Lutheran Family and Children’s Services of Missouri (LFCS), one of Missouri’s oldest and most respected social service agencies, is proud to announce the appointment of Tom Hohenstein as the new Chair of the Board of Directors. Hohenstein steps into this role following the conclusion of Matthew Brickler’s term in October 2024

Hohenstein earned both his law degree and undergraduate degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia and has built a distinguished career in construction and insurance law. He has been named to Missouri Lawyer’s Media Power List: Construction Law in 2023 and Best Lawyers in America® for Insurance Law from 2018 to 2025.

LFCS Board leadership plays a critical role in guiding the organization’s strategy, promoting its mission, and supporting statewide efforts to ensure Missouri’s children and families are safer and stronger together. With Hohenstein at the helm, LFCS is poised to continue making a profound impact on the communities it serves.

Please join us in congratulating Tom Hohenstein on his new role and thanking him for his dedication to the LFCS mission!

At Hilltop Child and Family Development Center, we believe that every child deserves the opportunity for a bright and successful future. This year, we are proud to partner with Midwest Music Therapy to offer music therapy services to the children of Hilltop. Research underscores how profoundly music therapy can impact children’s mental health, social skills, and overall development, and we’re thrilled to see these benefits unfolding in our young learners. The Children and families of Hilltop will have access to both group and individual music therapy sessions thanks to the generous support of the St. Louis County Children’s Services Fund.

How Music Therapy Supports Healing And Growth

Music therapy provides a therapeutic outlet that’s both enjoyable and deeply effective. By using structured yet creative music interventions, this therapy helps children build essential coping skills, manage stress, and improve their mental health and quality of life.

Many children in North St. Louis face challenges that include complex trauma, and for these young individuals, music therapy is an invaluable tool. By reducing hyper-arousal and avoidance behaviors, music therapy creates a safe environment where kids can engage socially, develop new skills, and build supportive relationships. Providing this service allows our students to relax and open up, making it possible for them to express themselves and form positive connections with peers and mentors.

Benefits of Music Therapy

Music therapy is adaptable and an effect way to support healthy mental development. A child’s early years are vital for emotional and cognitive development. Music therapy helps preschoolers at Hilltop develop communication skills, especially children with developmental delays or autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Through rhythm, melody, and movement, children find a safe space to express themselves, fostering resilience and growth in ways that go beyond words.

Music Therapy Adds To Our Wrap-Around Approach To Care

At Hilltop, we’re dedicated to creating a supportive, joyful environment where children can learn, grow, and develop the foundations for success. We are proud to not only provide a high-quality education for the children we serve, but also provide on-site behavioral health services, parenting education, in-home support services and health screenings to the whole family unit. By incorporating music therapy into these services, we are providing a holistic, wrap-around approach to care that supports success for our kids, their family and the community at large.

Every note played, every rhythm felt, and every song sung is a step towards healing and self-discovery. This holiday season, we are immensely grateful to offer the gift of music therapy, knowing that its positive impact will resonate in our children’s lives long after each session.

Thanks to Midwest Music Therapy and St. Louis County Children’s Services Fund for their support in making this transformative program possible. Together, we’re building brighter, stronger futures for the children of Hilltop Child and Family Development Center!

Michael and Sarah Hanf’s adoption journey is a powerful testament to the importance of openness in adoption. Their path, like many who pursue adoption, was filled with both hope and heartbreak. When the Hanfs first reached out to LFCS, they were navigating the emotional ups and downs of trying to build their family.

“We continued to try to have kids, but after multiple miscarriages we found out we had infertility issues,” Sarah recalls. “We went through several medical procedures, and after five years we were able to have our oldest child, Morgan.” After experiencing the joy of parenthood, they hoped to have another child. However, doctors told them they had only a 3% chance of success if they attempted the same lengthy process. Knowing how painful and unlikely that process would be, Michael and Sarah chose adoption.

Their initial attempts to adopt, however, were marked by disappointment. They connected with another agency but found the experience frustrating and costly. “That was crushing,” Sarah shares. “We were very discouraged… we felt like we were just another number.” After similarly negative experiences with multiple other agencies, they reached out to LFCS in desperation. What they found was a team that truly cared.

Michael, Sarah, Morgan, Olivia, & Brooklynn Hanf

Openness in adoption has been shown to benefit all members of the adoption triad—adoptees, birth parents, and adoptive families. For adoptees, open adoption helps them understand their origins, identity, and genetic background*. It fosters a sense of connection and promotes positive feelings toward their birth parents. In fact, nearly two-thirds of respondents from the NCFA’s 2024 adoption survey identified openness as the most important factor for birth parents when selecting adoptive families**. Open adoption also creates a broader, more supportive community for the child, strengthening relationships across the triad***.

Through LFCS’s panels and their own research, Michael and Sarah came to embrace the idea of openness. “I see the birth family as being an important part of Olivia and Brooklynn’s sense of identity,” says Michael. Sarah agrees, adding, “They know they are loved by their birth family, but to interact and feel that love… it made the abstract concrete.”

Lori Holden
The Open-Hearted Way to Open Adoption

Today, Michael and Sarah have completed their family, having adopted their daughters, Olivia and Brooklynn, through LFCS. Alongside their first child, Morgan, the Hanf family is now filled with love, light, and laughter. Michael and Sarah are deeply grateful for the support they received from LFCS. “They are like part of our family now… They have just gone above and beyond more than they have ever had to do,” Sarah says. “The care that they give the birth family, the care that they give us, it means a lot to me.”

Through their story, the Hanfs hope to highlight the transformative power of openness in adoption and encourage others to embrace it as they did. For them, it was the key to building the forever family they had always dreamed of.

* https://www.americanadoptions.com/blog/10-things-that-scientific-research-says-about-open-adoption/#:~:text=Openness%20allows%20them%20to%20better,10
** https://lavenderluz.com/ncfa-adoptee-research/#:~:text=1.,/religious%20views%20(38%25)
*** https://www.bravelove.org/stories/healthline-the-long-term-health-benefits-of-open-adoption/

We are proud to announce that LFCS will be adding Behavioral Health to our services in Kansas City, and our team is moving into a new office! We believe these moves solidifies our position as a statewide leader in delivering essential services to children and families in need. 

“Expanding our services in Kansas City is a huge occasion for our non-profit,” said Mike Duggar, LFCS’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “We are transforming into a truly statewide organization, ensuring more children and families have access to the critical support they need to survive and thrive.”

LFCS is now offering a comprehensive suite of services to strengthen families in Kansas City. In addition to Pregnancy Support, Adoption Services, and Parenting Education, they are now offering Behavioral Health Services for children and youth ages 3 to 19 in Jackson County, a critical need identified in the community.

“We’re committed to tailoring our services to address specific needs of Kansas City children and families,” said Duggar. “In particular, we plan to focus on expanding access to our evidence-based programs for anxiety, depression, and trauma, which are significant areas of concern for both children and families in Jackson County.”

LFCS has been helping families from all walks of life during their greatest times of need for over 155 years, and their expansion in Kansas City represents a significant milestone in the organization’s long journey of creating lasting, generational change throughout Missouri.

“We are dedicated to becoming a trusted partner in the Kansas City community,” Duggar said. “By listening compassionately and responding with care, our goal is to champion the well-being of underserved populations, and provide safety and stability for Missouri’s kids.”

As election season approaches, we encourage you to focus on what truly matters: the well-being of children and families in our community. While we may be passionate about our politics, there’s one thing we can all agree on—every child deserves the chance to thrive. Lutheran Family and Children’s Services stands at the forefront of providing life-changing support for all children, couples, and families across Missouri.

In a time when divisions run deep, let’s unite over something that transcends politics: the well-being of our children. Please consider donating to LFCS to help us address the issues that are plaguing our communities. This year, vote with your heart. Choose kids. Choose LFCS.

In recent years, the national suicide epidemic has reached alarming levels, affecting individuals and families across the country. LFCS has seen how impactful suicide has been to our clients, their family & friends, and our community. As we work to address this crisis, it’s becoming increasingly clear that self-care and suicide prevention are deeply intertwined. Taking the time to prioritize self-care is emphasized in every program we provide, as we know how beneficial it is to our client’s long term stability.

With September being both National Suicide Prevention Month & National Self-Care Awareness Month, LFCS wants to share six different types of self-care strategies you can easily implement into your daily routine:

Physical Self-Care: Laying the Foundation

Physical self-care is the foundation of overall well-being. It involves activities like regular exercise, proper nutrition, adequate sleep, and attending to any medical needs. When we prioritize physical health, we enhance our ability to cope with stress, which can significantly reduce feelings of hopelessness and despair. Encouraging individuals to engage in physical self-care can be a powerful step in suicide prevention, as it directly influences both mental and emotional health

Mental Self-Care: Stimulating the Mind

Mental self-care focuses on stimulating and engaging the mind in positive ways. Activities like reading, solving puzzles, or engaging in creative hobbies can help keep the mind sharp and alleviate feelings of boredom or restlessness, which can sometimes contribute to depressive states. By promoting mental self-care, we encourage people to find joy and fulfillment in intellectual pursuits, which can provide a valuable buffer against suicidal thoughts.

Social Self-Care: Building and Maintaining Connections

Social connections are crucial to our mental health. Social self-care involves nurturing relationships with friends, family, and community. Isolation is a significant risk factor for suicide, so fostering a strong support network can be life-saving. Encouraging social self-care helps individuals feel connected and valued, reducing the sense of loneliness that often accompanies suicidal ideation.

Spiritual Self-Care: Finding Meaning and Purpose

Spiritual self-care involves seeking a deeper sense of meaning, whether through religion, meditation, or spending time in nature. A strong sense of purpose can provide individuals with the motivation to keep going, even in difficult times. By supporting spiritual self-care, we help individuals find peace and direction, which can be vital in preventing suicide.

Practical Self-Care: Managing Everyday Responsibilities

Finally, practical self-care focuses on managing everyday responsibilities, such as organizing finances, maintaining a clean living environment, or setting and achieving personal goals. When individuals feel in control of their daily lives, they are less likely to feel overwhelmed by stress. Practical self-care empowers people to handle life’s challenges more effectively, reducing the risk of reaching a breaking point.

Suicide prevention requires a comprehensive approach that addresses the whole person. By integrating all six types of self-care into our lives, we can build a stronger foundation for mental health and well-being. Self-care is not just a buzzword; it’s a crucial component in the fight against the suicide epidemic. By raising awareness and encouraging these practices, we can help individuals develop the resilience they need to navigate life’s challenges and find hope in even the darkest of times.

The following story was submitted by an LFCS behavioral health counselor.

I met Albert when he was in 4th grade. His teacher referred him to our school counseling program for anger and social skill issues. At that time, he and his mother were living with his mother’s father, Albert’s grandfather. However, his mother was rarely home. Albert never saw his father. Albert was struggling in school.

Social interactions were hard for him, so he did not have many real friends. It did not help that he was often angry, and wasn’t able to control his temper very well. Albert had reasons to be angry – one of which was he had been physically abused by two of his mother’s boyfriends.

He found a small group of like-minded friends. At the end of his 5th grade year, he was encouraged by a few school staff to apply for membership on a school leadership council for his 6th grade year, and he was accepted.

Albert’s 6th grade year began with him as a member of this council, as well as 4 inches taller. It was quickly evident that his self-esteem and social skills were still improving. He was rarely getting in trouble. He could be seen moving through the school hallways in the middle of a pack of students, talking and laughing. On Track Day, he won several medals, including 1st Place in the 3-mile event. He was inducted into the National Junior Honor Society for his grades and his character. Albert transitioned out of counseling at the end of the school year.

I’m happy that I will still get to see Albert in the halls of the school next year, and see what his 7th grade year brings him. So I do think it might be time for me to consolidate my enormous display of Albert’s painted rocks in my office. I’ll just keep a few of my favorites. The Dragons, obviously.

While adoption is often portrayed as a heartwarming journey filled with love and new beginnings, it is essential to acknowledge the complex emotions and grief that can accompany the process. For birth parents, the decision to place their child for adoption can be fraught with profound sadness and loss, even amidst the hope for a better future. Similarly, adoptive families may grapple with feelings of grief stemming from infertility struggles, navigating the complexities of the adoption process, or managing expectations versus reality. Understanding and addressing these layers of grief is vital in providing holistic support to all individuals involved in the adoption journey.

There are several types of grief that are commonly experienced within the adoption triad. Most often, people are aware of the intense grief that someone experiences when a loved one dies. This intense sadness is what some grief counselors refer to as “normal grief.” There are, however, other kinds of grief that are expereinced during adoption. Let’s examine these types more closely: