 March 15, 2023 Vol 3, Issue 3
The Call to Foster Podcast: S1E3
"I got into foster care for my heart to get broken."
Season 1 Episode 3: In this episode, Jessica and Shasta talk to Stephanie Reese, a passionate single parent fostering in Missouri. Stephanie confronts the issue of attachment, reunification, and debunks the myth that foster parents have to be married or stay at home parents. As a full time employee herself, Stephanie has adopted two children and continues to foster children in her area in hopes to break the cycle of trauma for the children in her care.
We'll be adding these podcasts to a podcast app near you soon! Please share this podcast with anyone you know who might be considering fostering!
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Save the Date
2nd Annual KIN Conference
June 12-14, 2023 | Free | Osage Beach, Margaritaville
The 2nd Annual KIN Conference put on by the Central Missouri Foster Care and Adoption Association (CMFCAA) is a free (lodging is covered and childcare is provided) event open to relative and kinship families. The conference will be held June 12 – 14, 2023 at the Osage Beach Margaretville. Registration is currently open. Use the button below to pre-register.
2nd Annual R.E.A.L. (Resources, Education, Advocacy and Love) Conference
July 24-26, 2023 | Free | Osage Beach, Margaritaville
The 2nd Annual R.E.A.L. (Resources, Education, Advocacy and Love) Conference put on by CMFCAA is a free event open to foster, adoptive, and kinship families. The conference will be held on July 24-26, 2023 at the Osage Beach Margaretville. Registration will be opening soon. To learn more, email info@mofosteradopt.com.
Reasonable and Prudent Parenting Standards (RPPS)
Federal law was created to ensure children in foster care receive as close to a normal family and home-life as possible. Engaging in normal activities without interference from agencies promotes this ideal. RPPS should be employed by any caregiver/foster parent who, under the responsibility of the state, is determining whether or not to allow a child to participate in extracurricular, enrichment, cultural and/or social activities.
The Reasonable and Prudent Parent Standard states that a caregiver shall make careful and sensible parental decisions that maintain the health, safety, and best interests of the child, in addition to encouraging the emotional and developmental growth of the child. If you have any questions about RPPS email FosterCare@dss.mo.gov.
Trainings & Events
The following links will take you to a multitude of training opportunities that are available for in-service hours:
Foster Parent College - Online Training for Foster, Adoptive, and Kinship Parents and Caregivers
All Courses - FosterAdopt Connect Training (thinkific.com)
Training | Child Welfare Information Gateway
Monthly Medical and Travel Logs
This is a reminder to complete/turn in your Monthly Medical Log and Travel Log to the case manager(s) when you see them every month. You need to complete a Medical Log (CD-265) for every child every month even if they had no medical appointments and/or do not take medication. This form is required to document consent decisions for routine medical care and provide a medical history for the youth each month. If they are in your home only part of the time, please fill one out for the time the child was there. Your cooperation with this is greatly appreciated. The medical and travel log are now available on the "I am a Foster Parent" web page.
 Foster Care Ambassador Program
Foster Care Ambassadors have valuable insight and/or experience into foster care and are passionate and willing to help recruit, support, and advocate for the cause. They have thorough knowledge of Children’s Division policies as well as the state statutes and are able to answer questions from potential foster parents or interested individuals in the community. Foster Care Ambassadors are available to speak at or host their own recruitment events. Foster Care Ambassadors also serve as mentors to new or struggling foster parents.
Foster Care Ambassadors meet virtually monthly to network, share ideas and receive updates from the Children’s Division. They are asked for input into new and upcoming initiatives and attend conferences sharing about the Ambassador program. Ambassadors also work on projects such as designing and creating Welcome Packets for new Foster Parents. If you are interested in becoming a Foster Care Ambassador, please email FosterCare@dss.mo.gov.
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.
Foster Parent Web Page
Have you ever visited the "I am a Foster Parent" web page? This is a web page just for Foster Parents to use to find forms, trainings, and general tools about being a Foster Parent. The Resource Parent Handbook is located on that page as well and can answer many questions. Visit the link above and take a look around. If you know of anyone who would like to sign up for this newsletter ask them to visit the page as well. There will be a pop up asking for their email address if they want to stay informed.
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.
We want to hear from you! If there is information you would like covered in the next Foster Parent Connections Newsletters email, Melissa.J.Selsor@dss.mo.gov.
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