The Missouri Alliance for Children and Families (MACF) was founded in 1997, when a group of non-profit agencies joined forces to develop an innovative system of care for children with severe emotional and behavioral needs. In October of 1998, MACF became the sole provider for the Missouri Interdepartmental Initiative for Children with Severe Needs Contract, with services provided to children at risk of long term residential treatment or other institutional placement. These services continue to date and include: *Smaller caseloads; *Weekly visits with youth; *Family finding and engagement; and *Targeted recruitment for foster homes to meet individual needs of older youth (average age of 16). Today MACF, a Limited Liability Partnership, is governed by five of Missouri’s most highly respected, not for profit, family and child serving agencies. Collectively, these agencies offer a wide spectrum of services designed to help children and families mitigate the trauma of abuse and neglect through treatment, case management, and a commitment to permanency. The partners of MACF include the following: Cornerstones of Care Every Child’s Hope Great Circle Missouri Baptist Children’s Home, Child and Family Ministries Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services of Texas, Missouri and Louisiana