 September 19, 2023 Vol 3, Issue 9
The Call to Foster Podcast: S1E9
"This isn't gonna be our forever."
Season 1 Episode 9: In this episode, hosts Shasta Miller, Jessica Huckstep, and Ashton Kever, had the privilege of talking with Miss Black Missouri, USA, Eugenia Doreen. Eugenia was previously a foster youth in Missouri and shares her experience in the foster system. Now, a successful college graduate working at a law firm, Eugenia has built a platform supporting and encouraging foster youth to follow their dreams, go to college, and helping them navigate the system. She has great advice for current and potential foster parents - you don't want to miss this one!
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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 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.
Resource Parent Rights
As Resource Parents, you have certain rights. Some of those rights from the Child Welfare Manual are mentioned below.
You have the right:
- To have full access to the child’s medical, psychological, and psychiatric records in its possession, including reports prior to the child coming into care.
- To have continued full access to all records that come into the possession of the division or of which the division becomes aware.
- The access shall include providing information and authorization for relative provider to review or to obtain the records directly from the medical, psychological, or psychiatric services provider.
- The Resource Parent may decline access to any or all of the child’s records.
- To be provided prior to placement, all pertinent information, including but not limited to full disclosure of all medical, psychological, and psychiatric conditions of the child, as well as information from previous placements that would indicate the child(ren) may have a propensity to cause violence to any member of the foster family home.
If you have difficulty in obtaining these materials please email FosterCare@dss.mo.gov and we will assist you.
Constituent Services Email
If you are not receiving callbacks, having trouble getting a hold of someone, have a question about policy or just have a general complaint or accomplishment to share with Children's Division, please contact us at ASKCD@dss.mo.gov.
Trainings & Events
 2023 Annual In-Service Training Reminder
All licensed resource providers are required to complete the one hour annual in-service training for 2023: “The 4C’s of Healthy Sleep for Missouri Foster Resource Providers." (C170) The purpose of this training is to improve sleep education and child sleep health as one pathway to reduce or eliminate the need for psychotropic medications for sleep or daytime mood/behavior. Successful completion of training will require the licensed resource provider to pass the quiz with a score of 80% or more.
If you are a licensed resource provider, you can locate the training on our website. Scroll down to Annual In-service Training. When the training is complete, the licensed resource provider is required to:
- Obtain a screen shot of the quiz completion score
- Create an e-mail that includes their name, date and C170 code number
- Send the e-mail to their licensing worker
Resource providers who do not have access to the online training can request a paper copy from their licensing worker. This training must be completed by Friday, December 15, 2023.
 Missouri's Online Mandated Reporter Training
Over 85,000 adults have strengthened their child protection skills by participating in Missouri's Online Mandated Reporter Training!
As a mandated reporter, it can be difficult to keep up with emerging child protection research and education - we have done the work for you!
Updated content...
- scope of child abuse/neglect in Missouri.
- reporting bias and cultural responsiveness when reporting.
- interactive learning scenario on the difference between poverty vs. neglect.
- frequently asked questions video about the hotline unit.
Updated course improvements...
- built in accessibility capabilities for easy navigation.
- audio and text prompts on each slide.
- holds on slides to ensure learners are gaining 2 hours of essential child protection education. Learner can save and return at any time.
This training is...
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FREE! A great way to train teams at no cost!
- exception for those seeking credit through Peace Officer Standards Training system
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Trusted! Holds on slides and a completion certificate ensure participants engage in the entire training!
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Accessible! Online and mobile friendly.
- Approved for continuing education credits!
- 2 contact hours for Child and Youth Development Professionals through the MO Professional Development System (MOPD).
- 2 hours of Continuing Law Enforcement Education (POST) in the area of Legal Study, $10 admin fee.
Let's keep our children safe by growing our child protection skills together!
Share this resource with your colleagues!
Check out the updated training at protectmokids.com
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.
 Child Care Options
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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