February 2022

CMFCAA Announces Exciting New Partnership!

CMFCAA has been working on a partnership with the Central Ozarks Medical Center to create an online portal where families around the central Missouri area can find valuable resources and services with just a few simple clicks! The Central Ozarks Medical Center is a Federally Qualified Health Center that has been serving south-central Missouri since 1979 and has a long history of meeting the needs of the community by offering medical, dental, and behavioral health care. Richland Medical Center, Inc., Central Ozarks Medical Center (COMC), and Central Missouri Foster Care and Adoption Association (CMFCAA) have partnered with the goal of providing further care and assistance to foster, adoptive, and kinship children and families, as well as those in the Division of Youth Services and involved in the juvenile justice system.

COMC serves four counties within the larger 24 county service area of CMFCAA. The four counties in common are Laclede, Pulaski, Camden, and Miller Counties. Within these counties, the work of the Foster and Adoption Collaborative is to assist the community, reduce duplication of services, increase coordination, identify meaningful referral pathways, and support...read more.

Welcome CMFCAA Interns!

CMFCAA welcomed seven interns from Lincoln University and University of Missouri this Spring! These students are upperclassmen from a variety of academic programs (Social Work, Psychology, Family Studies, and more) and were strategically placed within CMFCAA's six departments according to their skill-set and what they hoped to learn during their time with us. We are so thankful these students chose to intern with CMFCAA! Please join us in welcoming them to the team!

If you are interested in interning, volunteering, or serving as an AmeriCorps VISTA with CMFCAA, you can learn more today by contacting our Volunteer Supervisor, Chase Wyckwood, at chase@mofosteradopt.com. Or, you can take the first step and click the link below to create your volunteer profile now!

CMFCAA Welcomes New Staff Members!

The CMFCAA Team is growing fast! Over the last month, we have welcomed three new staff members and an AmeriCorps VISTA member. Amanda Shortal is our new Development Manager and will be based in the Jefferson City Office, Emily is our new Events and Partnerships Supervisor and is based in the Columbia Office, and Stephanie is our new Volunteer Coordinator based in the Rolla Office. Lucinda is our newest AmeriCorps VISTA and is serving in a Grant Development position in the Jefferson City Office. We are so excited to welcome each of these wonderful ladies to our team!

Direct Services Hosts the 2022 Winter's Ball

“Hear Ye! Hear Ye!” The CMFCAA Winter’s Ball was a night to remember! The Central Missouri Renaissance Festival King and Queen opened the ball and welcomed our children and families. There were demonstrations of HEMA (long-sword fighting!) and Rattan (wood stick fighting!). Activities included foam axe throwing and crossbow shooting. A balloon artist delighted us with colorful creations, and face painters and hair braiders kept us in style. Noble knights in shining armor guarded us throughout the event! The best parts were the magic dragon and merry mermaids and their dance moves. A delicious feast was served buffet style, and family fun and games continued throughout the night. This was a free event for the foster, adoptive, and kinship kids AND families we serve! It was a time of dancing, joy, and goodness for our local community. Special thanks to Luebbering Insurance for sponsoring this event! Click here to register for upcoming 2022 events!

Community Connections Youth Project®

Our young people need support and strong advocates who will not give up on them. That is exactly what our CCYP® team is committed to providing for every young person.

If you spent any time in the foster care system, you understand that transitioning into adulthood on your own is difficult. We are looking for individuals with lived foster care or adoption experience to fill our open Community Connections Youth Specialist positions. Our CCYP® specialists help youth who are aging out or have aged out of the foster care system with finding jobs, housing, employment, and building life skills. If you, or someone you know has a heart for helping, please apply today. CMFCAA is an organization with a wonderful mission to help the children and youth of Mid-Missouri. Sign-on bonus and relocation allotment available!

30 Days to Family®

30 Days is an intense, short-term intervention program developed by the Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition to 1) increase the number of children placed with relatives when they enter the foster care system; and 2) ensure natural and community supports are in place to promote stability for the child. The program model features two major elements: family finding and family support interventions.

Did you know CMFCAA has t-shirts you can purchase to help support us? We have "Creating Beautiful Family Trees" shirts in all sizes on soft charcoal grey crew neck t-shirts for $20. There are also "Love Multiplies" t-shirts in both crew neck (grey) and v-neck (navy) in limited sizes for $15. Pick one up next time you are in our Jefferson City Office at 809 Swifts Highway, Jefferson City, MO 65109! Call us for more information at 573-298-0258.

Click here to see past Family Focus newsletters and learn more about our organization.

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