Launching Legislative Efforts to Help More Children in Foster Care

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.  (James 1:27)

The Bible is clear: as Christians, we are called to help broken families (widows) and hurting children (orphans) without letting our life-changing message of Christ be distorted by an ever-changing culture. For nearly sixty years, Christian “neighbors” like you banded together with us to answer this call. We believe every child deserves the best possible structure in which to prepare for a productive future: one with a home – based on traditional Biblical values – and a family with a mother and father.  To truly rescue and restore each young life, Christ must be the center. It isn’t enough to prepare a child for a better future; each must have a chance to KNOW Jesus so they can have an excellent eternity. Anything less is not our best. 

Healed People Heal People

We value the ability to share with these children – and with the world – the hope we have in Jesus. We know that a restored relationship with God through Christ makes a powerful impact on a person’s ability to find overall healing from the past and build a healthy future. Jesus provides the unique opportunity to make sense of our adverse childhood experiences, redeem those hurts, heal the wounds, and use that healing for our benefit, as well as the benefit of others. You have heard it said, “Hurt people hurt people.” Through Jesus, we can testify confidently that “healed people heal people.” This is the gospel truth we see every day in our ministries.

Drawing a Line

Show-Me determined decades ago to draw a line in order to hold to our core beliefs. To remain independent, we rely entirely on private support. We do not receive government or state money for childcare. For years, the purse string was the determining factor as to whether the government had a right to “help” determine how children should be raised or who should be hired. Childcare facilities like Show-Me could choose to be licensed and regulated by the State through the Department of Social Services (DSS) or operate under a religious exemption. This was the case in Missouri as well as numerous other states.

Today, Missouri is one of only three states where this option remains. Licensure concerns us deeply because of the slippery slope to losing our Christian values and ability to practice our faith. Ever-changing cultural and government priorities have created regulations that force faith-based agencies to choose between violating their sincerely held religious beliefs or closing their doors. For years, our political efforts have focused on stopping such regulations. 

Rising Above the Gridlock 

We are determined to blaze a new path to cut across the political gridlock in Missouri and do whatever we can to help struggling kids. Show-Me has an opportunity to make a lasting impact on child welfare in Missouri. We are working with legislators and like-minded ministries to create an alternative option to state-based licensing that would add additional layers of accountability and protection that every child deserves. At no additional cost to Missouri, it would provide DSS with sorely-needed resources in their fight to alleviate the foster care crisis. Without the constant threat of compromise, Christian organizations would be able to maintain the high-level standards that have proven to be most effective and most honoring to the God we serve.

A Vicious Downward Cycle 

According to a 2024 DSS report, A Plan to Rebuild and Reform Children’s Division Phase II, Missouri had over 14,000 foster children in 2022, which was “double the national average per capita and among the highest number of foster children per capita.” With roughly 4,500 homes, Missouri has “a severe shortage of foster homes.” To meet the current need they require an additional 1,500 foster homes. 

The lack of resources has created a vicious downward cycle of added strain on an already overloaded system. The stress and turnover rates increase dramatically for caseworkers trying to help. The same DSS report cited a 55% turnover rate for frontline workers. With such heavy caseloads, little time is left to provide necessary support for foster families who directly care for the children. Lack of support makes it harder and harder to find and keep foster parents. In the end, children pay the heaviest toll as the turmoil keeps them in the system longer, moving from home to home, caseworker to caseworker.

Stuck on the Sidelines 

Many Christian Homes in Missouri like Show-Me want to help; we hear the horror stories of children in inappropriate placements, and we hear from caseworkers who believe our ministries could be the “perfect fit” for certain children – yet they are unable to place them here.  

Before 2008, half or more of the children at Show-Me were placed through Missouri DSS. Many caseworkers and judges preferred placing children with us, especially sibling groups. We collaborated well with the caseworkers and the children, as well as having a “built-in” support system for the families providing care here. Although there is nothing in state statute that demands it, DSS discontinued placements with us in 2008. Since then, we only have private placements. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, since 2008, the number of Missouri children in foster care has increased over 60% (2009: 7,795 to 2022: 12,514). We cannot remain on the sidelines when we have what it takes to help.

MACCCA Can Help

Tragically, there have been some who have abused children under the guise of following God’s will. We pray for them to find the light. At the same time, we must redouble our efforts to protect children.

Under the banner of the Missouri Association of Christian Child Care Agencies (MACCCA), we look to unite ministries who hold the same high standards of care and accountability. We took our lead from the Florida Association of Christian Child Care Agencies (FACCCA). Decades ago in Florida, facing the threat of mandatory licensing, FACCCA successfully petitioned the state to allow a secondary option. Now, in Florida, childcare ministries can either be licensed by the state or accredited through FACCCA. MACCCA followed in FACCCA’s footsteps. We launched our efforts in 2022.

An Extra Layer of Protection for Children

Our legislation, filed by then Representative Adam Schnelting, put forth MACCCA as a qualified association working as a public-private partnership and a viable option for ministries in lieu of a license. Leadership from both MACCCA and the Missouri Children’s Division would comprise a citizen’s board set up under DSS to advise on standards, make recommendations, and share best practices. According to the bills filed, the qualified association must have been in place for a minimum of 20 years, must publish and require compliance with the association’s written standards and file copies of those standards with DSS, and must have a board of directors able to conduct oversight of member organizations.

Should the “religious exemption” be nullified, Christian ministries who care for children would not be eliminated. This year as a State Senator, Adam Schnelting is refiling his legislation in the Missouri State Senate and is partnering with Representative Jamie Gragg who has filed companion legislation in the State House. Both are Christians and ministers.

MACCCA came to the table to find a “win-win” solution. With the support of Senator Schnelting and Representative Gragg, we have renewed hope that good policy will override the destructive politics of animosity. 

Pray these bills are passed by the State Assembly to benefit children in Missouri, protect our religious liberties, and glorify our God. Engaging in the legislative process comes with challenges, yet this is the avenue to best protect and serve all citizens in this state – especially the most vulnerable. This battle is the battle for the heart and soul of Missourians and for children who need our help.