Established by Executive Order 26‑17, Missouri’s Child Welfare Task Force is charged with strengthening coordination across the state’s child welfare system and developing unified standards to enhance child safety. The Task Force will submit recommendations, including definitions and protocols, for the Governor, President Pro Tempore, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Chief Justice of the Missouri Supreme Court by November 15, 2026, ahead of the 104th General Assembly. The Task Force will dissolve on December 31, 2026.
- Upcoming Meetings
September 23, 1:00 p.m., Virtual
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SafetyTaskForce (72338983 when dialing from a phone or video system)Join by phone
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- Past Meetings
There have been no meetings to date.
- Members
The Missouri Child Welfare Task Force includes the following members, as outlined in Executive Order 26‑17.
Representing the Missouri Department of Social Services:
- Teri Armistead serves as the director of the Division of Legal Services for the Missouri Department of Social Services.
- Sara Smith is the Children’s Division director for the Missouri Department of Social Services.
Representing the judicial branch administrative offices, including the Office of State Courts Administrator:
- Kathy Lloyd is the Missouri state courts administrator and has served in this role since 2015.
Representing the Missouri state legislature:
- Senator Jill Carter serves as the Missouri State Senator for District 32.
- Representative Ken Jamison serves as the Missouri State Representative for District 15.
- Representative Melissa Schmidt serves as the Missouri State Representative for District 141.
Representing juvenile officers and juvenile court administration:
- Rick Gaines is the chief juvenile officer for the St. Louis County 21st Judicial Circuit.
- Bill Prince serves as the chief juvenile officer and family court administrator for the 31st Judicial Circuit in Greene County.
Representing state and local law enforcement agencies:
- Matthew Stewart currently serves as the sheriff of Newton County.
Representing private child welfare agencies and foster care case management providers:
- Jeannette Koster serves as the director of psychology and foster care at Crittenton Children’s Center – St. Luke’s Hospital.
- Justin Horton is the chief programs and innovation officer for Cornerstones of Care.
Representing legal representatives, including guardians ad litem and juvenile court attorneys:
- Judge Melissa Buckman Young is the associate circuit judge for Audrain County in Missouri’s 12th Judicial Circuit.
- Tamara Veit is an attorney with McElligott, Ewan & Hall, PC, and serves as a guardian ad litem.
Representing child welfare advocacy organizations:
- Jessica Seitz is the executive director of Missouri Network Against Child Abuse.
- Emily Van Schenkhof is the executive director of the Children’s Trust Fund of Missouri.
Additional members designated by the Governor:
- Judge Joseph Hensley is a judge for the Missouri Court of Appeals, Southern District.
- Judge Jessica Kruse is a circuit judge for the 38th Judicial Circuit in Christian County.
- Shelby Trimble is a school counselor and at‑risk coordinator in the Joplin School District. She also serves as director of Camp Soroptimist and works with the Children’s Division in the Joplin area.
- Resources