In 2026, we are taking a closer look at the Office of Childhood (OOC) by exploring different programs that work together to strengthen children and families, and the professionals that support them. In this year’s newsletter series, we will spend each month highlighting different OOC programs. OOC is composed of many unique and connected parts, and each plays an important role. Together, all these programs are part of a larger system that supports families statewide. Our intent is to show how OOC programs fit together to create a better understanding of the work.

As part of our yearlong journey through the Office of Childhood (OOC), this month we are highlighting Community Leaders and Missouri Family Resources.

Community Leaders are “Champions of the Office of Childhood” ensuring Missouri’s childhood vision is heard through the state. Childhood community leaders are local leaders in every part of the state that develop and implement strong community plans aimed at ensuring all families with young children can access high-quality programs, services, and resources in their communities. They bring together local stakeholders to increase awareness of and coordination among early childhood programs and services. Sectioned into seven geographic regions around the state, Community Leaders are tasked with implementing strong community plans. These plans include ensuring all families with young children can access high-quality programs, services, and resources in their communities. One of these resources is Missouri Family Resources.

Missouri Family Resources is a statewide resource website and mobile app for professionals and families to access and share local early childhood resources. Easy and intuitive to use, it houses a variety of local resources for families with young children. It is accessible 24/7 and completely free to use. You can search by program name, eligibility criteria, or geographic location. Resource results can be printed or easily shared via text message, email, and social media. Resources highly searched for include housing, food, transportation, home visiting, early intervention, mental health, etc. 

In addition to promoting Missouri Family Resources, Community Leaders have regional monthly virtual meetings with speakers, updates from other community members, and Office of Childhood updates. These meetings bring together regional early childhood workers to share the wonderful work they are doing to strengthen cross-sector alignment and to coordinate implementation. 

By combining Community Leader education and outreach activities in their local communities with programs such as Missouri Family Resources, the Office of Childhood is connected to the larger goal of the mission for a more unified early childhood system in Missouri. 

For more information on Community Leaders, visit the Early Connections webpage, explore regional contacts at Childhood Community Leaders | Early Connections, and find flyers and app information for Missouri Family Resources on their webpage.