Missouri Childhood Community Leader
for the South Central Region February 2024
South Central Region
Benton - Camden - Cole - Crawford - Dallas - Dent - Franklin - Gasconade - Henry -
Hickory - Laclede - Maries - Miller - Moniteau - Morgan - Osage -
Phelps - Pulaski - St. Clair - Texas - Wright
Next meeting March 20, 2024!
We would LOVE to see you at our March Stakeholder meeting!
Join us on March 20, 2024, at 9 a.m.
United Way of Central Missouri
205 Almeda Drive
Jefferson City, MO 65109
or via Zoom
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82964428984
Meeting ID: 829 6442 8984
+13092053325,,82964428984#
Exciting News to Share
Missouri Family Resources- The Way to Find Help
Missouri's Child Care Data System (CCDS) has Launched
Missouri's child care subsidy program is a modern, internet-based platform enabling users (like parents, providers, and state staff) to input, modify, and access information almost instantly. This updated system fosters transparency, enhances accountability, and minimizes confusion by allowing simultaneous access to shared information. Moreover, centralizing to a unified system streamlines eligibility assessments for parents and provides providers with a singular platform for contract applications, authorization checks, and payment adjustments.
The Office of Childhood has launched a data system that offers round-the-clock online access to registered users, contingent upon their security clearance. Families can apply for child care subsidies online and choose their provider within the same system that houses the provider's account and authorizations.
Help Needed!
OOC recently launched the new child care data system for families and providers to have a web-based system to enter and view their information for child care subsidy. We are monitoring the number of existing families and providers who were in the DESE subsidy program prior to December 15, 2023, to determine who has connected their account in the new system. We need your help!
- Only 48% of existing families have connected their account. Families need to complete the activities in this quick steps document for Parents or this Parent training video (8 minutes) to connect their subsidy account.
- Only 38% of existing subsidy providers have connected their account. Providers need to complete the activities in this quick steps document for Providers or this Provider training video (9 minutes) to connect their subsidy account.
For assistance with using the new child care data system, contact the Call Center at 573-415-8605 and select extension 1 for parents and extension 2 for providers.
Child Advocacy Day(CAD) Information
Grant Funds Available
Retentions and Enhancement Grants are Open
The next round of Retention and Enhancement grants are now available. You can review the Instructions and Terms & Conditions on the Child Care Relief Funds webpage.
- Please consider using the online application feature when applying for these grants. There is a paper application available, but it will take longer to process paper applications.
- The funding levels for both grants are based on the facility capacity.
- Retention grants for child care staff are due by March 31, 2024, at 11:59 p.m.
- Enhancement grant applications are due by May 31, 2024, at 11:59 p.m.
Enhancement Grants are Open
The next round of Enhancement grants are now available through child care American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Discretionary federal funds. If you are interested in funding to enhance or upgrade your child care facility, review the Instructions and Terms & Conditions on the Enhancement of a Child Care Program webpage. Here are a few highlights about this application:
- To be eligible to apply, the child care provider must be licensed, license-exempt, or contracted with the DESE Subsidy Program.
- The amount of grant funding is based on the facility capacity.
- Applicants must have purchased allowable items after October 1, 2023, or will purchase items prior to July 31, 2024. Allowable and unallowable items are defined in the terms & conditions.
- Providers must submit all receipts prior to July 31, 2024, in order to be reimbursed.
- Applications are due by May 31, 2024, at 11:59 p.m.
Resource Spotlight
Newest Resources to Support Families
As Missouri’s Early Care and Education Resource and Referral (ECERR) Network, United 4 Children (U4C) provides resource and referral services to early care professionals, children, and families throughout Missouri.
Families can speak with a United 4 Children Community Support Specialist about high-quality local child care options and other resources, for free, by calling Missouri's Early Care and Resource and Referral Line toll-free at:
1-866-583-2392 (from 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday through Friday; and 12-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday)
Families can also chat with a Community Support Specialist live at: united4children.org/resource-and-referral/.
United 4 Children is also maintaining a database to refer caregivers to Missouri educators and child care professionals. Child care providers are highly encouraged to update their organization’s information at the link below to help U4C market their program to families seeking child care: Child Care Center and Home Information Update Survey.
Dolly Parton Imagination Library Information
Dolly Parton Imagination Library 2024 Book List is Now Available!
The Dollywood Foundation has announced their 2024 Book list! You can find the list on the United States Book List - Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. Books are distributed to children based on the year they are born, this ensures each child receives an age-appropriate book. The year a child was born determines the group of books they will receive.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is available to children birth to age 5 in every zip code in Missouri. Parents can register their children to receive one free book per month at no cost to families.
Parents, visit www.imaginationlibrary.com and click “Check Availability” to sign up today!
Upcoming Training Opportunities
T.E.A.C.H. Missouri: A Program of Childcare Aware
Is a Home Visitor CDA for You?
Ask yourself if the Home Visitor CDA is for you. Training is provided to help you gain knowledge to use when working with families. If you are ready to expand your personal growth, Child Care Aware is ready to support your future with scholarship opportunities. Click the links below to find more information.
If you would like more information, click the link below or reach out to:
Beth Ann Lang, M.Ed.
Child Care Aware® of Missouri
T.E.A.C.H. MISSOURI & CDA Scholarship Project
955 Executive Parkway Drive, Suite 106
St. Louis, MO 63141
Phone: 314-754-1604 |800-200-9017, x604
Fax: 866-697-8168
Missouri Professional Development System (MOPD)
MO-SECA Information
NEW! Missouri Supporting Early Childhood Administrators (MO-SECA)
New! Missouri Supporting Early Childhood Administrators (MO-SECA). OOC and its contractor, the University of Missouri-Kansas City, are pleased to announce 16 new training sessions across the state of Missouri. There will be 8 Leadership sessions and 8 Business Management sessions. A host of expert key leaders and trainers will present a wide variety of training sessions for administrators, and family childcare owners/ operators.
- Stipends are available to help offset the costs of attending these in-person trainings.
- You must be registered in the MO-SECA system in order to sign up for the trainings. Use this link to sign up for MO-SECA.
- Once you are signed up in MO-SECA, use this link to register for regional trainings.
Questions? You can email MOSECA@umsystem.edu or call 314-558-6966.
Available Resources
QUALITY INITIATIVES ARE AVAILABLE
Early Connections
Missouri's Parent Education Program
Missouri Women's Business Center
MO HealthNet
as the Medicaid renewal processes are underway. Families without up-to-date information will potentially lose benefits.
Information to help families stay current
Do You Have Medicaid or CHIP Coverage?
Protect Yourself & Your Family: Renew Your Coverage & Your Children’s Coverage
• UPDATE your contact information with [name of your state Medicaid/CHIP program]. Use your phone, computer, or a local library computer to go to your state Medicaid Agency website and
follow the provided steps to update your contact information. Make sure your state Medicaid Agency has your current mailing address, phone number, email, or other contact information. This way, they’ll be able to contact you when it’s time to renew your/your children’s coverage.
• RESPOND to your state Medicaid Agency renewal form to keep your coverage when it arrives. Be on the lookout for a letter from your state Medicaid Agency. The letter may say that you need to fill out a form to renew your coverage. Fill it out and mail it in right away to help avoid a gap in your coverage or your child’s coverage. If the letter says that you and your children were already renewed, you’re all set!
• PARENTS should respond even if you don’t think you’re eligible—your kids could still be eligible!
• CONSIDER OTHER COVERAGE OPTIONS. If you are no longer eligible for Medicaid or CHIP, check if you can get coverage through your employer, through the Affordable Care Act Marketplace at HealthCare.gov (in Colorado, Connect for Health Colorado), or through Medicare—the program for people age 65 and older.
MPACT Information
Partners in Education (PIE) is Expanding
Shauna Kerperin (Blair Oaks Parents as Teachers) skerperin@blairoaks.org
Theresa Verslues (United Way) theresa.verslues@unitedwaycemo.org
Save The Date
South Central Stakeholder March Meeting
Wednesday, Mar 20, 2024, 09:00 AM
South Central Stakeholder April Meeting
Wednesday, Apr 17, 2024, 09:00 AM
South Central Stakeholder May Meeting
Wednesday, May 15, 2024, 09:00 AM
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READ, READ, READ
Always Ready to Help Spread the Word
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The role of the community leader:
The role of the community leader is critical to the success of Early Care and Education in the South Central Region. Our main goals are to increase awareness, promote childhood programs, and support key activities to help support the health, safety, and school readiness of every child.
Increase Awareness of:
• early childhood programs in the area
• resources in the local community
• the strengths and needs of the region
Promote Childhood Programs by:
• consolidating networking and advisory activities when possible
• conducting targeted community outreach activities
• recruiting providers to work in early care and education programs
Key Activities:
• Identify and collect information about local resources
• Partner with resources in the area to create a useful resource database
• Promote the mission and work of the Office of Childhood at a local level
• Attend local stakeholder meetings
There is always room for more; join us as we make a difference in the early childhood field.
Missouri Childhood Community Leaders - South Central Region
Community Leader South Central Region: Benton, Camden, Cole, Crawford, Dallas, Dent, Franklin, Gasconade, Henry, Hickory, Laclede, Maries, Miller, Moniteau, Morgan, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski, St. Clair, Texas, and Wright counties.
Shauna Kerperin (Blair Oaks Parents as Teachers) skerperin@blairoaks.org
Theresa Verslues (United Way) theresa.verslues@unitedwaycemo.org
Laura Brown (Rolla Parents As Teachers) lbrown@rolla31.org
Angie Bax (YMCA Child Development Center) abax@jcymca.org
Beth Parrish bparrish@blairoaks.org
Email: skerperin@blairoaks.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/365259852056297