Mo. Rev. Stat. § 207.010: Divisions of department, authority to carry out duties.

The children's division, family support division, MO HealthNet division, division of youth services, division of legal services, division of finance and administrative services, and the state technical support team are an integral part of the department of social services and shall have and exercise all the powers and duties necessary to carry out fully and effectively the purposes assigned to them by the director of the department of social services and by law and the department of social services shall be the state agency to:

(1) Administer state plans and laws involving aid to dependent children;

(2) Aid or relief in case of public calamity;

(3) Aid for direct relief;

(4) Child welfare services;

(5) Social services to families and adults;

(6) Pensions and services for the blind; and

(7) Any other duties relating to public assistance and social services which may be imposed upon the department of social services.