Social Services, Department Of Legislation - Missouri

HCS/SS/SCS/SB 726 - This act modifies provisions relating to child care facilities.QUALITY RATING SYSTEM This act requires the Department of Social Services in collaboration with the Departments of Health and Senior Services, Elementary and Secondary Education, and Mental Health to develop by September 1, 2008, a quality rating system for early childhood and before-and after-school programs licensed by the Department of Health and Senior Services that operate in this state. The licensing of such facilities shall be the baseline, while the highest rating includes accreditation. The departments shall utilize the model from the existing Missouri quality rating system pilots developed by the University of Missouri Center for Family Policy and Research to establish the system. The system will allow consumers and parents to evaluate and select high quality programs and creates a system of accountability for policymakers and those who fund such programs. By July 1, 2011, all licensed [...]

show full description

SCS/SB 776 - This act provides that the Children's Division within the Department of Social Services, shall develop rules to become effective by July 1, 2009, modifying the income eligibility criteria for any person receiving state-funded child care assistance, either through vouchers or direct reimbursement to child care providers. Persons receiving state-funded child care assistance with family incomes of less than 140 percent of the federal poverty level shall receive child care subsidy benefits, less a sliding scale fee established by the division based on family size and income. A person receiving state-funded child care assistance and whose income surpasses 140 percent of the federal poverty level may continue to receive reduced subsidy benefits on a scale established by the division until such person's income reaches 185 percent of the federal poverty level. At such time, the person will have assumed the full cost of the maximum base child care subsidy rate established by the [...]

show full description

SB 799 - This act requires every school district, in collaboration with the Office of Child Mental Health, to develop a policy of incorporating social and emotional development into the district's educational program. Each district must submit this policy to the Missouri State Board of Education by January 1, 2009. The Missouri State Board of Education shall develop and implement a plan to incorporate social and emotional development standards for the purpose of enhancing and measuring children's school readiness and ability to achieve academic success in time for the 2009-2010 school year. The plan shall be submitted to the Governor, General Assembly, and the Children's Services Commission by July 1, 2009. Thereafter, the Children's Services Commission shall receive annual reports from the State Board of Education on the implementation and effects of the plan so that the Commission may issue recommendations for improvements to the plan to the General Assembly. The Department [...]

show full description