http://dss.mo.gov/press/index.htm The latest news releases for the Missouri Department of Social Services. http://dss.mo.gov/images/dsslogo164x50.gif http://dss.mo.gov/ en-us Fri, 28 Jan 2023 09:39:01 GMT webmaster@dss.mo.gov https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MODSS/bulletins/3f00d5b https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MODSS/bulletins/3f00d5b Thu, 28 Aug 2025 13:54:00 GMT Effective August 28, 2025, a new law is now in effect which represents a significant step to safeguard the benefits of children in the state’s care. HB 737, which was sponsored by Rep. Melissa Schmidt and handled by Sen. Jamie Burger, amends Section 210.560 RSMo and protects these funds, reserving them for the child’s unmet needs beyond standard provisions. Previously, federal funds could be used for a child’s cost of care. ........ https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MODSS/bulletins/3ef7bd9 https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MODSS/bulletins/3ef7bd9 Tue, 26 Aug 2025 20:35:00 GMT The Missouri Department of Social Services (DSS) is asking the public, stakeholders, and partners for comments and suggestions regarding the Rural Health Transformation Program - a national $50 billion fund created through the passage of H.R.1 – One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) on July 4, 2025. ........ https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MODSS/bulletins/3ef16a7 https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MODSS/bulletins/3ef16a7 Fri, 22 Aug 2025 19:20:00 GMT The Missouri Department of Social Services (DSS) today announced the appointment of Mandi Adams as Director of the DSS Family Support Division (FSD), effective immediately. ........ https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MODSS/bulletins/3edb4a4 https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MODSS/bulletins/3edb4a4 Fri, 15 Aug 2025 14:04:00 GMT The Missouri Department of Social Services (DSS) Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline marks its 50th anniversary, commemorating five decades of dedicated service in responding to calls, connecting families with resources, and ensuring the safety and well-being of children throughout the state. ........ https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MODSS/bulletins/3e4d429 https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MODSS/bulletins/3e4d429 Mon, 16 Jun 2025 20:04:00 GMT Missourians in Scott County and specific zip codes in St. Louis City who lost food purchased with their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits due to severe storms, tornadic activity, and/or power outages on May 16, 2025, now have until July 16, 2025, to report their loss to the Family Support Division (FSD) for replacement benefits. ........ https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MODSS/bulletins/3d6bc8a https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MODSS/bulletins/3d6bc8a Thu, 13 Mar 2025 06:20:00 GMT The Missouri Department of Social Services (DSS), in collaboration with Conduent, is thrilled to announce the successful deployment of the new Child Support Citizen portal. Launched in May 2024, the Child Support Citizen Portal is accessible at any time, making significant improvements in customer experience and operational efficiency. ........ https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MODSS/bulletins/3c16807 https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MODSS/bulletins/3c16807 Tue, 12 Nov 2024 19:20:00 GMT Today, the Department of Social Services (DSS) announced the appointment of Sara Smith as Director of the Missouri Children’s Division ........ https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MODSS/bulletins/3bf52fc https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MODSS/bulletins/3bf52fc Fri, 01 Nov 2024 09:57:01 GMT Governor Mike Parson has proclaimed November 2024 as Adoption Awareness Month in Missouri, aiming to inspire all residents to learn about the need for adoptive families and to support parents who adopt in their communities." ........ https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MODSS/bulletins/3bda27c https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MODSS/bulletins/3bda27c Tue, 22 Oct 2024 12:27:01 GMT The Missouri Department of Social Services' MO HealthNet Division (MHD) is proud to announce that on October 2, 2024, the Center for Medicare/Medicaid Services (CMS) approved a State Plan Amendment (SPA) that enables the state to begin reimbursing for doula services." ........ https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MODSS/bulletins/3b88799 https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MODSS/bulletins/3b88799 Thu, 03 Oct 2024 10:13:01 GMT The Missouri Department of Social Services (DSS) Family Support Division (FSD) is alerting all SNAP participants about a concerning increase in theft related to skimming and cloning of Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards." ........ https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MODSS/bulletins/3b90b80 https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MODSS/bulletins/3b90b80 Tue, 01 Oct 2024 09:56:01 GMT Every year, the Missouri acknowledges October as Safe Sleep Month. The goal of Safe Sleep Month is to bring awareness to the infant lives that are lost each year due to unsafe sleeping environments." ........ https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MODSS/bulletins/3b6c316 https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MODSS/bulletins/3b6c316 Thu, 19 Sep 2024 11:34:01 GMT The Missouri Department of Social Services MO HealthNet Division (MHD) is proud to announce the arrival of the ElimiNATION Awareness Tour in Missouri. The tour is part of the ongoing Project HepCure initiative, which aims to eliminate hepatitis C in the state." ........ https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MODSS/bulletins/3af36b6 https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MODSS/bulletins/3af36b6 Mon, 19 Aug 2024 13:46:01 GMT The Missouri Department of Social Services (DSS) announced today its launch of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's new Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (S-EBT) Program, known as "Missouri SuN Bucks." ........ https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MODSS/bulletins/3a8ae3e https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MODSS/bulletins/3a8ae3e Thu, 18 Jul 2024 09:21:01 GMT An ongoing child welfare transformation project conducted in partnership between the Missouri Department of Social Services and Change ........ https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MODSS/bulletins/3a0de4f https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MODSS/bulletins/3a0de4f Wed, 05 Jun 2024 13:52:01 GMT Missourians who lost food purchased with their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits due to severe storms on May 25-26, 2024 in Barry, Bollinger, Butler, Carter, New Madrid, Ripley, Scott, and Stoddard Counties will now have until June 27, 2024 ........ https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MODSS/bulletins/399a633 https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MODSS/bulletins/399a633 Wed, 01 May 2024 13:52:01 GMT Today, the Missouri Department of Social Services (DSS) published a report from the Fentanyl Case Review Subcommittee in response to the alarming trends outlined in the Child Fatality Review Program 2022 Annual Report. DSS Director Robert Knodell called for the establishment of the Subcommittee to review these cases and provide recommendations. ........ https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MODSS/bulletins/3996244 https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MODSS/bulletins/3996244 Mon, 29 Apr 2024 13:52:01 GMT Today, the Missouri Department of Social Services, MO HealthNet Division (MHD) announced they have awarded a three-year contract to AbbVie, effective July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027, to partner on MHDs Project HepCure. ........ https://dss.mo.gov/press/03-29-2024-torch-pilot-project.htm https://dss.mo.gov/press/03-29-2024-torch-pilot-project.htm Fri, 29 Mar 2024 13:52:01 GMT Today, the Missouri Department of Social Services (DSS), MO HealthNet Division (MHD), which administers Missouri’s Medicaid program, announced the approval of a 1915(b) waiver amendment from the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The waiver amendment allows for the full deployment of the Transformation of Rural Community Health (ToRCH) pilot project ........ https://dss.mo.gov/press/03-04-2024-hs-career-day.htm https://dss.mo.gov/press/03-04-2024-hs-career-day.htm Mon, 04 Mar 2024 12:58:01 GMT For the second year in a row, the Missouri Department of Social Services (DSS) will host a High School Career Day on Friday, April 12, 2024. The event will be held at the Harry S. Truman Building in Jefferson City ........ https://dss.mo.gov/press/02-01-2024-learning-lab.htm https://dss.mo.gov/press/02-01-2024-learning-lab.htm Thu, 01 Feb 2024 10:35:01 GMT Missouri is 1 of 9 states that have been selected to participate in the Health Management Associates (HMA) Children’s Behavioral Health State Policy Learning Lab in Baltimore, Maryland. HMA in partnership with the National Association of State Mental ........ https://dss.mo.gov/press/12-14-2023-healthy-moms-healthy-babies.htm https://dss.mo.gov/press/12-14-2023-healthy-moms-healthy-babies.htm Thu, 14 Dec 2023 15:35:01 GMT MO HealthNet, a division of the Missouri Department of Social Services, in collaboration with the Department of Health and Senior Services, Department of Mental Health, and Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is excited to launch the Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies initiative........ https://dss.mo.gov/press/11-27-2023-infant-sleep-related-suffocation-and-fentanyl-related-fatalities.htm https://dss.mo.gov/press/11-27-2023-infant-sleep-related-suffocation-and-fentanyl-related-fatalities.htm Mon, 27 Nov 2023 15:55:01 GMT An alarming trend in child fatalities related to sleep related infant suffocation and fentanyl poisoning has been identified in the Missouri Child Fatality Review Program (CFRP) Annual Report for 2022....... https://dss.mo.gov/press/08-18-2023-fosterclub-allstar-internship.htm https://dss.mo.gov/press/08-18-2023-fosterclub-allstar-internship.htm Fri, 18 Aug 2023 11:19:01 GMT We are proud to have Lacy Nolan and Shanae Boone as our 2023 FosterClub Allstars. Both youth are members of the State Youth Advisory Board (SYAB), and were instrumental in preparing for and presenting at the 2023 Child Advocacy Day at our state capitol....... https://dss.mo.gov/press/pdf/dss-third-party-cyber-attack-protection.pdf https://dss.mo.gov/press/pdf/dss-third-party-cyber-attack-protection.pdf Tue, 8 Aug 2023 18:45:01 GMT The Missouri Department of Social Services (DSS) is responding to a May 2023 data security incident that occurred with IBM Consulting (IBM) that involved Progress Software’s MOVEit Transfer software....... https://dss.mo.gov/press/pdf/dss-recognizes-child-support-awareness-month.pdf https://dss.mo.gov/press/pdf/dss-recognizes-child-support-awareness-month.pdf Wed, 02 Aug 2023 18:45:01 GMT August 1st marked the beginning of Child Support Awareness Month, and fiscal year 2022 marks the eighteenth consecutive year of surpassing $500 million collected to support children and families by the Family Support Division (FSD)...... https://dss.mo.gov/press/pdf/awards-prosecution-investigation-child-abuse.pdf https://dss.mo.gov/press/pdf/awards-prosecution-investigation-child-abuse.pdf Fri, 28 Jun 2023 18:45:01 GMT The Missouri Department of Social Services, State Technical Assistance Team (STAT) awarded American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding totaling over $980,000 to prosecuting attorney offices and law enforcement agencies across the state...... https://dss.mo.gov/press/07-27-2023-dss-releases-annual-renewal-dashboard.htm https://dss.mo.gov/press/07-27-2023-dss-releases-annual-renewal-dashboard.htm Thu, 27 Jun 2023 18:45:01 GMT Today the Missouri Department of Social Services (DSS) launched a public dashboard at https://dss.mo.gov/mis/clcounter/ to provide transparency regarding the resumption of eligibility determinations...... https://dss.mo.gov/press/06-16-2023-dss-brand-reveal.htm https://dss.mo.gov/press/06-16-2023-dss-brand-reveal.htm Fri, 16 Jun 2023 18:45:01 GMT Today, the Missouri Department of Social Services revealed its new logo, just one week after DSS Director Robert Knodell was elevated by Governor Parson to full status Director of DSS...... https://dss.mo.gov/press/06-01-2023-knodell-director.htm https://dss.mo.gov/press/06-01-2023-knodell-director.htm Thu, 01 Jun 2023 18:45:01 GMT Today, Governor Parson announced that he is elevating Robert J. Knodell to full status Director of Department of Social Services (DSS), effective June 2, 2023. Director Knodell has served as the Acting Director of DSS since October 2021...... https://dss.mo.gov/press/05-10-2023-fsd-customer-portal.htm https://dss.mo.gov/press/05-10-2023-fsd-customer-portal.htm Wed, 10 May 2023 18:45:01 GMT The Family Support Division (FSD) launched a new FSD Benefit Portal this week to help Missourians get immediate access to important updates about their benefits and submit information to FSD virtually any day, any time..... https://dss.mo.gov/press/03-05-2023-may-national-foster-care-month.htm https://dss.mo.gov/press/03-05-2023-may-national-foster-care-month.htm Wed, 03 May 2023 18:45:01 GMT Governor Parson signed a proclamation designating May Foster Care Month in Missouri, a time to recognize the vital role of foster parents and their support of children in need of loving, temporary homes.... https://dss.mo.gov/press/12-30-2022-medicaid-eligibility.htm https://dss.mo.gov/press/12-30-2022-medicaid-eligibility.htm Fri, 30 Dec 2022 18:45:01 GMT The federal government has announced that states will be required to resume annual renewals for MO HealthNet (Missouri Medicaid) beginning April 1, 2023. Annual renewals have not been required since January 2020, which is when the Federal Public... https://dss.mo.gov/press/11-21-2022-adoption-awareness-month.htm https://dss.mo.gov/press/11-21-2022-adoption-awareness-month.htm Mon, 21 Nov 2022 18:45:01 GMT Governor Mike Parson signed a proclamation designating November Adoption Awareness Month in Missouri to encourage all Missourians to learn more about the need for adoptive families and how to best support the youth awaiting adoption... https://dss.mo.gov/press/09-08-2022-medically-complex-children.htm https://dss.mo.gov/press/09-08-2022-medically-complex-children.htm Thu, 08 Sep 2022 18:45:01 GMT Seven children with medically complex conditions and the Caring for Complex Kids Coalition have reached a settlement with the Missouri Department of Social Services in the case S.J, et. al v. Knodell. Legal Services of Eastern Missouri and the National Health... https://dss.mo.gov/press/08-19-2022-dss-warns-ebt-scheme.htm https://dss.mo.gov/press/08-19-2022-dss-warns-ebt-scheme.htm Fri, 19 Aug 2022 18:45:01 GMT The Department of Social Services warns Missourians to be alert of phishing attempts to steal login credentials for their EBT card. FIS Global, Missouri’s EBT card vendor, has warned of emails being sent to clients impersonating FIS... https://dss.mo.gov/press/08-10-2022-replacement-benefit-extension.htm https://dss.mo.gov/press/08-10-2022-replacement-benefit-extension.htm Tue, 09 Aug 2022 18:45:01 GMT Missourians who lost food purchased with their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits due flooding in St. Charles County, St. Louis City, or St. Louis County will now have until August 24th to report their loss to the Family... https://dss.mo.gov/press/06-02-2022-new-specialty-health-plan.htm https://dss.mo.gov/press/06-02-2022-new-specialty-health-plan.htm Thu, 02 Jun 2022 18:45:01 GMT This summer, the Missouri Department of Social Services (DSS) will launch a new Specialty Health Plan, called Show Me Healthy Kids, to help provide unified healthcare coverage to youth who are in DSS custody, former foster children... https://dss.mo.gov/press/05-02-2022-national-foster-care-month.htm https://dss.mo.gov/press/05-02-2022-national-foster-care-month.htm Mon, 02 May 2022 18:45:01 GMT Governor Parson signed a proclamation designating May Foster Care Month in Missouri, a time to recognize the vital role of foster parents and their support of children in need of loving, temporary... https://dss.mo.gov/press/04-01-2022-child-abuse-prevention-month.htm https://dss.mo.gov/press/04-01-2022-child-abuse-prevention-month.htm Fri, 01 Apr 2022 18:45:01 GMT April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and the Department of Social Services (DSS) Children’s Division asks you to join us in raising awareness about child abuse and neglect prevention in your community. This year’s theme is... https://dss.mo.gov/press/03-01-2022-lihwap-new-program.htm https://dss.mo.gov/press/03-01-2022-lihwap-new-program.htm Tue, 01 Mar 2022 18:45:01 GMT The Department of Social Services has begun accepting applications for the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP), a new program that may be able to help with a one-time payment for water and/or...