Applying for funding can feel like a big task, but if you know what to expect, it can be much easier to navigate. If your organization is thinking about applying for Core Funding from the St. Louis County Children’s Services Fund (CSF), there are a few key things you’ll want to know upfront. Let’s dive in!
Who’s Eligible for CSF Funding?
First things first: Who can actually apply for CSF funding? Missouri state law lays out the rules, and in general, CSF provides funding to 501(c)(3) nonprofits, government entities, or organizations that work with a fiscal sponsor that’s a 501(c)(3) or a government entity. So, if your organization fits into one of those categories, you’re already on the right track.
But there’s a bit more to it. The services you provide must be focused on mental and/or behavioral health for children and youth ages 0-19 in St. Louis County. If you’re providing services to adults, they need to have a direct benefit to children—like programs that support teachers or offer family counseling.
What’s Involved in a Core Funding Contract?
Once you know your organization is eligible for funding, the next step is understanding what’s required if you’re awarded funding. When you enter into a Core Funding contract, there are some important things you’ll need to have in place.
First, your organization will need to maintain a Gold Seal of Transparency on Candid.org, which shows your commitment to openness and accountability.
You’ll also be required to conduct an annual financial audit. This audit needs to be independent, meaning it should be done by an outside firm, to ensure that your funds are being used responsibly.
Another key requirement is accreditation. If you’re offering services funded by CSF, those services must be accredited. If you’re not accredited yet, you’ll need to have a CSF-approved plan for how you’ll get there.
Lastly, everyone involved in delivering services to children and youth must undergo background checks through the Family Care Safety Registry. These checks need to happen before anyone is hired and annually after that.
While these are some of the bigger requirements, you’ll find additional specifics in the contract once you’re selected for funding.
Who’s Eligible to Receive CSF-Funded Services?
So, now that you know the basics about applying, you might be wondering: Who can benefit from these services?
The simple answer is children and youth living in St. Louis County, who are eligible for CSF-funded services up until their 20th birthday. However, there are some important exceptions to keep in mind:
- CSF-funded school-based services can be delivered to youth who attend school in St. Louis County, even if they don’t live there.
- Adults may also be eligible for CSF-funded services, but only if those services directly benefit children. This could include things like teacher training or family therapy.
- Youth who are experiencing homelessness or housing instability can also receive CSF-funded services if they live in St. Louis County or if their last known address was in the county.
How Does CSF’s Reimbursement Model Work?
Now let’s talk about how the money works. CSF uses a unit-based reimbursement model for the Core Funding Opportunity. This means we reimburse our partner organizations for services after they’ve been delivered.
The Core Service Units List is a big part of this. It’s a catalog of all the services that can be reimbursed under CSF’s funding. Each service unit provides important details like activities allowed and not allowed; staff requirements to deliver activities; and standard rates of reimbursement.
When you apply for funding, you’ll use the Core Service Units List to estimate how many CSF-eligible services you plan to provide and how often you will provide them. This will help you calculate how much you’re asking for in total.
4 Simple Steps to Bill CSF for Services
Once your organization starts delivering services, the billing process is straightforward. Here’s how it works:
- Deliver a Service: Your agency provides a service that qualifies for CSF funding.
- Gather Billing Data: You’ll collect the essential details—client ID; where the client lives; the length, date and location of the service; and which staff were involved.
- Submit the Invoice: Using the billing data, you’ll fill out the CSF invoice template and upload it to Salesforce.
- Get Paid: After processing, your agency will receive payment within 45 days.
We hope that by understanding these key points—who’s eligible, what’s required, how the reimbursement system works, and how billing is handled—you’ll be well equipped to determine whether the Core Funding Opportunity is a good fit for your organization. For more details on each of these points, visit our Core Funding Opportunity webpage.