Missouri has a lot of work to do when it comes to protecting and providing for our children. A critically underfunded Children's Division of Social Services leaves our most vulnerable kids in danger of abuse and neglect — including at group homes and residential facilities. On top of those woes, more than half of all Missourians live in a child care desert, limiting opportunities for kids to get a head start at school and for both parents to provide for their families.

House Democrats have plans to protect and help children across our state through policies that will better fund our child care system and create incentives to make being a Missouri-based provider more viable and lucrative.