Child in Swing

Governor Parson announces new office of childhood

Governor Mike Parson and the Departments of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), Health and Senior Services, and Social Services announced the consolidation of several early childhood programs across state government into a single Office of Childhood. The new office will be housed by DESE and provide a comprehensive approach to early childhood care and education, […]

Foster Care

Audio: Missouri social services workers develop plan to help more youth aging out of foster system

Four Missouri Department of Social Services workers have won a state government challenge for proposing a plan to support more foster children aging out of the system. Rene’ Brinkman, Shasta Miller, Bobbie Thomas, and Nicole Robinson head a unit in southeast Missouri helping older youth prepare to transition into independent adults. Brinkman says their plan […]

Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Website

CDC awards Missouri public water systems for fluoridation quality

Nineteen community water systems have been awarded a Water Fluoridation Quality Award from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Fluoridation is the adjustment of fluoride in drinking water to a level that is effective for preventing tooth decay. The award recognizes those communities that achieved excellence in community water fluoridation by maintaining […]

Coronavirus or COVID-19 Testing news graphic

Department of Health and Senior Services says COVID-19 testing continues to be important factor in reducing spread

The State of Missouri is now partnering with the Missouri Primary Care Association and MAKO Medical to continue hosting free COVID-19 testing events throughout the state.  Missourians can register for events currently scheduled at health.mo.gov/communitytest and continue to check back for future opportunities to be tested at a nearby event. Missouri residency is the only requirement; individuals […]

Coronavirus Stimulus Payment Graphic

Audio: Missouri Senator Josh Hawley teams up with Senator Bernie Sanders on stimulus package

U.S. Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) are introducing a bipartisan amendment to attach to must-pass legislation to be considered by Congress, which would provide $1,200 in direct payments to working-class adults and $500 to each of their children. This amendment, similar to what was passed in the CARES Act, would be attached to must-pass […]

Court News graphic

Additional cases in the Associate Division of Grundy County Circuit Court on Tuesday, December 8, 2020

Among additional cases processed Tuesday in the Associate Division of Grundy County Circuit Court, a Galt resident, Ryan Mitchell Hutcherson was placed on probation after pleading guilty to driving while intoxicated persistent offender. He was sentenced to six months at the Grundy County Detention Center which was then suspended by the court and replaced with […]

Coronavirus in Prisons

Missouri Department of Corrections implements technology to cut COVID-19 infection rate within prisons

Implementation of three technological innovations in the Missouri Department of Corrections aims to cut COVID-19 infection rates in Missouri state prisons and other facilities. These strategies: Kill the virus in the air Kill the virus on surfaces Detect the virus in wastewater The department now has ionization generators — air purifying devices that destroy 99.4% […]