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Our vision is for all children to be
treated with kindness, dignity and respect.
Missouri KidsFirst empowers adults to protect children from abuse and neglect through community education, professional training, and child advocacy.
SAFE-CARE
Missouri KidsFirst manages the SAFE-CARE (Sexual Assault Forensic Examination-Child Abuse Resource and Education) network. SAFE-CARE is Missouri’s medical response to child abuse.
PREVENTION
Although we would like to prevent child abuse and neglect from ever occurring, we believe that adults must also be educated and empowered to recognize and react responsibly to child abuse.
POLICY
Missouri KidsFirst advocates in the Missouri General Assembly for policies and statewide funding for programs that protect and prioritize the safety and well-being of children.
MANDATED REPORTER TRAINING
Missouri KidsFirst manages Missouri’s Child Abuse and Neglect, Mandated Reporter Training (free and online). We also provide in person mandated training to organizations for a fee.
Check us out on Facebook
Missouri lawmakers returned to Jefferson City on Wednesday, January 6 for the start of the First Regular session of the 101st General Assembly. To date, over 1,100 bills have been filed.
Check out our 2021 legislative priorities, which include protecting crucial funding for children, the Child Residential Home Notification Act and more. #moleg
https://conta.cc/38ttCQT
Check out our 2021 legislative priorities, which include protecting crucial funding for children, the Child Residential Home Notification Act and more. #moleg
https://conta.cc/38ttCQT
As 2020 comes to a close, now is a great time to make a year-end donation to Missouri KidsFirst. In 2020, the federal CARES Act allows ANYONE to deduct up to $300 on their tax return for a charitable contribution. As an additional incentive for Missouri residents, if you donate $100 to Missouri KidsFirst, your donation is eligible for a Missouri Champion for Children Tax Credit. Your gift today will make a big impact on our mission of empowering adults to protect children from abuse and neglect. For more information on the scope of our work across the state of Missouri, please visit our website at: www.missourikidsfirst.org.
After a nationwide search, Missouri KidsFirst is very proud to introduce David Chayer as our new Executive Director. David has over 21 years of nonprofit leadership and management experience.
He previously served the American Red Cross for over 14 years in multiple senior leadership positions across the country, including El Paso, Texas, Dallas, Texas, Tallahassee, FL, Washington, D.C, and Corpus Christi, TX. David began his Red Cross career as the State Director of Government and External Relations in Illinois.
In addition to his experience with the Red Cross, he also served as the Executive Director for The ALS Association Texas Chapter where he led statewide efforts to help ALS families and their caregivers in their battle against Lou Gehrig’s disease, increase awareness of ALS, raising money for programs and critical research, strengthening federal and state advocacy efforts, and overseeing the ALS’ signature Walk to Defeat ALS events throughout Texas. Recently, he served as the Executive Director for the Center Against Sexual and Family Violence in El Paso, Texas.
Before joining the nonprofit world, David worked for six years in state and local government in Illinois, including positions with the City of Carbondale, Office of the Lt. Governor, and the Illinois General Assembly. In 2000, David was elected to the Divernon Village Board in his first-ever campaign for public office. He has also served as an Adjunct Instructor at Blackburn College where he taught State and Local Government. Chayer also served as a volunteer firefighter, and, for five years, served as the Head Cross Country Coach at Auburn Junior and Senior High School in Illinois.
Originally from St. Anne, Illinois, David holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Blackburn College and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.
He and his wife Zyanya and daughter Zyanya Dorothy live in Columbia, MO.
Check our December Newsletter for a year-end update and looking forward to 2021: https://conta.cc/2KE2gy4
He previously served the American Red Cross for over 14 years in multiple senior leadership positions across the country, including El Paso, Texas, Dallas, Texas, Tallahassee, FL, Washington, D.C, and Corpus Christi, TX. David began his Red Cross career as the State Director of Government and External Relations in Illinois.
In addition to his experience with the Red Cross, he also served as the Executive Director for The ALS Association Texas Chapter where he led statewide efforts to help ALS families and their caregivers in their battle against Lou Gehrig’s disease, increase awareness of ALS, raising money for programs and critical research, strengthening federal and state advocacy efforts, and overseeing the ALS’ signature Walk to Defeat ALS events throughout Texas. Recently, he served as the Executive Director for the Center Against Sexual and Family Violence in El Paso, Texas.
Before joining the nonprofit world, David worked for six years in state and local government in Illinois, including positions with the City of Carbondale, Office of the Lt. Governor, and the Illinois General Assembly. In 2000, David was elected to the Divernon Village Board in his first-ever campaign for public office. He has also served as an Adjunct Instructor at Blackburn College where he taught State and Local Government. Chayer also served as a volunteer firefighter, and, for five years, served as the Head Cross Country Coach at Auburn Junior and Senior High School in Illinois.
Originally from St. Anne, Illinois, David holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Blackburn College and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.
He and his wife Zyanya and daughter Zyanya Dorothy live in Columbia, MO.
Check our December Newsletter for a year-end update and looking forward to 2021: https://conta.cc/2KE2gy4
It's up to you to solve the looming #Crisis4Victims. Congress is considering whether to #FixVOCA, and that decision is coming soon. Up to $200m in critical funding for CACs and the kids we serve is at stake.
Don't wait. Call your senators and your representative TODAY and ask them to support the VOCA fix in consideration as a part of the Omnibus Spending Bill, and share to your networks!
Don't wait. Call your senators and your representative TODAY and ask them to support the VOCA fix in consideration as a part of the Omnibus Spending Bill, and share to your networks!
Missouri KidsFirst is proud to represent all regions of the state, including our home office area in the CoMo area. We are a nonprofit organization and donations help us achieve our mission. Please consider a donation today through CoMoGives or through our website.
https://comogives.com/
https://comogives.com/
TAKE ACTION: Ask your elected officials to support the inclusion of the "VOCA Fix" in any spending package this year.
The sustainability of the Crime Victims Fund is critical, losing funding from the Victims of Crime Act would mean Missouri Child Advocacy Centers would have to discontinue many of our critical services to the communities we serve. We are asking for the “VOCA Fix” to be passed by the end of the year. Learn more in the article posted below.
Find your elected officials here: https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials
The sustainability of the Crime Victims Fund is critical, losing funding from the Victims of Crime Act would mean Missouri Child Advocacy Centers would have to discontinue many of our critical services to the communities we serve. We are asking for the “VOCA Fix” to be passed by the end of the year. Learn more in the article posted below.
Find your elected officials here: https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials
National Children's Alliance
ACTION ALERT: Hit the phones and emails hard to ask your federal elected officials to FIX VOCA and keep critical funds for kids flowing now! Today and this weekend are critical to save as much as $200m in funds that CACs use to serve kids. Find your elected officials here and call, call, call! https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials Learn more in our post below.
Check us out on Twitter
1 week ago
LEGISLATIVE KICKOFF: Missouri lawmakers returned for the First Regular session of the 101st General Assembly. Check out our 2021 priorities, which include protecting crucial funding for children, the Child Residential Home Notification Act and more #moleg
https://t.co/d8hgoVK4WA https://t.co/fzxrEcAn57
LEGISLATIVE KICKOFF: Missouri lawmakers returned for the First Regular session of the 101st General Assembly. Check out our 2021 priorities, which include protecting crucial funding for children, the Child Residential Home Notification Act and more #moleg
https://t.co/d8hgoVK4WA https://t.co/fzxrEcAn57
3 weeks ago
Non-profit veteran @ChayerDavid has been named the new executive director of @MOKidsFirst. #moleg
https://t.co/tudULeN7FZ
Non-profit veteran @ChayerDavid has been named the new executive director of @MOKidsFirst. #moleg
https://t.co/tudULeN7FZ
3 weeks ago
Now is a great time to make a year-end donation to Missouri KidsFirst. In 2020, the federal CARES Act allows ANYONE to deduct donations up to $300 and in MO donations of $100+ are eligible for a Champion for Children Tax Credit. You are #Essential4Kids! https://t.co/w9dXgTdSJl https://t.co/eDojThbw4C
Now is a great time to make a year-end donation to Missouri KidsFirst. In 2020, the federal CARES Act allows ANYONE to deduct donations up to $300 and in MO donations of $100+ are eligible for a Champion for Children Tax Credit. You are #Essential4Kids! https://t.co/w9dXgTdSJl https://t.co/eDojThbw4C
1 month ago
After a nationwide search, Missouri KidsFirst is very proud to introduce David Chayer as our new Executive Director. David has over 21 years of nonprofit leadership and management experience.
To meet David, check out our December newsletter: https://t.co/qDgZvvKz75 https://t.co/xwtZdQpdJ4
After a nationwide search, Missouri KidsFirst is very proud to introduce David Chayer as our new Executive Director. David has over 21 years of nonprofit leadership and management experience.
To meet David, check out our December newsletter: https://t.co/qDgZvvKz75 https://t.co/xwtZdQpdJ4
1 month ago
We are urging Congress to pass the #VOCAFix before the end of the year. There is a #Crisis4Victims and +1,500 victims' rights orgs +56 Attorneys General & national orgs support this solution https://t.co/iQULh56Dv7 https://t.co/CbUxbr9Qx0
We are urging Congress to pass the #VOCAFix before the end of the year. There is a #Crisis4Victims and +1,500 victims' rights orgs +56 Attorneys General & national orgs support this solution https://t.co/iQULh56Dv7 https://t.co/CbUxbr9Qx0
2 months ago
TAKE ACTION: Ask your elected officials to support the "VOCA Fix" now. The sustainability of the Crime Victims Fund is critical, losing VOCA funding would mean MO Child Advocacy Centers would have to discontinue many of our critical community services.
https://t.co/bbrBgkSFum
TAKE ACTION: Ask your elected officials to support the "VOCA Fix" now. The sustainability of the Crime Victims Fund is critical, losing VOCA funding would mean MO Child Advocacy Centers would have to discontinue many of our critical community services.
https://t.co/bbrBgkSFum
OUR STORY
Missouri KidsFirst primarily leads and supports communities in abuse prevention, provides training to multi-disciplinary team members engaged in child protection, and advocates public policies that address and prevent child abuse.
