home coaching and mentoring for foster families on a regular basis. They maintain a relationship with the family to make sure they have everything needed to be successful and create stability for their child(ren). 

As we continue to grow, we are committed to serving children in the best way possible.  Licensing more families, providing Family Advocates, and giving resources to families are essential to how we serve children and foster families. We will always do our best to support foster families, license and train families, and do everything we can to make sure every child under our care is safe. 

What type of support does Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries provide for mid-Missouri foster families?

Each of our families receives incredible support from Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries and our Family Advocates. Once we’ve helped new foster parents complete their licensing, we continue walking through life with them by providing trainings, in-home coaching, resources, and mentoring on a regular basis. We do all we can to assist foster families in order to help them succeed with their children! 

How will my gift to Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries help children?

As always, when you give money to Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries, you are providing children with a safe place to be a child. Your dollars are going even further in helping more and more children in mid-Missouri! Your donations go to such things as:

  • Supporting Family Advocates who are walking alongside foster families (whether it be navigating the court system, school system, or medical system.)
  • Buying tangible items for the children we support.
  • Providing trauma-informed training & assistance. 
  • Funding programs like the equestrian activities and organized group activities that take place on site at our Harrisburg neighborhood. 

What is Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries’s Mission Statement?

Since 1991, the mission of Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries has been to provide “A Safe Place to Be a Child™.” That will never change.  

How do I explain Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries to my friends?

You can tell them that since 1991 – over three decades – Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries has worked to keep kids safe. We know safe children today make safe families tomorrow, and that’s why we work to end child abuse and neglect in this generation.  

How is Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries funded?

Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries is 100% community funded. In 2021, after converting our children’s home site to a foster care community, we eliminated the need to receive any funding directly from the state. We rely on the generosity of families, individuals, businesses, and churches to further the ministry.

Foster Care Community

What is Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries’s greatest need?

Our greatest need revolves around our increasing need of resources for our foster families and kids. Everyone has something they can give to help children in need; time, talent, or treasure are resources we always need. One great way to help is by becoming a Family Partner, who gives monthly to sustain the ministry through all seasons.

What supports do you offer foster families who live at Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries?

Families who live at Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries have access to all of the amazing recreational resources on our 300 acre property, including a swimming beach, fishing lake, playgrounds and basketball courts at every home, Foutz field’s combination baseball and soccer field, the horses and activities at Overton arena, trails, and more! They can also receive support from and access to: volunteer mentors and workers, birthday gifts from our Birthday Fairy, holiday gifts and activities, access to the Food Bank twice a month, extra special events and gifts that pop up in the community.

How many acres does Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries have at the Harrisburg site?

Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries is located on 300 beautiful acres, 20 miles north of Columbia just outside of Harrisburg, MO. 

On the property are six homes and a duplex for families, an office and resource center for counseling and tutoring, a 14-stall Overton arena, Foutz Field (a baseball & soccer field), two fishing lakes, a large beach with swimming area & dock, mountain biking and horse-riding trails, a camp site, raised beds at each home, an awesome sledding hill, and plenty of room to explore and be a child. 

What is the average age of the children?

The average age of a child in foster care is 11. Families have cared for children as young as newborns and as old as 19. The average age of a child at Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries is 10. 

Where do the children go to church?

All of our homes function as individual families, thus, families choose which church they feel will be a good fit for their family’s involvement.

Where do the children go to school?

They attend our local public school, Harrisburg R-VIII.

Do the homes interact and do things together?

Absolutely! We do large group activities together frequently. Six Flags trip, BBQ on the 4th of July, field days, etc. are examples of a few of the larger activities. Also, there are many activities that happen routinely on-site, allowing our families to interact. The foster parents excel at coming up with creative group activities that provide lots of fun for the children. Yet each home is also their own individual family, doing their own family meals, activities, etc.

I’m a licensed foster parent, but not licensed by Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries. Can I still apply to live here?

Yes, please do! We ask that you have a passion to help more children, and that you have at least two years experience as a licensed foster parent. Click HERE for more specifics.

What is the average stay?

Annually, Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries serves 50 or more children from central Missouri, with an average stay of nine to ten months.

Why do foster families come to live at Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries?

Families who want to care for more children, but are limited by their personal home’s space or resources, can apply to come live at Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries. This allows them to care for more children and be surrounded by a supportive community.

Foster Care Services

Who does Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries license?

We license individuals and couples wishing to provide care to children/youth unable to live in their natural home setting for a variety of reasons. Requirements to apply to be a foster family include the following: at least 21 years old; citizen of the U.S. or legal immigrant; be in good physical and mental health as verified by a physician; have adequate bedroom and bed space; and a safe home environment according to the standards set forth by the Dept of Social Services.

What is the role of a Family Advocate?

Family Advocates are essential to the mission of Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries. A Family Advocate’s role is to walk through life with the foster families under their care, while also providing in-home coaching and mentoring for foster families on a regular basis. They maintain a relationship with the family to make sure they have everything needed to be successful as foster parents.  

Family Advocates could provide anything from a Welcome Basket when the family gets their first placement, to physical needs for their home, to more training throughout their foster parenting journey. Our Family Advocates are excited to serve and walk through all the fun times as well as the challenges! 

What does it cost to become a foster parent?

The costs associated with becoming a foster parent are minimal. All required training is provided for free. You may have to pay a copay for physicals or medical documentation.

Do I have to put the children in my care on my health insurance?

No. All foster children qualify for health insurance through Healthy Blue Missouri, a health plan that serves MO HealthNet Managed Care members.

What if we don’t want to adopt? Can we only foster?

Absolutely!

Can we foster to adopt?

Yes, many foster parents choose to adopt children who have been in their care.

What ages of children are in foster care?

Children ages 0-21 are in foster care in Missouri. We have cared for children who are days old, and children do not age out of foster care until their 21st birthday. The average age of children in foster care in Missouri is between 9 and 10 years old.

How many children could be placed in our home?

Currently, a traditional foster home can house up to six children in their home. However, this includes any biological children who are already in the home.

What trainings are required to become a foster parent?

The main training to become a licensed foster parent is STARS, a 27-hour course designed to introduce potential foster parents to foster care. CPR/First aid training is also required before licensing can be completed. Foster parents also need to complete virtual trainings, including Protecting Foster Youth from Secondhand Smoke Exposure, Psychotropic Medications, and Informed Consent.

How long are children in foster care?

On average, children are in foster care approximately 24 months in the State of Missouri.

How long after we are licensed will we receive placements?

It could be right away or it could a few weeks or months. It depends on various things, such as the age range you are willing to take, or the needs of the children that come into care.

How long does it take to become a licensed foster parent?

The typical timeframe to become a licensed foster parent is approximately 4-6 months. This includes all training requirements, background checks, the home study process, and CPR/First aid certification.

Equine

How big is Overton Arena?

Overton arena has two sections. There is a 90’x72’ barn that has 14 horse stalls, a hot/cold wash rack, tack room, barn office, kitchenette, bathroom, hay storage, and dry storage. Directly connected is a 60’x120’ indoor riding arena with sand footing, and four “temporary stalls” in the indoor arena.

Who rides at Overton Arena?

Every child at Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries has the opportunity to come to the barn to spend time with the horses. In addition, Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries loves to share our equine therapy services with mid-Missouri foster families, as well as combat veterans in need of the serenity and camaraderie to be found while riding together on the many trails we’ve created throughout our 300 acre property. 

How do you get your horses?

Many of Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries’s horses have been acquired through donations, and others have been purchased. While we would love to open our doors to every horse that needs a new place to live, not every horse is a good match for our program. Our ability to accept new horses is based on the number of openings we have available, the age and abilities, and the overall suitability of the horse to our riding program. We generally do not accept donations of older horses.

How many horses do you have?

Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries has 22 horses, which includes four miniature horses. Our horses come in all sizes, shapes, colors, and breeds.

Where do the children ride?

Everywhere! Most children start out in the indoor arena, where the environment is easier to control, while they learn the basics. As the child progresses, they have the option to ride in our round pen, outdoor riding arena, fields, or the onsite trails.

How did the equine program and Overton Arena get started?

According to our founder, Larry McDaniel, “In the beginning we got one horse, and then that horse got lonely so we got two more to keep it company, and then somehow we had five.” In July 2011, Doris Overton, in memory of her late husband, Jack, donated to build the Overton Arena we have today.

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