Our History.
Putting St. Louis County Children First Since 2008.
An independent needs assessment was commissioned, which provided the data St. Louis County voters needed to support the initiative. Using Missouri State Statutes RSMo 67.1775 and 210.861, which allowed local communities to create a community children’s service fund for 10 specific behavioral health service areas through a referendum, the St. Louis County Putting Kids First Campaign was launched in 2008.
Putting Kids First, also known as Proposition 1, passed on November 4, 2008, with approval from a resounding 62 percent of St. Louis County voters.
Today, St. Louis County Children’s Service Fund (CSF) is the largest children’s service fund in the state of Missouri, generating approximately $52 million annually through a quarter-cent sales tax.
Our Timeline.
2005
Missouri residents identify the need for mental health and substance use prevention services for children and youth. Missouri law, statue 67.1775, authorizes the use of local sales tax to establish a children’s service fund.
2008
Members of St. Louis County nonprofit community joined together to create the Putting Kids First Campaign
November 2008
Proposition 1, known as Putting Kids First, is approved by 62% vote, creating the St. Louis County Children’s Service Fund and designating a quarter-cent sales tax to be put towards children’s mental and behavioral health and substance use prevention and intervention services.
2009
County Executive Charlie Dooley appoints the CSF Board of Directors.
Michael Yarbrough elected as the first CSF Board Chair In October.
Catherine Tansey appointed as executive director.
CSF assembles it’s team.
2010
CSF offices open
First Core Funding Cycle Allocation, distributing $35 million to 44 agencies over 18 months.
2011
Youth Connection Helpline established
Safe Place Program established
Terry Crow Is elected CSF Board Chair In April
2012
Second round of Core Funding – distributing $38 million to 48 agencies over 2 year period
Entered partnership with Nine Network to launch Youth At-Risk initiative, a televised town hall
Julie Leicht appointed as interim executive director
2013
Over $44 million allocated to 54 agencies
Youth Needs Assessment completed
2014
CSF Board authorized a 2-year funding cycle for Core
Core Funding Cycle allocates $97 million to 60 agencies over 2 years
CSF Board adopts a standardized unit-rate structure for agency reimbursement
CSF adds two new funding opportunities
Discovery Funding Cycle: $4.4 million to 25 agencies for 1 year period
Launch Funding Cycle: $1.5 million to 8 agencies for 1 year period
CSF forms an Outreach Council, a CSF led group made up of communication and outreach coordinators from partner agencies, government entities, and local nonprofits, that meet quarterly. The focus of the Council Is to discuss trends, challenges, and best practices for how to engage the community and deliver messaging regarding agencies and their programming.
2015
Connie J. Cunningham appointed as executive director
CSF adds new funding opportunity: Expanding Opportunities $1,015,753 to 14 agencies for 1 year period
2016
Core Funding Opportunity allocates $102 million to 61 agencies over 2 years
CSF Board approves $1.5 million for Innovation Funding Opportunity for 18 month period.
2017
Youth Needs Assessment completed
CSF hosts School to Prison Pipeline Symposium
2018
Patti Kelley elected as CSF Board Chair In January
Emily Koenig appointed acting executive director
Core Funding Opportunity allocates $85 million to 62 agencies for 2 year period
Strategic Planning Begins
CSF forms the Community Advisory Committee (CAC) as a voluntary committee comprised of professionals In the community that have experience and expertise In children’s behavioral health services.
2019
CSF Board approves moving Core from a calendar year schedule to align with school district’s academic calendar – 2018-19 Core becomes a 2.5 year allocation period
Dr. Randall Sterkel elected as CSF Board Chair In September
CSF forms the School Based Advisory Committee (SBAC), which Is comprised of representatives of St. Louis County school district, CSF partner agencies that provide school-based services, and other educational stakeholders.
2020
CSF celebrates 10-year anniversary and has allocated over $400 million
3 Year Strategic Plan implemented
Core Funding Opportunity allocates $108 million to 64 agencies for 2.5 year period
COVID-19, a global pandemic hits St. Louis and causes CSF to shift focus from strategic plan to assisting partners and residents with immediate needs
CSF Board approves Emergency Funding In response to needs created by the Covid-19 global pandemic and provides $250,000 to 20 agencies to address Immediate needs
CSF assists St. Louis County with distribution of $30 CARES Act funds
CSF implements new grants management system as part of the strategic plan
2021
CSF Board approves a second round of Emergency Funding In response to the ongoing global pandemic, allocating $1 million to 17 agencies for a 1-year period
CSF Board approves new funding cycle: Grassroots Funding Opportunity, which allocates $2 million to 19 agencies for 2 year period
CSF holds first virtual Suicide Prevention Training and has over 200 participants
CSF Board approves extending 2020-2022 Core contracts to 2023 as a response to barriers experienced due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
CSF Board approves 3-year Core funding cycles
CSF enters in partnership with St. Louis County Public Library for Community Resource Initiative, which embeds social workers at 5 library branches.
Emily Koenig appointed executive director
2022
CSF Board approves second Grassroots Funding Opportunity beginning In 2023 and lasting for a 2 year period.
CSF holds second virtual suicide prevention training and has over 300 participants.
CSF launches new brand In alignment with the strategic plan
CSF launches new website In alignment with the strategic plan
CSF embarks on equity Initiative In alignment with the strategic plan
CSF hosts WellEducator STL Conference and Fair to support educators and support staff in the region
2023
CSF develops a second award – the Community Mental Health Provider Award – as part of the John M. Anderson Excellence in Mental Health Award
CSF kicks off the Grassroots Cohort
CSF Allocates $150 Million to 71 organizations through the Core Funding Opportunity
CSF Allocates $3.6 Million to 29 Organizations through the Grassroots Funding Opportunity
CSF hosts two Youth Mental Health First Aid trainings
CSF hosts lunch & learn series on youth wellbeing for Mental Health Awareness Month
Social workers are placed in five St. Louis County Library branches through CSF funding
2024
CSF hosts its first speed networking event – A Date With CSF – to build connections among its funded partners.
CSF hosts its first youth-centered event – Youth Voices: A Panel on Mental Health – as part of Mental Health Awareness Month. View the recording.
CSF Board adopts the Impact Framework to guide future work.
CSF rebrands its annual educator appreciation event to RefreshED STL.
CSF hosts the Dr. John M. Anderson Excellence in Mental Health Awards ceremony.
CSF begins a Collaborative Community Health Needs Assessment in partnership with Saint Louis Mental Health Board.
CSF partners with the St. Louis Area Violence Prevention Commission to fund Youth Events grants for St. Louis County.
Social worker services at St. Louis County Library, funded in part by CSF, expand to a sixth branch.
2025
CSF celebrates the 15th anniversary of its first allocation in 2010.
CSF hosts its first Together for Youth Wellbeing event, convening school personnel and mental and behavioral health providers for discussion and collaboration.
CSF allocates $3.5 million to 24 organizations through the Grassroots Funding Opportunity.
CSF develops its first Youth Advisory Council in partnership with the Community Health Commission of Missouri.
CSF partners with Aspire Advocates to advance the development of a recovery high school in St. Louis.
CSF and Saint Louis Mental Health Board complete their Collaborative Community Health Needs Assessment to understand what works and what’s needed to support youth mental health in the St. Louis region.
Since our first allocation in 2010, we have invested more than $700 million in local nonprofits and governmental agencies to provide behavioral health services for children and youth in St. Louis County. Through collaboration and partnership, we at CSF work to ensure kids have the support and resources they need to achieve their potential.