Educare Programs is the University sponsored organization under the Department of Child and Family Studies which retains two grant funded initiatives from the Missouri Department of Social Services (DSS). The goal of all programming is providing education and support to prevent child abuse and neglect and improve the quality of childcare and early learning programs to promote school readiness. 

Educare is a state funded initiative that provides resources, onsite technical assistance, and training opportunities at free or reduced costs to childcare providers with an emphasis on family home providers caring for children who receive subsidy childcare. 

• The Educare Vision - Quality early care and education, parenting, and health care are essential to children’s growth and development. 
• The Educare Mission - To promote school readiness by establishing linkages in policy, program and practice that will ensure all children receive a solid foundation for success in school and life. 

Educare services 

• Professional development opportunities for childcare providers 
• Individualized home visits for family childcare providers 
• Customized center-based training 
• Supporting coordination of existing community resources to optimize funding 
• Linking childcare providers and families to schools and community resources 
• Increasing consumer awareness of the important role quality childcare has in the development of children 

Educare funding is provided by the Missouri Department of Social Services, Children's Division, Early Childhood and Prevention Services Section. 

Home Visiting (PEP Program) 

The Home Visiting program provides on-site home visits with families of children prenatal to age three and opportunities for the families to access services and resources within their community to help encourage healthy families. 

Home Visiting is a state funded initiative that links eligible families to services and resources within their community to help encourage child development and healthy families. 

Home Visiting services include: 

• Additional support to families to help link them to additional resources in the community, to help build their knowledge and skill base regarding parenting and to model appropriate parenting skills. 
• Group training sessions targeted at various topics dealing with child development, creating healthy families, and networking opportunities for the families. 
• Resources for children in the home, including books, developmentally appropriate toys families can check out to use with their child, and incentives which may include certificates that they may use to purchase items for their children. 
• Address literacy, mathematics, science, physical development, health and safety, and social–emotional levels building on the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Pre–K Early Learning Standards 

Eligibility Guidelines 

To participate in the Home Visiting Program, a family must have a child less than three years of age in the home, and a household income under 185% of poverty. 

Additionally, the parent must meet any one of the following requirements: 

• Must live in the service area of Cape Girardeau, Scott, Mississippi, Bollinger, and Perry counties. 
• Referred by the state agency as being "at risk" for physical, emotional, social, or educational abuse/neglect. 
• A family whose child is in the custody of the Department of Social Services with an active plan for custody of the child to be returned to the family (This should be considered a priority case.) 
• Family living in poverty, per annual poverty rates 
• Unemployed but may be receiving Temporary Assistance or other income. 
• Employed 40 hours or less per week 
• Participating in an education or job training program 
• Living in a shelter or temporary housing 
• A teen parent 

* Funding for the Home Visiting Program is provided by the Missouri Department of Social Services, Children's Division, Early Childhood and Prevention Services Section for the counties of Cape Girardeau, Scott, Mississippi, Bollinger, and Perry in southeast Missouri. 

* In addition, Community Caring Council sub-contracts with Educare Programs to provide Home Visiting Services in Cape Girardeau, County.