 August 17, 2023 Vol 3, Issue 8
 September MO Heart Gallery Virtual Event
September 21, 2023 | 10:00 AM | Virtual
In our efforts to reach potential adoptive families for our children, the Department of Social Services is hosting virtual events every other month to help highlight children or sibling groups looking for their forever family in Missouri.
These events will allow potential adoptive parent(s) the opportunity to hear directly 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 will also offer a chance to ask questions.
If you are interested in our next event on September 21st from 10:00-11:00am, please use the meeting information below to participate. You can also visit the Missouri Adoption Heart Gallery any time to learn more about some of the children in Missouri looking for their loving, forever home.
If you're having trouble connecting via web browser, you can join by phone by dialing +1 (312)62- 6799 and using the webinar ID number 874 6337 5116.
 Foster Care Maintenance Payments - Rate Changes
Beginning July 1, 2023 there was an increase in foster care maintenance payments. The rate charts are below. Thank you all for all that you do!
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us at FosterCare@dss.mo.gov.
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Licensed Rates State Fiscal Year 2024
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Age
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Traditional
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Level A
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Level B
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0-5
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$509.00
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$1119.00
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$2034.00
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6-12
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$577.00
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$1119.00
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$2034.00
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13-Over
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$712.00
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$1119.00
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$2034.00
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Unlicensed Rates State Fiscal Year 2024
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Age
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Traditional
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0-5
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$345.00
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6-12
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$408.00
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13-Over
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$455.00
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Adoption and Guardianship Rates State Fiscal Year 2024
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Age
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Rate
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0-5
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$368.00
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6-12
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$435.00
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13-over
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$571.00
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SMAS
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$978.00
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Does your foster child have trouble sleeping?
Is sleep a struggle for your foster child? Many children in the foster system struggle with sleep, from difficulties settling at bedtime, to frequently waking up at night, to waking up too early in the morning. We have put together a training video – the 4 C’s of Healthy Sleep – to discuss common sleep concerns for children in the foster system and offer tangible solutions for improving the sleep of your foster children. This training will be available soon on the Missouri Social Services Internet.
Working with the Birth Family: Embracing the Challenge
Trannie Hahne was at a crossroads in her foster parenting career. She had to make the tough decision of whether or not to work with the birth mother of her foster children because the mother was not sticking to the plan. Trannie chose to work with the birth mother and even included her in their family photo. Trannie told the birth mother that you are like a daughter to me and she said that made the birth mother cry. Working with birth parents can be challenging but it can also be a very rewarding experience. Thank you Trannie for making that tough decision and for embracing the challenge in front of you. |
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The Call to Foster Podcast: S1E8
"If you have all the love in the world to give to someone, this is what you need to do."
Season 1 Episode 8: Join Shasta and Jessica as they talk with Mary Bailey, an experienced foster parent in Missouri. Mary touches on a lot of great topics, but one thing she is clear about in this discussion is the importance of knowing your boundaries. As a potential foster parent, it is okay for you to have a preference of the children you will care for and it is especially helpful when you can be open about those boundaries with Children's Division. We are so grateful that we have foster parents like Mary sharing the love they have in their hearts with Missouri children who need it most!
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
Back to School Bootcamp Series
IMPACT will be presenting their Back to School Bootcamp Series every Monday in August from 6-7:30pm. The series began August 7, however, there are opportunities to attend August 21 and 28. You don't have to attend all of them!
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August 21 - Understanding the IEP Process
Your child’s IEP is the cornerstone of their education. This workshop offers an in-depth look at the evaluation process, qualifying for an IEP, the many components that must be addressed in the IEP document, as well as how progress will be monitored. As a result of this training, parents will gain a better understanding of their role as an equal participant in the IEP Process.
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August 28 - Disagreement Resolution
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. Also covered are the resolution processes included in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act as well as Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
The following links will take you to a multitude of training opportunities that are available for in-service hours:
KVC Health Systems - Events August - October 2023
Foster Parent College - Online Training for Foster, Adoptive, and Kinship Parents and Caregivers
Training | Child Welfare Information Gateway
All Courses - FosterAdopt Connect Training (thinkific.com)
Family Development Training - Central Missouri Foster Care and Adoption Association
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.
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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