Missouri Department of Social Services
The Missouri Department of Social Services is the State of Missouri's cabinet-level agency that administers public assistance, Medicaid (MO HealthNet), child welfare, child support, foster care, youth rehabilitation, and victim services for Missouri residents.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1935
- HeadquartersJefferson City, United States
- Headcount5,001–10,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Missouri Department of Social Services does
The Missouri Department of Social Services (DSS) is a cabinet-level executive-branch agency of the State of Missouri, headquartered in Jefferson City, that administers the state's portfolio of public assistance and social welfare programs. It operates 11 internal divisions — Children's Division, Family Support Division, MO HealthNet Division (the state's Medicaid program), Division of Youth Services, Division of Legal Services, Division of Finance & Administrative Services, Human Resource Center, Strategic Performance & Innovations Unit, State Technical Assistance Team (STAT), Missouri Medicaid Audit & Compliance Unit (MMAC), and the Office of Workforce & Community Initiatives — serving Missouri residents across food assistance (SNAP), cash assistance (Temporary Assistance), child care subsidies, child support establishment and enforcement, Medicaid/MO HealthNet managed care, foster care and adoption, youth residential treatment, blind/vocational rehabilitation, opioid crisis response, VOCA-funded victim services, and Project Hep Cure (hepatitis C treatment). Service delivery is multi-channel: a 24/7 online portal (mydss.mo.gov), over 100 Family Support Division Resource Centers located in every Missouri county, dedicated toll-free phone lines, text and chat support, and partnerships with community action agencies, food pantries, and SkillUP/Missouri Work Assistance providers. The technology stack centers on the FACES case management system (used for foster care case tracking, HCY/EPSDT exams, and permanency metrics), MO HealthNet provider systems, EBT card infrastructure, online invoicing platforms (FACESInvoice, ChildSupportPaymentInformation), and the public House Bill 1414 Foster Care Dashboard. DSS is funded through Missouri state appropriations combined with federal matching funds (Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, VOCA, child welfare). It was established in 1935 and is led by Director Jessica Bax, appointed by Governor Mike Kehoe with Senate approval. Headcount stands at 6,500+ budgeted employees.
Missouri Department of Social Services firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Missouri Department of Social Services
- Legal name
- Missouri Department of Social Services
- Website
- https://dss.mo.gov
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1935
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 5,001–10,000 employees
- Short description
- The Missouri Department of Social Services is the State of Missouri's cabinet-level agency that administers public assistance, Medicaid (MO HealthNet), child welfare, child support, foster care, youth rehabilitation, and victim services for Missouri residents.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Missouri Department of Social Services industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Government Social Services
- NAICS
- Individual and Family Services (6241), Child and Youth Services (62411), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Local Public Health & Human Services Administration (BPAIACAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Healthcare-Linked Social Benefits Administration (e.g., Medicaid/Means-Tested Health Coverage) (BPAIAKAH), Mental Health & Crisis Support Services (BPAGACAD), Behavioral Health & Substance Use Public Health Programs (BPAIAJAK)
Keywords
Where Missouri Department of Social Services is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Jefferson City
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices7 records
Markets served
Missouri Department of Social Services business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- State Government Funding: State-budgeted government department funded through Missouri state appropriations and federal matching funds for programs like Medicaid, SNAP, and TANF
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels8 records
Marketing channels8 records
Missouri Department of Social Services product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Missouri Department of Social Services administers state and federally funded public assistance programs for Missouri residents, including MO HealthNet (Medicaid) healthcare coverage, SNAP food assistance, Temporary Assistance cash benefits, Child Support Services, Foster Care, Adoption, and Division of Youth Services rehabilitation. It also operates the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) program and specialized services such as Rehabilitation Services for the Blind and Opioid Crisis Response, delivered through a statewide network of Resource Centers, the mydss.mo.gov online portal, and dedicated phone/text support.
Product overview
Missouri Department of Social Services operates as a unified platform of government social services with multiple integrated divisions and programs. The core offerings include MO HealthNet (Medicaid), SNAP food assistance, Temporary Assistance, and Children's Division services. These programs are coordinated through the Family Support Division and Children's Division, with specialized services including Child Support enforcement, Foster Care, Adoption, Division of Youth Services, Rehabilitation Services for the Blind, Employment & Training (SkillUP), Victim Services/VOCA, Opioid Crisis Response, and the State Technical Assistance Team. The department also provides technology platforms including the House Bill 1414 Foster Care Dashboard for case management oversight and Project Hep Cure for hepatitis C treatment.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- MO HealthNet (Missouri Medicaid) Missouri's Medicaid program that administers health care coverage for eligible Missourians, including managed care plans (Home State Health, Show Me Healthy Kids, Healthy Blue, UnitedHealthcare) and pharmacy benefits.
- SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) Food assistance program that helps eligible Missourians purchase food by providing electronic benefits transferred to EBT cards.
- Temporary Assistance Cash assistance program providing financial support to eligible families with children to help meet basic needs.
- Child Support Services Program helping with locating parents, establishing paternity, and starting or enforcing child support and medical support orders for custodial and non-custodial parents.
- Children's Division Services Administers child welfare services including child abuse/neglect investigations, foster care, adoption, and services to keep kids safe.
- Foster Care Temporary out-of-home care for children when staying home is not in their best interest, providing safe homes while families work toward reunification.
- Adoption Services Services connecting children in foster care with adoptive families, including the Missouri Adoption Heart Gallery.
- Older Youth Program Services and financial help for youth ages 14-23 currently or formerly in foster care to develop skills, education, and independence.
- Division of Youth Services Care and treatment for youth committed by Missouri juvenile courts, including residential treatment, education, and aftercare services.
- Opioid Crisis Response Initiatives combating the opioid epidemic including naloxone distribution, medication-assisted treatment, provider training, and child welfare support.
- Victim Services Services connecting victims of violent crime with resources including domestic violence shelters, human trafficking support, and VOCA assistance.
- Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Federal grant program administered by DSS to support provision of direct services to crime victims throughout Missouri.
- Rehabilitation Services for the Blind Services helping blind or visually impaired persons reach personal and employment success through training and resources.
- Child Care Assistance Subsidy program helping families afford child care services for eligible children.
- Employment and Training Programs (SkillUP and Missouri Work Assistance) Job training and employment assistance programs including SkillUP and Missouri Work Assistance for SNAP and Temporary Assistance recipients.
- State Technical Assistance Team (STAT) Team protecting children and supporting agencies investigating child sexual abuse, exploitation, and internet crimes against children, including operation of the Missouri Digital Forensic Center.
- Project Hep Cure Initiative curing hepatitis C with prescription MAVYRET for MO HealthNet participants at no cost.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over $216 million secured to strengthen rural healthcare in Missouri
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Missouri Department of Social Services
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments8 records
Ideal customer profiles6 records
Missouri Department of Social Services technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Missouri Department of Social Services partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- QA CommonsminorQA Commons, funded by Ascendium Education Group, partnered with Missouri Department of Corrections and Formerly Incarcerated College Graduates Network to test how employability skills frameworks could be adapted for correctional education and reentry contexts in Missouri.
- Missouri Department of CorrectionsminorPartnered with QA Commons and Formerly Incarcerated College Graduates Network to test employability skills frameworks for justice-impacted learners in Missouri correctional facilities.
- Formerly Incarcerated College Graduates NetworkminorCollaborated with QA Commons and Missouri Department of Corrections to develop success coaching programs for justice-impacted learners.
- Family and Community Trust (FACT)coreDSS engages with Family and Community Trust and 20 Community Partnerships in initiatives working directly with communities and families to improve the lives of children and families.
- Missouri State Highway PatrolcoreSTAT operates the Missouri Digital Forensic Center in collaboration with Missouri State Highway Patrol for investigating crimes against children.
- U.S. Department of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime (OVC)coreFederal agency that administers VOCA funds at the federal level while Missouri DSS administers funds at state level for crime victim services.
- Missouri State Highway PatrolcoreSTAT operates the Missouri Digital Forensic Center in collaboration with Missouri State Highway Patrol for digital forensics in child exploitation investigations.
- Show-Me ECHO (University of Missouri)coreMO HealthNet providers utilize Show-Me ECHO for chronic pain management and opioid use disorder treatment through videoconferencing connecting specialists with primary care providers.
- Missouri Opioid State Targeted Response (STR) ProjectcoreMO HealthNet works with Missouri Opioid STR Project, led by Rachel Winograd Ph.D., to expand access to integrated prevention, treatment, and recovery support services for individuals with opioid use disorder.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Missouri Department of Social Services competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Illinois Department of Human Services: Administers SNAP, Medicaid, TANF, child welfare, and rehabilitation services in Illinois. Closely comparable to Missouri DSS as a neighboring Midwestern state with similar service portfolio and constituent demographics.
- New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance: New York's state agency administering SNAP, TANF, Medicaid (with DOH), and disability assistance. Directly comparable to Missouri DSS in cash assistance, food assistance, and federal program administration.
- Tennessee Department of Human Services: Administers SNAP, TANF, Medicaid (TennCare oversight), child welfare, and child support in Tennessee. Comparable to Missouri DSS in program mix and TANF/SNAP-focused service delivery model.
- Texas Health and Human Services Commission: Texas's combined health and human services agency administering Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, child protective services, and foster care. Direct peer to Missouri DSS in scale, scope of benefit programs, and child welfare oversight responsibilities.
- California Department of Social Services: State-level agency administering SNAP, Medicaid (Medi-Cal), child welfare, foster care, and in-home supportive services across California. Directly comparable to Missouri DSS in mission, division structure, federal program administration, and statutory role.
- Pennsylvania Department of Human Services: Pennsylvania's state agency administering Medicaid (HealthChoices), SNAP, TANF, child welfare, and Office of Children, Youth, and Families. Direct peer to Missouri DSS in scale of Medicaid managed care and child welfare programs.
- Florida Department of Children and Families: Administers Florida's SNAP, Medicaid, TANF, child welfare, and adult protective services. Directly comparable to Missouri DSS in program mix and statewide Resource Center-equivalent access points.
- Ohio Department of Job and Family Services: Ohio's combined workforce and social services agency administering Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, child welfare, and child support. Direct peer to Missouri DSS, particularly in workforce integration via SkillUP-style programs and child support enforcement.
Broad incumbents
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Federal-level umbrella agency that funds and sets policy for the major programs (Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, Child Welfare, VOCA) administered by Missouri DSS and its state peers. Acts as upstream regulator and funding source rather than direct competitor.
Others
- U.S. Department of Agriculture — Food and Nutrition Service: Federal agency that administers SNAP at the federal level and provides funding/reimbursement to state DSS agencies including Missouri DSS. Comparable as ecosystem participant rather than direct operator.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Missouri Department of Social Services social profiles
Digital presenceMissouri Department of Social Services compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Missouri Department of Social Services financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Missouri Department of Social Services leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Missouri Department of Social Services subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries11 records
Missouri Department of Social Services funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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Missouri Department of Social Services M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Missouri Department of Social Services
What does Missouri Department of Social Services do?
Missouri Department of Social Services administers state and federally funded public assistance programs for Missouri residents, including MO HealthNet (Medicaid) healthcare coverage, SNAP food assistance, Temporary Assistance cash benefits, Child Support Services, Foster Care, Adoption, and Division of Youth Services rehabilitation. It also operates the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) program and specialized services such as Rehabilitation Services for the Blind and Opioid Crisis Response, delivered through a statewide network of Resource Centers, the mydss.mo.gov online portal, and dedicated phone/text support.
Is Missouri Department of Social Services a public or private company?
Missouri Department of Social Services is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Missouri Department of Social Services founded?
Missouri Department of Social Services was founded in 1935. It employs 5,001 to 10,000 people.
Where is Missouri Department of Social Services based?
Missouri Department of Social Services is headquartered in Jefferson City, United States, in the North America region.
How does Missouri Department of Social Services make money?
One revenue line is on record: state Government Funding.
Who are Missouri Department of Social Services's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Illinois Department of Human Services, New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, Tennessee Department of Human Services, Texas Health and Human Services Commission, California Department of Social Services, Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Florida Department of Children and Families and Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is listed as a broad incumbent. U.S. Department of Agriculture — Food and Nutrition Service is listed as an others.
Does Missouri Department of Social Services have an API?
No public API is recorded for Missouri Department of Social Services.
What industry is Missouri Department of Social Services in?
Missouri Department of Social Services's product category is Government Social Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAIACAK, Local Public Health & Human Services Administration, with a secondary code of BPAIAKAH, Healthcare-Linked Social Benefits Administration (e.g., Medicaid/Means-Tested Health Coverage). Its NAICS code is 6241 and its SIC code is 8300.