President Charlie Shields | Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
In the recent legislative session, the Missouri General Assembly made amendments to restructure the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s (DESE) Office of Childhood Home Visiting section. These changes, pending Governor Kehoe's approval of House Bill 2 and House Bill 5, will take effect on July 1, 2025.
Key programs transitioning from DESE to the Children’s Trust Fund (CTF) include the Missouri Parenting Partnership Program (MOPPP) and Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV). MOPPP offers voluntary home visiting services across the state aimed at preventing child abuse and neglect. Meanwhile, MIECHV provides services in select counties to promote healthy development for children.
The Parent Advisory Council and Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems Council will see administrative duties move from DESE to CTF, although DESE will remain an active collaborative partner. The Parent Advisory Council is a group of family leaders addressing issues faced by families statewide. The Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems Council works with early care professionals to create an integrated maternal and early childhood system of care.
The Missouri Parents as Teachers Parent Education Program will continue under DESE without any changes. This program provides universal services to families from prenatal stages until children reach kindergarten age.
Additional federal Title V Maternal Child Health Services Block Grant-funded programs like Nurse Family Partnership and Healthy Families America will not renew beyond September 30, 2025. However, DESE will maintain administration through the end of their current contracts.
The Safe Cribs for Missouri Program will transition back to the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) on October 1, 2025. This program supplies portable cribs and safe sleep education to low-income families lacking other resources.
"Home visiting programs are a key tool used to prevent child abuse and neglect," said Commissioner of Education Dr. Karla Eslinger. "CTF is an important partner...and we look forward to assisting their team as these programs shift."
DESE remains committed to supporting agencies, providers, and families during this transition period. "Home visiting is one our state’s best strategies to improve well-being," said Executive Director Emily Van Schenkhof of CTF. She expressed enthusiasm for building a leading home visiting system in collaboration with DESE.
These home visiting services focus on positive parenting, child development, health access, community resources, and economic self-sufficiency within natural settings such as homes or libraries.
Families interested in participating can visit Missouri Family Resources for more information about available services.
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