Missouri Revised Statutes Title XII. Public Health and Welfare § 210.720. Court-ordered custody--written report of status required for court review, when--permanency hearing when, purpose

1. In the case of a child who has been placed in the custody of the children's division in accordance with subdivision (17) of subsection 1 of section 207.020 or another authorized agency by a court or who has been placed in foster care by a court, every six months after the placement, the foster family, group home, agency, or child care institution with which the child is placed shall file with the court a written report on the status of the child. The court shall review the report and shall hold a permanency hearing within twelve months of initial placement and at least annually thereafter. The permanency hearing shall be for the purpose of determining in accordance with the best interests of the child a permanent plan for the placement of the child, including whether or not the child should be continued in foster care or whether the child should be returned to a parent, guardian or relative, or whether or not proceedings should be instituted by either the juvenile officer or the division to terminate parental rights and legally free such child for adoption.

2. In such permanency hearings the court shall consider all relevant factors including:

3. The judge shall make written findings of fact and conclusions of law in any order pertaining to the placement of the child.