If you don’t have a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, you will have almost another year to get it. The original deadline to get a REAL ID had been October 1st of this year, but the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is extending that date to October 1st, 2021. DHS made the change due […]
Tag: DHS
Audio: First medical marijuana sales to patients in Missouri took place on Saturday
The first legal sales of medical marijuana in Missouri have occurred between a Missouri-licensed dispensary and qualified patients and caregivers. The sale took place on Saturday, October 17, 2020. Jill Enders has more on the story: “Missouri patients have always been our north star as we work to implement the state’s medical-marijuana program,” […]
Audio: Missouri submits 111-page COVID-19 vaccine plan to CDC
Missouri has submitted its plan for administering the impending COVID vaccine to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The state will receive feedback from the CDC on the 111-page plan by October 26. State Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) Director Dr. Randall Williams tells Capitol reporters that the plan’s hallmark is collaboration […]
Department of Health and Senior Services addresses State of Missouri COVID-19 data concerns as it transitions to automatic reporting
Providing real-time information and reporting about COVID-19’s impact on Missouri remains a top priority for the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. DHSS works diligently each day to provide transparent and actionable data to Missourians to help mitigate the transmission of COVID-19. The amount and types of information create a dynamic, complex situation that […]
Audio: Department of Health and Senior Services confirms medical marijuana sales begin late October
Medical marijuana sales will soon begin in Missouri. Ashley Byrd has this update on the new industry. As of this week, the state health department has approved almost 65 thousand medical marijuana applications from patients and caregivers, with more than 10,000 additional applications in review. The state also reports granting final operating approval […]
$10 million in CARES Act funding authorized for Missouri’s child care providers
Gov. Parson announced that he is allocating approximately $10 million for emergency relief grants to child care facilities impacted by COVID-19. Missouri’s licensed, license-exempt, and subsidy (6 or fewer) child care providers will be eligible. Providers may seek reimbursement for costs associated with necessary COVID-19 expenditures such as personal protective equipment, additional staffing, overtime and […]
DHSS announces successful inspection of medical marijuana facilities
The Section for Medical Marijuana Regulation at the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) is pleased to announce a medical marijuana testing facility has passed its commencement inspection. With cultivation, dispensary, and testing facilities now operational, medical marijuana will soon be available to Missouri patients. Director of the Section for Medical Marijuana Regulation Lyndall […]
Decline in overnight call volume prompts Missouri to adjust hours on COVID-19 hotline
State health officials say Missouri’s COVID-19 hotline will reduce its hours, starting in October. The hotline has seen a decline in overnight call volume. The state Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) established a statewide public hotline on March 11, four days after Missouri’s first case was confirmed. More than 112,000 calls have come […]
Governor Parson is pleased with start of school year, for K-12 and for higher education
Missouri’s governor says all of the state’s public schools are in session as of last week … some in-person, some online, and some with a hybrid model. Governor Mike Parson tells Capitol reporters that State Education Commissioner Dr. Margie Vandeven and state Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) Director Dr. Randall Williams met Wednesday […]
Over $2 million from state’s medical marijuana program being transferred to veterans fund
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services announced it has begun the process of making the first transfer of funds from Missouri’s medical marijuana program to the Missouri Veterans Commission (MVC). The total amount transferred will be $2,135,510. Missourians voted in November 2018 to adopt Constitutional Amendment 2, now known as Article XIV, which includes […]
National Education Association wants database of COVID-19 exposures in schools
The Missouri National Education Association says the state should make a centralized system for the public to see information about COVID-19 exposures in K-12 and higher education schools. It has sent a letter to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education calling on the agency to create one that would “regularly publish” the information and protect […]
7,000 college-age people in Missouri test positive for COVID-19 in August
During August alone, nearly 7,000 college-age people in Missouri have tested positive for COVID-19. At a press conference Thursday at Washington University in St. Louis, Gov. Mike Parson urged young people to take precautions to protect their communities. “In some Missouri college communities, positivity rates have soared as high as 45% in one day just […]
Linn and Livingston counties report additional cases of COVID-19
The Livingston County Health Center reports it received notification of another positive COVID-19 test result, which brings the total for the county to 70. The cumulative total includes two inmates from the Chillicothe Correctional Center. The health center notes the Department of Health and Senior Services dashboard shows 71, but the paperwork has not yet […]
DHSS seeks guidance regarding confidential medical marijuana information
On November 6, 2018, Missouri voters passed Article XIV of the Missouri Constitution, establishing a medical marijuana program in Missouri. Article XIV requires the Department of Health and Senior Services to protect the trade secrets of medical marijuana businesses as well as patients’ information by keeping that information confidential. Article XIV Section 1.3.(5) of the […]
Parson to host Dr. Birx at Tuesday roundtable at Missouri Governor’s Mansion
The Trump administration’s Coronavirus task force coordinator will be in Jefferson City on Tuesday morning, for a roundtable discussion with Missouri’s governor and Cabinet members. Governor Mike Parson’s office says the governor will host Dr. Deborah Birx at the Governor’s Mansion for the roundtable discussion, which will also include the State Department of Health and […]
Andrew County recognized as model program for their exemplary support of breastfeeding mothers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded Andrew County, Missouri, with the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children Loving Support Award of Excellence for exemplary efforts in supporting breastfeeding WIC mothers. These awards were part of USDA’s National WIC Breastfeeding Week, celebrated August 1-7. Breastfeeding provides countless benefits to both babies and […]
State of Missouri issues four new medical marijuana-infused product manufacturing facility licenses
Four new medical marijuana-infused product manufacturing facility licenses were issued to the entities next in line on the conditionally denied applicant list. During the compliance review process for all new medical marijuana facility licenses, the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) has determined that certain infused product manufacturing facilities submitted duplicative applications for licensure […]
Missouri designates $7.5 million to help schools cover costs of PPE and cleaning
State officials say several million dollars in federal funding will help Missouri schools cover the costs of personal protective equipment (PPE). Governor Mike Parson says $7.5 million of the state’s Coronavirus Relief Fund has been allocated to a cost-share program with counties, to help Missouri schools cover PPE costs. The money will also help schools […]
Vice President Pence calls Missouri’s governor, to offer additional resources for pandemic
Missouri’s governor says the Show-Me State is one of the states the White House is concerned about, with increasing COVID-19 cases. During a Wednesday media briefing in Jefferson City, Governor Mike Parson (R) told Capitol reporters that Vice President Mike Pence called him on Sunday, to offer additional assistance and resources to battle the pandemic. […]