IMPORTANT: On July 14, 2021 Governor Parson signed into law HB557. All license-exempt facilities must register with DSS. According to 13 CSR 35-71.015, all licensed and license-exempt residential care facilities and child placing agencies must ensure that background checks on all new and current employees have been completed by March 31, 2022, unless the facility or agency has received an approved extension attached prior to the deadline.

What is a license-exempt residential care facility?

A license-exempt residential care facility provides 24 hour care in a group setting to children who are unrelated to the person operating the facility and who are unattended by a parent or guardian and who qualify for an exemption to licensure. You may be a license-exempt residential care facility if you are one of the following:

  • A religious-based institution
  • An institution run by the state or county
  • An educational program where children stay overnight
  • An entity offering a sleep-away camp to children (ex. summer camp, scouts, etc.)

To find out if your license-exempt residential care facility is required to file a notification with the Children’s Division, please read 13 CSR 35-71.300.

NOTE: Agencies providing residential treatment for children and youth and child placing agencies that provide foster home and/or adoption services must be licensed by CD.

Are background checks required?

According to 13 CSR 35-71.015, licensed-exempt residential care facilities which were in operation on July 14, 2021, must ensure background checks are complete by March 31, 2022, unless the facility or agency has received an approved extension before the deadline to comply with Missouri law.

Background checks must be completed on anyone in the facility who has access to children. This includes employees (including owners, managers, and support staff, etc.), officers, contractors, and volunteers.

How to notify DSS

License-exempt facilities must notify DSS of their presence in Missouri and other organization specific information related to their intent to serve children. If you have any issues completing the steps below, you can email CD.NotifyRPU@dss.mo.gov and ask that an application be mailed to you.

 

1

Complete Form

To notify DSS, carefully read and answer all the questions on the notification form.

 

2

Upload

  • When prompted, upload copies of the required documents.
  • After your documents are uploaded, submit the form.
  • You will receive a confirmation email that we have received your form.

3

Background Check

Anyone who has access to children (per 13 CSR 35-71.015) must complete a background check and register with the Family Care Safety Registry.


Which license-exempt residential care facilities have completed the notification process?

Please view our license-exempt residential care facility notification compliance listing to see which facilities have already successfully completed the notification process with the Department of Social Services per the notification requirements of 210.1250 - 210.1286 RSMo. Pursuant to Section 210.150.2 RSMo, any person may contact the Division to inquire whether a substantiated finding of child abuse or neglect exists for a specific child-placing agency or residential-care facility. To do this, please fill out and submit a Facility Prior History Request.

Questions?

If you need more information or have additional questions, please review the Notification FAQs or email CD.NotifyRPU@dss.mo.gov for help.