by Stacey Wright, Missouri Head Start State Collaboration Office and Tina Bernskoetter, Missouri Head Start Association It was October 22, 1982 when President Ronald Reagan first proclaimed October as Head Start Awareness Month. Since then, every October communities across the country have been engaging in important activities to commemorate the impact of Head Start…
Read More
As President of the Missouri Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics (MOAAP), I work alongside our 1,100+ member physicians, trainees, and pediatric providers to promote and advance the health of children and families across our state. Each day we go to work with one goal in mind: helping children live healthy, productive lives. We meet this…
Read More
State Ends Pandemic Relief for Child Care Brian Schmidt, Kids Win Missouri The Department of Social Services announced on Wednesday that it was reverting to pre-pandemic support for child care. The announcement may force child care providers to stop offering services to working families receiving benefits under the Child Care Development Block Grant…
Read More by Brian Schmidt with Kids Win Missouri As of July 1, Missouri had access to more than $100 million in its annual allocation of federal Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG) funding. Additionally, through June, the state has spent $13.7-17.9 million of the $66.5 million dollars it received in CARES Act CCDBG funding, leaving $48.6-52.8…
Read More
by Jim Wallis, 16 years supporting youth and families through Not for Profit agencies After more than 30 years helping at-risk youth and their families, I’ve seen how Medicaid can help Missourians access the mental health and addiction services and care they need. Fortunately, on August 4th, we all have the opportunity to save…
Read More
by Cortaiga Collins, Executive Director, Foundation for Strengthening Families and Owner, Good Shepherd Preschool and Infant Toddler Center in St. Louis My name is Cortaiga Collins and I am a Missouri childcare provider. When I first entered the profession, I simply wanted to provide a safe place for mothers to leave their children. I…
Read More
At Kids Win Missouri, our vision is a Missouri where all children have the opportunity to be happy, healthy, and successful. With this in mind, we are proud to give our endorsement to the Yes on 2 campaign and urge Missouri voters to approve Medicaid Expansion on the ballot on August 4. Since Missouri will…
Read More
by Sarah Ritter, Manager of Public Policy, Operation Food Search When schools in Missouri closed due to COVID-19, homes across the state quickly transformed into classrooms, kitchens turned into cafeterias, and backyards became playgrounds. Unfortunately, it also meant many children lost crucial access to school meals, and families were left to cover the costs…
Read More
Our team has been heartbroken and distressed with the people of Missouri and across America watching the events of the last few weeks unfold. Witnessing the murder of George Floyd ignited a pain in all of us, but especially our communities of color, as it was another atrocity in a long history of violence,…
Read More
by Kids Win staff The 2020 legislative session was certainly unique, but with the help of our allies, we secured some legislative victories for kids and families amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Our work to build and expand relationships in the Capitol with partners and allies continued, building champions in the legislature for the child…
Read More