{"id":21559,"date":"2025-06-17T15:52:10","date_gmt":"2025-06-17T20:52:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.suretybonds.com\/blog\/?p=21559"},"modified":"2026-02-13T12:27:17","modified_gmt":"2026-02-13T18:27:17","slug":"nonprofit-partner-spotlight-coyote-hill","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.suretybonds.com\/blog\/nonprofit-partner-spotlight-coyote-hill\/","title":{"rendered":"Nonprofit Partner Spotlight: Coyote Hill"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tucked away on the northeast edge of downtown Columbia is Coyote Hill\u2019s new local office, housing both employees and gathering spaces for the families they serve.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Coyote Hill works to provide consistent, supportive foster care services across five cities in Missouri: Columbia, Hannibal, Harrisburg, Jefferson City and Moberly. Through parent training programs, volunteer events, and a dedicated community of foster care homes, the organization creates \u201cA Safe Place to Be a Child\u201d for foster children.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"coyote<\/p>\n

As of 2025, the organization has provided \u201cA Safe Place to Be a Child\u201d for 386 children over its 33 years of operation. SuretyBonds.com is proud to partner with Coyote Hill, and we\u2019re excited to highlight how they are impacting the foster care system in our local community.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What Is \u201cA Safe Place to Be a Child?\u201d<\/span><\/h2>\n

In 1991, founders Larry and Cathy McDaniel started Coyote Hill Christian Children\u2019s Home in their own house. The first community foster home, named Cathy\u2019s Home in her honor, was later dedicated in 1997. From there, the organization worked to build an entire foster home neighborhood and expand its foster services throughout multiple Mid-Missouri cities.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Coyote Hill\u2019s slogan, \u201cA Safe Place to Be a Child,\u201d reflects the organization\u2019s mission and values. It aims to eventually license more families than there are foster children in Missouri.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

When asked about the meaning behind their slogan, Development Director Joe Knight noted how it has evolved to emphasize their focus on safety and stability. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFor a while, it was \u2018A Place to Be a Child,\u2019 and we thought \u2014 that could be more. And so, we decided on \u2018A <\/span>Safe<\/span><\/i> Place to Be a Child,\u2019 because we’re licensing homes all over the state now, and we’re creating safe places for children,\u201d Knight said. <\/span><\/p>\n

Building Stability Through Training and Support<\/span><\/h2>\n

Nearly all children in the foster system have experienced some form of trauma. \u201cOn average, 50% of foster parents give up after their first year. That\u2019s often because of a lack of support and training. It\u2019s hard; you’re bringing trauma into your home,\u201d Knight said. \u201cBut, Coyote Hill’s retention rate is 90%. That\u2019s huge for children because it means more stability.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

To achieve this higher retention rate, Coyote Hill provides extensive training and continuing education for families. In addition to events, webinars, and course work, the organization also uses a holistic, trauma-informed model called <\/span>Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI)<\/span><\/a> which focuses on \u201chealing the whole child.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Beyond licensing and training, Coyote Hill works to provide ongoing support for foster parents. Through the Family Advocacy Program, every family receives an advocate who provides consistent coaching and mentoring services. This creates stability and ensures families have all the tools they need for success.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Hill: A Unique Foster Home Community<\/span><\/h2>\n

25 minutes north of Columbia is Harrisburg, where \u201cThe Hill\u201d houses 8 foster homes. This dedicated community provides a safe, supportive environment for Coyote Hill foster parents and children to thrive.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A lot of children look back on The Hill as some of the most formative times of their lives.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a neighborhood of like-minded parents who want to give children safe homes and work together as best they can,\u201d Knight said. \u201cA lot of children look back on The Hill as some of the most formative times of their lives.\u201d <\/span>The neighborhood is especially designed to support sibling groups: a child is twice as likely to live with their siblings at The Hill than at a traditional foster home.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Hill also boasts an equine program, playgrounds, basketball courts, a huge lake, a campsite, a baseball field and nature trails. This gives children the chance to heal through outdoor play and time in nature.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Playground<\/p>\n

Additionally, The Hill hosts after-school and summer programs, plus a 6-week equine program, which is open to all foster and adoptive families. Families can also participate in large community activities, such as field days, annual barbeques, and even a Six Flags trip.<\/span><\/p>\n

Breaking the Generational Cycle<\/span><\/h2>\n

\u201cThe coolest stories, to me, are the children who now have their own families and their children will never see foster care,\u201d Knight said. \u201cFor the majority of children in foster care, their parents also experienced foster care. It’s just this cycle that keeps happening. Breaking that cycle is the most rewarding thing to me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

A Lasting Impact<\/span><\/h2>\n

On average, foster children experience a placement change every 150 days. However, Coyote Hill has achieved an average placement duration of over 2x the national average.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The organization also plays an integral role in the foster-to-adopt process when reunification with a biological family is not possible. This grants children the stability of a loving, forever home.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Adoption<\/p>\n

Visit <\/span>https:\/\/coyotehill.org\/<\/span><\/a> to learn more about Coyote Hill\u2019s lasting impact on the foster community in Missouri.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What Can I Do to Support?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Coyote Hill is continuing to expand, and there are many ways you can help.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The organization is largely community-funded and has proudly raised over half of the funds to pay off the new Columbia office. However, donations of any size are greatly appreciated to cover the remainder and support continued expansion. They are also always looking for necessities such as diapers, bedding and frozen meals.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Coyote<\/p>\n

\u201cWe like to say that not everyone is called to be a foster parent, but everyone can help a child in foster care,\u201d Knight said. \u201cYou can dip your toes in the water in a lot of ways with volunteering.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Not everyone is called to be a foster parent, but everyone can help a child in foster care.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

If you\u2019re interested in getting more involved with the foster process, you can become a respite parent or work with the Family Connections Program.<\/span><\/p>\n