Emily Jo

Vanessa and Amen Van Dyck with their foster son share how they’ve navigated the pandemic. Photo courtesy of Vanessa and Amen Van Dyck Since the pandemic began one year ago, foster parents across the country have gone to extraordinary lengths to support the child welfare system. An Illinois mom left her job to provide in-home childcare instead. An Oklahoma mom, caring for an immunocompromised toddler, remains housebound to protect him from the deadly coronavirus.

State Rep. Hannah Kelly (R). Photo: Facebook The Missouri House of Representatives unanimously passed two bills on Jan. 27 that would increase financial support for foster and adoptive parents. Now, they await approval by the Senate. Missouri House Bill 429 would provide a tax deduction for foster parents — $2,500 for a single parent, $5,000 for a married couple — who have been caretaking for at least six months.