Because of Missouri’s geography, the state is frequently visited by natural disasters. Ice storms, tornadoes, severe storms, and flooding are all common occurrences in Missouri. This page links to resources that will help you prepare for and recover from such an event.

Plan and Prepare

Plan for a particular type of emergency by selecting the appropriate link below:

• Tornadoes
• Severe Thunderstorms
• Severe Winter Weather
• Flooding
• Earthquakes | Great Central U.S. Shakeout
• Heat Wave/Extreme Heat
• Fires
• Hazardous Materials Incidents

Disaster History

Review past disasters and emergencies, including blizzards, tornadoes and floods.

Recover and Rebuild

SEMA’s “Recover and Rebuild” pages can help you find disaster assistance, avoid scams, and get involved in relief efforts by donating or volunteering.

• Assistance Resources
  SEMA’s “Assistance Resources” page can help connect you with the help you need following a disaster
• Contact Your Local Emergency Management Agency
• DisasterAssistance.Gov
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
• United Way Missouri 2-1-1
• American Red Cross
• Red Cross Shelters
• Salvation Army

Weather and Current Conditions

Maps and data help provide clarity for situational awareness.

• Weather and Current Conditions
  SEMA’s “Weather and Current Conditions” page has links to Missouri specific weather and conditions monitoring
• National Weather Service
• U.S. Geological Survey

File a complaint against a provider

If you suspect child abuse, neglect or exploitation at a child care facility, contact the Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 1-800-392-3738. You may also file a complaint online or by mail.

Additional information for parents about child care in Missouri is available from the Department of Health & Senior Services.

Information for child care providers

Depending on the number of children you will provide care for, you may need a license to be a child care provider in Missouri. Learn if you need a license and how to apply.

Early Education Programs

Parents as Teachers

Parents as Teachers began in Missouri to help educate first-time parents of newborns about child rearing. It then expanded to all 50 states and seven other countries. Learn how to get training from education professionals on the best practices for raising your child. Contact your local school district to participate.

Head Start

Head Start is a national program that promotes school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of children through the provision of educational, health, nutritional, social and other services to enrolled children and families. Visit a Head Start Center.

First Steps

First Steps is Missouri’s Early Intervention system for infants and toddlers, birth to age 3 who have delayed development or diagnosed conditions that are associated with developmental disabilities.

Museums in Missouri

Find everything from American Indian history to interpretations of French Colonial settlements, President Harry S. Truman to outlaw Jesse James, a museum dedicated to dogs and another dedicated to the history of psychiatric treatment. Find a museum near you today.

State Archives

The Missouri State Archives is the official repository for state records of permanent and historical value. The State Archives regularly schedules events and exhibits that are open to the public.

More than 6.8 million records can be accessed online through Missouri Digital Heritage, including the collections of the Missouri State Archives, the Missouri State Library and more than 50 institutions from across the state.

Missouri Supreme Court Library

Located on the second floor of the Supreme Court Building, the two-story high Supreme Court Library is a select government depository that offers reference services for members of the bench and the general assembly, and is open for use by lawyers and the public during regular business hours.

Missouri State Library

The Missouri State Library provides direct library and information service in support of the Executive and Legislative branches of Missouri State government, library service to blind and physically challenged residents of Missouri, and promotes the development and improvement of library services throughout the state. Its services are available to State employees.

The Wolfner Talking Book and Braille Library is a free library service to anyone in the State of Missouri who is unable to use standard print materials due to a visual or physical disability.

High School Equivalency

Many people who did not finish high school have knowledge and skills comparable to people who did graduate. Most employers, colleges and universities, and the military accept a HSE (High School Equivalency) certificate as being equivalent to a high school diploma.

• Information about HSE
• Sign up to take the HSE

Adult Education and Literacy

The Missouri Adult Education and Literacy (AEL) Program provides assistance that helps Missouri adults get the basic skills they need to be productive workers, family members, and citizens. Find local AEL Programs near you.

Career education

Missouri Career Education combines academics and occupational skill training to prepare students of all ages. Programs are designed around the 16 career clusters. Search the career education program directory.

Missouri Connections

MissouriConnections.org can help Missouri citizens determine their career interests, explore occupations, establish education plans, develop job search strategies and create resumes. This is available to students, parents, guidance counselors, educators, and job seekers at no charge.

Planning for College

Students and Parents

Furthering your education is a decision you make to develop your potential and pursue future career goals. It is also a major investment of your time, effort, and money. With so many important factors at stake, use the state’s premier go-to source to help identify the best tactics in planning and paying for college. Students can also sign up for email reminders and helpful hints about preparing for college.

Counselors

High school counselors play an important role in helping students plan and prepare for college. These resources can help counselors reach students with fun, interactive tools and customizable presentations.

Financial Aid Officers

Are you new to financial aid? Is your office facing travel limitations or tight budgets in this time of economic uncertainty? These free resources are available to meet the various needs of Missouri’s financial aid officers.

Paying for College

These resources ensure students looking to succeed in college and beyond are prepared to make informed decisions regarding educational opportunities as early as their freshman year of high school.

Filling out the FAFSA

Each year, about 15 million students apply for grants, work-study, and loans for college using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid – the FAFSA. By completing it, students apply to the U.S. Department of Education, the largest source of student aid in America. In many cases, the FAFSA is the only application needed for students to obtain aid from their state or college, too.

Related: FAFSA, College Navigator, StudentAid.gov

Immunizations and Vaccines

Missouri K-12 students are required to receive vaccines and boosters to protect against certain preventable diseases. Learn more…

Keys to Success

Parental Involvement

Parents as Teachers began in Missouri to help educate first-time parents of newborns about child rearing. It then expanded to all 50 states and seven other countries. Learn how to get training from education professionals on the best practices for raising your child. Contact your local school district to participate.

The Helping Your Child series provides parents with tools and information to help their children succeed in preschool, school and life. Booklets are available online for topics like helping your child understand the value of homework and learning math.

Missouri Learning Standards

The Missouri Learning Standards define the knowledge and skills students need in each grade level and course for success in college, other post-secondary training and careers. These expectations are aligned to the Show-Me Standards, which define what all Missouri high school graduates should know and be able to do. Parents are encouraged to learn more about the Missouri Learning Standards and how both standards and curriculum are used in Missouri.

Gifted Education Resources

Learn about opportunities available to gifted students in Missouri, ranging from Advanced Placement testing for college credit to specific programs and academies designed for advanced students.

Career Education

Missouri Career Education combines academics and occupational skill training to prepare students of all ages. Programs are designed around the 16 career clusters.

Missouri Connections

MissouriConnections.org can help Missouri citizens determine their career interests, explore occupations, establish education plans, develop job search strategies and create resumes. This is available to students, parents, guidance counselors, educators, and job seekers at no charge.

High School Equivalency Test

Many people who did not finish high school have knowledge and skills comparable to people who did graduate. Most employers, colleges and universities, and the military accept a HSE (High School Equivalency) certificate as being equivalent to a high school diploma.

• Prepare for the HSE test
• Take the HSE test

Going to College

Thinking about taking the next step in your education? Visit our colleges and universities page and get started planning today.