Current Legislative Priorities (Fall 2021)

It’s not enough to address the outcomes of domestic violence. To reach out goal of creating a community free of violence, we have to advocate for changes at a legislative level.

These are our current priorities:

• Keep the issue of domestic violence at the forefront of our legislators’ minds with visits to Missouri state representatives in September and October, 2021.
• Increase our presences on various community tables to assess for any gaps and to streamline how our staff represent Synergy in the community.
• Continue our representation on various American Rescue Plan committees and engage in conversation about meeting the ongoing needs of domestic violence survivors, homeless youth, and other vulnerable populations during the pandemic. 
• Carefully follow the Medicaid expansion updates to both support children and families across Missouri, as well as be thoughtful and engaged in how we can increase access and the availability of services needed. 

Beyond forward-thinking initiatives to improve safety, we modify programs and policies to align with new laws. This summer, HB 557, the Residential Care Facility Notification Act, was signed into law by Gov. Parsons. It provides minimum protection for children living in unlicensed residential facilities and boarding schools. This is an important step towards additional support of children. The legislation also adjusted some of our own requirements, as a licensed facility, to bring Missouri licensed facilities in line with the federal guidelines.

You can help by sharing our efforts and standing up for victims of domestic violence in your neighborhood through legislative action.