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 8-20-2025
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MU Health Care Reinstated as In-Network Provider with Anthem
The Missouri Consolidated Health Care Plan (MCHCP) has confirmed an agreement to reinstate MU Health Care as a network provider with Anthem. This means that services offered by MU Health Care will be included in your network benefits once again.
Children's Division (CD) recognizes the impact this may have had on many of you and appreciates MCHCP's dedicated efforts in encouraging an agreement between MU Health Care and Anthem.
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Missouri Suicide Prevention Network
The Missouri Suicide Prevention Network is pleased to share the 2025 edition of the Suicide Prevention & 988 Guide for Missouri Schools resource. This document is intended to support schools in their ongoing efforts to prevent youth suicide, respond effectively and navigate a suicide crisis, and understand how to engage with Missouri’s behavioral health crisis services.
This guide complements the recently updated DESE Model School Policy on Suicide Prevention and is intended to be used alongside it to strengthen school preparedness and response efforts.
Please take a moment to review the guide and feel free to share it widely with community partners, youth, and local schools.
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Missouri Family Focused Treatment Association Chapter Conference
Save the Date | September 16, 2025 | 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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Season 3, Episode 7: "You have to know it's not gonna be easy."
In this episode, Shasta, Jessica, and Ashton chat with Katie Tipton, a former foster youth who shares her experience and advice for current and future foster parents. Katie shares a lot of insight about the trauma a child coming into care might have, and she encourages caregivers to remember that kids in care essentially come with a resume, but it is up to you to give them a chance to be more than their past.
If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a foster parent, learn how to get started on DSS's website: https://dss.mo.gov/cd/foster-care/becoming-a-foster-parent.htm
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Foster parents play a crucial role in helping children tackle the challenges of a new school year. Many of these children have experienced disruptions that impact their learning and emotional well-being. Your dedication to offering stability and encouragement has a significant impact, and Show Me Healthy Kids (SMHK) is committed to supporting them with resources such as care management and tutoring to help foster children thrive both academically and personally.
SMHK’s Care Management team collaborates closely with foster parents and children to create personalized plans addressing their unique health, behavioral, and educational needs. Care managers provide regular check-ins to offer ongoing support and connect families with valuable resources, whether it’s transportation, counseling, or academic assistance.
To enhance the educational success of youth in foster care, SMHK provides a tutoring benefit* for care management members at risk of falling behind in core academic subjects. Depending on availability and each youth's needs, tutoring services are offered either in person or virtually. Additionally, for those pursuing a high school equivalency diploma, SMHK provides tutoring for the HiSET exam and a voucher to cover the testing fee.
For more information about Care Management and these educational benefits, contact SMHK at 1-877-236-1020, ext. 6075125 (TTY 711) or email HSH_Anchors@homestatehealth.com.
*Members must meet benefit criteria to qualify.
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As children are going back to school, here is a reminder of the regulations (13 CSR 35-60.050) regarding foster families caring for children’s educational needs.
- The educational and vocational plan for the foster child shall be determined by the family support team.
- The division and Juvenile Office shall be informed of any educational plan other than education in a traditional public school setting.
- The foster parent(s) shall comply with the attendance requirements set forth in the educational plan and state law.
- The foster parent(s) may “act as the parent” on behalf of the foster child in the development of an Individual Education Plan (IEP). The foster parent acting as the parent may represent a child in all matters relating to the identification, evaluation, educational placement, and the provision of a free, appropriate, public education for the child.
- The foster parent(s) shall maintain a school file for the foster child that includes materials obtained through the school, such as child-specific documentation, report cards, photographs, awards, certificates, or mementos. The file is to follow the child in the event of removal from the home.
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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, "Autism Spectrum Disorder and Psychotropic Medications".
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Parenting for Positive Self-Worth
Join us for Parenting for Positive Self-Worth, an empowering 8-week course developed by Cindy Lee of the HALO Project in Oklahoma City. Rooted in Trust-Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI®), this training offers practical tools to help you build deep connection, trust, and self-worth in the children you care for.
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C.O.R.E. Teen
Virtual | September 11 - October 23 | 6:00-9:00 p.m.
Critical On-going Resource Family Education
A updated trauma training to assist families with understanding trauma and develop skills through the creation of real-time training tools.
Email Angela.Wasson@dss.mo.gov to participate.
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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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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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