Children and Parenting Resources
4 H
101 N. Jefferson, Mexico MO 65265
573-581-3231
https://extension2.missouri.edu/counties/audrain/4-h
Email: Audrainco@missouri.edu
There are seven active 4-H clubs in Audrain County.
B&G Hustlers Club meets the second Tuesday of every month at the Courthouse Community Room at 414 N. Clark in Mexico. https://www.facebook.com/Audrain-County-4-H-B-G-Hustlers-235368233211126/
Be Bo Bouncers Club meets the fourth Monday of every month at the Beagles Community Center in Mexico.
Busy Beavers Club meets the second Tuesday of every month at the 4-H Center in Mexico.
Country Bumpkins Club meets the second Monday of every month at the 4-H Center in Mexico.
F&L Hustlers Club meets the first Wednesday of every month at the Little Dixie fire station number 3 on Highway T and Country Road 217. https://www.facebook.com/FL-Hustlers-493733470718419/
Merry Martins Club meets the second Monday of every month at the Audrain County Martinsburg Branch Library in Martinsburg. https://www.facebook.com/groups/249656971632/#_=_
Rugrats Club meets every Monday during the school year at the Garfield Community Center in Mexico.
Audrain County Childcare Facilities
Missouri Dept. of Health & Senior Services
https://healthapps.dhss.mo.gov/childcaresearch/
Please note: The records available for review on this site may not reflect the complete history of a child care facility’s compliance. Public records regarding a licensed or license-exempt child care facility are available for review and/or may be requested from Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), Section for Child Care Regulation (SCCR). Public records regarding a registered child care facility receiving child care subsidy funding are available for review and/or may be requested from Missouri Department of Social Services (DSS), Children’s Division (CD).
Audrain County Children’s Division
3626-A South Clark, Mexico MO 65265-0129
573-581-3312 Fax: 573-581-8001
Relay Missouri: 711 (Information line if you are hearing and/or speech impaired)Text Telephone: 800-735-2966 TTD Voice Access: 800-735-2466
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00-5:00
http://dss.mo.gov/cd/office/audrain.htm
Services: Provide in-home services for families in crisis, as well as providing care in alternative placements and conducting investigations on child abuse/neglect hotlines. Eligibility: Family residing in Audrain County Fee: None
Audrain County Health Department
1130 S. Elmwood Drive, Mexico MO 65265
573-581-1332 or 573-581-6060 Fax: 573-581-6652
Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00-4:00
shewlett@audraincountyhealth.org
http://www.audraincountyhealth.org
Services: Immunization Program for children, WIC Program, Communicable Disease Program, Maternal Child Health Program (Lead testing for children, smoking cessation, Safe Crib program, Love and Logic classes), Foot Clinic (for the Elderly, Diabetic and Obese), Back to School Fair (physicals and school supplies), Safe at Home Program, AC-MAP (prescription assistance), Free Mammogram Clinic, Opioid Program, Human Services Council, Fresh Start Smoking Cessation, Environmental Public Health Program.
Eligibility: Audrain County citizen Fee: Some based on services offered.
Audrain County Public Schools Review
https://www.publicschoolreview.com/missouri/audrain-county
A listing of all the public schools in Audrain County with map and contact information.
Being Successful in College as a Parent
https://online.maryville.edu/blog/being-successful-in-college-as-a-parent/
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Missouri
4250 E Broadway #1067, Columbia, MO 65201
573-874-3677 Fax 573-874-3679
http://www.bigsofcentralmo.org/
Hours: 8 am-5 pm Monday through Friday
Services: Provides volunteers to mentor children in need of an adult role model. Mentors children of single parents or prisoners; children in Columbia Public Schools grades k-9 and in after school community centers; Teen works program mentor teen parents and older teens.
Eligibility: Age 6-14, single parent family, foster children, or children of incarcerated parents
Fees: None
Boy Scouts of America - Grand Prairie District
First Presbyterian Church
400 Lakeview Rd., Mexico, MO
600-676-3088
The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) provides the foremost youth program of character development, personal fitness, career education, and leadership training, which helps all youth ages 5-20 be “Prepared. For Life.®”
CMCA - ShowMe Healthy Relationships
800 N. Providence Rd., Ste. 110, Columbia, MO 65203
573-443-8706 ext. 1022, or 855-422-4510 or text 573-239-1776
nolanda@cmca.us
The ShowMe Healthy Relationships Program offers free courses for individuals who would like to learn more about healthy relationships. The courses are designed to help those that are not in a committed relationship learn how to identify the qualities that make a healthy partner, and how to communicate and maintain relationships. Participants also learn how parenting, finances, and personal well-being impact their healthy relationship choices.
Eligibility: Over 18 and not currently in a committed relationship
Fees: None, barrier reducers are given for participation
Central Missouri Community Action - Williams Family Support Center Head Start
801 East Breckenridge Mexico, MO 65265
573.581.6806 Fax: 573.582.7587
Apply Online:
English link: Head Start App (English)
Spanish link: Head Start App (Spanish)
Head Start is a federal program for preschool children from low income families. Children who attend Head Start participate in a variety of educational activities. Staff assist parents with medical and dental care, provide healthy meals and snacks and supervise children playing indoors and outdoors in a safe setting.
Head Start helps all children succeed. Services are offered to meet the special needs of children with disabilities. Children in Head Start are between the ages of three and five years old. Early Head Start serves infants and toddlers and a home based program is also available.
Central Missouri Foster Care and Adoption Association
105 W. Ash, Columbia, MO 65202
573-298-0258 573-476-6039
CMFCAA is a community service organization that provides for the needs of foster, adoptive, kinship, and guardianship youth and families. What began as a small support group has grown into a multifaceted organization that provides direct support, education, services and advocacy to foster and adoptive families in a 13 county central Missouri region.
Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline
Statewide Open 24 hours/day 800-392-3738
Child Care Aware of Missouri
866-892-3228
Services: Assist families by providing a list of child care providers in their area. We also provide training to child care providers in order for them to stay in compliance with the state regulations.
Fee: None for families/parents seeking child care, nominal fee for providers for child care trainings Area: Child Care Aware serves as a community resource on child care for 46 counties in Central and Northeast Missouri.
Children's Therapy and Early Education School
408 S. Missouri St., Mexico, MO 65265
573-581-2793
https://specialty-schools.cmac.ws/childrens-therapy-early-education-school/2815/
Early Intervention for Children With Disabilities/Delays
Community R - VI School District
35063 Hwy BB, Laddonia, MO 63352
855-708-7567 Fax: 573-492-6268
Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland
230 Metro Dr., Jefferson City, MO 65109
877-312-4764
Contact: https://www.girlscoutsmoheartland.org/en/our-council/web-to-case.html
www.girlscoutsmoheartland.org/
Helps girls learn decision making skills, develop values, and participate in community service projects; girls may participate as members of a troop or as individual Juliettes. Financial assistance available.
Dream Factory - Central Missouri Chapter
P.O. Box 139, Columbia, MO 65203
573-881-6690
https://dreamfactoryinc.org/centralmissouri/
centralmissouri@dreamfactoryinc.org
Helps fulfill the dreams of critically or chronically ill children ages 3 - 8.
First Chance for Children
1010 Fay Street Columbia, MO 65201
573-777-1815
http://www.firstchanceforchildren.org/
First Chance for Children provides a wide range of comprehensive programming designed to support families with their specific parenting needs. From diapers and cribs, to parent education, play groups, and more, First Chance for Children has a service for all families with children under the age of 5. Together, we can ensure all children are ready for school, ready for life.
Safe C.R.I.B.S., which stands for Community Resources, Infant Beds, and Support, provides infants without a safe place to sleep a pack and play crib. The crib is delivered to the family and is followed by 5 additional home visits focusing on family wellbeing and child safety. CRIBS is open to low-income families or those experiencing high parenting stress
Baby Bags provides diapers, wipes, hygiene items, and other supplies needed to provide care and comfort to children delivered along with Child development and safety information. Items are available at the First Chance office or through one of our partner programs.
Geographic Area Served: Boone, Howard, Cooper, Randolph, Audrain, Callaway, Moniteau, Cole, and Osage Counties.
Focus on Kids
Montgomery Courthouse
211 E. Third St., Montgomery City
573-564-3341
More than half of all marriages end in divorce, and the majority of these involve children. Conflict between parents, both before and after a divorce, is associated with many negative outcomes in children. The purpose of this workshop is to help parents learn how to nurture and support their children during and after their divorce.
Focus on Kids satisfies the Missouri law that requires parents who are divorcing to attend an educational parenting program. It is conducted in cooperation with Missouri’s circuit courts.
Lutheran Family and Children’s Services
307 Locust St., Columbia, MO 65201
(573)815-9955 or 866-326-LFCS (5327) Fax: (573)449-4640
Hours: 8:30-4:30
Services: Counseling for women experiencing an unplanned pregnancy, offers parenting skills
or placing child in an adoptive home; advocate for birth mother’s role in her decision; some
funding available for medical costs; adoptive services include domestic and international
adoptions, as well as home studies and post-placement supervision: Resources Parents provides
group support, mentors and individualized case management support for youth who are pregnant
or parenting.
Fee: Fee for adoptions and home studies, no fee for pregnancy counseling
Eligibility: None for pregnancy counseling clients, call for criteria if wanting to adopt
MPACT (Missouri Parents Act)
A statewide advocacy, information, and resource organization serving children with disabilities, their families, and consumers.
800-743-7634
Mexico Audrain County Library
305 W. Jackson, Mexico, MO 65265
573-581-4939
Ed French Memorial Library
406 E. 2nd St., Laddonia, MO 63352
573-373-2393
Farber Branch
113 W. Front St., Farber MO 63345
57-249-2012
Martinsburg Branch
201 E. Washington St., Martinsburg, MO 65264
573-492-6254
Vandalia Branch Library
312 S. Main, Vandalia, MO 63382
573-594-6600
http://mexico-audrain.lib.mo.us/mexico-audrain/
The Mexico-Audrain County Library District provides access to the Internet as one means of fulfilling its mission to deliver high quality, technologically current reading and information services that support the lifelong learning and recreational needs of our diverse population. All Internet resources accessible to users in the library are provided to cardholders with the understanding that it is the individual user's responsibility to demonstrate judgment, respect for others, and appropriate conduct while using public library resources and facilities.
Mexico School District #59
2101 Lakeview, Mexico, MO 65265
573-581-3773 Fax: 573-581-1794
https://www.mexicoschools.net/
Davis H. Hart Career Center
905 N. Wade, Mexico, MO 65265
573-581-5684
Eugene Field Elementary School
704 West Blvd., Mexico, MO 65265
573-581-5268
Hawthorne Elementary
1250 W. Curtis, Mexico, MO 65265
573-581-3064
McMillan Elementary School
1101 E. Anderson, Mexico, MO 65265
573-581-5029
Mexico Middle School
1200 West Blvd., Mexico, MO 65265
573-581-4664
Mexico High School
639 N. Wade, Mexico, MO 65265
573-581-4296
Missouri State Division of Child Support Enforcement
205 Jefferson St., Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573) 751-4224
https://dss.mo.gov/child-support/contact-child-support.htm
The Child Support program responsibilities include locating parents, establishing paternity, establishing child and medical support orders, monitoring and enforcing compliance with child and medical support orders, reviewing and initiating modification of support orders and distributing support collections.
My Life Clinic
802 N. Providence Rd. Suite 2, Columbia, MO 65203
573-874-3561 Fax: 573-875-5244
Hours: Monday-Thursday 10:00-5:00
My Life Clinic offers professional, confidential pregnancy medical and non-medical services at no cost. Services include pregnancy confirmation, limited ultrasounds, pregnancy prevention and termination education, prenatal vitamins, limited STD testing and treatment, and adoption consultations. Appointments may be scheduled for general community resource education and referral. Once you are a client at our clinic, you may access parent mentoring, parenting classes, mom's support group, abortion recovery support program and earn baby bucks to use in our baby boutique. We are available for emergency needs diapers to all members of the community.
Eligibility: There are no limits to who can access services at My Life Clinic. Clients must qualify for limited OB ultrasound and STD testing. This can be done by speaking with our Nurse Manager. The baby boutique carries clothing up to size 24 mos.
ParentLink - University of Missouri
4800 Santana Circle, Columbia, M) 65203
(573) 882-7322 Fax: (573) 884-0409
Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (closed noon to 1:00 p.m.)
Parent Link Warm Line - 800-552-8522 for high quality parenting information and answers to your parenting questions
https://www.facebook.com/parentlink/
Services: Provides research-based parenting information, referrals, and supportive conversation to parents and professionals working with parents and children; also available to students
Fee: Free
Eligibility: Parents and professionals involved with children
Parents As Teachers - Mexico
920 S. Jefferson St., Mexico, MO 65265
573-581-3776
Community R-VI Parents as Teachers
36063 Highway BB, Laddonia, MO 65332
573-855-708-7567
Van-Far Parents as Teachers
2122 Audrain Rd. 557, Vandalia, MO 65265
573-594-2731
An early-learning program for parents with children prenatal to age 5. As a parent, you are your child's first teacher and your home is your child's first schoolhouse. Your baby begins learning at birth. Parents As Teachers can help you lay a strong foundation for your child's future success in school. Parents As Teachers is offered at no cost to all interested parents.
Program Services:
Home Visits - Personalized home visits by certified parent educators, specially trained in child development and eager to help you give your child a great start.
Group Connections - Group meetings with other parents and parent-child activities, where you can share parenting experiences and gain new insight about your child.
Play Groups (only in Mexico) - Small monthly play groups with the opportunity to socialize with other parents in the program. Held on a weekday morning.
Screenings - PAT offers periodic screening of overall development, language, hearing, and vision.
Post Partum Support International
English or Spanish 800-944-4773
English text line 800-944-4773
Spanish text line 971-420-0294
The purpose of the organization is to increase awareness among public and professional communities about the emotional changes that women experience during pregnancy and postpartum. Approximately 15% of all women will experience postpartum depression following the birth of a child. Up to 10% will experience depression or anxiety during pregnancy. When the mental health of the mother is compromised, it affects the entire family.
Online Post Partum Support Group http://www.ppdsupportpage.com/
Safe Kids Coalition - Columbia
404 N. Keene St., Columbia, MO 65201
573-771-9216 FAX 573-449-7588
Services: Child Passenger Safety: provides car and booster seats with instruction from certified Child Passenger Safety Technician; Helmet & Wheeled Sports Safety: provides helmets for kids 15 and younger with fitting and safety education; Pool, Spa, and Open Water Safety: water safety events scheduled throughout the swimming season; Pedestrian Safety: programs and events organized annually; Home Safety: poison prevention, falls prevention and toy safety, fire and burn prevention education; safety tips and fact sheets available on the website. Safe Kids Day each spring – Fun and educational
Eligibility: Preventable injury programs for children 19 years and under
Intake Procedures: Car seat and helmet fitting and instruction by appointment, educational program requests scheduled 4-6 weeks in advance
Required Documentation for Services: N/A
Geographic Area Served: Audrain, Boone, Cooper, Callaway, Cole and Howard counties
Services for Independent Living
1401 Hathman Place, Columbia, MO 65201
573-874-1646 Fax: 573-874-3564
Hours: 8:00-5:00 (M-F)
Services for Independent Living (SIL) is a non-profit Center for Independent Living that promotes independence for persons with disabilities, seniors, and veterans by following the Independent Living Philosophy. We provide five core services: Advocacy, Independent Living Skills, Information & Referral, Peer Support, and Transition.
Our services include: Assistive devices/technology information, demonstration, and technical assistance, a hands-on demonstration center, equipment loans, and ramp installation. Our reutilization program accepts donations of gently used fully functional durable medical equipment.
Youth programs and services for ages 13-32 aids transition into adulthood and is provided in individualized and group settings. Year-round support groups, activities, and classes on pre-employment and work readiness, financial literacy, cooking, healthy relationships, social skills.
Personal Care Services include Consumer-Directed Service: the consumer chooses, hires, and directs their attendant, In-Home Service: the attendant is employed by SIL but the consumer directs their activities. Applications for aides and attendants are continuously accepted.
Aging in Place assists individuals age 55+ to remain active in the community, reduce isolation, and maximize their independence.
Transportation Services provides door-to-door service.
Volunteer services is always accepting individuals to assist in our mission.
Fee: Most services are free (there may be low cost fees for transportation service).
Eligibility: People with disabilities, seniors, and veterans.
Geographic Area Served: Audrain, Boone, Callaway, Cooper, Howard, Montgomery, Randolph.
St. Raymond's Society
P.O. Box 105554, Jefferson City, MO 65110
(573) 777-1498
Hours: Referring agency representatives may contact St. Raymond’s Society on behalf of a client at 573-777-1498, Monday - Friday between the hours of 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Services: St. Raymond’s Society House is a transitional home for expectant and newly parenting mothers. Provides resources to mothers in need to become self-reliant and prepare them to give their child the security of a stable home. Offers additional support to pregnant and newly parenting woman who do not need housing but face other challenges, including financial assistance and baby supplies when funds allow.
Fee: Free of charge
Eligibility: Clients must be expectant or newly parenting mothers. Mothers and children five years old or younger may be eligible to live at St. Raymond’s Society House with their children. Residents of SRS House must be 18 years old or older.
Intake Procedures: Referral from another agency and application process.
Required Documentation for Services: St. Raymond’s Society application from referring agency, state ID, background check.
Geographic Area Served: Central Missouri
Population Served: Mother – Clients must be 18 or older to live at SRS House, however no age restrictions on clients living outside of SRS House
United 4 Children
800-467-2322
https://health.mo.gov/askus.php
http://health.mo.gov/safety/childcare/referrals.php
There are some child care facilities that specialize in caring for children with special needs, but most do not. Visit United 4 children for help finding a suitable program. These services are provided through funding from Missouri Dept. of Health and Senior Services. Fee: None
Van-Far R-I School District
2200 W. Hwy 54, Vandalia, MO 63382
573-594-6111 573-594-2878