The REACH program is a pilot initiative in select Missouri counties aimed at supporting caregivers of new foster care youth (ages 3-17). It provides Family Support Providers (FSP) to promote wellness and stability. Eligible participants must reside in a pilot county and be case managed there.
- FSPs offer peer-to-peer support and connect youth to services.
- They help caregivers increase protective factors and provide hope through shared experiences.
- Risk factors for REACH referrals include emotional/mental health issues, problems following rules or obeying the law, impulsivity, poor communication and lack of critical thinking skills, basic needs not being met, or lack of safety at home, school, or in the community
- FSPs assist in identifying needs, setting goals, and enhancing communication and problem-solving skills.
- Referrals should be made when caregivers need support to improve parenting skills and coping strategies. For more information, contact your case manager or Desiree.Gardner@dss.mo.gov.
REACH Pilot Counties
Barry, Barton, Butler, Carter, Cass, Cole, Dade, Dallas, Greene, Jasper, Jefferson, Johnson, Laclede, Lafayette, Lawrence, McDonald, Newton, Pettis, Phelps, Polk, Reynolds, Ripley, Wayne
Show Me Healthy Kids offers a free, 24/7 Nurse Advice Line connecting you with experienced nurses for support with medications, health concerns, and guidance on care options. The service is bilingual and at no cost. Additionally, a Behavioral Health Crisis Line is available year-round for immediate behavioral health support. For assistance, call 1-877-236-1020.
Season 3, Episode 2 will be available soon!
In the meantime, please subscribe to and share this podcast with anyone you know who might be considering becoming a foster parent! You can listen to the podcast on most popular podcast platforms.
|
10th Annual Missouri Children's Trauma Network Training Summit
|
You are invited to the 10th Annual Missouri Children's Trauma Network Training Summit, which will be held April 8-9, 2025.
|
|
Location: Holiday Inn and Expo Center | 2200 Interstate 70 Dr. SW | Columbia, MO 65203
|
|
Cost: $20 per person (Payment can only be made by credit card, which will be required during registration.)
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
EVENT AGENDA | View Event Agenda
|
|
SPEAKER LIST | View Event Speakers
|
|
HOTEL | Click Here
|
|
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.
|
|
If you have additional questions, please contact us at events@mobhc.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)
Resource providers may be eligible to claim foster children as dependents and for a tax deduction. Both of these benefits require the state to provide documentation in order for them to be eligible to claim these benefits on their taxes. Resource providers should be provided with the Resource Provider Income Tax Foster Youth Dependent Claim Letter (CD-184) for any child placed in their care for 2024. This form can be completed locally by the child’s case manager or local designee. Beginning with the 2022 tax year, Missouri resource providers also became eligible for a tax deduction of up to $5,000. You can learn more about this tax deduction from the Missouri Department of Revenue.
The 2024 Foster Parent Tax Deduction Notice is mailed by Central Office to all eligible resource providers who had at least one foster child placed in their care during the tax year. Case manager’s do not have to take any steps regarding the Foster Parent Tax Deduction. Learn More.
The training is an overview on medical forms, informed consent, Alternative Consenter, and pharmacy information. The purpose of this mandatory training is to provide licensed resource providers with critical information that must be followed when a child or youth in Division custody is prescribed a psychotropic medication and placed in their home. Successful completion of training will require the licensed resource provider to pass the quiz with a score of 80% or more. When the training is complete, need to take a screen shot of the quiz completion score. E-mail the screen shot to your licensing worker along with your name/date completed and put D170 in the subject line. If you do not have access to the online training, you can request a paper copy from your licensing worker. This training should have been completed by December 31, 2024 – so if you have not completed it yet – please do so ASAP.
 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.
|
