BELIEVE IN KC

Missouri graded its own foster care system and came in 50th out of 50 in the nation. This episode we are joined by Merideth Rose, President and CEO of Cornerstones of Care, a Kansas City child and family agency that has been doing this work for 157 years. Merideth also served communities as the Public Affairs Officer for the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), serving as principal advisor and Deputy to the External Affairs Director. She and Wes get into what that ranking actually means for kids here, and how much of it a mayor can move. Kansas City spends about three quarters of its general fund on public safety. Merideth makes the case that prevention is the cheap end of that same bill, and she brings the receipts. To learn more or get involved, go to cornerstonesofcare.org . Cornerstones of Care hosts a Caring About Community Coffee on the first Wednesday of every month, 8 to 9 a.m., open to anyone who wants to hear the story and find a way to plug in. Wes Rogers is a Kansas City councilman running for mayor. Believe in KC is an honest conversation with the people who make this town worth believing in. Watch or listen wherever you find your podcasts.