Long Time Child and Family Advocate, LeAnn Haslag, Retiring

LeAnn Haslag, dedicated child and family advocate, is retiring from MCCA member, Missouri Alliance for Children and Families (MA-CF), this month.  In addition to her tireless work to improve the outcomes for children and families connected to Missouri foster care, LeAnn is a committed ally to colleagues and partner organizations, always making time to help others help families.

Prior to joining MA-CF as CEO in 2013, she was with the State of Missouri for 28 years.  As a part of Missouri’s Children’s Division for 23 years, her accomplishments included drafting the first Performance Based Foster Care Case Management contract and assisting with the implementation of this public-private partnership. While with the Office of the State Court Administrator, she assisted with the implementation of the initial Fostering Court Improvement sites.

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Thank You, Julie Lester

As Julie Lester’s time as Interim Director of the Missouri Children’s Division draws to a close, we would like to thank her for her courageous vision and leadership, not only as Interim Director, but throughout her decades of service to Missouri’s children and families.   Ms. Lester’s dedication  wholly imbued her work on behalf of Missouri’s most vulnerable.  She clearly understood the value of engaging all aspects of community in creating lasting community change, and her integrity in partnerships fostered new champions for children while strengthening existing allies.

Entering the Interim Director position shortly after Family First Prevention Services Act came into law earlier this year, she has worked to expand our vision of what we can do to better serve children, and more importantly, what is possible for Missouri’s children and families.

Although her time as Interim Director was brief, her impact will be lasting.   From all of us at MCCA, a heartfelt thank you.

Sesame Street and Family Homelessness

Sesame Street is now addressing homelessness. Lily, a seven year old muppet, is homeless, and last week Sesame Street in Communities convened a forum, inviting experts to launch its newest initiative.   Panel members included LaShawn Haye, Project Hope Alliance, Kate Barrand,Horizons for Homeless Children, Karen Hudson, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Barbara Duffield, SchoolHouse Connection, Jasmine Hayes, the US Interagency Council on Homelessness, and it was moderated by Rocio Galarza from Sesame Community.

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