About Us
Missouri Department of Social Service
Children's Division
Prevention - Partnership - Protection
Working with you in protecting Missouri's youth.
Our Vision
Safety, health and well-being for every Missouri child.
Our Mission
To partner with families, communities and government to protect children from abuse and neglect, while assuring safety, permanency and well-being for Missouri's children.
Our Guiding Principles
PROTECTION - Children have a right to be safe and live free from abuse and neglect.
PERMANENCY - Children are entitled to enduring, nurturing relationships that provide a sense of family, stability and belonging.
PARTNERSHIP - Families, communities and government share the responsibility to create safe, nurturing environments for families to raise their children - only through working together can better outcomes be achieved.
PRACTICE - The family is the basic building block of society and is irreplaceable. Building on their strengths, families are empowered to identify and access services that support, preserve and strengthen their functioning.
PREVENTION - Families are supported through proactive, intentional activities that promote positive child development and prevent abuse and neglect.
PROFESSIONALISM - Staff are valued, respected and supported throughout their career and in turn provide excellent service that values, respects and supports families.
