Regional Family Resource Centers are nonprofit agencies in Missouri that assist foster, adoptive, relative, and guardianship families in specific counties. They collaborate with the Missouri Department of Social Services Children's Division to provide essential support services, including:
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Public Information: Sharing child safety info via various media.
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Training: Offering training for foster, adoptive, and relative parents, and child welfare professionals.
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Peer Support Groups: Organizing groups for caregiver support.
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Social Activities: Planning community events for families.
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Financial Support: Providing funds for expenses like medical supplies and school costs.
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Respite Care: Training and events for respite care connections.
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Advocacy and Navigation: Assisting families in finding support services.
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In-Home Services: Offering therapeutic services for youth.
For local Family Resource Center information, visit: https://dss.mo.gov/cd/frc/index.htm.
The Central Missouri Foster Care & Adoption Association
A not-for-profit agency that educates, supports, and advocates for foster, adoptive, and kinship children, youth, and families in central Missouri by offering services and partnering with community and governmental agencies to develop healthy and self-sufficient individuals and families.
Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition
An organization that strives to create permanency in foster children’s lives by recruiting and supporting foster and adoptive families in the metropolitan St. Louis region.
FosterAdopt Connect
An organization dedicated to provide foster and adoptive children a stable, loving and nurturing family environment by support and advocacy for abused and neglected children and the families caring for them.
FamilyForward
Family Forward moves vulnerable children in the direction of hope by delivering comprehensive therapeutic and educational services to support biological, foster, and adoptive families.
Missouri Kinship Navigator Program
The MO KIN-4-KID Kinship Navigator Program helps formal and informal relative/kinship caregivers access programs and services for the children they care for and their own needs. Led by the Missouri Department of Social Services, it includes five kinship-serving organizations, aiming to create a "One-Stop-Shop" that provides support, knowledge, tools, and case management for family health, safety, and stability.
Call: 1-833-KIN-4-KID (1-833-546-4543)
Email: mucoeparentlinkki1@missouri.edu
Text: 833-546-4543
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Foster Care Ambassador/Mentor Program
Foster Care Ambassadors play a crucial role in recruiting and supporting dedicated foster parents. They possess knowledge of Children's Division policies and state statutes, helping answer questions from potential foster parents. Ambassadors host recruitment events, mentor new or struggling foster parents, and network monthly to share ideas and updates. They also contribute to new initiatives and create Welcome Packets for new foster parents. For foster parents seeking to connect with local ambassadors, an interactive map is available at the provided link.
Become an ambassador or find a mentor, contact Melissa Selsor at FosterCare@dss.mo.gov.
Show Me Healthy Kids (SMHK) now offers Expressive Therapies—art, music, canine, and equine therapy—for eligible members to provide community-based alternatives and reduce the need for intensive services.
Continued services depend on member/guardian engagement and progress. Approval from SMHK is required for services through MTM, and therapists must contract with MTM. For more information, contact SMHK at 1-877-236-1020, ext. 6075125, or email HSH_Anchors@homestatehealth.com. Eligibility for Show Me Healthy Kids and other criteria must be met.
The Call to Foster Podcast: S3E1
"I don't know that anyone really feels totally ready for it."
Join Shasta, Jessica, and Ashton as they talk with Hillary Lammert. Hillary was adopted as a child and talks about her experience growing and learning as a foster/adoptive parent. She shares advice for working with biological parents, and practical information about taking care of yourself while you go through a foster and adoptive journey, the many lessons she learned in her first year of fostering, and the power and purpose in respite care. You don't want to miss this episode!
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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10th Annual Missouri Children's Trauma Network Training Summit
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You are invited to the 10th Annual Missouri Children's Trauma Network Training Summit, which will be held April 8-9, 2025.
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Location: Holiday Inn and Expo Center | 2200 Interstate 70 Dr. SW | Columbia, MO 65203
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Cost: $20 per person (Payment can only be made by credit card, which will be required during registration.)
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Refund policy: A full refund will be issued if canceled by March 25, 2025. Cancellations after March 25 will not receive a refund, but substitutions are accepted.
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Students & Parents: MOCTN aims to boost youth attendance at the summit by inviting students/youth and a family guest/chaperone to join us for free this year! Use the Student/Youth registration type when registering.
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EVENT AGENDA | View Event Agenda
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SPEAKER LIST | View Event Speakers
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HOTEL | Click Here
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Continuing Education | The Missouri Behavioral Health Council approved this program for behavioral health Continuing Education Hours. MBHC will be responsible for this program and will maintain a record of the hours you have earned in continuing education.
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If you have additional questions, please contact us at events@mobhc.org.
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St. Louis Area Trainings
All in-person classes will be held at FamilyForward’s Developmental Trauma Center located at 11358 Van Cleve Ave in St. Louis County. Light refreshments will be provided.
Core Teen Training
Tuesdays: Jan. 14, 21, Feb. 11, 18, Mar. 11, 18, and Apr. 8, 2025 | 6:00-9:00 pm
(April 8 class will be held from 6:00-8:00 pm)
Spaulding for Children presents a specialized training for resource parents to support teens with moderate to severe emotional and behavioral needs. The course is designed to reduce the risk of placement disruptions and increase permanency options by providing trauma-informed, culturally responsive training. The interactive content includes lectures, videos, activities, and discussions, offering multiple opportunities for learning and skill-building. Participants are encouraged to attend all sessions. 14 hours of training credit is available.
MO C.A.R.E. Preservice Training
Thursdays: Jan. 16, 23, 30, Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27, and Mar. 6, 13, 20, 2025 | 6:00-9:00 pm
This state-required training is for individuals seeking foster care licensure in Missouri. 30 hours of training credit is available. To enroll, contact Teresa.A.McKenzie@dss.mo.gov.
RPC Trauma Training: Caring for Children Who Have Experienced Trauma
Thursdays: Feb. 3, 10, 17, 24, and Mar. 3, 2025 | 6:00-9:00 pm
This 15-hour curriculum, developed by the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) with support from SAMHSA, helps adoptive, foster, and kinship parents understand and respond to the effects of trauma in children. The course aims to create trauma-informed caregivers who can guide their children through recovery and healing. The training includes case vignettes, personal experiences, and worksheets, helping parents address the behavioral and emotional challenges trauma presents.
Show Me Healthy Kids (SMHK) Presentation
Session 1: Wednesday, February 5 | 10:00 am-12:00 pm
Session 2: Thursday, March 20 | 6:00 pm-8:00 pm
Learn about the benefits offered through SMHK, such as reimbursement for well-care doctor visits, transportation services for birth parents, and free sensory kits for some children. This session will help caregivers navigate the healthcare system and access the treatments and benefits they need for the children in their care.
ONLINE RESOURCES
Sign up for our LifeLines email newsletter and view training information online by scanning the QR code or by visiting familyforwardmo.org/calendar
REGISTER FOR TRAINING
Call: 314.534.9350 ext. 7234
Email: intake.dept@familyforwardmo.org
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
Training for Parents | Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition (foster-adopt.org)
Are you in need of help or assistance as a Foster Parent? We have Foster Care Ambassadors who are seasoned current or former Foster parents willing to be a mentor to another Foster family. If you are interested, please email FosterCare@dss.mo.gov and we will pair you up with a Foster Care Ambassador. This is for all foster parents whether you are brand new or have been fostering for a long time. It is for all of our families whether traditional, relative, emergency, respite, or elevated needs. To find an Ambassador click the link below. There will be a map on the page and if you hover over a county it will tell you who the Ambassador is for each county. We do not have Ambassadors in every county so if you are interested in becoming an Ambassador, please email FosterCare@dss.mo.gov and we will get you started!
 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.
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)
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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