 July 18, 2024 Vol 4, Issue 7
We Need YOU!
As of May 31, 2024 we have 5,548 Foster Homes. Of those homes, 3,347 are Traditional Families and 2,911 are Relative Families. We have a little over 11,000 children in care. It is paramount that we find more Foster Homes for the children in our care. Current Foster Parents are our best recruiters. We ask that you consider reaching out to someone you know who might be interested in learning more about becoming a Foster Parent. If they are unsure, ask them to think about becoming a Respite or Emergency Provider. Consider holding an informational meeting for people who might want to learn more (we can support you in that effort). If you are interested or have any questions, please email FosterCare@dss.mo.gov. Thank you and we appreciate all that you do!
Reasonable and Prudent Parenting from the Center for States Newsletter
Child welfare agencies are responsible for promoting the healthy development and well-being of children and young people in their care. To achieve healthy development, children and young people in foster care need to be involved in normal and developmentally appropriate extracurricular and social experiences, commonly referred to as normalcy.
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“Normalcy” refers to allowing young people in out-of-home care to experience childhood and adolescence in ways similar to their peers who are not in foster care. This includes participating in various social and cultural activities such as after-school clubs, sports, community events, school field trips, sleepovers, social media; getting a job; taking driver's education courses; attending dances; going to movies with friends; and more.
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“Reasonable and prudent parent standard” is a term used in federal and state legislation that refers to practical decision-making of foster parents and other caregivers in allowing children and young people in foster care to participate in healthy and developmentally appropriate activities. The term "normalcy" is often used to reflect the legislative intent of implementing a reasonable and prudent parent standard.1
Young people are better able to achieve normalcy when child welfare agencies engage them in regular permanency planning, listen to their needs in care and goals for the future, connect them to support services and developmentally appropriate experiences, and help them maintain and establish new long-term relationships.
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Did you listen or share the special podcast we did with the writer and producer of the new movie, SOUND OF HOPE: The Story of Possum Trot? Listen and Share!
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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Check out this months podcast!
The Call to Foster Podcast: S2E7
"They deserve help just as much as anyone else."
This month we had a wonderful call with the Kueblers! Alexus Kuebler, a former foster child, is passionate about being a safe place for Missouri's foster children. She knew she wanted to be a foster and adoptive parent since she was taken into care. The Kueblers are excited to work with families to achieve reunification. Listen along and soak up their passion!
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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Trainings & Events
St. Louis Area Only
Check out this listing of trainings being offered by Family Forward in the St. Louis area. Registration information is also on the attachment. Please reach out to Family Forward if you have any questions.
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
 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.
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.
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)
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.
 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.
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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