Missouri Children's Division

Herman Thomas Jr. is the new foster care director at Lutheran Family and Children’s Services and has more than 20 years of experience serving vulnerable youth and families. He says foster homes are scarce, leading to children sleeping in offices or hotels.

Despite no legislative action on boosting Missouri Children’s Division starting salaries, Gov. Mike Kehoe says Department of Social Services leaders could soon take action themselves.

State Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman called the case "an amalgamation of all of the horrible things that can happen to kids when they’re in care."

Sara Smith is in her first month as director of the Missouri Children’s Division, which oversees the state’s foster care system and child abuse investigations.

The Springfield Democrat is the ranking member on the House Budget Committee, which gives her more say in what’s in the first draft of the budget.

Under national standards, at least 35% of kids entering foster care should exit with a permanent living situation — whether adoption, guardianship or reunification with family — within one year. But only 12 of Missouri's 114 counties met that goal.

In a wide-ranging interview with St. Louis Public Radio the day after his first State of the State address as Missouri’s governor, Kehoe discussed a host of issues including public safety, taxes and education funding.

Knodell will be heading back to his hometown of Poplar Bluff to serve as city manager for the southeast Missouri municipality.

Incoming Senate President Pro Tem Cindy O’Laughlin said Missouri’s Children’s Division has failed in its core mission and needs to be restructured to protect vulnerable children.

The former Jefferson County judge has served as the leader of the agency investigating child abuse and neglect since 2021.