 June 20, 2023 Vol 3, Issue 6
Monthly Check Delivery
Just a reminder that the normal monthly checks come out anywhere from the 12th-17th each month. The date varies for a variety of factors. The state’s fiscal year starts on July 1st. The run date for checks for the upcoming fiscal year can be found at this link. To find the date for the regular monthly check, it is the 1st row each month in the last column. The other dates are for checks relating to clothing, mileage, or a mid-month placement changes.
 Virtual Adoption Meet & Greet - July 13, 2023
7:00 - 8:00 PM
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.
A Message about Zylazine from our Prevention and Safety Unit
We wanted to share about Zylazine if you are unfamiliar imagine opioids on super steroids (rage included). It takes only a few grains of Zylazine to be as impactful as a standard opioid dose, and the DEA has called it the deadliest drug threat the US has ever faced. We think a lot about the many people we serve that struggle with substance abuse disorders and the task before us to end the oppression of substance abuse gets more difficult and expands poverty. It seems we have to become even more agile, focused, and determined to broaden our coalitions with private, non-profit, and governmental sectors to ensure freedom from this oppression. Please feel free to share with all you believe necessary about the emergence of Zylazine, also known as Tranq.
The Call to Foster Podcast: S1E6
"It was scary to leave my newborn son with a stranger."
Season 1 Episode 6: Listen as Amanda Kane, a foster parent, and Colleen Mulhollan, a biological mother, share their story of reunification. Their relationship went from strangers to sisters over the span of the case. Now, like sisters, they spend time together regularly and share holidays as one big family unit.
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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Trainings & Events
The following links will take you to a multitude of training opportunities that are available for in-service hours:
Family Development Training - Central Missouri Foster Care and Adoption Association
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
Family Support Team Meetings
Did you know that as a Foster Parent you have a right to attend the Family Support Team meetings (FSTs)? FSTs are held for a variety of reasons that include the following:
- The safety of the child,
- Comprehensive visitation plan,
- Service and treatment needs,
- The need for placement and developing a plan for reunification or other permanency options,
- The appropriate placement of the child
- The child’s access and opportunities for normalcy activities based on the reasonable and prudent parenting standard
- Educational Plan for the child, and,
- Establishing and revising the case plan.
If you are not being invited to FST meetings please contact the Case Manager and ask them for an invite. Your Licensing worker may be able to assist as well. If you do not know who your Licensing worker is please email FosterCare@dss.mo.gov and we will get you that information.
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 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.
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.
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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