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12-23-25
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2025 Annual In-Service Psychotropic Medication Training
This training must be completed by December 31, 2025.
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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Children's Division (CD) Priorities
In March of 2025, CD obtained new leadership! Director Sara Smith and her team have been committed to enhance and support CD.
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New Supportive Flyer Available
There is now a new flyer available to resource providers! Provider Supports for Resource Parents Flyer! This document consists of information on Family Resource Centers, Kid-4-Kin, ParentLink, Foster Care Ambassadors, Benefits, 988, Older Youth, etc. Please utilize this flyer when in need of searching for assistance!
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Interested in Treatment Foster Care (TFC)?
If you are an experienced provider and are interested in caring for children with higher needs, consider becoming a TFC provider. Every child deserves a family!
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A New Resource for Foster Families
Foster parents often face challenges in navigating various services. Home State Health (HSH) has introduced a new resource to simplify and enhance connectivity for foster families. On October 8, 2025, HSH, with Jordan Valley Community Health Center, announced the Foster Care Center of Excellence (FCCoE) opening in Springfield. This initiative marks a significant step in promoting the well-being of Missouri’s foster children and youth.
The FCCoE offers a comprehensive care hub, providing behavioral and physical health services, vision and dental care, free health exams, assistance with licensing forms, and transitional services for youth. Trauma-informed staff and community health workers are available for care planning and coordination.
For more information on accessing these services, see the full press release.
To reach Jordan Valley, call their dedicated phone line 417-851-1630 or email fosterfamilies@jordanvalley.org.
A Step Forward for Foster Care in Missouri
Even if you live outside the Springfield area, the opening of this Center represents important progress for foster families statewide. It models how coordinated, trauma-informed care can improve access, reduce gaps, and support better outcomes for children in foster care. As the first of its kind, the FCCoE lays the groundwork for stronger, more connected services across Missouri.
If you have questions or need help connecting to services, your HSH/SMHK care team is here to support you. To contact us, please call SMHK at 1-877-236-1020, ext. 6075125 (TTY 711) or email HSH_Anchors@homestatehealth.com.
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In this episode, Ashton and Shasta welcome a few guests who are making a difference in the lives of foster parents and children across Missouri. Their guests are:
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Together, they explore many of the resources available to the Missouri foster care community, including support and independence programs tailored for older youth, innovative respite field trips, and family finding initiatives. Discover the physical resources available, such as clothing and food, and learn about the comprehensive foster parent training and support groups.
If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a foster parent, learn how to get started on our website.
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Clothing allowance and clothing vouchers are to be used for clothing and shoes. These allowances and vouchers are only to be used for children in CD’s custody. When purchasing clothing for a child in CD’s custody without a voucher, an appropriate receipt must be submitted in order to obtain reimbursement. When purchasing items for children in CD’s custody using an approved clothing voucher, you still must submit an appropriate receipt.
Annual Clothing Allowance:
0-5 years $320.00
6-12 years $400.00
13 and over $700.00
*These amounts reset on the child’s anniversary date of when they entered CD’s custody.
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Statewide Training Calendar
A statewide training calendar that includes all the available trainings in the state for prospective and current resource providers has been created. Please feel free to utilize this calendar to search for your training needs.
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Christmas Resources for Foster Families
Many counties work with their local community to assist with providing Christmas gifts to children in CD’s custody. Make sure to check in with your local CD office and/or licensing worker for more information.
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Winter Wonderland
Not only is it time to prepare for Christmas, but also SNOW! Here are some fun activities to do when this weather approaches.
- Snowball fight
- Build a snowman
- Build a fort (inside or out!)
- Identify animal tracks
- DIY winter olympics
- Paint…in the snow
- Make snow ice cream
- Sledding
- Snow bubbles
- Play with construction toys/cars in the snow
- Snow volcano
- Snow sensory bin
- Treasure hunt/scavenger hunt
As always, be extra safe when traveling during this time of year. A great tool to assist you when determining your travels is the MoDOT Map.
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Baby Grace
Baby Grace offers resources, support, and development to families with young children as part of their commitment to spread love and grace.
In order to achieve this, Baby Grace helps families in need by providing supplies like diapers and clothing.
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 CD Caregiver Portal
CD has a 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.
If you have any trouble, please email FosterCare@dss.mo.gov and we will assist you.
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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 to start your 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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