The post Bringing The Healing Power of Music Therapy to Hilltop first appeared on Lutheran Family and Children's Services of Missouri.

Abuse, neglect, infertility or depression doesn’t care about who you vote for. These challenges can affect anybody, anywhere. LFCS offers critical services like pregnancy testing and support, parenting education, counseling for children and families, adoption services, foster care, and child development programs. These services aren’t just important; they are essential in helping children grow up safe, supported, and empowered.

By choosing to support LFCS, you’re casting your vote for a brighter future where every child has the tools, love, and care they need to succeed. Your gift is a direct endorsement of hope and healing for families who rely on LFCS to overcome the hardships they face.

The post LFCS Rallies Around Kids During This Election Season first appeared on Lutheran Family and Children's Services of Missouri.

The post Empowering Families: Inside Lutheran Family and Children’s Services of Missouri’s Parenting Program first appeared on Lutheran Family and Children's Services of Missouri.

Now, at age 34, Mia stands as a living testament to the resilience, hope, and transformative impact of LFCS.

Mia’s story is one of determination and growth, marked by her commitment to creating a better life for herself and her three children, ages 10, 6, and 2. Her connection with LFCS began when she was just 21 and expecting her first child. During this period, Mia grappled with the daunting prospect of single motherhood while struggling to find the support and guidance she desperately needed.

“I was a hot mess,” said Mia. “I did not know what to do. I didn’t have much support, and I felt completely lost.”

At this challenging juncture, Mia was referred to LFCS’s Springfield, Missouri office, marking the beginning of a life-altering partnership.

A Supportive Alliance

LFCS counselors stepped in to provide Mia with the support and resources she required throughout her pregnancy and as she faced the reality of single motherhood. Their guidance and support enabled her to acquire essential coping skills, manage her relationship with her child’s father, and explore options, including adoption.

One exceptional aspect of Mia’s experience was LFCS’s ability to tailor its support to her needs. Recognizing her anxiety about becoming a mother, Mia requested a lifelike infant simulator to help her prepare for parenthood. LFCS went above and beyond to fulfill her request, ensuring she had the tools to confront the challenges ahead confidently.

A Brighter Future

Following the birth of her child, LFCS counselors continued to provide invaluable assistance, helping Mia secure a crib, car seat, and the support of a doula. These resources facilitated her transition into motherhood, allowing her to concentrate on nurturing her child’s development.

LFCS counselors continued addressing immediate needs and helped Mia develop crucial life skills. Budgeting became an integral part of her journey, equipping her with the knowledge to manage her finances effectively. Moreover, the LFCS team encouraged Mia to explore career opportunities aligned with her goals, even as she pursued her dreams in art and entrepreneurship.

Empowering Lives

Throughout Mia’s collaboration with LFCS, guided by compassionate counselors, she discovered the importance of confidence, resilience, and self-empowerment. Mia uncovered her inner strength and mustered the courage to chase her dreams. Today, she not only stands as a mother of three incredible children, with another on the way but also as a burgeoning entrepreneur and founder of a nonprofit.

Mia is the driving force behind the Pacific Community Garden, a nonprofit that aims to teach minorities in Springfield how to cultivate independence through gardening while providing a therapeutic outlet. Her establishment serves as the heart of this initiative. Mia also co-founded the United Community Change, a racial awareness group dedicated to fostering positive change in the community.

A Powerful Reminder

Mia’s remarkable transformation from a young, uncertain mother-to-be to an empowered entrepreneur and community leader exemplifies the life-changing influence of LFCS. Through their collective efforts, LFCS not only helped Mia succeed but inspired her to pay it forward, making a meaningful impact on the lives of others.

Mia’s message to anyone facing a challenging situation is hope and encouragement. “Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Contact LFCS and let them guide you towards your needed resources and support. You’ll build relationships that last a lifetime, gain valuable skills, and discover your strengths.”

The post From Uncertainty to Empowerment: Mia’s Story first appeared on Lutheran Family and Children's Services of Missouri.

Together we face uncertainty, worry, and sudden changes that affect both our personal and professional lives. We all feel the impact. How we react to these unforeseen disruptions will make a difference in our lives as well as those we love.

LFCS is adapting because children and families in Missouri remain our priority.

As leaders in the field of professional mental health services, we know that times of crisis are stressful and often traumatic for children and families. When unmanaged, the effects of stress and trauma can impact our mental, physical, social, emotional, or spiritual well-being.

So we want to know, how are you doing?

If you need help, we understand. We are here for you. LFCS counselors are ready to address the challenges your family may feel during this time of uncertainty. We aim to provide ways for you to cope, help connect you with much-needed resources, and offer additional comfort during these difficult times. We are accessible through telehealth to protect your physical health and respect social distancing guidelines. This virtual approach to therapy includes counseling over the telephone or through video conferencing, such as Zoom, Skype or FaceTime. We understand these methods may be new to you. We will do our best to make you comfortable and to accommodate you and your family’s unique needs as we move forward together.

Call us today at 866-326-LFCS  or submit your request for services online.

The post We are here for you first appeared on Lutheran Family and Children's Services of Missouri.

Early in my career, I found myself working for the Children’s Division; an agency with the Department of Social Services designed to protect children and reunite families.  I had intentions of this role being a mere stepping stone to the wonderful future I had laid out for myself.  Somehow though, I never left.  For ten years, I was on the front line working directly with children and families involved in the foster care system.  I tried to leave – I really did, but I never could.  I could not find anything that interested me more.  Finally, I just gave on the idea of doing anything else.  I thought, “Maybe this is where I am meant to be.  Maybe this is what God intended for my life.”  And I spent the next 16 months going through the motions of a case worker.

In that time, I fully released control and let God lead and then things began to change in the most unexpected way.  My hardened, jaded heart began to soften.  In September 2014, I was taking a little girl back to her foster home after a visit with her birth parents.  As I was driving, a desire appeared in my heart and sat like a ton of bricks.  The most random thing at the most random time…I wanted to foster! I wasn’t sure what was wrong with me and sat dumbfounded wondering why I felt this way.  My husband Joe and I had talked about fostering over the years, but the conversations were never very serious. With this new true desire to foster, Joe and I agreed to start praying for God to lead us in the right direction.  And the dominoes began to fall.

First, a job opportunity with Lutheran Family and Children’s Services surfaced – even though I had not been looking.  Then, we decided we wanted to begin the foster care classes, and we were able begin almost immediately and were licensed in less than six months.  A few weeks after we were licensed, our licensing worker completed one of our home visits.  While visiting, she told us about three little boys who were available for adoption. We immediately declined as our plan was for one child, maybe two, who we assumed would be school age, preteen, or a teen.

A few weeks following our home visit, LFCS set up a photo shoot for foster children as a fundraiser for the agency.  Since I knew the sibling group of three boys needed some recruitment, I invited their foster family to the event so the boys would have a professional recruitment picture.  The family walked through the door, and as I watched and briefly interacted with the boys, my heart fluttered and my mind started running in circles with thoughts that I didn’t make sense.

I called Joe immediately afterwards to tell him about the boys, and we decided to move forward.  Joe recalls my exact words being, “I found our kids!”  I asked our licensing worker if she thought we were crazy for considering this.  I felt crazy.  None of it made any sense.  I’m a germ-a-phobe who hates needles and hospitals.  How can three little boys, one who has medical issues, be a good fit??

Well, the rest is history, and we have been incredibly blessed with three spunky, energetic, sweet, amazing sons. I often don’t feel like we deserve them, and I’m still in complete awe of how things worked out.  There’s definitely something to be said about giving everything to God.  My life completely changed when I stopped fighting and gave that control to the One who knows it all.  With God in control, I know we can’t go wrong.

Who else could have turned this heart of mine??

The post From Caseworker to Mother of 3 first appeared on Lutheran Family and Children's Services of Missouri.

Henley lights up when she sees her mom, Aubrey, walk in the playroom. Love equally reflects from Aubrey’s eyes when she lifts her two-year old daughter into her arms for this afternoon’s fifth hug. From appearances, they seem happy in this moment. Sadly, Aubrey and Henley face many struggles. Just two months ago, they arrived at a local homeless shelter with little more than the clothes on their backs. Here is how…

Eight years ago when Aubrey was ten, Aubrey’s mom walked away from parenthood. With no father to speak of and without another option, Aubrey was placed in her grandmother’s care. The placement gave her a bed to sleep in and regular meals, but Aubrey rarely felt safe. Her grandmother emotionally abused her, blaming Aubrey for her mother leaving. Eventually, she delivered weekly beatings when Aubrey seemed numb to the verbal lashings.

By 14, Aubrey was retaliating from the abuse by acting out at school and making poor choices. In her second year of high school, Aubrey discovered she was pregnant. Terrified, she hid the news from her grandmother until she could not hide it anymore. Outraged by her granddaughter’s behavior, Aubrey’s grandmother withdrew her from school and refused to let her return – even after Henley was born.

When her grandmother started to direct her abuse and manipulation toward Henley, Aubrey made the brave choice to leave. She did not want her child subjected to the cruelty she had survived. They walked out one morning and never returned.

Now working with LFCS, Aubrey knows her future will be better than her past. She is learning what it means to be a good mom for the very first time. With her case worker, she has attained permanent housing, developed a plan to finish her high school education, and begun her job search. Every day, Aubrey strives to give Henley the childhood she deserves. With help from LFCS, its happening.

Aubrey and Henley participate in the LFCS Home Visitation program. LFCS is contracted with the state to provide home visitation services with parents of children under the age of three in the St. Louis and Joplin areas. LFCS partners with FamilyForward and Good Shepherd to provide services in St Louis area. The goal of home visitation program is to provide parents with education and support that leads to the prevention of child abuse and neglect; support and encourage care that promotes positive brain development in children; and improve school readiness in children.

To be eligible for participation in the home visiting program, a family must:

• Have a child less than three years of age in the home

• Have a household income below 185% of the poverty line

• Meet one of the following:

• Referred by Children’s Division for being at-risk for physical, emotional, social or educational abuse/neglect

• A family whose child is in the custody of Children’s Division with an active plan for custody of the child to be returned to the family

• Living in a shelter or temporary housing

• Teenage parent

• Unemployed

• Employed 40 hours or less per week

• Participating in an education or job training program.

For more information, contact the LFCS Family Services intake line 314-854-5704 or email nurturingnetworkreferral@ccstl.org.

The post One step to end abuse first appeared on Lutheran Family and Children's Services of Missouri.

Samantha and Drew are just 20-years old. They met shortly after graduating high school and married before turning 19. To most, their odds at a happy and successful life together seemed unlikely for so many reasons.

Neither had been raised with much love or stability. Drew spent much of his childhood alone; his father a single dad who preferred to throw punches and insults rather than support his son. Likewise, Samantha rarely felt loved. Her stepfather abused her for as long as she could remember and when she finally had the courage to speak up, Samantha’s mother refused to believe her.

Children who are victims of domestic violence are 3 times more likely to repeat the cycle in adulthood, as growing up with domestic violence is the most significant predictor of whether or not someone will be engaged in domestic violence later in life.

UNICEF. “Behind Closed Doors”

Before making the choice to marry, Samantha and Drew committed to ending the cycle of abuse. They vowed to be better parents for the children they would raise. They found the support they needed to be successful through LFCS.

When they began receiving services, Mariah was just three-weeks old. Samantha was staying home, forced to quit her part-time job to care for their daughter. Drew was also unemployed following a near-fatal car accident five months prior to Mariah’s birth. He needed multiple surgeries to repair his injuries and was unable to work as a result. While struggling with the realities of life, Samantha and Drew sought help.

LFCS was able to provide parenting education for both Drew and Samantha to reduce the risk of abuse and neglect for Mariah. Drew was connected with the local Career Center to assist with his resume and job search following his recovery. Samantha received support and guidance as she explored job training opportunities and daycare recommendations for Mariah when classes began.

Today Samantha is ready to apply for a medical assistant program and Drew is working full-time in manufacturing. Their marriage is strong and they are proud to be loving parents to their sweet little girl.

Click here to read more about LFCS Parenting Services and all the ways in which we aim to end the cycle of abuse through education and counseling.

The post Love Wins for Baby Mariah first appeared on Lutheran Family and Children's Services of Missouri.

Cecelia walked into the LFCS office overwhelmed with anxiety. She was pregnant for the first time without anyone but her husband to support her. She was new to the area and had not made many friends yet. Cecelia’s mother had passed away two years before and she had no siblings or other family close by. As excited as she and her husband were to become parents, Cecelia was struggling with all of the unknowns that lie ahead.

After assessing her needs, Cecelia’s LFCS caseworker suggested she attend the monthly support group for young moms. There she was able to meet several other women who understood her circumstances. They shared their experiences of pregnancy, birth, what to expect at the hospital, parenting an infant and more. She met with her caseworker regularly, following an evidence-based parenting education curriculum to prepare for her role as a new mom. Two months after enrolling in the program, Cecelia delivered her daughter.

As the first weeks past, Cecelia felt more and more detached from her baby. “What’s wrong with me?” she thought. Cecelia had planned and prepared, so why wasn’t it all coming naturally? Her caseworker called to follow up and noticed Cecelia didn’t seem like herself. “Come by the office Wednesday. I’d love to meet the baby and talk to you more.” the caseworker requested.

Wednesday came and Cecelia arrived at the LFCS late in the afternoon. She was disheveled and noticeably upset. While sitting in her caseworker’s office, she broke down in tears sharing her fears and questions once more. Fortunately, LFCS was able to provide additional support to Cecilia through counseling services that directly addressed Cecelia’s detachment and post-partum depression.

With regular counseling, Cecelia began to recover and bond with her child. She continued to attend the support group for new moms which helped her understand she was not alone and that many of the challenges she was facing were normal in the baby’s first year of life. Today, Cecelia is parenting with confidence and her daughter is thriving at 16 months.

If you’d like to help create safe and stable home environments for families, like Cecelia’s, make a gift to LFCS today. Your contribution will make generations of children and families across Missouri safer and stronger together.

The post Finding Support during Pregnancy first appeared on Lutheran Family and Children's Services of Missouri.

Even before learning they were unable to have biological children, Heather and Longley considered adoption. But as a U.S. Navy test pilot, the couple rarely stayed in one place long enough to even consider the idea. That was until they landed in St. Louis. A three-year commitment gave them enough time to start the process, to complete their home study, and then to wait.

Waiting was the hard part. They knew the fate of their family-to-be was in the hands of a birth family who would chose them.

During that time, Heather and Longley met with their LFCS caseworker to talk about all the what-ifs of becoming a family. They learned about their options as adoptive parents and to better understand the position of birth parents. Through counseling and many conversations, Heather and Longley prepared for parenthood.

Eighteen months later, Isabelle was born. Her birth mother made the difficult, but loving decision to place her daughter with a couple who she felt could provide a life she deserved. And that one choice made Heather, Longley and Isabelle a family.

The post Promise of Family through Adoption first appeared on Lutheran Family and Children's Services of Missouri.