Children and Parenting Resources
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.
Blackwater R - II School District
300 Doddridge Ave., Blackwater, MO 65322
660-846-2461 Fax: 660-846-2431
http://www.blackwater.k12.mo.us/
Boonville R-I School District
736 Main St., Boonville, MO 65233
660-882-7474
Hannah Cole Primary School
1700 W. Ashley Rd., Boonville, MO 65233
660-882-2744 Fax: 660-882-2898
David Barton Elementary School
814 Locust St., Boonville, MO 65233
660-882-6527 Fax: 660-882-2473
LSE Middle School
700 Main St., Boonville, MO 65233
660-882-6649 Fax: 660-882-8646
Boonville High School
1 Pirate Dr., Boonville, MO 65233
660-882-7426 Fax: 660-882-3368
Boonslick Technical Education Ctr.
1694 W. Ashley Dr., Boonville, MO 65233
660-882-5306
Boy Scouts of America - Great Rivers Council
Scouting programs in Boonville
Aaro Froese - 573-449-2561
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.®
Bunceton R-IV Cooper County School District
500 E. Main, Bunceton, MO 65237
660-427-5415
https://www.bunceton.k12.mo.us/
Central Missouri Community Action - Cooper County Head Start
385 Ashley Rd, Boonville, MO 65233
660-882-7510 Fax: 573-370-1081
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. Services are also available to infants and toddlers with the Early Head Start Program.
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 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 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.
Cooper 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).
Cooper County Child Support Division
422 E. Spring St., Boonville, MO 65233
660-882-2700 Fax: 660-882-7599
http://www.coopercountymo.gov/
Assistance with establishing child support.
Cooper County Children’s Division / Family Support Division
409 High Street, Boonville MO 65233
660-882-5311, 855-373-4636 Automated line: 800-392-1261 Fax: 660-882-8940
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00-5:00
http://dss.mo.gov/cd/office/cooper.htm
Services: Childcare subsidies for low income families. Also provides 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 Cooper County.
Fee: None
Cooper County Public Schools Review
https://www.publicschoolreview.com/missouri/cooper-county
A listing of all the public schools in Cooper County with maps and contact information.
Dream Factory - Central Missouri Chapter
P.O. Box 139, Columbia, MO 65203
573-489-8710
centralmissouri@dreamfactoryinc.org
Helps fulfill the dreams of critically or chronically ill children ages 3 - 8.
First Chance for Children
1002 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.
Lend and Learn Libraries are a free, fun place where parents can play with their children ages 0-5, interact with other parents, and ask trained staff questions about development or other concerns. Toys are available for check out so families can extend learning and play at home. Eligibility: open to anyone caring for a child under the age of 5.
Geographic Area Served: Boone, Howard, Cooper, Randolph, Audrain, Callaway, Moniteau, Cole, and Osage Counties.
Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland
230 Metro Dr., Jefferson City, MO 65109
877-312-4764
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.
Lutheran Family and Children’s Services (Pregnant or Parenting Youth)
307 Locust St., Columbia, MO 65201 (Serves Howard County)
(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
Missouri Child Care Resource and Referral Network
2503 W. Ash, Suite A, Columbia, MO 65203
573-445-5437, Toll-free: 800-243-9685
Hours: 8:30-4:30 (M-F)
Services: Assist families with finding child care, services to families and child care providers
for children with special needs, training and newsletters for providers, educational materials, data
on Missouri child care needs.
Fee: None for families
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.
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/
Otterville R-VI School District
101 Georgetown St., Otterville, MO 65348
660-366-4621
https://www.ottervillervi.k12.mo.us/
ParentLink - University of Missouri
4800 Santana Circle, Columbia, M) 65203
(573) 882-7323 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
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
901 6th St, Boonville, MO 65233-1605
660-672-7199
https://www.boonville.k12.mo.us/programs/pat/Pages/default.aspx
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 - 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.
Pilot Grove C-4 School District
107 School St., Pilot Grove, MO 65276
660-834-6915
https://www.pilotgrove.k12.mo.us/
Prairie Home R-V School District
301 Highway Dr., Prairie Home, MO 65058
660-841-5296
https://www.prairiehome.k12.mo.us/
Rainbow House
1611 Towne Dr. Columbia, MO 65202
(573) 474-6600 ext. 2121 Fax: (573) 474-5992
Hours: Office: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (M-F); Facility: 24 hours daily
https://rainbowhousecolumbia.org/
Services: Emergency shelter for abused/neglected children; care for children of families in crisis
by private agreement; respite care for children in foster homes; Regional Child Advocacy Center
provides site for team interviews of victims of child maltreatment, child SAFE exams and
advocate services for victims; Sol House transitional living program for ages 16-21; outpatient
counseling for individuals and families affected by child abuse; group counseling; child abuse
resource library
Fee: None for shelter care, sliding fee or no charge for counseling, Medicaid accepted
Eligibility: Shelter serves children (ages 0-18) and families in crisis (self-referral or Children’s
Division referral); Child Advocacy Center is available to law enforcement, DFS, juvenile office,
and prosecuting attorney; counseling is open to any individual or family affected by child abuse.
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.