MO KIN-4-KID

• Birth certificate and/or proof of citizenship
• Photos
• School records
• Immunization records (can be acquired through the child's parents, school, or physician)
• Social Security card or verification of the child's Social Security number
• Copy of medical card or child's insurance coverage
• Any legal documents relating to the child, including any documents giving you authority to have the child in your care
• Names and phone numbers of the child's caseworker(s), attorney, health care and therapy providers, and anyone who has been or is important to the child's safety and care (keep this information up to date)
• Information about how to contact the child's parents - where they are, phone numbers and addresses, names and numbers of friends and other family members. If they have been involved with a social service agency, contact agency staff to inform them that you have the child.

• If the child's parent has and will continue to provide medical insurance coverage, get the insurance information from him or her.
• Add the child to your own private insurance policy.
• Apply for MO HealthNet (Missouri Medicaid). Use personal funds to acquire medical care for your relative child.
• If the child is in state custody, the child's assigned caseworker will apply for MO HealthNet (Missouri Medicaid) coverage for the child.
• NOTE: If the child is experiencing health problems and has no current active insurance, you may need to use personal funds until the child has insurance which may or may not be reimbursed.

• Schedule comprehensive medical, dental and mental health assessments.
• Ask about medical care, vitamins and nutrition, as well as dental and eye care.
• Talk to the child's health care provider about how the child is doing and if there are specific concerns, list them and talk with the health care provider about them.
• Make a list of the care provider's suggestions for immediate and ongoing medical care.
• Ask for referrals and explain your source of payment. Ensure the child's other needs are met.
• Apply for temporary assistance (TA) through the Department of Social Services (DSS).
• Enroll the child in a local school if relocated.
• Make an appointment to meet with the child's teacher(s) and school counselor.

Learn about legal pathways that provide kinship caregivers the legal authority needed to make decisions on behalf of a child in their care.  

Learn about virtual and in-person educational and peer connection opportunities for kinship caregivers.

Get connected to MO Kinship Providers and other helpful organizations, learn about programs and activities for kids, and find information on basic needs, individual, family, and school supports.