Social Services
Central Missouri Community Action - Howard County Office - Call for Appt.
385 Ashley Rd, Boonville, MO 65233
660-882-5601 Fax: 660-324-2902
Central Missouri Community Action Services: Early Head Start, Head Start, Resource Coordinators, Financial Coaching, Skill-Up Program, Health Care Advocates, Community Organizing, Energy Assistance, Family Success Coaching, Foster Grandparent Program, The BRIDGE, Home Weatherization, ShowMe Healthy Relationships, Housing Choice Voucher (formerly Section 8), USDA Housing, and Housing Development.
DeafLEAD (formerly The L.E.A.D. Institute)
2505 W. Ash, Columbia, MO 65203
Phone: Voice/TTY (573)445-5005 Videophone: (573) 303-5604
Missouri Crisis/Text Line: (573)445-5035 or 888-761-4357 or text HAND to 839863
Deaf Crisis Line: 321-800-3323 or text HAND to 839863
FAX: 573-445-5088
Hours: 9:00-5:00 Monday-Friday, Crisis Line 24 hours
Services: Provide education, advocacy, crisis intervention, counseling, and other direct services for deaf, hard of hearing, deaf/blind, and late-deafened individuals and families; Missouri Crisis Hotline/Text Line; Deaf Crisis Videophone Hotline, sign language classes for all ages; deaf culture training to agencies; Teen Institute (camp for deaf and hard of hearing youth) teaches alcohol and drug abuse prevention, HIV/AIDS awareness, and other issues facing youth; free counseling for hearing and deaf individuals and their families who are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, rape, incest and child abuse, free 24-hour crisis interpreting for Deaf victims of crime.
Fee: Sign language classes – call for current fee
Eligibility: Services provided as needed
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.
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.
Howard County Family Support Division
103 Furr Street, Fayette, MO 65248
660-248-3324 Fax: 660-248-1023
Howard County Family Support Division Fayette is the local county Social Services Department that handles family support social services. These services include a variety of financial resources including: Medical Assistance, Low Income Energy Assistance, Food Stamps, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). If you reside in this area, please call this office and ask for an application to apply for financial services assistance.
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
Missouri State Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
900 W. Nifong, Ste. 210, Columbia, MO 65203
(573)882-9910 Fax: (573)884-5250
Hours: 8:00-4:30 (M-F)
https://dese.mo.gov/adult-learning-rehabilitation-services/vocational-rehabilitation/columbia-vr
Services: Vocational rehabilitation services, guidance, evaluation, job training and placement,
assistance with accommodations, other services as needed for a positive employment outcome
Fee: Free
Eligibility: Physical or mental impediment/disability which makes it difficult to obtain
employment