Dear Traditional Foster Parents,

As a team of resource and licensing workers from the 25^th circuit, we are working on a pitch for the Show-Me Challenge to improve the process of finding placement for children and youth in foster care. We would like to gather feedback from you about your first hand experiences when you were contacted about possible placements. Some of the things we are interested in hearing about are; how willing foster parents are to utilize mass communication, experiences of foster parents during the placement process, foster parent observations of foster children and youth during the placement process, or anything else that you feel would be important for us to know. If you could answer this short survey, we would greatly appreciate your input in helping us improve this process for everyone involved.

Disclaimer: Your responses may be used in a presentation which may be recorded.

• Virtual MPACT will be presenting Transitions: ECSE to Elementary School on Monday, August 22nd from 2-3:30pm. Join them for a training that discusses tips for the transition from early childhood into elementary school as well as information surrounding IEPs components. Click here to register
• Virtual MPACT will be presenting Dispute Resolution Process on Monday, August 22nd from 6-7pm as part of their Back To School Bootcamp.. Sometimes the best way to solve a problem is to prevent it in the first place. Through this training you will learn strategies to prevent problems from arising in the first place through documentation and letter writing. It will address inform parents of their other options when disagreements arise and cover the resolution processes included in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act as well as Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Click here to register
• Virtual St Louis County library along with Mental Health America of Eastern Missouri will be presenting Power-Up Productivity on Wednesday, August 24th from 2-3pm. Explore ways to replenish energy, set meaningful goals, maintain motivation and combat procrastination. Click here to register
• Peer Kinship Support Group presents the Second Tuesday of Each Month from 5:30 to 6:30 for reflection, self-care, and connection. This is through ParentLink and the University of MO. The phone number is 1-312-626-6799 Meeting ID is 931 1430 7709 or click this Zoom link. 
• On Demand - You can access a ton of great classes that have been offered by Raise the Future. The site is geared for adoption but there are many things about trauma and issues many kids face. Check out the options here: https://www.raisethefuture.org/on-demand-learning
• Prospective foster adopt recruitment opportunity Our next quarterly Missouri Adoption Information Class (FREE Webinar) will be September 29^th from 7:00pm-8:00pm.  This class is designed to provide a basic overview of adoption in the state of Missouri for anyone considering adoption. The primary focus will be on foster care adoption, but the session will briefly cover all types of adoption. Prospective foster or adoptive participant and staff planning on attending this event, are asked to please complete registration for EACH individual. Due to the sensitive nature of the material being discussed, we recommend children are not present during this webinar.

Family Support Team

The Family Support Team (FST) includes Foster Parents. Ask your child’s Case Manager when the next FST meeting will be held and plan to attend. If you ever have trouble attending a FST meeting, email FosterCare@dss.mo.gov and we will help you connect with your team.

Respite Care

Respite is designed to provide relief for Foster Parents from the stresses of the constant responsibilities of providing foster care. The time the foster youth takes a break from the resource family should include planned opportunities for social activities and enrichment. Respite is a fun and rewarding time for foster youth while their placement providers are allowed to relax and have time to themselves for recharging. Respite is not for use in regular child supervision situations when a parent would normally use ordinary childcare, i.e., hiring a baby-sitter for an afternoon or evening outing, or for attending foster parent training or seminars. Respite care may be planned in advance or used in emergency situations. Respite care may be provided to licensed resource providers a minimum of 6 hours, daily, overnight or on a weekly basis. Respite care should be used to maintain stable placements, but should not be used to exclude foster children from ordinary and traditional family activities. Using respite is important to reduce placement disruptions and to support safer and healthier homes. Please contact your Licensing Worker and/or Case Manager to help you set up respite care.

Foster Family Mentors

Are you in need of help or assistance as a Foster Parent? We have Foster Care Ambassadors who are seasoned Foster parents willing to be a mentor to another Foster family. If you are interested, please email FosterCare@dss.mo.gov and we will pair you up with a Foster Care Ambassador. This is for all foster parents whether you are brand new or have been fostering for a long time. It is for all of our families whether traditional, relative, emergency, respite, or elevated needs.

What is ACI? 

Access Crisis Intervention (ACI) provides access to services for individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis.  ACI will provide an opportunity for individuals to receive necessary behavioral health crisis services in an effort to reduce unnecessary interventions such as hospitalization or detentions. By calling the ACI hotline, individuals have access to behavioral health crisis services that are free and available to both youth and adults.  

• All calls are strictly confidential.  
• ACI hotlines are staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week by behavioral health professionals who are available to provide assistance.
• Assistance may include phone contact, referrals to resources in the community, next day behavioral health appointments, or a mobile response. Mobile is defined as either going to the location of the crisis, or to another secure community location.

To learn more about ACI and to find your local number please visit this link and click on ACI Hotline Numbers by County Map: Access Crisis Intervention | dmh.mo.gov.