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 7-16-2025
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 Interested in becoming a Foster Parent Ambassador?
Fill out this form to apply and start mentoring other foster parents in your area!
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Drowning is a silent threat, especially for children, as it is the top cause of death for those under four and second for ages five to fourteen in the United States. Annually, around 900 children die from unintentional drownings, averaging three daily. Notably, 70% of children under four who drowned were not expected to be near water.
To prevent these tragedies, vigilance is key. Always ensure children are wearing a fitted life jacket in open water and supervising adults know CPR. Enroll children in swimming lessons and be sure that a sober adult supervises children near water. Keep safety equipment nearby, and check the pool first if a child is missing. Enforce water safety rules.
Home safety is also crucial. Lock doors and windows to limit water access, install secure fencing with self-latching gates around pools, and lock or remove ladders for above-ground pools. Consider automatic pool covers and alarms, and drain standing water after use.
By prioritizing these steps, parents and caregivers can protect children from drowning.
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Show Me Healthy Kids (SMHK) understands the challenges of parenting a child with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)/Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) - you’re not alone! SMHK is excited to remind you about its program "Homer Helps ADHD," for members aged 4–12 diagnosed with ADHD/ADD and are currently taking medication for this diagnosis.
How does Homer Helps ADHD work?
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A weighted plush animal, Homer, provides calming deep pressure touch and can be heated or cooled to help children self-regulate.
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The program also provides an activity book which includes coloring pages and interactive exercises to enhance focus, calm the brain, and support healthy routines, following Homer's journey with ADHD.
Care Management includes:
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Education on ADHD and medication adherence
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Personalized care plans with caregivers to identify goals, barriers, and support strategies
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Resources and one-on-one support to help families navigate care and improve outcomes
Homer Helps ADHD is designed to make children feel understood and empowered. For more information, contact SMHK at 1-877-236-1020 ext. 6080448 or email HSH_Anchors@homestatehealth.com.
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Missouri Family Focused Treatment Association Chapter Conference
Save the Date | 9-16-25 | Capitol Plaza Hotel, Jefferson City, MO
This year's theme is Unified Support: Creating Stronger Systems for Foster and Kinship Families.
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 Chafee Services
Do you have an older youth in your home? If so, are they participating with Chafee Services through Firefly? Check out the resources below to learn more about Chafee and see how you and the child(ren) in your home can get more involved.
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Season 3, Episode 6: "The biggest steps in life might be the scariest, but they are the most rewarding."
In this episode, hosts Shasta, Jessica, and Ashton speak with Barry and Hannah Cahill. These two foster parents are an incredible team with huge hearts. A biological family of five, the Cahills stay very busy providing the best care for all of the children in their home. When they started their foster parenting journey, it wasn't with teenagers in mind. After their first placement, a teenage girl, they decided to only foster teenage girls, even adopting their daughter, Felicity.
If someone you know is interested in becoming a foster parent, help them get started on the DSS website: https://dss.mo.gov/cd/foster-care/becoming-a-foster-parent.htm
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As it is vacation season, please remember to:
The Handbook for Resource Parents also informs:
- “Permission from the court may be required if the child will be leaving your residence for more than 72 hours.”
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2025 Annual In-Service Psychotropic Medication Training
The new Annual In-Service Psychotropic Medication Training has been released on our website. Don't forget to complete this required training! This year's topic is, "Empowering Youth."
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Resource Partner Team Decision Making® (TDM™) Orientation
Virtual Lunch and Learn | July 17, 2025 | 11:30 - 12:30 p.m.
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KVC Missouri Training
Check out the trainings available through KVC Missouri. There are several available at the link below.
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Family Forward’s Development Trauma Center
Several trainings are available to attend!
In-person trainings are located at 11358 Van Cleve Ave, St. Louis, MO.
For questions, email Intake.dept@familyforwardmo.org.
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 Back to School
Kids will be going back to school before we know it!
Sales Tax Holiday: Section 144.049, RSMo, establishes a Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday during a three-day period beginning at 12:01 a.m. on the first Friday in August and ending at midnight on the following Sunday. Purchases of clothing, school supplies, computers, and certain other items defined by the statute are exempt from sales tax for this time period only. Only purchases for personal use qualify.
Back to School Events: Be on the lookout, in your area, for back to school events. Below are some school supply events throughout Missouri!
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Foster Parent ID 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 CD will provide you the application.
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Family Resource Centers
Family Resource Centers are not-for-profit agencies that work with CD to provide support, services, and resources to meet the unique needs of foster, adoptive, relative, and guardianship children and their families.
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CD Wants to Hear from You!
If there is information you would like covered in future Foster Parent Connections Newsletters, please email Abigail.J.Smith@dss.mo.gov.
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