The mission of the MISSOURI CHILDREN’S DIVISION is to partner with families, communities, and government to protect children from abuse and neglect and to assure safety, permanency, and well being for Missouri’s children.

Goals of Services:  

• Child Protective Services: to protect children who are identified as victims of abuse and neglect.
• Family Centered Services: to improve and maintain the family unit for the well-being of the children.
• Intensive In-Home Services: to offer an opportunity for families to remain safely together averting the out-of-home placement of children whenever possible, protect children through  the enhancement of family capabilities and provide services that assist families in crisis management and restore families to an acceptable level of functioning.
• Adoption Services: to establish permanency and stability in children’s living situations and ensure that the continuity of family relationships and connects will be preserved for children.
• Independent Living Skills: to equip youth in foster care with the skills needed to function as productive adults once they are released from alternative care. 

THE FIELD EXPERIENCE FOR THE BSW CANDIDATE: 
Opportunities for BSW students placed at the Children’s Division are:

• Shadowing investigators on child abuse and neglect family assessments
• Supervising parent/child visits at the office
• Observing independent living classes
• Accompanying workers/supervisors to community meetings
• Observing interviews at the Network Against Sexual Violence
• Attending behavior staffings for foster children
• Case management of safekeeping cases ( intact families who need assistance)
• Accompanying permanency planning workers on home visits with foster children/families
• Completing home study on a family wanting to adopt a child
• Participating in staff meetings
• Attending CQI (Continuous Quality Improvement) meetings with staff
• Being assigned a foster child to visit twice per month and document
• Attend adoption staffing meetings
• Transport children to counseling or to school as needed
• Experience being an in-take worker
• Attending Juvenile Court sessions
  

WHAT STUDENTS SAY:  “My experience at Missouri Children’s Division has been challenging and rewarding in the four months I was there. I worked with alternative care, family centered services, and completed home studies. I got a wide variety of cases, services, and experience. It has taught me a lot about myself and to keep persevering because there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. I worked hard to successfully work with my clients with the help of the staff and my supervisor. Everyone is given their own space to work on their cases, and supervisors work with us in deciding the appropriate actions to take with our clients. The supervisors are extremely knowledgeable and willing to help at any given point and time.”     

“In my field education at Missouri Children’s Division, I learned to talk to a wide range of people. I learned to complete paper work and I worked with clients.The staff at the agency was very helpful and willing to answer any questions that I had at any time. The style of supervision that my supervisor used is individual and ad hoc supervision. I think the hands-on experience worked well to connect what I have learned in my social work classes to the things that actually happened in the field.  My experience at the agency was very good and I would highly recommend it to others.”  

"Things were pretty overwhelming at first but soon began to even out.  That "the paperwork is never ending" is no understatement at MCD. Once you get the hang of it, it's not so bad.  The staff is friendly and helpful whenever you need to know something.  While supervision is available, you are generally on your own when it comes to case management. The field experience really flew by.....I can't believe it is almost over!"                                                                                                   

"My experience at the Missouri Children's Divsion opened my sheltered eyes to a whole new world of children and families that need help.  They need help from many community resources to be able to live life without so much fear."

" The Children's Division is a great place to do your field experience.  MCD is very hands on. The supervisors and everyone who works there  are very helpful and are some of the nicest people I have met. You get a lot of one-on-one time with your clients. Another reason I enjoyed my practicum at Cape's MCD is that you get to do actual social work. You carry your own caseload and you have the opportunity to make a difference in someone else's life."

"MCD is a great placement. At first students may feel overwhelmed by all of the paperwork but soon you will know each form by heart. As a student with MCD you will get an opportunity to see the planned change process first hand. Students will also get to work with families and children closely. The supervisors are willing to help if you have a question and they provide close supervision if you want it. I really enjoyed my placement at MCD and would recommend this placement to anyone who loves children!"

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