CMFCAA Focus eMag - Winter 18

Winter 2018

Focus

Meet our new team
members
The AmeriCorps
VISTA program
The Opioid Crisis

Upcoming Events

January January 19: Pulaski/LaClede Respite
January 26: Boone Respite

February February 7-8: Parent Cafe Training Institute

February 9: Phelps Respite February 10: Cole Respite

February 19: President’s Day (Office Closed)



March 8: Resource Parent Curriculum (RPC) Training

March March 9: Cole Respite March 10: Camden/Miller Family Respite

March 11: Paper Tigers Movie Viewing March 15: RPC Training

March 16: Boone Respite March 22: RPC Training

March 29: RPC Training

April April 5: RPC Training April 12: RPC Training

April 13: Cole Respite April 13-14: Empowered to Connect Simulcast

April 14: Pulaski/LaClede Respite April 19: RPC Training

April 20: Boone Respite April 21: Respite Classes

April 30: Foster Care Conference - Dr. Monique Mitchell

May May 11: Phelps Respite May 12: Cole Family Respite

May 26: Foster Care Awareness Event

See the complete calendar and learn more about events at:

www.mofosteradopt.com/calendar

DeAnna’s Thoughts

From the desk of DeAnna Alonso, President and CEO

Kids in Central Missouri are waiting for a family. Extreme Recruitment® and 30 Days to Family® are
With the help of the Missouri Children’s Division, two family finding programs coming to the central
CMFCAA has identified over 139 children in our Missouri area. Both programs are immediate
13 county service area with no adoptive family. intervention strategies to get kids out of foster
These kids range from infancy to 18 years old and care and into permanent loving homes. We do not
are lingering in state’s custody without a family to want our kids lingering in residential treatment and
call their own. We know that family makes a huge we do not want a temporary solution, like foster
difference for most people, and without supportive care, to become a permanent solution until a youth
adults and lifelong family it can be tough. ages out.

People often say how hard it is The only rock I know that stays I have spent the better part of
to adopt from foster care, but if
my life advocating for family.

you are waiting for an amazing steady, the only institution I Roots are an important part of

child to join your family, we are know that works, is the family. growth and in order to heal from
ready to connect you to some -Lee Iacocca trauma and Adverse Childhood
remarkable kids. There are Experiences (ACE) children need

specific things you may want to to reduce the over abundance of

know about adopting from foster care. First, there stress running through their bodies. Our goal is to

are very few infants and toddlers in care without lessen the stress for these kids and offer a bit of

family members in line to care for them. Missouri’s hope through our programming and services. To

adoptive profiles are full of large and vibrant sibling learn more about both programs visit:

groups, adorable kids over the age of nine, and www.mofosteradopt.com

spunky older youth that are dreaming of being

adopted. They believe they are unadoptable and

will never find a family. CMFCAA wants this to

change!

New Programs: CMFCAA is excited to bring these new programs to
Central Missouri. Visit mofosteradopt.com for more
information and to read about all the new staff members.

30 Days to Family® Extreme Recruitment®

30 Days to Family is a short-term Extreme Recruitment is a race to find permanency
for youth using 12-20 weeks of intensive
intervention to diligently search for recruitment efforts and permanency preparation.

a child’s relatives and kin to identify Our goal is to find at least two individuals who exist in every
family: the informant, who knows almost everything about
potential placement options and the child’s family – things like who lives where, who has
been married or divorced or imprisoned – and their phone
supports. numbers. And the other person could be a cousin, uncle or
grandparent who is ready to open his/her heart and home to
Initially we search for parents, grandparents, a young relative.
and siblings, but our goal is to identify 80
additional relatives in each case. We identify Melanie Scheetz, Executive Director of Foster and Adoptive
one primary placement provider and one to Care Coalition of St. Louis, founded the program in 2008. She
two other relatives or kin as potential back- was inspired by the television show Extreme Makeover: Home
up placement providers. We also look for Edition where hundreds of volunteers and professionals race
maternal and paternal relatives. together to build a house in just a week.

We make every effort to search for family In Extreme Recruitment, private investigators, recruiters and
members and relatives who will keep social workers race together to find a permanent home for a
siblings together, maintain children in their child in a few weeks.
school of origin, and preserve the child’s
important relationship with friends and Extreme Recruitment can benefit any child in foster care
caring adults. because it requires weekly, intensive meetings of the child’s
professional team members for 12-20 weeks, focuses on
Research shows youth living with relatives preparing the child for adoption, and continues follow-up
while in foster care can lead to improved until permanancy is achieved.
outcomes. We believe that all families
include members who are willing and able Extreme Recruitment® works exclusively with the hardest-
to care for children. This program is being to-place children: ages 10-18, sibling groups, children of
replicated by agencies all over the country. minority status, and youth with emotional, developmental, or
behavioral concerns. Extreme Recruitment® can be successful
Program Goals for any child in foster care because it:
• Identify at least 80 relatives or kin • Requires weekly, intensive meetings of the child’s

in each case professional team members for 12-20 weeks
• Place 70% of children with • Focuses on preparing the youth for adoption, including

relatives or kin within 30 days their mental health and educational needs
• Identify at least 1 relative/kin • Exhausts all forms of adoption recruitment
• Continued follow-up until permanency is achieved
placement option and 1-2 backup
relative/kin placement options in Program Goals
each case • Reconnect 85% of youth with a network of safe,

appropriate adults
• Match 70% of youth with an adoptive family

Opioid Crisis: Destroying Families

Imagine being a little boy or girl as oxycodone, hydrocodone, which could expose them to
and you come home from school. codeine, and morphine, has mental health disorders including
You go to the kitchen looking for skyrocketed 137% throughout substance abuse and post-
a snack, knowing one won’t be the last decade. 785 people died traumatic stress disorder.
there, but hoping all the same. of opioid overdoses in 2015 in
After not finding a snack, you start Missouri alone. Drug overdose The CDC suggestions to
looking for your parents. You find is a leading cause of death in preventing opioid overdose
them in their room, laying on the Americans under the age of deaths are to improve opioid
bed. They are dangerously pale 50. The number of drug related prescribing, reduce exposure to
and don’t seem to be moving. deaths are going up faster than opioids, prevent misuse, and treat
You quickly run to phone and dial ever. Drug overdoses have killed opioid use disorder. We must
the only number you know, 911. more people in the last year than also promote community based
Without warning, your life as you guns or car accidents. They are treatment and prevention to deal
know it changes…. doing so at faster rate than HIV. with the special needs of parents,
The most common drugs involved and maintain a healthy connection
The opioid crisis is destroying in prescription opioid overdose between parents and children
communities and families by deaths include Methadone, either at home, or in kinship or
putting children at risk. Opioid Oxycodone and Hydrocodone. foster homes in order to address
abuse has produced a flood of 91 people die every day from an the tragic plight of children and
orphaned children. There was opioid overdose that includes teens.
a major increase in the number prescription opioid and heroin.
of children in care from 2012 to
2015 due to the Opioid Epidemic President Trump declared the
sweeping across the nation. opioid epidemic as a public health
These children have lost their emergency in October of 2017.
parents to drug use or overdose. “No part of our society – not
They are either living with relatives young or old, rich or poor, urban
or foster parents. In Missouri, or rural – has been spared of
more children are entering foster this plague of drug addiction
care than leaving. On a national and this horrible, horrible
level, according to a report in St. situation that’s taken
Louis Post-Dispatch, foster care place with opioids,” said
programs are overwhelmed by President Trump.
an influx of children dubbed as
“opioid orphans.” They are babies Children in
who have been orphaned or left households where
in the care of aging grandparents parents struggle
or their older siblings because of with substance
parental drug abuse. abuse face the risk
of experiencing
According to Missouri Health long-term effects
Matters, abuse of opioids, such of neglect or abuse

New Team Member Spotlight:

Jessica Taylor: Administrative Assistant

sisters and proud aunt of three. better every day. Jessica’s faith
Jessica has always been creative and family are the foundation
and artistic, with a heart for of everything she does. She
children which naturally led her to loves serving others and has
Jessica grew up in a small rural pursue a degree in Art Education. enjoyed her times getting to
town in Missouri. She is the middle While obtaining her degree at work at church camps for kids,
child of a blended family of five Missouri Western State University, volunteering with nursing homes
Jessica began working for a and YMCA, and spending a spring
residential and respite care group break with Bhutanese refugees
where she found her true passion in Nashville. Jessica is passionate
in working with and serving about spending her life working
families with underprivileged to provide a better future for
and at risk children. The children children in Missouri in whatever
in this home gripped Jessica’s form that presents itself.
heart and changed her life for the

Sarah Bashore: Extreme Recruitment & 30 Days to Family Supervisor

her thirteen-year career with the and supports foster & adoptive
Children’s Division, most recently families in my community. I am
Sarah was born and raised in the specializing in adoption and happy to become part of this
Lake of the Ozarks area. For the guardianship. agency to contribute and give all
past twelve years she has lived I have to help in these efforts. In
in Jefferson City. She enjoys Sarah is excited to start working addition, adoption is important
spending time with her husband for the Central Missouri Foster to me because it means a child
and three children. Sarah earned a Care and Adoption Association, or older youth will have a forever
bachelor’s degree in Rehabilitation so that she may further her family and I believe every single
Psychology from the University passion in advocating for children child, no matter their age,
of Central Missouri in 2003. Since and families. Her goal is to bring deserves to have permanency. A
then Sarah has gained extensive awareness to the need of foster family to be there in the best of
knowledge in child welfare during and adoptive homes for foster times and in the worst of times."
youth in Central MO, as well as We couldn’t agree more!
to find permanent and long term
connections for older youth. Sarah's favorite hobbies are
painting, crafting and wine tasting.
We asked Sarah why she chose
CMFCAA: "Over the years I
have found that my passion is in
advocating for families and finding
every child a forever family.
CMFCAA educates, advocates

Meg Shields: Intern

Meg was inspired by her and serve the community. She has taught four campers.
neighbors, who were foster and served CMFCAA by volunteering
adoptive parents, to join CMFCAA at our respite events and in- Meg was born and raised in
service trainings in Boone and Peoria, Illinois. She graduated
Cole counties. with a degree in Human
Development and Family
Meg is passionate about working Sciences-Lifespan Development
for children in need. She served from University of Missouri,
twice as Cabin Counselor at a Columbia in December 2017. Her
YMCA Camp for children and immediate plan after graduation
youth at Lakewood, MO. is to travel to Europe to “explore
the world we live in.”
Working at the camp, she also
taught herself to juggle and then

Volunteer Spotlight: Jennifer Perkins

I remember the day I met DeAnna gry 7 year old boy, they were there taking it all in, in complete awe. I
Alonso. I was going to the Munich- for us. We were even able to get left hungry for more. What else can
burg festival to watch the wiener proper therapist recommendations I do?
dog races. There was this tent, for our situation.
and it mentioned something about To say that CMFCAA bridges the
foster care. I remember one time, trying to pre- gap in what Children’s Division is
tend I had it all together, I dropped capable of offering is a drastic un-
My boyfriend (now husband) and I something to donate off to the CM- derstatement. I never would have
slowed down in curiosity, and she FCAA office. Amanda just hugged dreamed when I first stumbled upon
called us over. She told me about me, looked me in the eye and said, a tent at a festival, that those same
the Begin Again backpacks, and “It will all work out”. She was right, people would be the glue that held
how she started this organization it all worked out. I’ll forever be my family together later on. I will
out of her car. grateful for that little two minute always support CMFCAA in any way
pep talk. It was a tough battle, and possible. There are so many fami-
I remember being in pure awe. This worth every minute. I mean it with lies out there that need to hear that
person, who cares so passionately all my heart when I say that without they are not alone. They need to be
was truly amazing and determined. CMFCAA, my son and I would not informed of what really works to
I had to learn more. We came to fol- have the relationship we do today. heal and get through to our trau-
low this organization, CMFCAA, and The network of supportive parents ma exposed children. There are so
started attending the annual Gala. and the tools and training I received many youth that need to know that
We wanted to learn about how to saved our family. We have also they are more than their circum-
become foster parents, to see if that gained friendships to last a lifetime. stances. If I can play a small part in
path would work for us. that big role, I consider it an honor.
Most recently, we had the opportu-
Fast forward to 2013. Through a nity to participate in the Transitions 7
unique set of circumstances, we retreat and program. It was life
ended up in the midst a foster/ changing. I hope to continue to be
adopt situation. This was not a part of such an amazing program.
through Division of Family Services, Watching the CMFCAA team grace-
and it was sudden. Lost, scared and fully balance love, boundaries, and
totally unsure of what we could or encouragement to these teens was
should do, we turned to guidance like watching a masterpiece. I’m
from CMFCAA. We received help in certain I looked like the deer in the
so many ways. From legal referrals, headlights for most of it, but I was a
to 9pm phone calls for advice on sponge,
how to properly calm a scared, an-

What is an

AmeriCorps VISTA?

by Rubina Jabbar

Founded in 1965 and incorpo- and helping to impact Adverse Additional benefits include in
rated into AmeriCorps net- Childhood Experiences (ACE) service trainings, health care
works of score. benefits, relocation allowance,
student loan forbearance or
programs in 1993, AmeriCorps VISTA members serve full time deferment and non-compet-
VISTA (Volunteers in Ser- for a year at nonprofit orga- itive eligibility for axfederal
vice to America) is a national nizations or local government government position.
service program designed to agencies to build the capacity
fight poverty in America. The of these organizations and to If you are interested in working
Corporation for National and address locally defined issues. on a specific project, explor-
Community Service (CNCS) Projects can include develop- ing a certain career path, and
is the federal agency for vol- ing outreach and marketing developing a certain skill set,
unteering and service. CNCS campaigns, building a social start your AmeriCorps VISTA
manages state offices located media presence, creating a application here:
across the country. The VISTA program database, writing
program engages over 8,000 grants, and recruiting volun- https://www.nationalservice.
Americans in service at 3,000 teers. gov/programs/americorps/
service locations every year. americorpsvista
VISTA members receive a
Central Missouri Foster Care monthly living allowance that
and Adoption Association (CM- is similar to the income level
FCAA) is the first organization of the community they are
to host the VISTA program in serving in. Members who suc-
Jefferson City. Our VISTA team cessfully complete a term of
will help us build organizational service receive an education
capacity through marketing, award of $5,815 or an end-of-
fund development, system service cash stipend of $1,500.
development, and recruitment,

Development Specialist: Bryanna Leach

Bryanna Leach was a Political home environment for the work done to lower the ACE
Science and Sociology major at healthy growth and development (Adverse Childhood Effects)
the University of Missouri. She of a child. She decided to serve Score in Missouri. Her professional
began college as a Journalism on CMFCAA’s VISTA team to help experience includes writing
major, and after serving with better the lives of children in the for student publications, event
Mizzou Alternative Breaks and foster system. planning and fundraising, and
Global Brigades programs she working with children of all ages.
realized that service is her calling, She will be working to help
and not journalism. develop stakeholder support and
partnerships, explore financial
As an adopted child herself, opportunities, plan events and
Bryanna fully grasps the need provide feedback to grantors
of a sound family and nurturing who are interested in the critical

Recruitment Specialist: Ronald Little

Ronald Little graduated with a to join CMFCAA and help support youth do not see a way out of
double major in Criminal Justice children and youth in foster care. their current situation. “If I get
and Philosophy from University of He believes that working as a tutor enough adults to be that guiding
Memphis, Tennessee. He has seen, or mentor provides you with an light, I would say that I have done
lived, and worked in many places opportunity to help youth choose my job.”
in the country and abroad, but he the right path.
will always call Memphis home. He invites individuals who look
Ronald has also completed beyond money and who sincerely
He learned about the AmeriCorps internship projects with the office want to help out people in
VISTA program at a job fair. A of state representatives in Kansas need to come forward and join
little research persuaded him and Tennessee, and assisted State AmeriCorps VISTA program.
to become a member. With Rep. Steve Cohen of Tennessee
his experience in tutoring and during his campaign. He looks
mentoring college students who forward to connecting with people
are from the communities living far who are committed to mentoring
below the poverty line, he decided at-risk children, because many

Marketing Specialist: Rubina Jabbar

Rubina Jabbar is a returning only a form of poverty, but also responsible
VISTA member. She served a grave violation of basic human citizens and
as the Communication VISTA rights. improve
with Illinois Campus Compact She is serving CMFCAA because communities.
(ILCC) in Chicago. She received they are committed to the Service
her Bachelor’s in Journalism mission of creating stability and not only
from Columbia College Chicago permanency for abused and rewards you
where she wrote for student neglected children by helping with hands-
publications and freelanced them heal the wounds of on learning and training, but
for community newspapers. traumatic childhood experiences also instills a sense of joy and
Rubina has experience working and finding a loving, forever fulfillment that comes only from
with news media and non-profit family. helping others. Rubina loves
organizations internationally. She supports the idea of traveling, reading literary fiction,
Rubina believes lack of access to a promoting volunteering and and spending time with her
loving family, healthy stable home service to create engaged, socially little niece, Marjina, who began
and nurturing environment is not kindergarten this year.

9

Lincoln University VISTA Partnership

Article courtesy of Caroline Peterson, KOMU

The Central Missouri Foster Care and Adoption AmeriCorps VISTAs serve one year at their service
Association (CMFCAA) is teaming up with Lincoln site.
University to take in four AmeriCorps VISTA “I am very grateful for CMFCAA for giving me
volunteers. this service opportunity…and glad to be a part of
AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to the VISTA team for CMFCAA," Rubina Jabbar, the
America) is a program of the Corporation for marketing VISTA for CMFCAA, said. "These services
National and Community will allow CMFCAA to create sustainable foster care
Service (CNCS). Its mission is to alleviate poverty services and adoption programs and impact poverty
through volunteering. by finding forever families for abused and neglected
Lincoln University will provide affordable housing, children.”
free meals and access to campus resources to “Not all AmeriCorps VISTA sites even have the
AmeriCorps VISTA volunteers working for CMFCAA. affordable housing option. It is just something the
“We serve a 13-county region in central Missouri. site can find and can offer the VISTAs. It’s really
There were three full-time staff here for a very long helpful because we don’t make a ton and rent would
time, so our hands were tied whenever we needed take up a lot of our stipend,” Leach said.
to reach out and do the work necessary in some of “Lincoln University is pleased to welcome the
those rural pockets of Missouri,” Deanna Alonso, the AmeriCorps VISTA volunteers to our campus
CEO of CMFCAA, said. family. It is my belief that their interactions with our
This will be the first-time VISTA volunteers have students and our students’ interactions with the
worked in Jefferson City. The volunteers will help volunteers likewise will serve both greatly in terms
with day-to-day operations at CMFCAA such as of a greater understanding of how our experiences
marketing, fund development, systems building and shape our future selves,” said Michael A. Middleton,
recruitment. Interim President of Lincoln University, in the press
release.

“What CMFCAA is doing with VISTA volunteers is
trying to improve adverse childhood experience
scores for those who come into care,” Alonso said.

An Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) is a sum
of 10 different types of childhood trauma including
abuse, neglect and dysfunctional families. According
to a study done by the Center for Disease Control
and Prevention’s ACE, a high ACE score could lead
to various health problems including obesity, drug
abuse, diabetes, depression, heart disease and more.

"Youth [in foster care] are more likely to end up
in poverty as adults and have probably already
experienced poverty. So, that's how it fits with the
VISTAs' goal of ending poverty is we really want
to make sure their childhoods are set up to put
them back on the right track to be healthy adults,"
Bryanna Leach, the fundraising VISTA for CMFCAA,
said.

Former Foster Child Uses Eagle Project to
Help Other Foster Children

Article courtesy of News Tribune and written by Gerry Tritz

When Malachi Saint entered the foster care system
at the age of two, he had nothing more than a girl’s
coat and a single grocery bag containing all of his
worldly possessions.
Now 15, Malachi is using his Eagle Scout project to
make sure that other kids in foster care have it better
than he did.
Malachi’s project goal was to raise $10,000 to fill 100
backpacks each with $100 worth of blankets, bibs,
clothing, shoes, hygiene products and other items.
“I’ve always wanted to help people in my life,” he
said. “People deserve better than what I had.”
The Central Missouri Foster Care and Adoption
Association gives the Begin Again Backpacks to
children entering the foster care system. They are
composed of different items, depending on the age
of the child.
Malachi is doing the project with encouragement
and support from his adopted parents, Joe and
Deeann Saint. They took in Malachi and his sister,
Maya, who is two years younger than him, in 2004.
The Saints officially adopted them in 2009.
“He makes me really proud of him,” Deeann Saint
said. “He’s super compassionate with a big heart. I’m
excited to see what the rest of his life has in store for
him.”
For the past decade, Malachi has been involved in
Scouting at Troop 1 at First United Methodist, where
he has earned some two dozen merit badges. Now
he’s working on the Eagle Scout Award, the top
award in Scouting that only about two percent of
Scouts achieve.

Malachi Saint reached his goal and
delivered the items to CMFCAA
headquarters in November. CMFCAA is
really grateful and proud of Malachi’s
accomplishment!!

11

Gala Photo Gallery

“Bringing Joy Back to Childhood!”

November 2, 2017

12

Adopt Me The children featured here are shown in the Missouri Heart
Gallery, a traveling photographic and audio exhibit created to
find forever families for children in foster care.

Abigail Raymond
Birthday: 04/2005 Birthday: 04/2005
Special Interests: Special Interests:
Interacting with Basketball and being
others, helping and active
keeping active

Dakota Annabelle
Birthday: 04/2002 Birthday:04/2005
Special Interests: Special Interests:
camping, reading Swimming, watching
and animals television and being
outside

Austyn
Birthday: 10/2003
Special Interests:
wood carving, animals
and drawing.

For more information, visit: moheartgallery.org

13

Did you Transitions Youth Spotlight:

know? Christina Marie
Guillotte
Did you know that when a child has
an attachment disorder, it is often not My name is Christina
the whole picture? It is only one part Guillotte and I am 20
of a seven-piece jigsaw puzzle called years old. I entered
‘developmental trauma’. foster care for the first
time in September
By putting together the puzzle, 2005 and then again,
we can understand how a child’s in August 2012. I spent
adverse childhood experiences about six years in the
have shaped their emotional world foster care system,
and outward behavior. Once this is but am fortunate
understood, then work can begin enough to only have
with a child to help them with their been placed in two
developmental trauma using an homes. We found our
innovative therapeutic approach family in 2005 and were able to become a forever
called the ‘Neuro-Sequential Model of family in April 2015, when we were adopted by our
Therapeutics’. first foster mother, Emily Eckert.

This model recovers and repairs each I am currently attending Missouri State University,
part of a child’s brain in a specific, pursuing a double major in Organizational
phased and effective order. It is Communications and Administrative Management. I
necessary that the child’s different have chosen a Communications and Business degree
environments work together using because they are universal and I think they will be
this model as a whole; including home most beneficial to my future. My hopes for the future
,school, and therapy – to ensure the is to work in a Non-
child’s best chances for recovering Profit for foster children.
from their trauma and loss. Specifically, I would like to
focus on youth that age-
Developmental trauma can be out of foster care and need
repaired – if the order and type of support.
support is just right.

This information is from Beacon
House Therapeutic Services and
Trauma Team.

To read more go to:

http://beaconhouse.org.uk/
developmental-trauma/the-repair-of-
early-trauma-a-bottom-up-approach/

Lynons, D. (2017, July 26). The Repair of Early

Trauma: A “Bottom Up” Approach. In Beacon

House Therapeutic Services and Trauma

Team. Retrieved October 31, 2017, from http://

beaconhouse.org.uk/developmental-trauma/

the-repair-of-early-trauma-a-bottom-up-

approach/

14

Transitions Youth Spotlight:

Tre’Davyah Edwards

Tre’Davyah : My favorite part about being in the Transitions
program is learning about the opportunities and options
that I have, such as college and living arrangements. So far,
I have learned how to communicate with people on a more
professional level. I have also learned that being a foster
child doesn’t matter. I still have the same opportunity as
any other child. My advice to others is, don’t be afraid
to share your story. It will touch and encourage others,
whether you believe it or not.

Linnette Sommerer: Tre’Davyah’s Mentor

Linnette: I enjoyed the Transitions kickoff retreat The Transitions Program has given us a new member
on the UCM campus in Warrensburg and getting to of our family. She brings joy and laughter to our
meet so many interesting, smart young people full of home. There is no limit to a person’s capacity to
promise. Each child in the Transitions program has love. We have come to love Tre’Davyah; she will be a
skills and talents that are just waiting to be nurtured. part of our family long after we have completed the
Their excitement was obvious as they realized the Transitions program.
potential of what this program could do for their
future.

I have learned from Tre’Davyah that a person is so
much more than her past experiences or her current
circumstances. A person is the sum of who she is
innately, in her soul, and who she chooses to be.
Tre’Davyah is innately loving and she chooses to be
happy. I’m trying to be more like her.

I have also learned that there are gaps in the system
that has been designed to protect and assist these
children, and that it takes continual effort and
persistence before those gaps will be eliminated.

15

2017 Major Gala Donors: Join
the FOR
Ameren MO Memorial Baptist Church Club!
Central Bank Merry Maids
Dollar General Distribution Center Michael and Marcia McCoy Consider donating $12
EAG Laboratories Missouri Employers Mutual for 12 months
Firehouse Design Modern Litho Print/Moore Family
Friends of Foster Children Scholastic Inc. By making a monthly financial
Gary and Mildred Schell Scott Hamblin, Attorney at Law, gift, you are “adopting” hundreds
JCMG Laser and Vein Center of kids we serve all year long.
Kenneth Miller, Classic Buildings LLC Brydon Swearengen & England Your monthly commitment
KidsFirst Optimist Club of Columbia Southwest Animal Hospital provides continuous support to
Magical Smiles Storage Mart child abuse prevention, crisis
intervention, and post-adoption
2017 Major Financial Donors: services. It is this kind of support
that offers greater stability to
Allen P. and Josephine B. Green Magical Smiles our base funding and is vital to
Foundation Robert and Mari-Anne Antweiler providing services to the foster
Ameren MO McCarthy Chevrolet Lee’s Summit and adoptive community.
Analytical Bio-Chemistry Memorial Baptist Church 
Laboratories, Inc. Merry Maids Your donation is tax-deductible.
Boone County  Michael and Marcia McCoy
Callaway County Missouri Employers Mutual $12/month – Begin Again
United Way  Modern Litho Backpack
Senator Mike Kehoe Robert and Sally Robuck $25/month – Respite for
Classic Buildings LLC Scholastic Inc 35 kids
Community Foundation of Central Scott Hamblin, Attorney at Law $50/month – Child enrichment
Missouri Sircal Contracting programming for
Cornerstone Baptist Church Southwest Animal Hospital 10 children
Dollar General Distribution Center State of Missouri $100/month– One year of
Firehouse Design Storage Mart support for
Gary and Millie Schell The Alex Smith Foundation Transitions Student
Glen Costales The Community Foundation of Middle
Greater KC LINC, Inc. Tennessee To join the 12 for 12 club, call the
JCMG Laser & Vein Center United Way Metro Chicago Resource Center at
Jonathan Graham United Way of Central Missouri 573-298-0258 or visit the
Kids First Optimist Club Utah Business Insurance Company “Give” page on our website:
Kirk and Elizabeth Duncan Veterans United Foundation www.mofosteradopt.com
Luebbering Insurance Agency LLC
donate now

16

Operation B.R.A.C.E.

Building a Road to Achievement through Community Engagement
A program founded by the 131st Bomb Wing of the Missouri National
Guard in partnership with CMFCAA.

Mission: A better tomorrow through engagement today
Vision: Reach all Missouri foster youth before they age-out of the
foster program and, through community engagement, provide

opportunities to have a successful adulthood.

1. What first sparked your interest in putting together Colonel Kenneth S. Eaves
Commander, 131st Bomb Wing

Operation B.R.A.C.E.?

This initiative came out of local efforts to offer a few youth in foster care opportunities to enlist in the

Air Force, said Col. Ken Eaves, 131st Bomb Wing commander. "When we saw that 400 or more Missouri

children age-out of the program every year, we knew we had an opportunity and responsibility to provide

the foster youth with options for something bigger to help them in adulthood, so we are partnering with

several organizations throughout the state.

2. How did you come up with the name B.R.A.C.E.?
We wanted to come up with a name that emphasized several key aspects of the program. First, we
wanted to ensure the name identified an opportunity that foster youth could choose and worked toward
but was also fully supported by many community partners. As we looked into the history of foster care,
we found Charles Brace, who is the "father of foster care." Using his name, we came up with Building a
Road to Achievement through Community Engagement. Additionally, we knew the program had to have a
military component so we used the term "Operation" to ensure military precision and timing.

3. Although Operation B.R.A.C.E. is still in the beginning stages, what is your long term goal?
Our first goal is to pilot it through the test phase, working with foster youth in central Missouri. After we
run the program and find out all of our needs and areas of improvement, we will roll out the program
across the state. Once that's done, the sky is the limit as we work to reach all Missouri foster youth
before they age-out of Missouri's foster care program, through community engagement and providing
opportunities for them to reach a successful adulthood. It is also important to know that if individuals
have already timed out, they still have the same opportunities afforded those participating in Operation
B.R.A.C.E.

4. The men and women of the 131st are always saying "guard is family".

Could you describe what this means to you?
I'd like to answer that with a story. Six years ago, a foster youth found himself homeless. Not knowing
where to turn, he enlisted in the Air National Guard. Before he left, that Airman was asked to fill out a form
that asked for an emergency contact. He struggled to fill in that block, but without any hesitation, the
Guard Family Readiness coordinator stated, "We will be your family. Put me down." Then, months later
when that Airman returned from six months of training, not knowing where he'd live or how he'd make it,
his unit worked out two months-worth of full-time work and an on-base apartment for him to live. That is
who the Guard is - we are family."

Join our mailing list!

If you want to know about FREE trainings, events and resources for foster and adoptive families in
Central MO, join our mailing list! Fill out the enclosed postcard or go to mofosteradopt.com/signup

Contact Us:

Headquarters - Jefferson City mofosteradopt.com
809 Swifts Hwy, Jefferson City, MO 65101
Monday-Friday from 8am – 5pm Serving Counties:
573-298-0258 Audrain Maries
Boone Moniteau
Boone County Office Callaway Morgan
2401 Bernadette Dr., Suite 201, Columbia, MO 65203 Camden Osage
By Appointment Cole Pulaski
573-476-6039 Laclede Phelps
Miller
Staff

DeAnna Alonso CEO/ President [email protected]

Amanda Towns Operations Director [email protected]

Sue Engelage Program Coordinator [email protected]

Sarah Bashore Extreme Recruitment and

30 Days to Family® Supervisor [email protected]

Jessica Taylor Administrative Assistant [email protected]

Nicole Elliott Older Youth Transitions Advocate [email protected]

Christal Jones Extreme Recruiter® Specialist [email protected]

Darlene Pastrana 30 Days to Family® Specialist [email protected]

Jason Evans Extreme Recruitment® Investigator [email protected]

Megan Corbin Family Development Supervisor [email protected]

Board Members Scott Hamblin
Brydon, Swearengen & England P.C.,
Larry Lambert-Chair Attorney at Law
Missouri Employers Mutual Insurance,
General Counsel Darin Keim
Big Surf Waterpark,
Kirk Duncan - Vice Chair President/General Manager
Williams-Keepers LLC, Accountant
Heidi Lucas
Michael McCoy - Treasurer Missouri Nurses Association,
Central Trust Bank, Portfolio Manager/ State Director
Senior Vice President
Linette Sommerer
Tisha Spencer - Secretary Central Bank, Auditor
Firehouse Design, President/Art Director
Joy Sweeney
Carol Fischer Council for Drug Free Youth,
Retired 2012, Deputy Secretary of State Executive Director

Carlos Graham Thank you to Cherie Cook, Jessica Distel,
Lincoln University, Director of Campus & and Sarah Little-Chittum for your service
Community Relations to CMFCAA and the foster and adoptive families of
Central Missouri.