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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 19, 2026
CONTACT: Baylee.Watts@dss.mo.gov
Children’s Division Awarded Competitive Federal Grant to Strengthen Kinship Support and Keep Missouri Children Safely with Families
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Building on its commitment to keeping children safely connected to their families and strengthening support for relative caregivers, the Missouri Department of Social Services’ Children’s Division (DSS-CD) has been awarded a competitive federal Kinship Navigator Evaluation Grant by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF). Missouri was selected as one of only six states nationwide to receive this three-year discretionary replication award.
The grant will expand and evaluate MO KIN-4-KID, a statewide initiative administered by ParentLink at the University of Missouri College of Education & Human Development, in partnership with Regional Family Resource Centers and Family Forward. The program provides immediate navigation, advocacy, and material support to grandparents, extended relatives, and close family friends who step up to raise children during family crises.
By investing in kinship caregivers, the program helps prevent unnecessary entries into foster care and supports safer, more stable home environments across all 114 counties and the City of St. Louis.
"Keeping children safely connected to their families and communities is one of the most effective ways to ensure their long-term well-being," said Sara Smith, Director of the Children’s Division. "Grandparents and relative caregivers take on immense responsibilities, often on short notice. Securing this competitive federal grant allows us to deliver tangible, individualized support directly to kinship caregivers, while building a sustainable foundation that strengthens Missouri families before a crisis escalates."
Kinship navigation serves as a critical community support that helps keep children out of state custody while stabilizing families experiencing acute hardships.
Rigorous evaluation under this three-year grant is aimed at securing a "well-supported" evidence rating on the federal Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse. Achieving this federal benchmark will enable Missouri to draw down permanent federal matching funds to sustain kinship navigation services indefinitely, ensuring reliable resources for Missouri families without relying solely on state general revenue.
Expanded Support Services for Relative Caregivers
Through the toll-free MO KIN-4-KID Line (1-833-546-4543) and kinship resource specialists, the enhanced program provides:
- Expedited aid for essentials such as clothing, beds, school enrollment assistance, and nutritional resources.
- Tailored navigation to work toward resolving legal, medical, and educational barriers facing kinship guardians.
- Educational opportunities, parenting support, and local peer-support networks for relative caregivers navigating complex family transitions.
- Referrals to community-based services tailored to meet the needs of relative caregivers.
Kinship caregivers seeking confidential navigation, guidance, or community resources can reach the MO KIN-4-KID Line Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM at 1-833-546-4543 (call or text).
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DSS-CD partners with ParentLink at the University of Missouri to deliver statewide support to kinship families. Together, they combine state administrative resources with research-backed community navigation to keep children safely placed with relatives. Learn more at dss.mo.gov/cd and parentlink.missouri.edu.
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