The Missouri Foster Care Survey is now LIVE! This survey is sent to resource parents, adoptive parents (who have completed an adoption in the past quarter), older youth 12+, birth parents, Judges, and Juvenile Officers every quarter. Your feedback is very important to us! The survey will close on March 21st at 11:59pm CST.
Additional tips and asks:
- If you have an older youth 12+ in your home please make sure that you help them to complete the survey and have them select the role of “older youth.”
- If you are a resource parent, we also need your feedback for each agency you currently work with. (Ex. If you have two kids placed in your home and one child is case managed by Children’s Division and the other child is case managed by KVC Missouri, you will need to complete two separate surveys- one for each agency!). Please ensure you select the role of “Resource Parent” when you take the survey.
- If you have any questions about which county/jurisdiction/agency the child in your home is case managed by, please feel free to reach out to: CD.CHILDWELFARESURVEY@dss.mo.gov. Please include the name of the child so we may assist you better.
These surveys help us to better our customer service and provide the resources that foster parents need to succeed. These surveys are published, and you can find the results at this link: House Bill 1414 Information | Children's Division | Missouri Department of Social Services. These results are shared with all staff in hopes that we celebrate our successes but also focus on the improvement opportunities.
Youth Behavioral Health Liaisons (YBHL) are professionals at Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics who assist youth facing behavioral health issues. They connect youth and families to community resources and collaborate with stakeholders.
YBHL responsibilities include:
- Responding to referrals
- Linking to resources
- Building community relationships
- Educating on youth behavioral health
- Answering questions
- Coordinating crisis resources
YBHLs work closely with the Children’s Division to ensure youth access needed services, such as mental health and substance use treatments, peer specialists, and family support. Foster parents can also make referrals. For local YBHL information, visit the Missouri Behavioral Health Council’s Crisis Resources page.
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Message from Show Me Healthy Kids
As a foster or kinship parent, prioritizing children's well being is crucial. Key components include selecting the right primary care provider and ensuring regular dental checkups.
The Child's Primary Care Provider: A Trusted Health Partner
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Role: Manages routine care, chronic illnesses, and overall health.
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Choosing a Provider: Ensure they are part of the Show Me Healthy Kids plan. Use the Find a Provider Tool for details on in-network providers.
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Best Practices:
- Contact the provider for medical concerns.
- Use the emergency room only for true emergencies.
- Schedule and attend regular check-ups and vaccinations.
Dental Care: Keeping Smiles Bright
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Timing: Start dental visits between 6 to 12 months, every six months until age 20.
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Finding a Dentist: Show Me Healthy Kids partners with Envolve Dental to help find suitable dentists.
Earn Rewards with My Health Pays™
- Complete healthy activities to earn reward dollars for wellness exams and dental checkups.
- For additional details on how to earn rewards and for a complete list of qualifying activities, visit the My Health Pays Rewards page.
Looking Ahead
Your commitment significantly impacts children's futures. Utilize resources and earn rewards to foster healthy habits.
Thank you for all that you do to support and nurture children!
House Bill 737
Recently, the Missouri House passed House Bill 737, aiming to improve the welfare of foster children across the state by ensuring that federal benefits intended for foster children are used solely for their unmet needs.
With bipartisan support, this bill was the first to pass in the House this legislative session with a 149-1 vote, and now heads to the Missouri Senate for consideration.
To learn more about this bill, read this media release from the Missouri House of Representatives. We will keep you apprised of any new updates!
Season 3, Episode 2: "Find some way to get involved."
In this episode, Shasta, Jessica, and Ashton speak with Tim Hite. Tim is the Executive Director of Divine Nest in Missouri. One piece of this nonprofit is the Sparrow House, a place for kids to go when they are removed from their homes for their safety and wellbeing while their case worker is in search of a foster placement. Tim and his wife are foster and adoptive parents, and they've been passionate about helping kids in foster care for as long as they can remember. Their passion has created a legacy for their biological children - their oldest biological child is also a foster parent! Listen along and learn how you can make a difference for foster children.
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
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Show Me Healthy Kids Training
Show Me Healthy Kids offers specialized managed care for youth who are in DSS custody, former foster children, and for individuals receiving adoption and guardianship subsidy. This training will cover these benefits along with programs/trainings available to help caregivers in understanding how to manage member health conditions and needs.
Date: April 10, 2025
Time: 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. (Central Time)
Location: Virtual (Zoom)
After registering, you’ll receive a confirmation email with details on how to join the session.
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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Tools for Everyone
Wednesday, March 19 | 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. | Department of Mental Health
Tools of Choice is an evidence-based program focused on the implementation of universal positive practices. This two-hour introductory training is open to community members, parents, and professionals. It covers key concepts of the Tools of Choice curriculum such as: “What is Behavior?”, “Building Positive Relationships”, and “How to Increase Desirable Behavior.” Join the Positive Support Consultants in learning strategies to make change by implementing universal positive practices.
This year Jami Glenn will be the keynote speaker. As an emotional wellness coach, business owner and speaker, Jami will share ideas for combatting burnout and enhancing emotional intelligence skills for those serving in foster care.
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)
KVC Missouri Trainings
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, you will 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.
Adoption-Focused Support Group, 3rd Thursday of each month, 7-8 p.m. (Virtual) Families that adopt from the foster system share unique joys and challenges. You may be feeling socially isolated from friends and other families. This group will help you find community with other individuals who share similar joys and challenges so you can continue to show up as the parent you want to be. This group is also open to foster families considering adoption.
Relative/Kinship Support Group, 2nd Saturday of each month, 10-11 a.m. Whether you need help navigating the system or help navigating your new family dynamic, this group will create a safe space for caregivers to receive support from individuals with similar experiences.
The KCMO Angels' mission is to walk alongside children, youth, and families in the foster care community by offering consistent support through intentional giving, relationship building, and mentorship.
View informational images about the Love Box Program and the Dare To Dream Program sponsored by the KCMO Angels.
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Turn In Your Monthly Medical and Travel Log
This is a reminder to complete/turn in your Monthly Medical 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 DSS Foster Parent webpage located here.
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, please email Melissa.J.Selsor@dss.mo.gov.
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