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The Voice for Missouri's Children

Our Voice

For 25 years, Citizens for Missouri's Children (CMC) has been the independent voice for Missouri's children. We are a nonprofit, nonpartisan public interest organization. Supported by our members, we advocate for public policy that puts children first.

Our Mission

Citizens for Missouri's Children is dedicated to advocating for the rights and well-being of all Missouri's children, especially those with the greatest need.

Our Vision

We believe that all children in the state should benefit from public policies that guarantee they are protected and secure in nurturing environments, allowing them to thrive and grow to their greatest potential.

Our Values

We believe in:

  • The dignity of each child
  • Providing each child with a safe, nurturing childhood that promotes growth and development to become a caring, responsible, productive adult.

We do not blame the child for obstacles and problems, but believe a caring and compassionate society has a responsibility to care for its vulnerable members.

25 Years of Speaking Out for Kids

Our History

When a crisis in Missouri's foster care system erupted in 1983, a small group of children's advocates got together to share information and hold state government accountable for the well-being of Missouri children.  Since then, Citizens for Missouri's Children has grown to become a leading independent voice for children, as well as a respected source of information.  For the past-quarter century we have spoken out for kids by infroming, advocating, protecting, and leading.  The success of our efforts has made Missouri a better place to live for millions of children.  Our work must continue if we hope to make Missouri the most kid-friendly state in the nation. 

 

Eleanore J. Best Award


CMC Founding
Executive Director
Phyllis Rozansky

This year's program featured a special presentation of the Eleanore J. Best Award, along with the traditional keynote speaker.  The Best Award is given each year to an individual who has demonstrated exceptional dedication to the mission of Citizens for Missouri's Children.

In honor of CMC's 25 years of successful advocacy on behalf of children, a Silver Anniversary Eleanore J. Best Award was presented to Phyllis Rozansky, the organization's founding executive director.  The award is named for Elenaore J. Best, the founder's mother, and recognizes exemplary commitment to principles of CMC.

In the early 1980s, Ms. Rozansky recognized the need for Misssouri to have a stronger public policy voice for children.  She recruited the first board of directors and spearheaded the launching of CMC.  After 10 years at the helm of CMC, she was appointed by Governor Carnahan to head the Missouri’s Family Investment Trust, a statewide public-private partnership of seven state agencies, civic and corporate leaders and communities dedicated to better results for children and families.  In 1998, Ms. Rozansky established her own consultancy, Pathways to Success, LLC.

In addition to being recognized during the luncheon, a special reception was held in Ms. Rozansky's honor directly preceding the October 29th Luncheon.  Dozens of past board members and volunteers gathered to honor Ms. Rozansky.

Click here to view photos from the reception.

Click here to read our interview with Phyllis Rozansky.

Click here to read Ms. Rozansky's full bio.

We would like to thank CMC's rich cast of directors, volunteers, and staff members who ushered the organization through its first quarter-century.  We hope we can leave a similar legacy of progress for children as our predecessors.

25th Anniversary Host Committee

Over the past quarter-century, countless volunteers and supporters have helped Citizens for Missouri's Children speak out for our state's youngest citizens.  Many of them have chosen to honor the organization's legacy by serving on the 25th Anniversary Host Committee. 

*Erica Abbett
*Dr. Brady Baybeck
Edith F. Binder
Lois Bliss
Dr. Nanci Bobrow
*John E. Butler
The Hon. Marion Cairns
Jimmie Carter
Marjorie K. Carter
Kathy Doellfeld Clancy
Denny Coleman
Kay Conklin
*Dr. Molly Droge
*Robert Fulton
Dave Garino
M. Lee Gerdelman
Dr. Henry Givens, Jr.
The Hon. Wayne Good
Dr. E. Terrence Jones
Sally Katzif
Dr. James R. Kimmey
Joan Klearman
Dena Ladd
Lynn Lyss
The Hon. Emmy McClelland
*Linda C. McDaniel
*Brian McGinnis
Mel Nicholson
*Munnie Pacinco
Jane Paine
Rev. Jerry Paul
Dr. Marcia Pfeiffer
*Mary M. Phelan
Dr. Lois H. Pierce
*William D. Ricker, Jr.
Amy Rome
Ann Ruwitch
*Earl K. Shreckengast
Katherine Siddens
The Hon. Betty Sims
Dr. Marc Smith
Dr. Sue Stepleton
Dr. Kathy Thornburg
*Dr. Sharon A. Tucker
Linda Jo Turner
*Dr. Tom Vansaghi
Teresa Wallace
K Wentzien
Marilyn R. Werner
*Michael L. Yarbrough
Maureen Zegel
*Stuart Zimmerman


*2009 Board of Directors

A Legacy of Progress

Please read about our quarter-century legacy of progress below:

1980's

  • Promoted state regulations on adoption and foster care, securing several million dollars in additional funding for abused and neglected children
  • Established the Children's Budget Coalition to increase services for Missouri's children
  • Promoted legislation to prevent out-of-home placement of children where possible
  • Formed the Children's Election Coalition and began publishing candidate surveys and voting records on children's issues

1990's

  • Tracked the out-of-home placements of Missouri children, spurring development of Family Preservation Services
  • Advocated for legislation mandating public agencies to deliver team services to children
  • Published the first comprehensive report on Missouri's child care system
  • Promoted creation of the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to insure children in families with low income up to 300% of federal poverty level
  • Created ELIOT - an online clearinghouse for information on early learning
  • Promoted legislation requiring all child care facilities meet minimum health and safety standards
  • Convened the Assembly of Child Advocates to develop the Agenda for Children

2000's

  • Secured and preserved gaming revenues to fund early care and education programs
  • Advocated for youth development programs that led to the founding of the Governor's Youth Cabinet
  • Promoted legislation allowing courts to take custody of a child who needs mental health services without charging the parent with abandonment
  • Produced reports on access to dental care that sparked a state audit and new legislation
  • Educated thousands of citizens in town hall forums across the state about the need for reauthorization and expansion of the CHIP program
  • Organized the Kids First Campaign - a multi-year, innovative, statewide electoral engagement effort
                      
Copyright 2008 by Citizens for Missouri's Children |