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Community Children’s Services Fund

The Saint Louis MHB Community Children’s Services Fund (CCSF) was approved by City voters in a ballot initiative in 2004. The CCSF was established to improve the quality of life, stability and well-being of children, from birth through age 18, residing in the City. MHB invests in accessible, high-quality behavioral health and prevention services. Programs are effective, cost-efficient and lead to measurable outcomes for participants.  In November 2020, City residents voted to increase the property tax rate by 6 cents, expanding the CCSF funding to its full amount of $0.25 per $100 in assessed property value. As a result, an additional $2.8 million (approx.) annually will be dedicated to supporting high quality early childhood prevention and early intervention programs and services that focus on ensuring city children ages 0-5 are socially and emotionally healthy and ready for kindergarten.

Programs with a Focus

Since 2004, this fund has been distributed to programs that improve the well-being of children, youth and their families in the City of St. Louis, with a focus on social and emotional health of children and youth. Missouri state statutes include types of programs for which the funds are meant to be used, including:

  • Up to 30 days of temporary shelter for abused, neglected, runaway, homeless or emotionally disturbed youth
  • Respite care services
  • Services to unwed mothers
  • Outpatient chemical dependency and psychiatric treatment programs
  • Counseling and related services as a part of transitional living programs
  • Home-based and community-based family intervention programs
  • Unmarried parent services
  • Crisis intervention services inclusive of telephone hotlines
  • Prevention programs, which promote healthy lifestyles among children and youth and strengthen families
  • Individual, group, or family professional counseling and therapy services
  • Psychological evaluations
  • Mental health screenings

Key Impacts of the Programs

The current (FY23-25) grant cycle of CCSF is focused on two key impact areas:

Children and youth are emotionally healthy Demonstrated by their ability to identify, manage, and appropriately express emotions; effectively manage behaviors; and possess knowledge and skills to make healthy life choices.
Children and youth are socially connected Demonstrated by their safe and healthy relationships; strong bonds with their school and other community groups; and strong families with nurturing parents/caregivers.