A new resource for families in Northeast Missouri has officially opened its doors

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. (May 27, 2026) After more than two years of waiting, Kirksville’s Family Connection Center is finally here. On Wednesday, the community celebrated the official ribbon-cutting of the Family Connection Center located at 20 Devlin Place.

The event marked the culmination of years of collaboration and dedicated work between Community Action Partnership of Northeast Missouri (CAPNEMO), the Missouri Coalition for Children (MCC), and the Bruce Normile Juvenile Justice Center (BNJJC) to bring the center to life. In a building donated by the Kirksville Housing Authority, the Family Connection Center is a new resource designed to strengthen families, increase stability, and prevent unnecessary foster care placements through early intervention, practical supports, and strong community connections.

The Family Connection Center will serve as a community-based hub connecting families to resources and services that promote long-term stability and self-sufficiency. Families can strengthen their economic well-being, achieve their goals, and build a stronger community.

“We’re also going to provide parent education courses. We have an on-site computer lab,” said Jenn Vaughn, director of the Head Start program at CAPNEMO. “We’re partnering with community partners to provide a variety of programs — education on nutritional services, education on job skills — all kinds of things in order to help families be stable and thrive.”

Support systems like the FCC are designed to serve as a broader safety net for communities and to fill gaps in services. Early detection and crisis prevention lead to stronger families for years to come.

“We want to create a safe space, so families learn and thrive. When families thrive, communities thrive,” noted Traci Lawrence, Executive Director at CAPNEMO. “It creates economic stability in the family and in the community, so we’re really looking forward to lifting families up.”

For more information about the FCC, visit their Facebook page or call (660) 280-3377.

About CAPNEMO:

Since 1965, the Community Action Partnership of Northeast Missouri (CAPNEMO) has been committed to serving the local community needs of individuals and families in Adair, Clark, Knox, Schuyler, and Scotland counties. Their efforts focus on providing support, resources, and opportunities that strengthen families and improve the well-being of our communities, helping them achieve their greatest potential. Learn More

About BNJJC:

The Bruce Normile Juvenile Justice Center is dedicated to serving youth and families through rehabilitation, education, and community-focused support services. As part of Missouri’s Second Judicial Circuit Juvenile Division, the center provides secure detention, residential treatment, and intervention programs designed to promote accountability, personal growth, and positive outcomes for at-risk youth. Through collaboration with families, schools, and community agencies, the center strives to create a safe environment that encourages healing, development, and successful reintegration into the community. Learn More

About MCC:
The Missouri Coalition for Children (MCC) is a statewide membership and advocacy organization dedicated to improving the well-being of children and families across Missouri. MCC envisions a Missouri where all children and families reach their full potential in safe, healthy communities and focuses on supporting families with the right services at the right time. Learn More