Newsroom
Welcome to the Lutheran Family and Children's Services (LFCS) Media Center. Here you’ll find the latest press releases, media coverage, and key updates about our work to strengthen families and support children in our community. Our newsroom is designed to provide journalists, partners, and the public with timely information and resources to better understand our mission, programs, and impact. We appreciate your interest in our work and are happy to connect with the media to share our story.
Media Placements
Missouri's New Child Welfare Task Force - KMOX Total Information A.M.
KMOX's Maria Keena visits with Jeff Cook, Chief Financial Officer with Lutheran Family & Children's Services. A recent executive order from Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe has established a task force to investigate the Missouri foster care system. About 14,000 children are in the Missouri child welfare system. Listen Here
LFCS Supports Effort to Establish Consistent Child Welfare Standards - Sun Time News Online
Lutheran Family and Children's Services (LFCS) supports Missouri’s new Child Welfare Task Force in developing more consistent standards for child safety and strengthening coordination across the state’s child welfare system. Read More
Business Bulletin: MU Health Earns; Revity Raises; Berges Family Donates to LFCS
'Bellies, Babies, and Beyond' Brings Family Resources Together in Perryville
Ashley Watson, Parenting and Adoption Case Manager for Lutheran Family and Children’s Services, teamed up with Perry County Health Department to host bellies babies and beyond, bringing around 30 different organizations to the event. Read More
Thriving Adoption Podcast - Control with Tina Miller
How much control do we have? How does humility help us see control more clearly? Adoptive mother and adoption professional Tina shares what she'd have done differently if she'd had a time machine including.. reading the Connected Child by Karyn Purvis. Listen Here
Business Briefs - St. Louis American
LFCS operates the Hilltop Child and Family Development Center in North St. Louis, which provides child care for working families. LFCS also offers parenting education, budget guidance and referrals to emergency assistance programs. Read More
Women On The Front Lines - The St. Louis American
Social workers, the majority of them women, rarely see the public moments of the families they help. More often, their work happens quietly with parents trying to hold their families together. Read More
Free Mental Health Services Available in Jefferson County - KSDK-TV (NBC)
Lutheran Family & Children’s Services of Missouri is now offering free mental health services for qualified children and adults in Jefferson County. Watch Video
Making Mental Health Services Accessible in Jefferson County - Spectrum News
Free Mental Health Services Now Available - KCTV (CBS)
Boone County Residents May Qualify For Free Mental Health Services - Jefferson City News Tribune
Behind Every Adoption, a Birth Parent’s Story - St. Louis American
Missouri Needs More Homes for Foster Kids, New Director Says | STLPR
Lutheran Family and Children’s Services Reminds Community of Adoption Options Following Recent Baby Box Surrender – Sun Times News Online
Herman Thomas Gets Role at Lutheran Family and Children’s Services - St. Louis American
Herman Thomas Jr. has been appointed the new Lutheran Family and Children’s Services director of foster care. He will oversee the organization’s foster care services, including managing policies and procedures for the program to ensure quality, consistency and alignment with the organization’s values. Read More
Lutheran Family & Children’s Services: 42nd Annual Dinner and Auction | Town&Style
The event, themed “An Evening Under the Sea: Creating Waves of Hope,” successfully raised funds for LFCS’s statewide programs supporting children and families through adoption, behavioral health, foster care and parenting education, and pregnancy. Read More
Lutheran Family and Children's Services Marks 30 Years in Mid-Missouri | columbiamissourian.com
The local branch of Lutheran Family and Children’s Services celebrated 30 years of serving mid-Missouri families on Friday with a community tailgate at its Bernadette Drive office. Read More
Missouri Organization Works to Close Mental Health Care Gap for JaxCo Kids
Mental health care can be expensive and can vanish during the summer. For some children, that creates a real mental health risk. Read More
KC Spotlight | Lutheran Family & Children's Services
Lutheran Family and Children's Services is making a difference in Kansas City. With a 155 year legacy, they are helping kids and families navigate life's biggest challenges. Watch Video
Where St. Louis Families Can Find Help for Children After May 16 Tornado | ksdk.com
Help is on the way for the youngest survivors of the May 16 EF3 tornado in St. Louis. While much of the recovery effort has focused on damaged homes and debris removal, children are also navigating invisible wounds, as emotional trauma can linger long after the skies clear. Read More
Lutheran Family and Children's Services Reaffirms Commitment to Mental Health Services - KBSI FOX23 News Cape Girardeau News | Paducah News
Lutheran Family and Children’s Services (LFCS) is reaffirming its commitment to providing comprehensive mental health services during National Mental Health Awareness Month. Read More
'Get Your Green On': Organizations Look to Recognize Mental Health This May - SEMissourian
Local groups are promoting Mental Health Awareness Month with green-themed campaigns, sponsorships and events to reduce stigma and highlight the need for accessible mental health support in Missouri. Read More
Lutheran Family and Children's Services of Missouri Now Offering Free Mental Health Services of Children Ages 8-19 | ksdk.com
The services are available in St. Louis County and Franklin County and offered in-person and by telehealth. Read More
KSHB-TV in Kansas City Interview with John Watson, LFCS Behavioral Health Supervisor
Lutheran Family and Children's Services (LFCS) is working to lower the barrier to mental health services in Jackson County by offering free counseling to residents between the ages of three and 19. Read More
Learn About Open Adoption in Honor of National Adoption Month
Lutheran Family and Children's Services' Amy Newell joins the morning show to talk about open adoption in honor of November being National Adoption Month. Watch Video
Amy Newell, National Adoption Month - Columbia Today - Omny.fm
Amy Newell is the Adoption Services Program Manager for the Lutheran Family and Children's Services of Missouri and talks why adoption matters during National Adoption Month. Listen Here
Missouri Adoption Organization Promotes the Benefits of Open Adoption
Lutheran Family and Children’s Services of Missouri is celebrating Open Adoptions Month as they encourage more Missourians to consider adoptions – including those that include the birth parents in the lives of their kids. Listen Here
Press Releases
Safe Haven Baby Boxes
St. Louis, Missouri (October 14, 2025) – After recent news that a newborn was safely and legally surrendered in a Missouri Safe Haven box, Lutheran Family and Children’s Services (LFCS) is reminding the community that confidential help and resources are available for expectant and new parents long before they reach a crisis point. Read More
Herman Thomas Announcement
St. Louis, Missouri (September 29, 2025) – Lutheran Family and Children’s Services (LFCS), one of Missouri's oldest social service agencies, announced today the hiring of Herman Thomas Jr. as its new Director of Foster Care. Read More
National Mental Health Awareness Month 2025
St. Louis, Missouri (April 29, 2025)—Lutheran Family and Children's Services (LFCS), one of Missouri's longest-serving social service agencies, is spotlighting National Mental Awareness Month by reaffirming its commitment to providing comprehensive mental health services to individuals and families across the state. Read More
Child Abuse Prevention Month 2025
St. Louis, Missouri (March 31, 2025) – Lutheran Family and Children’s Services (LFCS), one of Missouri's longest-serving social service agencies, is recognizing Child Abuse Prevention Month in April by highlighting the crucial need for intervention, support, and healing for Missouri children and families impacted by abuse and neglect. Read More
Kansas City Expansion
St. Louis, Missouri (June 24, 2024) – Lutheran Family and Children’s Services (LFCS), one of Missouri's oldest social service agencies and a trusted provider of life-changing services for children and families, announced today a new service location and expansion of Behavioral Health services in Kansas City. Read More
Tech Timeout for Kids
St. Louis, Missouri (April 15, 2024) – In today’s technology-driven world, navigating the digital jungle with young children can be quite challenging. While playing on tablets and phones can offer educational potential and occasional entertainment, excessive screen time can raise questions about development, socialization, and mental health. To help parents find their footing, Lutheran Family and Children’s Services (LFCS) offers a Screen Time and Children’s Mental Health Checklist. Read More
Adoption Checklist
St. Louis, Missouri (March 19, 2024) – Building a family through adoption is a unique, challenging and rewarding experience. Lutheran Family and Children’s Services (LFCS) offers an Adoption Services Checklist to navigate this exciting journey smoothly. Read More
Children's Mental Health Checklist
St. Louis, Missouri (January 8, 2023) – As the New Year unfolds, ensuring children’s mental health should be a top priority for every parent. To assist families in addressing this important issue, Lutheran Family and Children’s Services (LFCS) offers a concise Children’s Mental Health Checklist. Read More
Media Kit
2025 Annual Report
Meet the Senior Leadership Team
At LFCS, we believe in building better tomorrows for Missouri's children and families. Meet the dedicated and passionate leadership behind our mission. View Senior Leadership Team
LFCS FAQs
What services does LFCS offer? Who can access LFCS services? Get the answers to these questions and more by downloading our FAQs. View LFCS FAQs
For media inquiries, interviews, or additional information about Lutheran Family and Children’s Services, please contact our Communications team. We are available to provide further insights into our programs, initiatives, and community impact. Our goal is to ensure that journalists and media outlets have the resources they need to accurately report on our work.
For Media Inquiries:
Greg Severin, LFCS Public Relations Coordinator
Phone: 314-470-3052
Email: [email protected]
For Other Inquiries:
Debra Williams, Director of Marketing & Communications
Phone: 314-754-2784
Email: [email protected]
We look forward to collaborating with you to share the important work we are doing to build stronger families and brighter futures for the children in our community.