 June 21, 2024 Vol 4, Issue 6
Family Resource Centers
Did you know that there are Family Resource Centers across the state that serve Foster and Adoptive Families? Family Resource Centers (FRCs) are support systems that provide resources, training, peer support, respite, and other services families need to navigate raising children through foster care, adoption, and guardianship. These centers are regional, and you can inquire about services, resources, and how to get started in foster care or adoption through the resource center that services your area via phone, email, and the center’s website. Go to this link to learn more and to find a Family Resource Center near you: https://dss.mo.gov/cd/frc/index.htm
The Call to Foster Podcast: S2E6
"SOUND OF HOPE: The Story of Possum Trot"
The fight for children starts July 4, 2024.
In this episode of the Call to Foster, our hosts are joined by Darrell Missey, the Director of Children's Division, and Rebekah Weigel, Writer and Producer of "SOUND OF HOPE: The Story of Possum Trot". Hear from the writer of this incredible film about the writing process, the characters, and the true story of Possum Trot, Texas, as well as her experience as a foster parent and social worker. Rebekah has great advice and practical solutions that you need to hear. You don't want to miss this movie - get your tickets today!
Want more information about how you can host a private showing of this film? Learn more on the Angel Studios website.
If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a foster parent, learn how to get started on our website: https://dss.mo.gov/cd/foster-care/becoming-a-foster-parent.htm
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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Missouri is currently waiting on federal approval for a new program named ‘Missouri SuN Bucks’ designed to help families buy food for their school-aged children during the summer months. Eligible families would get a one-time $120 benefit per qualifying child loaded onto an EBT card to buy nutritious foods at authorized locations. To learn more visit https://mydss.mo.gov/sunbucks where you can view our Frequently Asked Questions and subscribe to receive email updates.
 Children's Division Caregiver Portal
The Children’s Division now has a Children’s Division Caregiver Portal for foster, relative, respite, legal guardianship and adoptive families! This portal is the first phase of a multi-year project. This phase allows caregivers to see their demographics, what placements they have, and their financial information. To visit this portal please log into https://my.mo.gov/gsp?id=childrens_division_caregiver_portal.
If you have any trouble, please email FosterCare@dss.mo.gov and we will assist you.
Trainings & Events
Virtual Lunch and Learn
We are super excited to share our Virtual Lunch and Learn series for Resource Parents. Please spread the word, as we have some great guest speakers who are ready to help our resource providers earn instructor-led training hours through meaningful content. The sessions are fifty minutes, with a lecture-style format to allow attendees to enjoy their lunch before a Q&A session at the end. Feel free to contact Cheri Norton with any questions.
You can find the lunch and learn events on the Missouri Heart Gallery Event Calendar.
Adoption and Foster Care Events
Looking for training opportunities? Interested in adoption? Know someone who is interested in becoming a foster parent and wants to learn more? Find events online or near you on the new calendar on the Missouri Heart Gallery website.
Hosting an event? Send us an event request!
Right Time Trainings
You now have access to what is called National Training Development Curriculum (NTDC) Right Time Trainings. There are 15 trainings and they are all 1 hour long. There is a different topic for each training. Some of the examples include Building Children’s Resilience, Building Parental Resilience, Family Dynamics, Managing Placement Transitions, Responding to Children in Crisis, and Sexual Trauma. We will highlight each of these trainings in this newsletter.
This month we are highlighting the training called Family Dynamics. This theme provides an overview of the impact fostering or adopting can have on family dynamics including the impact on marital relationships, biological children, foster or adoptive children already living in the home and extended family members. The theme helps parents who are fostering or adopting gain insight and increased understanding of how their family may need to adjust, as well as strategies that they can use to support healthy family dynamics. You may find these trainings through the Training page for Foster Parents.
The following links will take you to a multitude of training opportunities that are available for in-service hours:
Parent Cafe Training Institute (missouri.edu)
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
Turn In Your Monthly Medical Log and Travel Log
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. Children's Division | Missouri Department of Social Services (mo.gov)
 Mo Kin-4-Kid Kinship Navigator Program
Parents, be sure you're using and referring to the Kinship Navigator Program! This program is a partnership between ParentLink, the Missouri Family Resource Centers, and other public and private community partners to assist formal and informal relative caregivers in identifying, locating, and accessing programs and services for the child(ren) they are raising. Additionally, the program strives to provide quality information, and outreach activities to help meet the physical and emotional needs of the child(ren) being cared for, as well as the needs of the relative/kinship caregiver.
Learn more: https://cehd.missouri.edu/navigators/
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.
 Did you know that the Children's Division has a 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 Parent Identification Cards
All Foster Parents should have a Foster Parent ID card. This is provided to you after you are licensed. If you do not have an ID card please email FosterCare@dss.mo.gov and we will get you the application.
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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