HIGGINSVILLE – Free ice cream sprinkled with promised federal dollars resulted in smiles July 8 during U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II’s visit to the Higginsville Family Aquatic Center. Cleaver provided the ice cream to everyone at the pool and let guests know about the impact and importance of the expanded Child Tax Credit from the American Rescue Plan. For Missouri families, Child Tax Credit monthly payments began Thursday and continue through December. The checks cover children ages 6-17. After her three children joined others who left the pool to get free ice cream, Cleaver talked with Madie Plymell about the tax credit. “Do you just go online and apply for it?” Plymell asked. “The way you get it is direct deposit,” Cleaver answered. “You don’t have to do anything.” Starting Thursday, checks approved in March by Democrats in Congress – with support from Cleaver – will go out to families ...