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8-26-26
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Per Missouri’s Joint Settlement Agreement, the Annual In-Service 2026 training is required to be completed by December 2026.
Please complete this training titled: Non-Medication Mental Health Treatment for Foster Care Youth
Once you have completed your training, please complete the quiz and notify your licensing worker of completion
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Under House Bill 737, all children and youth in Department of Social Services (DSS) care must be screened for potential federal benefit eligibility within 60 days of entering care and annually thereafter. DSS works to identify and recommend suitable representative payees for eligible youth to ensure benefits are protected and applied toward their unmet needs.
To manage these screenings and application processes, DSS contracts with Public Consulting Group (PCG).
What You Need to Know:
A new Child-Centered Benefit Management (CCBM) portal is coming soon to provide direct access to federal benefit resources, guidance, and tools.
For questions about the screening process, reach out directly to PCG at federalbenefitsapps@pcgus.com. You can also review full details on the DSS House Bill 737 Information Page.
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Jay Corbitt and his newly adopted son, Cameron, are taking on a two-month cross-country bicycle ride from Missouri to North Carolina. The journey, dubbed the Foster to Family Ride, is aimed at strengthening their family bond through shared challenges while raising awareness for foster care. Every pedal stroke helps benefit CarePortal, a network connecting real-time needs of foster children and families with local community support.
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As a foster parent, you play an important role in helping the children in your care stay healthy, thrive, and succeed both in and out of the classroom.
With the start of a new school year right around the corner, now is the perfect time to schedule your child's annual well-child visit. Well-child visits are an important part of keeping children healthy and ready to learn. These visits help ensure your child is growing and developing appropriately, provide an opportunity to discuss any physical, behavioral, or emotional concerns with their provider, and help keep vaccinations up to date. Regular preventive care can identify health concerns early and support your child's long-term well-being.
To help your child stay current on recommended immunizations, review the CDC's Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule: CDC Immunization Schedule.
If you need assistance:
If you need assistance finding a provider, scheduling an appointment, or have questions about your child's benefits, please contact Show Me Healthy Kids Member Services at 1-877-236-1020 (TTY: 711) or visit https://www.homestatehealth.com/members/healthy-kids.html. They can help your family start the school year healthy and strong!
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With the 2026 Annual In-Service Psychotropic Medication Training now available for completion, please review these key practices and requirements regarding medical care, emergency responses, and treatment consent for youth in foster care:
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Emergency Situations: Always seek emergency medical treatment for the child first. Once the child is safe, notify CD immediately regarding any serious illness, emergency, or major medical situation.
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Medical Files: Maintain an up-to-date medical file for each foster child in your home. This file must stay with the child and transfer with them if they move to a new placement.
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Routine Medical Care Consent: Resource providers (foster parents) and Alternative Care (AC) case managers are authorized to consent to routine, standard medical care—such as treatment for ordinary illnesses or ongoing chronic conditions. (Note: Under Missouri law, minors may consent to birth control administration.)
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Non-Routine Medical Care Consent: Only CD and contracted case management staff can give informed consent for non-routine medical treatments. Resource providers are not authorized to consent to non-routine care.
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Parental Involvement: Whenever possible, foster parents and case managers should invite birth parents to medical appointments and keep them updated on their child’s health.
Thank you for your partnership in keeping the children in care safe, healthy, and supported!
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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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Foster Care Adventure Weekends at Meramec Adventure Ranch
Foster Care Adventure Weekends at KVC’s Meramec Adventure Ranch is in Steelville, MO. These fully-funded retreats give foster youth (ages 7–17) the opportunity to build confidence, learn new skills, and connect with peers through climbing, boating, ropes courses, and outdoor camping.
Key Details:
- Dates: Weekends running August through October 2026 (Check-in Friday 4–5 PM, Check-out Sunday 3 PM).
- Eligibility: Youth in CD custody ages 7–17 (not currently in residential treatment).
- Application Requirement: Case Workers must submit applications on behalf of interested youth. Please only apply for youth who are fully able and eager to attend!
Feel free to contact Brett Bailey at 573-775-5513 or bbailey@kvc.org
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Taxes
Please refer to FAQs - Foster Parent Tax Deduction for answers to your questions about taxes as a resource provider.
Please remember, CD employees are not accounting experts and cannot always answer your tax questions. It is best to ask you accountant or tax advisor for specific questions.
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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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