The work we do at Lutheran Family and Children’s Services (LFCS) is rooted in purpose and sustained by the real progress of the families we serve. As we begin 2026, we know the challenges facing children and families are growing, especially as rising costs for essentials like food and housing leave many Missouri families just one unexpected bill away from a crisis. Meeting these needs requires not only compassion, but a straightforward approach to how we use our time and resources.

In 2026, we’re embracing three interconnected ideas: Values, Value, and Valued. It’s a fresh lens for how we think about our work and our mission. Rather than just a formal theme, this framework helps us focus on what matters most: staying grounded in our principles, maximizing community impact, and ensuring that every person connected to LFCS continues to feel respected and appreciated.

Our Foundation: Clear, Consistent VALUES

Our values are the fundamental principles that guide every decision, from how we support our team to how we serve our clients. For more than 150 years, LFCS has responded to the changing needs of Missouri families, guided by compassion, dignity, and adaptability.

On the ground, these values mean showing up for a family when things are at their most difficult. It means treating every person with the respect they deserve and giving families the tools they need to build their own path forward. When we do that, every interaction reflects the heart of our mission.

We saw these values showcased through a recent feature story on St. Louis Public Radio, where we discussed the urgent need for foster families and our commitment to fixing the system that supports Missouri’s children. These shared values anchor our decisions and ensure that our legacy of service continues to evolve. You can see how these principles shape our mission on our Who We Are page.

 

Our People: Making Sure Everyone Feels VALUED

The work of caring for others is demanding and stays with you long after the day is done.

In 2026, we’re putting even more focus on taking care of the people who take care of Missouri. Our focus was recently spotlighted in a news feature celebrating National Social Work Month, where LFCS was recognized for the vital role our team plays in stabilizing the St. Louis community.

In 2026, we are deepening our commitment to the people who care for Missouri. A recent news feature celebrating National Social Work Month recognized LFCS and others who play vital roles in the St. Louis community.

But we know that recognition is not enough. It must be backed by the kind of advocacy that creates lasting change. That’s why we have led efforts to address the “quiet crisis” facing Missouri nonprofits, pushing for the health and sustainability of social service agencies.

Just as we advocate for our team, we are equally committed to ensuring every client feels valued, meaning everyone who walks through our door is welcomed with dignity, listened to without judgment, and seen as a person, not a case number.

If you’re looking for a place where your work matters and you are valued, please explore our career opportunities.

 

Moving Forward Together

Strong Values lead to greater Value, which ensures every person connected to LFCS feels genuinely Valued. As we head into the new year, our three Vs provide a road map, helping us move forward with even more purpose.

 

Stay Connected with LFCS

• See what we do year-round: lfcsmo.org
• Support Our Mission: If you share our Values, consider making a gift today to help us deliver even more Value to Missouri families.
• Follow the journey: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn

A new report from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) brings a critical issue into national focus: the mental health of young people. The AAP now recommends that all children and teens receive annual screenings for mental and behavioral health concerns—a step that Lutheran Family and Children’s Services (LFCS) fully supports. A full copy of the AAP's new report is available here.

This new report arrives at a critical time, as September marks Suicide Prevention Month—a time to break down stigma and open the door for conversations that can save lives. The AAP's findings align with a crisis we see every day in our communities. In Missouri, the situation is particularly urgent: suicide is the third leading cause of death for youth ages 10 to 19, and the state's suicide rate is 48% higher than the national average. For years, LFCS has witnessed these struggles firsthand, working with children and families on the front lines of this crisis.

“Screening is the first step, but it’s only effective if young people have access to care,” said Lindsay Jeffries, Director of Behavioral Health at LFCS. “It’s crucial that children and teens have a place where they can be heard and connected with the right support to address their mental health needs.”

Knowing the warning signs can empower us to take action before a crisis escalates. Some of the most common indicators include:

• Expressing hopelessness or feeling like a burden
• Withdrawing from friends, family, and activities
• Changes in sleep or appetite
• Increased use of alcohol or drugs
• Talking about death or giving away possessions

For a more detailed examination of these signs, visit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

At LFCS, suicide prevention isn’t just a focus for one month—it's part of our counseling and support services year-round. Our team of licensed counselors provides safe spaces for young people to share their struggles. We help teens and their families uncover hope and build resilience. We understand that mental health does not exist in isolation; family stress, trauma, or identity struggles can all contribute to a sense of hopelessness. By addressing the whole picture, we help individuals move from crisis toward stability and strength.

How You Can Make a Difference

Suicide prevention is not the responsibility of professionals alone—it takes all of us. Here are a few ways you can help:

• Start conversations. Ask your loved ones how they are doing. Do not shy away from talking about mental health.
• Share resources. Remind people that help is available. The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline can be reached 24/7 by calling or texting 988.
• Reduce stigma. Challenge harmful myths and encourage open discussions about mental health in your family, school, and community.
• Support organizations. Your donations and volunteer hours make it possible for agencies like LFCS to provide counseling and support. For more ways to support, you can read our blog on Giving Resources for National Suicide Prevention Month.

An essential part of prevention is also being proactive. To learn more about how self-care can be a powerful tool in suicide prevention, you can read our previous blog post here: Self-Care Awareness and Suicide Prevention: A Unified Approach.

 

For more information on LFCS’s services, or to seek help, please visit lfcsmo.org or call our toll-free number at 866-326-LFCS (5327).

Across Missouri—and the country—nonprofits are facing an urgent and unprecedented reality. Operational costs are rising due to inflation, while government contracts and fixed grants have lost their purchasing power. Organizations like Lutheran Family and Children’s Services of Missouri are being asked to do more with less, at the exact moment when more people than ever are turning to us for help.

We launched the Meet The Moment campaign to rally support around this growing crisis, because the truth is: when nonprofits can’t meet the needs of their communities, real lives are impacted.

 

A Sector Under Pressure

We are not alone in this struggle. According to the 2025 State of the Nonprofit Sector Report:

• 65% of nonprofits report that staffing shortages are impeding their ability to deliver services.
• 77% have seen an increase in demand for their programs.
• Three out of four have been forced to reduce staff or cut programs.
• 87% report increased demand for mental health services, even while struggling to find the staff to provide them.
• Nearly half lack the funds needed to meet client demand.

food on the table, and access mental health care. Without adequate support, these challenges ripple into our broader society—increasing emergency room visits, straining school systems, and deepening systemic inequality.

 

How LFCS Has Responded

Despite these challenges, LFCS has not stood still. Over the past several years, we have made bold, intentional decisions to grow in response to community need:

• Expanded in-person capacity through office renovations, allowing us to see more clients face-to-face.
• Opened new offices in Kansas City, extending our reach to children and families in Northwest Missouri.
• Prioritized the hiring of counselors, case managers, and social workers to make sure clients are not left waiting for the help they desperately need.
• Expanded our parenting program to strengthen the family unit and reduce the risk of abuse and neglect.

These changes weren’t optional. They were necessary to meet the real needs of Missouri families. But they come at a cost—and that’s where we need your help.

 

Help Us Meet the Moment

The Meet The Moment campaign is a call to action. It’s a call to everyone who believes in the importance of mental health care, strong families, and children growing up in safe, loving homes.

At LFCS, we are committed to:

• Addressing Missouri’s mental health crisis
• Reducing child abuse and neglect
• Empowering clients to overcome heartbreak and trauma
• Supporting families navigating infertility
• Making an impact (view our 2024 annual report here to see how)

Guided by Jesus’ call to love one another, serve those in need, and be a light in the world, we are asking you to partner with us in this mission.

Our goal is to raise $150,000 by June 30. These funds will go directly to programs that are making a difference every single day.

When we fail to meet the moment, our communities suffer. But when we rise together—when we choose to act—real healing happens.

Join us. Give today. Help us Meet the Moment. Donate Today

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to acknowledge the mental health challenges our communities face and to shine a light on the resources and organizations working to provide hope and healing. In Missouri, the need has never been greater.

 

Missouri’s Mental Health Rankings: A Wake-Up Call

Recent studies have made it clear—Missouri is facing a mental health crisis:

• According to data from Mental Health America, Missouri ranked 44^th in the list of states with the best mental health care. (https://mhanational.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2024-State-of-Mental-Health-in-America-Report.pdf)

• Missouri children between the ages of 14-18 have a 22% higher suicide rate than the national average (https://www.kff.org/statedata/mental-health-and-substance-use-state-fact-sheets/missouri/)

• 23,301 children and adolescents reported having a serious emotional disturbance in 2024, with depression, anxiety disorders, and trauma/stress disorders being the three most common. (https://dmh.mo.gov/sites/dmh/files/media/pdf/2024/12/sr2024-section-a_0.pdf)

• Data from a Quote Wizard study revealed that 23% of Missourians have a mental illness, but only 11% of those with mental illnesses received care. The study also revealed that 19% of Missourians with a mental illness do not have insurance. (Best States for Mental Health Care - QuoteWizard).

• The lack of qualified mental health providers, affordability of services, and underfunding mental health has made it difficult for those with mental health issues to seek treatment. (https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/column/aisha-sultan/missouris-mental-health-ranking-is-among-the-worst-in-the-country-why-and-how-can/article_d378d82e-fe44-5a35-85d0-242ae68ffa47.html)

These numbers aren’t just statistics—they represent our friends, neighbors, children, and loved ones who cannot afford or are unable to get the support they need.

LFCS Is Answering the Call

At Lutheran Family and Children’s Services of Missouri, we recognize the urgency of Missouri’s mental health needs—especially among children and adolescents—and we are working tirelessly to respond.

"Mental health is a vital component of overall well-being," said Lindsay Jefferies, Director of Behavioral Health at LFCS. "During Mental Health Awareness Month, we want to emphasize that LFCS is here to support and guide those struggling. We believe everyone deserves access to quality mental health care.”

Since the pandemic, LFCS has:

• Expanded our mental health services statewide, reaching more families in both urban and rural communities.

• Opened new offices in Kanas City & updated our Columbia & Joplin offices, giving clients in these regions more offices & places to connect with our therapists.

• Launched and strengthened telehealth options, making therapy accessible to those unable to travel to an office.

• Kept our services low- or no-cost, so that financial limitations are never a barrier to care.

• Made an aggressive push to hire new therapists, to help meet the growing demand for behavioral health support.

We understand that access to care is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. Whether someone is experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, or just needs someone to talk to, LFCS is here to help.

"We are committed to breaking down barriers to mental health care and ensuring everyone has the opportunity to thrive," said Jefferies. "We encourage anyone who feels they could benefit from mental health support to contact us.”

At Lutheran Family and Children’s Services of Missouri, we are proud to provide low-cost, high-quality mental health counseling and psychiatry services to children and families across the state. While these services are essential for addressing a wide range of mental health challenges, many people may not fully understand the difference between therapy and psychiatry. Knowing which professional to turn to when your child is experiencing a mental health issue is crucial for getting the right support at the right time. This guide will help you better understand these distinct yet complementary approaches to mental health care.

Mental health counseling focuses on addressing emotional, social, and behavioral concerns through talk therapy. Licensed therapists, counselors, or social workers provide counseling to help individuals understand their emotions, develop coping strategies, and improve relationships. Common therapeutic techniques include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), EMDR, Play Therapy, and Family Counseling.

Counseling is ideal for addressing issues such as Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, Stress Management, Relationship Challenges, Disruptive Behaviors and Autism Spectrum Disorders. Sessions are typically held weekly or bi-weekly, fostering a continuous, supportive relationship between the counselor and the client. This process helps clients navigate life’s challenges and build resilience over time.

At LFCS, our counseling services are tailored to children and families’ unique needs, ensuring evidence-based care that promotes growth and healing. Learn more here.

Psychiatry focuses on the medical evaluation and treatment of mental health disorders. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in diagnosing and treating mental health conditions, often through medication management and other medical interventions.

Psychiatry is particularly effective for managing conditions such as ADHD, Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Adjustment Disorder, Psychotic Symptoms, and Anxiety. Psychiatrists conduct comprehensive evaluations and develop personalized treatment plans, which may include prescribing medications to stabilize symptoms. Follow-up sessions are typically less frequent than counseling sessions and focus on reviewing and adjusting treatment as needed.

LFCS psychiatry services provide children and adolescents with access to specialized care, including evaluations, medication management, and care planning. Learn more here.

While counseling and psychiatry serve different purposes, they often complement each other. Counseling provides a supportive space for emotional growth and skill-building, while psychiatry addresses the biological and medical aspects of mental health. For example, a child dealing with anxiety might benefit from therapy to develop coping strategies, alongside psychiatric care to manage severe symptoms through medication.

At LFCS, we are proud to offer a range of mental health services tailored to meet the needs of children and families. Our counseling services are available in most areas across Missouri, providing therapeutic guidance and support wherever it’s needed. Additionally, we offer psychiatry services, including medical intervention, exclusively in St. Louis County and Franklin County. Please call us at 866-326-LFCS (5327) for availability of our behavioral health services in your area.

If you or someone you know is seeking mental health support, LFCS is here to help. Contact us today to learn more about our services and take the first step toward a brighter future.

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:

“Emily” is a brave girl who works with one of LFCS’ behavioral health therapists. She suffers from having extreme social anxiety and struggles in many common social settings. Recently, Emily had to write an essay for her class that would be presented in front of everyone. Fighting through nervousness and fear, Emily and her therapist used this situation to work through her anxiety. Emily practiced speaking her essay in session (which in itself was a huge accomplishment for her) and built up her confidence for the big moment. When the day came, Emily stood in front of her class and successful shared the following speech:

“Mental health is extremely important. Just like anything else, it will deteriorate if you don’t take good care of it. According to SIRS, “Mental health is a state of cognitive or emotional well-being that affects how an individual copes with stress and life experiences.” Unfortunately, a stigma persists around mental health issues that prevents people from getting help. One of the many issues that increases this stigma are work ethics.

Work Ethics instill a stigma in workers that prevents them from seeking help. According to the New York Times, “In a 2017 paper, nearly 40 percent of physicians reported being hesitant to seek mental health care because they worried it would harm their chances to get or renew their medical licenses.” This shows that the expectations set by the medical field paints a perspective in the physicians’ minds. It makes them think that if any higher ups in the field figure out that a physician’s mental illness is impacting their ability to work in any way, the opportunity of that physician attaining or keeping their job could plummet. But you’re probably thinking, “The fact that only 40 percent of them felt that way probably means that the other 60 percent wasn’t nervous to seek out help.” While that could be true, the fact that a large percent of people were still uncertain about seeking help is shocking. With how things are now, you would think that being able to seek mental help would be the least of people’s worries, but no. The ethics established in the medical field push physicians to limit, to the point where they’re skeptical about trying to improve their own mental health! If they don’t make sure their health is in check, how can they help with someone else’s’ health?

Sadly, the ever-expending stigma surrounding mental health issues continues to restrain people from seeking the help they need. Even though stigma persists and surges, there are ways to help reduce it. Talking about your struggles and how you handled them could help someone else find the courage to overcome theirs. When you see someone struggling, help them out. Encourage them. Cheer them up. It might make their day even just a little bit better.”

Emily, on behalf of Lutheran Family and Children’s Services of Missouri, we are so incredibly proud of you! We are proud of your courage, determination for improvement, and passion for mental health advocacy. Thank you for being an example of success to those who are struggling with their own mental health issues.