Missouri's Caring Communities

Missouri's Communities and state agencies are moving in a new direction. A direction that has one single aim -- to achieve better results for children and their families. This new direction began with Governor Carnahan calling for change in the way services are delivered to children and families, change in the way decisions are made, and change to more effective and flexible spending of dollars. To chart the direction for these changes in the human services and education delivery systems, Governor Carnahan created by Executive Order the Family Investment Trust (FIT), a public-private partnership of private foundations.

One of the finest opportunities to change the way serves are delivered, and to get state agencies and communities working better together, was the planning for the implementation of the federal Family Preservation and Family Support Services Act. This Act called for a collaborative planning process to integrate services at the community level. The director of the Department of Social Services requested that FIT guide this planning process as a step toward changing the way decisions are made about services to children and families. The intent was to have communities and state agencies work closer together, moving Missouri away from parallel planning toward a more integrated approach to implementing public policy.

FIT established a statewide committee called the Missouri Partners: Strong Families through Community. This committee produced Missouri's Five Year Plan based upon four policy directions set by the FIT Board of Directors.

Being accountable for results
Bringing services closer to where families live and children attend school
Active involvement of communities in decisions that affect their well-being
Using dollars more flexibly and effectively

The plan produced two strategies that built upon the current investments and successes already underway in Missouri communities. The strategy to integrate services is call Caring Communities. the strategy to develop community-wide collaboratives that serve as the focal points for organizing and financing serves involves Community Partnerships .

Missouri's Five Year Plan for Family Preservation and Family Support Services is an achievement Missourians can be proud of. the plan was immediately implemented and the Governor and the General Assembly approved a $24 million package to start a major expansion of Caring Communities in seven areas of the state.

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