Ozark Family Resource Center

The Ozarks Family Resource Center is an emergency shelter in Springfield for children who have been removed from their homes because of an abusive situation and have nowhere else to go. In recognition of April being Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month KSMU's Emily Nash visited the OFRC and filed this report.

Christy is 14 and has been living at the Ozark Family Resource Center for 6 months.

But the OFRC wasn't her first stop after being taken away from her home.

She says she was first put in foster care because her parents had a drinking problem.

But, she was soon removed from her foster parents and sent to the OFRC because of an unhealthy living environment.

Christy says, kids need a safe place to live where people want to take care of them

24 hours a day, the Ozark Family Resource Center is ready to take care of children who have been abused or neglected in their homes.

The child is put in state custody, and if no foster homes are available, they are sent here.

The OFRC has multiple dorm style rooms that are separated by a large play room and kitchen.

In the back of the building there is an outdoor courtyard and playground.

Alaina Steele is the director of the OFRC.

She says when children first arrive after being removed from their home, they need extra support.

The OFRC was established in April 2001 to help with the shortage of foster homes in Greene County.

Steele says there's still a great need for foster homes in the area.

She says, keeping sibling groups together is important, and few foster parents are able to care for more than one child at a time.

Up to 16 children can live at the OFRC at one time,

The facility is under tight security and each room is monitored by a closed circuit TV.

Elementary and Middle school children have a special school they attend while living at the OFRC.

The school helps address special needs these students have after living in an abusive environment.

Steele says kids usually stay about 52 days, but they are welcome to stay as long as it takes to find a healthy long-term home.

Not only does the OFRC provide short-term shelter for children removed from crisis situations, it provides psychological assessment to determine the best long-term option for children.

Steele says the OFRC is starting a program that will house and care for homeless youth in Greene County.

The program called Empowering Youth will help meet the needs of homeless youth, while giving them resources to help them survive once they find a home.

Join us tomorrow morning as we learn more about the Empowering Youth program.