Head Start and Early Head Start in Missouri

307 centers in 177 cities and towns, run by 29 programs. 170 offer Early Head Start, from pregnancy to age 3, and 238offer Head Start preschool for ages 3 to 5. It's free if you qualify.

Source: Office of Head Start service locations, as of October 2026. Each program reports its own sites, so call before you visit. Closed sites are left out.

Who qualifies in Missouri

$27,320a year or less for a family of three, or $33,000 for four. That's the 2026 federal poverty line, Head Start's income limit.

You also qualify at any income if you get TANF or SSI, your child is in foster care, or your family is homeless.

Sources: 45 CFR 1302.12; HHS poverty guidelines

Poverty guidelines for every family size

Head Start by city in Missouri

16 cities have 3 or more centers and a page of their own, most centers first.

Saint Louis45 centers
Kansas City13 centers
Independence8 centers
Springfield8 centers
Florissant6 centers
Kirksville6 centers
Joplin5 centers
Saint Joseph5 centers
Sedalia5 centers
Anderson3 centers
Arnold3 centers
Columbia3 centers
Kennett3 centers
Macon3 centers
Moberly3 centers
Poplar Bluff3 centers

Where to apply in Missouri

You apply to a program, not to one center. Each number here is the program's enrollment line: staff can tell you which of its centers have room and add you to a waiting list.

Ozarks Area Community Action Corporation
22 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start
(417) 864-3435
YWCA of Metropolitan St. Louis
20 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start
(314) 531-1115
Economic Security Corporation of Southwest Area
18 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start
(417) 627-2020
Central Missouri Community Action (CMCA)
17 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start
(573) 443-8706
Delta Area Economic Opportunity Corporation
16 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start
(573) 379-3851 ext. 150
Douglass Community Services, Inc
16 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start
(573) 221-3890 ext. 225
Mid America Regional Council
16 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start
(816) 841-3382
Youth In Need
16 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start
(636) 946-5600 ext. 1301
Jefferson Franklin Community Action Corporation
15 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start
(636) 789-2686 ext. 1706
Missouri Valley Community Action Agency
15 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start
(660) 886-7476 ext. 1200
Ozark Action, Inc
14 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start
(417) 256-6147 ext. 270
South Central Missouri Community Action Agency
13 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start
(573) 325-4255
Missouri Ozarks Community Action, Inc.
12 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start
(573) 765-3263 ext. 143
East Missouri Action Agency, Inc
11 centers · Head Start
(573) 454-2200 ext. 1118
Urban League Head Start
11 centers · Head Start
(314) 867-9100 ext. 208
Center for Human Services
9 centers · Early Head Start
(660) 826-4400
Center for Human Services, Inc.
8 centers · Head Start
(660) 826-4400
Community Action Partnership of Greater St. Joseph
8 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start
(816) 233-8281
Northeast Missouri Community Action
8 centers · Head Start
(660) 665-9855
Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis
8 centers · Early Head Start
(314) 867-9100 ext. 208
Community Services Inc. of Northwest Missouri
6 centers · Head Start
(660) 582-3113
North Central Missouri College
6 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start
(660) 359-2214
Northeast Missouri Community Action Agency
6 centers · Early Head Start
(660) 341-8328
Independence School District
5 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start · for Mid America Regional Council
(816) 521-5300
Kansas City Public Schools
3 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start · for Mid America Regional Council
(816) 418-5304
United Migrant Opportunity Services, Inc.
3 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start
(414) 389-6000
CDI HS Serving St. Louis, MO
2 centers · Head Start
No line reported
Operation Breakthrough, Inc.
2 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start · for Mid America Regional Council
No line reported
CDI EHS Serving St. Louis, MO
1 center · Early Head Start
No line reported

Centers in smaller towns in Missouri

185 centers in 161 towns with fewer than 3 centers each, A to Z.

Albany · 1

Albany Head Start
Head Start · 105 Van Buren
(660) 729-8062

Alton · 1

Alton Head Start
Head Start · 612 Andrews St
(417) 778-7579

Aurora · 1

Aurora
Early Head Start and Head Start · 5 W Delta St
(417) 678-5390

Ava · 1

Ava Head Start & Early Head Start
Early Head Start and Head Start · RR 1 Box 500B
(417) 683-5217

Bakersfield · 1

Bakersfield Early Head Start
Early Head Start · 357 State Highway O
(417) 284-7333

Belle · 1

Belle Head Start
Head Start · 408 Oak Ave
(573) 859-6074

Bethany · 1

Bethany
Early Head Start and Head Start · 803 S 24th St
(660) 425-3663

Blue Springs · 1

Blue Springs School District-Cub Care Learning Center
Early Head Start and Head Start · 3575 SW Liggett Rd
(816) 874-3680

Bolivar · 2

Bolivar Broadway
Early Head Start and Head Start · 1500 E Broadway St
(417) 777-8932
Bolivar Karlin Lane
Early Head Start · 4765 S 131st Rd
(417) 777-4343

Bonne Terre · 1

Bonne Terre
Head Start · 2 Savannah Dr
(573) 358-5422

Boonville · 1

Clubhouse Head Start
Head Start · 385 W Ashley Rd
(660) 882-7510

Bourbon · 1

Bourbon Head Start
Head Start · 357 Jost St
(573) 842-7666

Bowling Green · 1

Bowling Green HS/EHS
Early Head Start and Head Start · 1903 W Locust St
(573) 324-0167

Branson · 2

Branson Fall Creek
Early Head Start and Head Start · 829 S Falls Ave, Lot 1
(417) 332-0003
Branson Ridgecrest
Early Head Start and Head Start · 211 Olympus Dr
(417) 302-2243

Brookfield · 1

Brookfield
Early Head Start and Head Start · 210 W John St
(660) 258-7571

Brunswick · 1

Brunswick Head Start
Head Start · 601 E Broadway St
(660) 717-0710

Buffalo · 1

Buffalo
Early Head Start and Head Start · 915 N Ash St
(417) 345-1522

Butler · 2

Bates County - Library
Head Start · 100 W Atkison St
(660) 826-4400
Bates County - Library
Early Head Start · 100 W Atkison St
(660) 826-4400

Cabool · 1

Cabool Early Head Start
Early Head Start · 807 Summit St
(417) 256-6147

California · 1

Moniteau County HS
Early Head Start and Head Start · 504 S White St
(573) 796-3519

Camdenton · 1

Camden County Head Start
Head Start · 190 Rodeo Rd
(573) 346-7730

Cameron · 1

Cameron Head Start
Early Head Start and Head Start · 1015 W 4th St
(816) 649-5229

Cape Girardeau · 1

Cape Girardeau County
Head Start · 1111 Linden St
(573) 334-5533

Cardwell · 1

Cardwell
Early Head Start and Head Start (Migrant and Seasonal) · 500 S Main St
(414) 389-6000

Carl Junction · 1

Carl Junction Head Start
Head Start · 206 S Roney St
(417) 649-5746

Carrollton · 2

Carrollton Early Learning Center
Early Head Start · 106 Walnut Hills Dr
(660) 322-5088
Carrollton Head Start
Head Start · 108 Walnut Hills Dr
(660) 542-2560

Carthage · 2

Carthage Early Head Start
Early Head Start · 706 Orchard St
(417) 313-5144
Carthage Head Start and Early Head Start and Carthage HB (Baker Blvd)
Early Head Start and Head Start · 1810 S Baker Blvd
(417) 359-8870

Caruthersville · 1

Caruthersville Head Start
Head Start · 710 E 18th St
(573) 333-4536

Centralia · 1

Centralia Head Start
Head Start · 402 W Fairground St
(573) 682-2586

Chaffee · 1

Chaffee Head Start
Head Start · 611 N Main St
(573) 887-6220

Charleston · 1

Charleston Head Start
Head Start · 711 E Commercial St
(573) 683-4300

Chillicothe · 1

Chillicothe
Early Head Start and Head Start · 418 Mack St
(660) 646-0083

Clinton · 2

Henry County- Clinton Head Start
Early Head Start · 1003 Clark St
(660) 826-4400
Henry County- Clinton Head Start
Head Start · 1003 Clark St
(660) 826-4400

Cuba · 1

Crawford County Head Start
Head Start · 100 Hood Park
(573) 885-2696

De Soto · 2

Jeremy Baisch HS/EHS
Early Head Start and Head Start · 3225 Baisch Dr
(636) 489-4716
Sunrise District Partnership HS
Head Start · 4485 Sunrise School Rd
(636) 789-2686

Dexter · 1

Dexter Head Start
Head Start · 1124 N Outer Rd
(573) 624-8876

Doniphan · 1

Ripley County Early Head Start
Early Head Start and Head Start · 1 Hospital Dr, 290
(573) 996-5059

Edina · 2

Edina Head Start Center
Early Head Start · 401 N 1st St
(660) 397-3428
Edina Head Start Center
Head Start · 401 N 1st St
(660) 397-3428

El Dorado Springs · 2

Cedar County- El Dorado Springs Early Head Start
Early Head Start · 701 S Grand Ave
(660) 826-4400
Cedar County- El Dorado Springs Head Start
Head Start · 210 E Fields Blvd
(660) 620-2319

Eldon · 1

Eldon Head Start
Head Start · 410 Business 54
(573) 392-4822

Ellington · 2

Reynolds County Early Head Start
Early Head Start · 165 W Maple St
(573) 663-2377
Reynolds County Head Start
Head Start · 145 W Maple St
(573) 663-3199

Ellsinore · 1

East Carter County Head Start
Early Head Start and Head Start · 63 N Herren Avenue
(573) 322-0099

Excelsior Springs · 1

Excelsior Springs School District
Head Start · 500 N Jesse James Rd
(816) 630-9200

Farmington · 2

Farmington
Head Start · 135 Vierse Dr
(573) 747-0373
Farmington II
Head Start · 46 Birch Tree
(573) 218-9190

Fayette · 1

Howard County
Early Head Start · 103B Furr St
(660) 248-2227

Fenton · 1

My Friend's House
Head Start · 19 New Sugar Creek Rd
(636) 283-8830

Fredericktown · 1

Madison County
Head Start · 600 S Chamber Dr
(573) 783-7112

Fulton · 1

Callaway County Child & Family Development Center
Early Head Start and Head Start · 1600 Westminster Ave
(573) 642-3201

Gainesville · 1

Gainesville Head Start
Head Start · 422 Bulldog Dr, Gainesville Elementary
(417) 679-4340

Gerald · 1

Boeuff Child Care Partner HS
Head Start · 407 S Pine St
(573) 764-4165

Glasgow · 1

Glasgow Head Start
Head Start · 860 Randolph St
(660) 338-2012

Glenwood · 2

Schuyler County Head Start Center
Head Start · 302 State Highway M
(660) 457-3603
Schuyler County Head Start Center
Early Head Start · 302 State Highway M
(660) 457-3603

Granby · 1

Granby HS and EHS
Early Head Start and Head Start · 550 Fortune Teller Rd
(417) 472-7118

Grandview · 1

High Grove Early Childhood Center
Early Head Start and Head Start · 2500 High Grove Rd
(816) 316-5500

Gravois Mills · 1

Morgan Head Start
Early Head Start and Head Start · 14060 Red Hollow Rd
(573) 505-0253

Gray Summit · 1

Gray Summit HS/EHS
Early Head Start and Head Start · 3251 Highway Mm
(636) 481-5036

Grovespring · 1

Grovespring Head Start
Head Start · 9457 Highway 5
(417) 462-3333

Hannibal · 2

EHS Johnson
Early Head Start and Head Start · 2161 Johnson St
(573) 406-5574
Hannibal
Early Head Start and Head Start · 2181 Johnson St
(573) 231-0754

Harrisonville · 2

Cass County- Harrisonville Head Start
Head Start · 404 S Lincoln Rd
(660) 826-4400
Cass County- Harrisonville Head Start
Early Head Start · 404 S Lincoln Rd
(660) 826-4400

Hayti · 2

DAEOC Hayti Early Head Start
Early Head Start · 310 South Pemiscot
(573) 359-6400
Hayti Head Start
Head Start · 310 S Pemiscot St
(573) 359-6400

Hematite · 1

Hematite HS/EHS
Early Head Start and Head Start · 3680 Hillsboro-Hematite Road
(636) 343-9141

Hermitage · 1

Hermitage Head Start
Early Head Start and Head Start · 23824 Polk St
(660) 672-9938

Higginsville · 2

Higginsville Head Start
Head Start · 15 E 22nd St
(660) 242-5596
Little Steps Learning Center 2
Early Head Start and Head Start · 715 Main St
(660) 584-8770

Hillsboro · 1

Visions Academy
Head Start · 4770 State Road B
(636) 797-8144

Hollister · 1

Hollister
Early Head Start and Head Start · 178 Jessica St
(417) 334-7515

House Springs · 1

Northwest ECE District Partner HS
Head Start · 6180 Highway Mm
(636) 671-3382

Houston · 1

Houston Early Head Start
Early Head Start · 1470 S Sam Houston Blvd
(417) 967-4111

Huntsville · 1

Barnyard Buddies
Early Head Start · 266 Highway Jj
(660) 346-7562

Iberia · 1

Iberia Head Start
Head Start · 202 Lombar St
(573) 793-6713

Ironton · 1

Iron County
Head Start · 321A S Knob St
(573) 546-2185

Jefferson City · 1

Cole East
Early Head Start and Head Start · 605 Cherry St
(573) 636-3577

Kahoka · 1

Kahoka Head Start Center
Head Start · 157 E Commercial St
(660) 727-2622

Kissee Mills · 1

Kissee Mills
Head Start · 415 Staake Spur
(417) 546-4635

Knob Noster · 1

Knob Noster Head Start
Head Start · 502 E Lucas St
(660) 563-3751

La Plata · 1

Our Little Village
Early Head Start · 29928 July Rd
(660) 587-2015

Laddonia · 1

Community R-VI Child & Family Development Center
Head Start · 35063 Highway Bb
(573) 373-2331

Lamar · 1

Lamar Head Start/Early Head Start HB & Early Head Start CB
Early Head Start and Head Start · 1806 Hagny St
(417) 682-5744

Lebanon · 1

Lebanon Head Start
Early Head Start and Head Start · 145 N Monroe St
(417) 532-4989

Lees Summit · 1

Great Beginnings at Paradise Park
Early Head Start and Head Start · 1021 NE Colbern Rd
(816) 986-3530

Lexington · 1

Lexington Head Start
Head Start · 624 S 20th St
(660) 259-4013

Licking · 1

Licking Head Start
Head Start · 123 Cedar St
(573) 674-2961

Linn · 1

Osage Early Head Start
Early Head Start · 1317 E Main St
(573) 763-5640

Louisiana · 1

Louisiana Head Start
Early Head Start · 130 Memorial Dr
(573) 754-5471

Maitland · 1

Nodaway Holt Head Start
Head Start · 217 S Maple Ave
(660) 224-0897

Malden · 1

Malden Head Start
Head Start · 507 Arnold Blvd
(573) 276-3678

Mansfield · 1

Mansfield Head Start
Head Start · 604 W Commercial St
(417) 924-8421

Marble Hill · 1

Bollinger County
Head Start · #400 Highway 34 East
(573) 238-3652

Marshall · 1

Marshall Head Start
Head Start · 1498 N Lexington Ave
(660) 886-9980

Marshfield · 1

Marshfield
Early Head Start and Head Start · 110 E Commerce Rd
(417) 859-6293

Maryville · 1

Maryville Head Start
Head Start · 1212D S Main St
(660) 582-4347

Memphis · 2

Memphis Head Start Center
Head Start · 238 N Johnson St
(660) 465-2514
Memphis Head Start Center
Early Head Start · 238 N Johnson St
(660) 465-2514

Mexico · 1

Williams Family Support Center
Early Head Start and Head Start · 801 E Breckenridge St
(573) 581-6806

Milan · 1

Milan
Early Head Start and Head Start · 115 E Grand Ave
(660) 265-3233

Mineral Point · 1

Washington County
Head Start · 512 State St
(573) 438-1515

Monett · 2

Monett 1
Early Head Start · 307 15th St
(417) 235-3911
Monett 2
Head Start · 309 15th St
(417) 235-8779

Monroe City · 1

Monroe Early Head start
Early Head Start · 102 N Berkley
(573) 735-3495

Montgomery City · 1

Montgomery ELC
Early Head Start and Head Start · 908 S Sturgeon St
(573) 564-2600

Mound City · 1

Holt County Head Start
Head Start · 1530 Nebraska St
(660) 442-5744

Mount Vernon · 1

UMOS MSHS Mt. Vernon Center
Early Head Start and Head Start (Migrant and Seasonal) · 10733 Highway 39
(417) 461-7958

Mountain Grove · 1

Mtn. Grove Early Head Start
Early Head Start · 507 W 5th St
(417) 926-5170

Mountain View · 1

Mtn. View Head Start
Head Start · 1402 E US Highway 60
(417) 934-6918

Neelyville · 1

Neelyville Head Start
Head Start · 151 Park Street
(573) 989-3485

Neosho · 1

Neosho Head Start/Early Head Start
Early Head Start and Head Start · 750 National Guard Rd
(417) 451-5507

Nevada · 2

Vernon County- Nevada Head Start
Early Head Start · 1025 E Wooter St
(660) 826-4400
Vernon County- Nevada Head Start
Head Start · 1025 E Wooter St
(660) 826-4400

New London · 1

Ralls Head Start
Head Start · 209 Carstarphen Pl
(573) 985-3500

New Madrid · 1

New Madrid Head Start/Early Head Start
Early Head Start and Head Start · 801 Main St
(573) 748-7932

Nixa · 1

Nixa
Head Start · 406 S Patricia St
(417) 724-2920

Noel · 1

Noel Head Start/Early Head Start
Early Head Start and Head Start · 628 Johnson Dr
(417) 627-2020

Novinger · 1

Adair County R-1 (Pre-School)
Head Start · 600 Rombauer Ave
(660) 488-6411

Odessa · 1

Young Learning Academy
Early Head Start · 305 North Park Ln
(660) 886-7476

Osceola · 2

St Clair County Library
Head Start · 115 Chestnut St
(660) 826-4400
St Clair County Library
Early Head Start · 115 Chestnut St
(660) 826-4400

Owensville · 1

Gasconade County Head Start
Head Start · 1011 Commercial Dr
(573) 437-3332

Palmyra · 1

Palmyra Early Head Start
Early Head Start and Head Start · 405 E Olive St
(573) 769-2305

Park Hills · 1

Mid St. Francois County
Head Start · 204 10th St
(573) 431-2658

Perryville · 1

Perry County
Head Start · 104 N French Ln
(573) 547-8496

Piedmont · 1

Wayne County Early Head Start
Early Head Start and Head Start · 209 N Main St
(573) 223-7156

Plattsburg · 1

Plattsburg Head Start
Head Start · 305 N 7th St
(816) 539-2990

Portageville · 1

Portageville Head Start
Head Start · 801 King Ave
(573) 379-5419

Puxico · 1

Puxico Head Start
Head Start · 150 S Hickman
(573) 222-2434

Raytown · 1

Three Trails Preschool
Head Start · 8812 E Gregory Blvd
(816) 268-7145

Reeds Spring · 1

Reeds Spring
Head Start · 22597 Main St
(417) 272-1002

Republic · 1

Republic
Early Head Start and Head Start · 933 N Lindsey Ave
(417) 732-1771

Richland · 1

Tri County Head Start
Head Start · 105 Francis St
(573) 765-5592

Richmond · 1

Richmond Early Learning Center
Early Head Start and Head Start · 42455 Business Highway 10, # B
(816) 776-2255

Robertsville · 1

Robertsville HS/EHS
Early Head Start and Head Start · 5008 Highway N
(636) 583-0657

Rock Port · 1

Atchison County Head Start
Head Start · 16635 US Highway 136
(660) 744-2616

Rocky Comfort · 1

Rocky Comfort Head Start
Head Start · 14814 E State Highway 76
(417) 717-8003

Rolla · 1

Rolla Head Start
Head Start · 1811 E 10th St
(573) 364-8252

Saint Charles · 1

St. Charles ELC
Early Head Start · 1815 Boones Lick Rd
(636) 332-0265

Saint Clair · 1

St Clair HS
Head Start · 895 Bardot St
(636) 629-3500

Saint James · 1

Saint James Head Start
Head Start · 1518 Lola Ln
(573) 261-3101

Salem · 1

Dent County Head Start
Early Head Start and Head Start · 1405 S Wines St
(573) 729-6911

Salisbury · 1

Salisbury Early Learning Center
Early Head Start and Head Start · 618 S Weber Ave
(660) 388-5911

Savannah · 1

Savannah Head Start Center
Head Start · 304 N 4th St
(816) 324-0070

Senath · 1

DAEOC Senath Early Head Start
Early Head Start and Head Start · 206 E Hornbeck St
(573) 738-2356

Shelbina · 1

Shelbina Head Start
Early Head Start · 116 W Mill St
(573) 588-2120

Sikeston · 2

DAEOC Sikeston Early Head Start
Early Head Start · 123 Arthur Street
(573) 472-6333
Sikeston Head Start
Head Start · 115 S West St
(573) 471-8320

Stanberry · 1

Stanberry Head Start
Head Start · 811 N Willow St
(660) 783-2084

Ste Genevieve · 1

Ste. Genevieve
Head Start · 95 Sainte Genevieve Dr
(573) 883-3434

Steele · 1

Steele Head Start
Head Start · 509 Main St E
(573) 695-2394

Stockton · 2

Cedar County- Stockton Head Start
Early Head Start · 14246 E Highway 32
(660) 826-4400
Cedar County- Stockton Head Start
Head Start · 14246 E Highway 32
(660) 826-4400

Sullivan · 1

Sullivan District Partnership HS
Head Start · 1132 Elmont Rd
(636) 573-5171

Thayer · 1

Thayer Head Start
Head Start · 903 Walnut St
(417) 264-2089

Trenton · 1

Trenton
Early Head Start and Head Start · 301 W 18th St
(660) 359-2662

Troy · 1

Lincoln ELC
Early Head Start · 19 Fairgrounds Rd
(636) 462-6061

Union · 1

Union Center
Early Head Start and Head Start · 110 W Springfield Ave
(636) 583-1202

Unionville · 1

Unionville
Early Head Start and Head Start · 1026 Union St
(660) 947-3526

University City · 1

University City Children's Center
Early Head Start and Head Start · 6646 Vernon Ave
(314) 726-0148

Van Buren · 1

Van Buren Early Head Start
Early Head Start · 1810 Winston Drive
(573) 323-8905

Vandalia · 1

Werdcc
Early Head Start · 1101 E US Highway 54
(573) 594-6686

Warrensburg · 1

Warrensburg Head Start
Head Start · 330 E Gay St
(660) 429-1144

Warrenton · 1

Marvin Marks
Early Head Start and Head Start · 1022 Steinhagen Rd
(636) 329-4235

Warsaw · 1

Warsaw
Early Head Start and Head Start · 31667 Highway 83
(660) 438-3289

Waverly · 1

Appleseed Daycare LLC
Early Head Start · 706 Main St
(660) 243-4340

Waynesville · 1

Waynesville Head Start
Early Head Start and Head Start · 19778 Sackett Ln
(573) 774-2460

Webb City · 2

CSS Early Learning Center
Early Head Start · 1401 W Austin St
(417) 627-2020
Webb City Head Start
Head Start · 300 N College St
(417) 627-2020

Webster Groves · 1

Ambrose Family Center
Head Start · 222 W Cedar Ave
(314) 963-6440

Wentzville · 1

The Nest
Head Start · 411 W Pearce Blvd
(636) 856-0553

West Plains · 1

West Plains Head Start
Early Head Start and Head Start · 2027 Clark Ave
(417) 256-8823

Willow Springs · 1

Willow Springs Head Start
Head Start · 409 W Main St
(417) 469-2893

Winona · 2

Shannon County Early Head Start
Early Head Start · 8120 South Highway 19
(573) 325-8272
Shannon County Head Start
Head Start · 8120 State Highway 19
(573) 325-8272

Head Start in nearby states

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Other benefits in Missouri

Having a baby in MissouriBenefits, each with its source, checked October 2026Pregnancy MedicaidUp to 305% FPLWICYesPaid family leaveNoMedicaid pays for a doulaYesSee Missouri