January 2, 2020

Dear Colleague,

The Ticket to Work Health Assurance Program of 2013 has been signed into law by Governor Jay Nixon. Through this legislation, MO HealthNet is now available to all former foster care youth who were released from care 30 days prior to their 18th birthday and have not yet reached age 26.

We are pleased this service is being offered to Missouri's former foster youth. As an agency, we want to share this information with as many youth as possible as well as other agencies which may have contact with these youth. We are making efforts to reach and inform youth who have exited custody and have lost connections with our agency. We are asking individuals and agencies who have had or may have contact with youth who have exited care 30 days prior to their 18th birthday up to age 26 to help us in our efforts.

Youth are guaranteed eligibility for medical and behavioral healthcare coverage regardless of income or assets. An exit brochure has been developed to inform youth when they leave care about this service, but we need to reach the youth who exited prior to this law being passed. We would like these youth to contact their local Children's Division office to ensure that MO HealthNet has the most current address of the youth.

We would appreciate your assistance in sharing this information with others in your agency/organization and with any other contacts you have that work with Missouri youth that are within this age range.

If you have any questions, please contact your local Children's Division office. Office locations and contact information is available on the Department of Social Services website at http://dss.mo.gov/offices.htm.