 April 14, 2023 Vol 3, Issue 4
Share your perspective on being a foster parent!
Foster Care Month is coming in May! We are seeking testimonials from Foster Parents on “Why do you Foster?" You may send your testimonial to FosterCare@dss.mo.gov. Thank you in advance for your responses!
 Virtual Adoption Meet & Greet - May 2, 2023
In our efforts to reach potential adoptive families for our children, the Department of Social Services is hosting 60-minute virtual matching events that will highlight 3-4 children or siblings groups every other month, as well as provide participants with information and awareness.
Potential adoptive parent(s) will have the opportunity to hear from the child's caseworker about the children’s strengths, personality, dreams for the future, and what they are looking for in a forever family and ask questions.
If you are interested in this event, please use the information at this link to participate.
The Call to Foster Podcast: S1E4
"I got into foster care for my heart to get broken."
Season 1 Episode 4: In this episode, Shasta and Jessica chat with Elliot and Mandy Nohr. This couple is passionate and dedicated to making a difference in the lives of the children AND families in their care. They cover big topics like staying in contact with some of the children who've moved on from their home, ways they help children adjust to their home, and the importance of working with the biological families to support the child or children in their home.
Please subscribe to and share this podcast with anyone you know who might be considering fostering! You can listen to the podcast on most popular podcast platforms.
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Treehouse Family Time Program
CMFCAA has a new Treehouse Family Time Program in Rolla and Jefferson City. The family time rooms (pictured below) will allow for observation of family visits. They are equipped with laser games, books, toys, fun interactive play blocks, snacks, diapers, wipes, kitchen area for cooking, microwave and mini fridge. The rooms also have mini treehouses and seating, table and more. They also have plenty of stuff for older youth to have fun with their families during visits. If you are interested please contact Rhiannon Franklin.
Trainings & Events
 Fostering Safety Around Water
We are excited to share with you a program that the Missouri State Alliance of YMCAs, many of your local YMCAs and ABC Safety Trainings have partnered together to offer.
Fostering Safety Around Water is a program that will provide a FREE safety session for each of the children in your home. We will cover topics such as "Reach or Throw DON'T Go!" and "Swim Float Swim". These topics will help educate our children to be aware and safe when around water.
Children will be given a Lifejacket and towel. If a swim suit or goggles are needed, assistance is available for providing those as well. Just have families complete the registration form and the items will be ready on the date/time you choose.
Please share the following link with the families you serve, co-workers and anyone who can help spread the word about this amazing safety opportunity for our children!
Reach out to Dawn Decker with any questions.
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Foster Care Simulation
May 5, 2023 | 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. | Prairie Chapel Church, Urbana, MO
OCHC, community members, and partnering agencies are hosting “A Foster Care Simulation – Can you Survive a Month in Foster Care?” that allows participants to experience some of the challenges our children in care, foster families, and related professionals face during a case.
Our goal is to personally invite key influencers in our community like yourself to come experience and learn how each of us can have a significant impact in the lives of vulnerable children.
Join us on this journey and see if you have the resiliency and creativity to not only survive the experience, but to help create the best possible outcome for those involved, and explore the many resources that our community has to offer.
If you would like to sign up, please register with the button below.
Please like our Facebook Event Page and let us know if you are coming! https://www.facebook.com/events/220750867125720/?active_tab=discussion
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Caring for Children Who Have Experienced Trauma
There is an upcoming virtual training being offered by the Foster and Adoptive Care Coalition: RPC Trauma Training: Caring for Children Who Have Experienced Trauma. Classes will be held for 4 weeks on Thursdays, beginning May 4, from 6pm-9pm. Please use the link below to register or forward the attached flier with class info and the registration link to your families. Thank you for the work that you do for children and families. Have a great day!
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.
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
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Foster Together
If you're a foster parent in the St. Louis region, check out this resource! Foster Together supports and equips children and families touched by foster care in the St. Louis region.
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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.
Visit the "I am a Foster Parent" Webpage
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.
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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