Missouri Bill Aims to Allow Unlicensed Christian Camps to House Foster Children

Concerns raised over lack of oversight after past abuse allegations at similar facilities

Mar. 18, 2026 at 8:50am

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Missouri lawmakers are considering a bill that would allow unlicensed Christian residential facilities to receive state placements of foster children, bypassing the usual licensing requirements. The bill would establish a new "Child Protection Board" to oversee these facilities, but critics argue the board would be dominated by people tied to the faith-based facilities and unable to provide meaningful independent oversight.

Why it matters

This proposal comes after widespread allegations of abuse at multiple unlicensed Christian boarding schools in Missouri in recent years. Advocates are concerned the new bill would create a system lacking proper oversight and accountability, potentially putting vulnerable foster children at risk of abuse.

The details

The bill, sponsored by Republican state Rep. Jamie Gragg, would allow facilities registered with the Missouri Association of Christian Child Care Facilities to house foster children without needing a license from the state's Children's Division. The new "Child Protection Board" overseeing these facilities would include members of the association's leadership, faith-based child care agencies, and other representatives, but critics argue this would not provide independent oversight. Past abuse allegations have been reported at facilities run by former members of the association.

  • In 2021, Missouri lawmakers responded to widespread abuse allegations at unlicensed Christian boarding schools by imposing new requirements on residential facilities.
  • In December 2025, only 236 of 4,585 reported incidents of neglect or abuse in Missouri's foster care system were substantiated, according to a state report.
  • As of March 3, 2026, 27 youth in Missouri's foster care system were placed out of state due to a lack of placement options within the state.

The players

Ashlea Belcher

A former forensic interviewer and now director of the Children's Center of Southwest Missouri, who has spoken to young people about abuse at unlicensed Christian boarding schools.

Chad Puckett

President of the Missouri Association of Christian Child Care Facilities and director of Show Me Christian Youth Home, a residential facility that has housed foster children.

Jamie Gragg

Republican state Representative who sponsored the bill to allow unlicensed Christian facilities to house foster children.

Bryan Clemensen

Former director of Agape Boarding School, a facility with substantiated findings of child neglect and physical abuse against him.

Bud and Debbie Martin

Former board members of the Missouri Association of Christian Child Care Facilities who ran Wings of Faith Academy, where students were reportedly "whupped" with a leather paddle.

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What they’re saying

“These were consistent, detailed disclosures given in a forensic setting, disclosures that aligned across interviews. That is how systematic abuse reveals itself, and it happened in facilities that operated without meaningful, consistent external oversight.”

— Ashlea Belcher, Former forensic interviewer, director of Children's Center of Southwest Missouri

“I believe in all hands on deck in a crisis situation, and that is what we intend to do. We are just tired of kids falling through the cracks. The foster care system is being overwhelmed.”

— Chad Puckett, President, Missouri Association of Christian Child Care Facilities

“I would not want to be the man who presented a bill that made it to the governor's desk and [got] signed that put children in harm's way.”

— Jamie Gragg, State Representative

What’s next

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The takeaway

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