 July 12, 2023 Vol 3, Issue 7
Show Me Healthy Kids Update
Whether you’re a new resource parent or you have years of experience, the Show Me Healthy Kids Care Management program is here to support you, your child, and even your child’s CD or contracted case manager.
What is Care Management?
- Services and activities that enhance coordination of care and improve health and well-being outcomes through an individualized care plan and Care Manager.
- Care Managers are assigned based on the child’s presenting health care needs. For example, a child with complex physical health care needs may be assigned a Care Manager who is a Registered Nurse. A youth with complex behavioral health needs may be assigned a licensed behavioral health clinician. And, children with no particular special health care needs may be assigned a Care Manager with experience serving the child welfare population.
- Care Managers can assist you in locating providers, understanding your child’s diagnosis and treatment plan, coordinating social supports and community services, setting up aftercare services following a hospital discharge, and more.
Read more in this article about other topics such as:
- What Care Management is NOT
- What outreach can you expect from Show Me Healthy Kids around Care Management?
- Contact information and more
 Foster Care Ambassador Program
Are you a new Foster Parent or are you struggling with an issue? We have a Foster Care Ambassador program where Ambassadors serve as mentors to new and/or struggling foster families. All you have to do is email FosterCare@dss.mo.gov and ask for a mentor. You will be paired with another foster family who will be able to help you navigate the world of fostering!
Foster Parent Portal
There is a Foster Parent Portal that is currently being designed that will allow foster parents to check their training, turn in their training, check the status of the their license and upload paperwork such as reimbursements to name just a few of the elements. We hope this makes your experience of being a foster parent just a little bit easier and removes barriers that you currently run into.
 Virtual Adoption Meet & Greet - TOMORROW 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.
The Call to Foster Podcast: S1E7
"I found out I was adopted after my father died."
Season 1 Episode 7: Brandon and Liz Matthews share their moving story of their journey into foster parenting and many inspiring stories of their experiences. This pair is full of passion and we are proud to have them as Foster Parent Ambassadors for the State of Missouri.
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
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.
 Registered Provider
Resource Parents have been experiencing extreme difficulty with finding daycare/childcare for their Foster children. Did you know that if a relative or friend is helping you with watching your Foster children that they can become a Registered Provider and be compensated? The process to become a registered provider is easier than the daycare licensing process. There are restrictions on the amount of children that you can have in your home if you are only a registered provider versus a licensed daycare. Go to this link to find out more information about how to become a registered provider.
Helpful Resources
Navigating the Relationship with Your Adult Child - Grandfamilies & Kinship Support Network (gksnetwork.org) – This publication provides quick tips for navigating both the feelings and the logistics of raising a grandchild.
This resource, adapted from an original resource by ZERO TO THREE starts by explaining what Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder is and listing health and developmental signs and symptoms. Caring for a Child Impacted by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) - Grandfamilies & Kinship Support Network (gksnetwork.org)
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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