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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Number of US children in foster care rises for…

The population of youth in foster care in the United States has increased for the fifth consecutive year, according to a report from the federal Department of Health and Human Services. However, a national nonprofit publication said there are signs that number could be plateauing.

The annual Adoption and Foster Care Analysis Reporting System’s annual report showed 442,995 youth living in foster care as of Sept. 30, 2017. That is a 1.5 percent increase from the previous year.

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Progress on health coverage for U.S. children stalls –…

For the last decade, the U.S. has made steady progress on insuring its children — specifically moving from about 10 percent of children being uninsured in 2008 to about 5% in 2016. Troublingly, that trend seemed to go in the opposite direction in 2017, according to a recent report by the Georgetown University Health Policy Institute’s Center for Children and Families (CCF).

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