News – Missouri Coalition of Children's Agencies

Older foster youth in Missouri, nation, face challenges –…

December 27, 2018
by Jeremy

Children in foster care in Missouri are far more likely to age out of state care than to find permanent homes, according to a recent report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

Approximately 13,000 children live under the care of the state of Missouri, and about one-quarter of them are age 14 or older. Older children typically face troubling odds when waiting for adoption – the average age of a child awaiting adoption in the United States is about 7, according to Adoption Network.

Congressional Hearings on Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act

December 10, 2018December 11, 2018
by Mary Chant

Tuesday, December 4, the American Psychological Association (APA) and Partners for Children co-hosted the congressional briefings on Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) in the House (a subsequent meeting was held on Wednesday, Dec. 5 in the Senate). The panel included Missouri’s Nathan Ross of Foster Adopt Connect.

Child Abuse and neglect affects 1 in 8 children by age 18 with 7.4 million children being referred to Child Protective Services (CPS). About 3. 2 million are investigated, and over 2500 children die of child maltreatment each year in the U.S. The U.S. is the second leading developing country in the world with deaths from child abuse, according to UNICEF. Roughly 40 percent of children reported for suspected maltreatment are re-reported to child protective services and 20 percent are re-victimized.

House Speaker Richardson to lead MO Medicaid Division

October 23, 2018November 29, 2018
by Jeremy

Missouri House Speaker Todd Richardson this week was appointed director of the state’s Medicaid program, which provides health coverage for nearly 1 million Missourians.

Richardson, 41, will start as the director of MO HealthNet (the state’s Medicaid program) on Nov. 1, resigning from the state House of Representatives two months before his final House term is scheduled to end. First elected to the House in 2011, Richardson would be unable to run for re-election due to term limits.

House Committee votes to change fed policy on LGBTQ+…

July 25, 2018July 25, 2018
by Jeremy

The U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Committee this month approved an amendment which would allow child-welfare agencies to refuse to work with LGBTQ adoptive parents. The amendment, proposed during debate over a federal spending bill July 11, passed largely along party lines, 29-23.

The spending bill awaits approval by the full House, and a similar spending bill in the U.S. Senate contains no such provision.

Federal policy currently allows states to prohibit discrimination against lesbian, gay and bisexual adoptive parents and foster parents. Ten states currently have laws allowing contracted children’s services agencies to refuse to work with prospective LGBTQ parents based on religious belief. Missouri is not one of these states; Kansas is.

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6 May

May is Mental Health Month and this Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day is Thursday, May 9.This year’s theme is “Suicide Prevention: Strategies That Work,” however, Children’s MH Day is to promote the awareness of caring for every child’s mental health.

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Craig Stevenson @craigs2040·

15 Apr

Opening my week with @missourictf’s Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Conference. So grateful for partners across the state like those at my table including @NatlPAT @MCCAorg @MOKidsFirst’s CACs. #kidswin

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16 Apr

Sad day for child and family advocacy. Helen Sloan died yesterday afternoon. Helen was a key leader in the last three years in Raise the Age (of adult prosecution) legislation. So committed to getting this done—this was her final act of service to the community. In gratitude.

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MOCoalChildAgencies @MCCAorg·

16 Apr

Excited to be joining colleagues from KS, IA, NE and MO for #FFPSA Regional Convening.

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15 Apr

Congratulations and thank you, Representative David Wood! A real champion for Missouri children!⁦@RepDistrict58⁩ #ctf4kids

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