Missouri Family Resources and Child Care Assistance
Are you in need of assistance? Click one of the buttons below to learn more about state and community resources potentially available for your use.
Lakeshore Resource
Resources for parents wanting to help their child get the most out of at-home learning!
Early Child Care and Education Resources and Referrals
United 4 Children Early Care & Education Resource & Referral service provides resource and referrals to early care professionals, children, and families throughout Missouri.
- For Parents and Guardians: Locate and select high-quality Early Care and Education services that meet their needs.
- For Early Educators in All Childcare Settings: Connections to local resources to support their service to children and families.
- For Community Advocates and Social Workers: Connect families to local childcare options and resources throughout the state of Missouri.
Call our Early Care & Education Resource & Referral Call Center to speak with a Community Support Specialist:
Call Us:
1-800-467-2322 (TTY/TTD)
Email Us:
programresources@united4children.org.
Full Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
If you need to connect with us outside of these hours or would like to speak with a Community Support Specialist in-person (St. Louis area only) or over video conference, please call and leave a message with the best way to contact you (text, phone, email) and we will return your call within 24 hours.
Missouri Childhood Community Leaders
Childhood community leaders, in partnership with United 4 Children, identify and connect families with resources that ensure children are safe, healthy, and successful learners. Community Leaders also coordinate early care and education efforts in their region.
Family Education Packets
United 4 Children has developed a series of family education packets to put the information your family needs at your fingertips!
Click the buttons below to download the packets and learn more.
Finding Quality Child Care (PDF)
Keeping Your Child Safe (PDF)
School Readiness (PDF)
Support in Your Region (PDF)
Your Child’s Development (PDF)
Something We Agree On Packets
United 4 Children has developed a series of packets in partnership with Children’s Trust Fund to put the information your family or classroom needs at your fingertips!
Click the buttons below to download the packets and learn more.
CVS Safety Packet
United 4 Children has developed this packet in partnership with CVS and Aetna to put the information your family or classroom needs at your fingertips!
Click the button below to download the packet and learn more.
State Assistance Resources
Help with Your Child Care Costs
To qualify for child care assistance in Missouri, families must:
- Have a child from birth to age 13, a child with special needs, or a child receiving protective services.
- Need child care to work, search for work, participate in job training, or attend school.
- Be at or below 150% of the federal poverty level.
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will pay the state base rate, which is an amount determined based on where your provider is located and the type of provider you choose. You may be responsible for paying certain fees, such as sliding fees.
View the Child Care Subsidy Program brochure to learn more.
Applying for State Support
The Temporary Assistance (TA) program provides temporary cash assistance benefitting your household’s children. The funds provided can be used to purchase clothing, utilities and other services.
- Visit the Missouri Department of Social Service’s website to learn more, and apply for, TA benefits.
The Supplemental Assistance Program (SNAP) assists families with buying food and food products.
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides supplemental food, health care referrals, nutrition education and breastfeeding promotion to eligible pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, infants and children up to age five. Fathers, grandparents, guardians, and foster parents may also apply for benefits for the children living in their household.
The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) assures that nutritious meals and snacks are served to children and eligible adults enrolled in child care centers, family child care homes, after school programs, emergency shelters, and adult day care programs by providing reimbursement for meals that meet minimum nutritional standards.
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides families with assistance in home energy services, like heating and cooling,
Child Care Assistance for Military Families
There are several programs that help military families pay for child care, wherever they are stationed. Please note that these programs may have waiting lists.
Military Child Care (MCC) provides information on military-run child care programs worldwide. Through MCC, military families can search the full range of military child care options that match their needs. Military-run child care programs use a sliding fee scale based on family income to help military families with the cost of child care.
Active duty service members (including reservists on active orders) may also be eligible to apply for child care fee assistance via Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood (MCCYN). MCCYN is a Department of Defense and U.S. Coast Guard fee assistance program for eligible families who cannot access military-operated child care due to distance or waitlists. With fee assistance, a portion of your child care costs is paid to offset the costs of community-based care. This makes it easier for families to afford quality child care from local community providers.
Please Note: MCCYN fee assistance is administered by each service branch, meaning there is a different application process for service members in the Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, etc.
Physical Health Resources
Child Development Support
Developmental milestones are a set of skills or age-specific tasks that most children can do during a certain age range. Each child is unique and may reach milestones at a varying pace, so it is important to learn about the different stages of development. Parents may want to consult the child’s doctor if they have any concerns.
Developmental monitoring is observing how your child grows and changes over time. It is an on-going process, beginning at birth, which helps families recognize if their child might be at risk for any developmental delays. Developmental screening takes a closer look at how a child is developing. It is a more formal process of checking a child’s development. Screening goes beyond monitoring a child and allows for more specific information to help identify possible developmental delays that may need further evaluation by a professional.
United 4 Children’s Inclusion Specialists can provide assistance in finding child care for children with developmental concerns, challenging behaviors, or disabilities.
- Visit United 4 Children’s inclusion webpage to learn more and receive assistance.
- Speak with a United 4 Children Inclusion Specialist at: 1-800-467-2322
Perinatal Care and Support
Perinatal care, or health care during and after pregnancy, is very important for the health of a mother and her unborn child. Effective perinatal care can reduce the risk of complications, help identify and prevent health issues, and improve birth outcomes.
Medical Screenings & Vaccination Recommendations
Newborn screenings are performed shortly after birth to protect them from the serious effects of disorders that otherwise may not be detected for several days, months, or even years. Missouri law requires all babies born in the state to be screened for over 70 different disorders.
Most vaccine-preventable diseases are caused by viruses or bacteria. Vaccines prevent these diseases by helping your child’s body recognize and fight these germs more effectively. Several vaccinations are mandatory for your child’s enrollment into child care and kindergarten.
MO HealthNet
If you do not have health insurance or need help paying for your health care, you may be eligible for coverage through Missouri’s Medicaid program, called MO HealthNet.
Lead Exposure & Environmental Health Factors
Many things in the environment can affect your child’s health. Hazardous substances found in the air, soil and water can originate from a variety of sources, such as agricultural and industrial activities, mining operations, landfills and leaky underground storage tanks.
Lead poisoning is one of the most common and preventable environmental health problems in Missouri. Lead exposure in children can cause learning and behavioral problems, lower IQ levels and interfere with growth and hearing. The only way to know if a child has lead poisoning is to have his or her blood tested.
Mental Health Resources
Missouri Department of Mental Health
988 is a direct three-digit lifeline connecting Missourians to crisis counselors 24/7.
Accessing Mental Health Services for Families
The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline provides 24/7, free, confidential support before, during, and after pregnancy for women and their support persons.
- Call or text the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at: 1-833-852-6262
- Visit the Maternal and Child Health Bureau to learn more about the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline and other public health services intended for mothers, children, and families.
The Postpartum Support International Helpline offers free and confidential support for women with perinatal mental health disorders, their partners, and family members with a response time of 48 hours or less.
- Call or text the Postpartum Support International Helpline at: 1-800-944-4773
- Visit the Postpartum Support International website to learn more about perinatal mental health disorders.
Perinatal depression is a mood disorder that occurs during pregnancy and after childbirth. The symptoms can range from mild to severe. In rare cases, the symptoms are severe enough that a mother and her baby’s health and well-being may be at risk.
Accessing Early Childhood Mental Health Services
The Missouri Department of Mental Health offers mother, infant, and early child services to help improve the lives of Missouri’s children and families.
Crisis & Homelessness Resources
Domestic Violence: How to Reach Out
If you are a victim of domestic abuse, please call the following resources to get help now:
- Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at: 1-800-799-7233.
- Call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at: 1-800-656-4673.
- For the Deaf Crisis Line videophone, call 1-321-800-3323 or text HAND to 839863.
Resources for Children and Families Experiencing Abuse
Anyone can report suspected child abuse, neglect, or exploitation to the Missouri Child Abuse & Neglect Hotline.
- Call 1-800-392-3738 to make a report.
If you are hearing or speech impaired, call Relay Missouri at:
- 1-800-735-2466 (voice).
- 1-800-735-2966 (text).
Visit the Missouri Department of Social Services’ website to learn more.
Support for Homeless Children
Each school district has a liaison to support children suffering from homelessness, and resources are available for parents and children struggling with housing-related problems.