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CHILDREN'S SERVICES FUND
If you are in need of child or youth services, below is a list of JCCMHFB-funded service providers. Please follow the green links to each provider's website for more in-depth information regarding available services and programs. Services funded through JCCMHFB are available for children of Jefferson County, regardless of income or insurance status, unless stated otherwise. JCCMHFB-funded services generally do not require a referral for access, unless stated otherwise.
*Providers may offer additional services than what is funded by JCCMHFB.
To view grant recipients from prior years, please use the scroll bar below to access the available links.
CY2026-2027 Funded Agencies (CSF)
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$145,000 (one program)
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Jefferson County Youth Mental Health Access & Outreach Initiative (Prevention Services)
ASPEN will deliver a countywide, youth-focused program that increases mental-health awareness, early identification, and connection to care. The initiative integrates age-appropriate curriculum aligned with RSMO 170.048 Youth Suicide Awareness and Prevention requirements, confidential risk screening, and coordinated parent, family, and community outreach. Core components include evidence-informed classroom lessons; peer leadership that helps normalize mental health self-care; and a mobile, QR-linked resource hub that points students and families to school counselors, local providers, crisis options (including 988), and self-help tools. Students may opt in to brief screenings with consent per district policy (opt-in/opt-out). Risk-positive youth screenings receive immediate safety steps and warm handoffs to school or community providers. Educators and caregivers receive complementary training on warning-sign recognition, response protocols, and resilience-building. In partnership with Hope is Here Youth Workgroup, students will facilitate a youth driven campaign that focuses on mental health awareness, recognizing warning signs and where to go for help. Delivery is flexible and coordinated with each district calendar. Continuous quality improvement guides implementation through routine reviews of reach, literacy and stigma measures, time-to-contact, and referral completion, with findings reported to districts and the funder to drive timely adjustments and equitable access.
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$175,000 (one program)
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Navigate Program (Therapeutic Counseling Individual, Group, and Family)
Atlas Youth Outreach’s Navigate Program provide teenagers guidance through therapeutic support groups that encourage social and emotional growth. Navigate provides teens education and resources so they may create their own path to a successful future. We do this with free psychoeducational mental health support groups on topics such as anxiety management, self esteem and confidence, conflict resolution, healthy relationships, grief, peer relationships, emotional regulation, and healthy coping to teenagers between the ages of 11 and 18. Over the past five years we are happy to report that we have been able to serve over 800 teens and provide 146 therapeutic groups. Group therapy is offered both in the community at Atlas’s offices, the offices of partner agencies, and in several schools in the area. Atlas is dedicated to breaking down barriers to care for teens and their families. By offering services for free, in schools, and directly in the Jefferson County Community we help to eliminate barriers of cost, access and transportation.
CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Jefferson County
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$45,000 (one program)
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CASA of Jefferson County (Child Advocacy)
When a child is removed from their home due to abuse and/or neglect, they enter a system that is overwhelming and frightening. CASA volunteers are appointed by a judge to stand by these children and advocate for what is in their best interests. Unlike others involved in a child’s case, CASA volunteers work with only one child or sibling group at a time, allowing them to build trust and provide a level of consistency that is rare in the foster care system. They are the only unpaid individuals officially appointed by the court whose sole responsibility is to represent the child’s needs and voice throughout the legal process. CASA volunteers undergo thorough screening and intensive training, tailored specifically to the unique responsibilities of the role. Most professionals in a child’s life, caseworkers, attorneys, therapists, are managing large caseloads and may rotate on and off a child’s case. In contrast, CASA volunteers stay involved for the duration, often developing a deeper understanding of the child's circumstances. Their focus on one child or sibling group allows them to observe details others may miss, and their reports often provide critical insights that help judges make informed decisions about a child’s future. As the “eyes and ears of the court,” a CASA volunteer helps ensure that each child’s case is handled with the compassion it deserves. By doing so, they play a vital part in helping children find safety, stability, and a permanent home.
CHADS Coalition for Mental Health
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$150,000 (three programs)
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Family Support (FS) (Therapeutic Counseling Individual, Group, and Family)
Family Support (FS) provides targeted, time-limited solution focused counseling support to youth ages 10-25 who are struggling with symptoms of anxiety, depression, or suicidal ideation. CHADS licensed counselors are thoroughly trained in comprehensive risk assessment, safety-planning and are uniquely qualified to address thoughts of suicide. Sessions are provided in schools, our offices, or virtually. Counselors utilize the Brief Mood Survey or Pediatric Mood-Check-In and the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Screen (administered only if a client indicates suicidal ideation) at each session to monitor progress toward goals. Clients meet with therapists weekly for 12-15 sessions lasting 30-90 minutes. In school-based services, students are referred by the counseling/social work staff at any time during the school year. In community-based services, we can be contacted through our "warmline" at any time of the year. Discharge is determined by progress indicated by assessments, goals, and parent/family input culminating with the clinician and family/guardians to decide next steps. FS reduces depression symptoms, strengthens coping skills, and fosters resilience, leading to improved mental health outcomes and community well-being. Additionally, summer counseling is offered in satellite offices in Jefferson County to ensure continuity of care when school is not in session.
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Signs of Suicide (SOS) (Prevention Services)
CHADS is Missouri’s largest provider of the evidence-based Signs of Suicide® (SOS) program, proven to reduce suicide attempts in 64% of participants in controlled studies. Targeting grades 5-12, SOS trainings are adapted to various learning formats and designed to fit within a single class period (45-90 minutes), where students learn to recognize the signs of depression, suicide, and the importance of telling a Trusted Adult when they notice those in themselves or their peers. CHADS highly trained presenters facilitate discussions on the importance of seeking help as early as possible and teach students to use the ACT technique: Acknowledge the signs of suicide, respond with Care, and Tell a trusted adult. Ideally, students receive SOS training annually through CHADS Every Year Every Student (EYES) approach. Each year builds on previous learning while introducing new topics such as technology, bullying and self-harm. By expanding the conversation around mental health and consistently screening for risk, SOS ensures that struggling youth are continually connected with critical resources and support. SOS trainings conclude with a depression screening giving students the opportunity to speak with a school counselor. This provides students with an immediate action to seek help for themselves or others and allows schools to identify students who would otherwise have gone unnoticed and get connected to essential support. On average, 12% of students seek help after a presentation.
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Social Emotional Wellbeing (SEW) (Non-therapeutic Counseling)
Social Emotional Wellbeing (SEW) is a non-therapeutic program for K-12 students designed to improve overall wellbeing, grades, and peer relationships while reducing risky behaviors. SEW utilizes the evidence-based CASEL competencies to enhance self-awareness, responsible decision-making, and social skills. Support varies by school, from 1–2 days of mentoring to 3–5 days of coaching to support school culture and student success. Referred students may struggle with disruptive behavior, bullying, poor social skills or benefit from a consistent relationship with an adult. By helping students build emotional regulation (walking away from conflict), resilience (asking for help; not giving up), and positive coping strategies (handling a conflict without fighting) early in life, SEW proactively reduces risk of crises, getting at the root of issues before leading to conflict. SEW Mentors collaborate with guidance counselors to develop a plan that meets each student’s individual needs. Mentors follow CASEL aligned grade-specific benchmarks through weekly one-on-one sessions. Students participate in 20-25 sessions, spending 4-6 weeks per competency. Each 30-40 minute session helps students build healthy relationships, improve behavior, and develop essential life skills. Services begin in September and continue throughout the school year. Additionally, summer mentoring is offered in satellite offices in Jefferson County to ensure continuity of care when school is not in session.
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$375,000 (one program)
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Project Access (Home and Community Based)
Chestnut Health Systems looks to continue provide and sustain its embedded school-based clinical services in Jefferson County, through this funding opportunity. A community approach has been and will continue to be utilized to address the behavioral health needs in Jefferson County The overarching goal of the project remains providing greater access to immediate behavioral health services, and evidence-based interventions that reduce risk, improve health, and engage clients in meaningful steps toward recovery. Behavioral health services will continue include but not be limited to: intake screenings, assessments, counseling, family therapy, follow-up services, crisis response, and substance use disorder (SUD) treatment. By achieving the project’s goals and objectives we will address children’ needs, and increase the number of children who achieve recovery from behavioral health concerns. Our school-based clinicians supported with the JCCMHFB funding have provided counseling services to over 500 students in Jefferson County school districts over the past 18 months (1.1.24 thru 6.30.25) which have reflected in reduced behavior issues, and more proactive identification of self-harming, suicidal-ideation behaviors. Chestnut currently has executed agreements and partnerships with the following school districts in Jefferson County providing on-site district school based clinicians - 1. Fox, 2. Jefferson R-VII, 3. Desoto, 4. Dunklin and 5. Windsor 6. Northwest.
Children's Home Society of Missouri dba Family Forward
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$170,000 (one program)
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Developmental Trauma Center - Assessment Services (Psychological Testing and Assessment)
FamilyForward’s Assessment Program is a critical lifeline in Jefferson County, where access to specialized providers is limited. Highly trained clinicians use standardized tools and structured interviews to assess a child’s cognitive, emotional, social, and environmental functioning. Results are synthesized into visual profiles that highlight developmental strengths and vulnerabilities, guiding individualized, developmentally appropriate recommendations. These assessments are designed for use by any clinician, whether within FamilyForward or through external providers, ensuring continuity of care and broad applicability. The process is collaborative – families participate in observational sessions, share insights, and receive recommendations tailored to their culture, capacity, readiness for change, and resources. Clinicians provide trauma-informed psychoeducation and actionable guidance in comprehensive feedback sessions. Children receive developmentally appropriate feedback through fables, games, or letters to foster understanding and engagement. In addition, FamilyForward recently launched a pilot to provide Brief Trauma Assessments at foster care entry, addressing the instability and emotional disruption children face during initial placement. Offering a timely, trauma-sensitive assessment early in a child’s foster care journey equips caregivers, caseworkers, and service providers with actionable insights to inform immediate supports and long-term care planning.
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$4,105,500 (eight programs)
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The Child Advocacy Center - Community Based (Child Advocacy)
The CAC provides services for child victims of physical and/or sexual abuse and neglect and their families, with a mission of facilitating a community-based collaborative effort to improve the system’s response to allegations of child abuse and neglect following the ChildFirst Doctrine. The CAC conducts forensic interviews, provides family advocacy, coordinates and facilitates case reviews, provides referrals for medical SAFE/CARE examinations, and provides training and prevention services for the local community. The CAC follows the case from referral through final disposition, which can span years, providing updates to families as the case progresses through the criminal court system, where applicable. Referrals to our program come from partner agencies including the local Children’s Division office, law enforcement professionals, the local Juvenile Office, and the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. These are our primary referral sources. The pathway to referral for the core services offered at the center is a call to report suspected abuse to the Missouri Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 800-392-3738 or by filing a report with local law enforcement. The CAC team of professionals engage in community-based events where our team provides general information about child abuse prevention and what the CAC does for the community.
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The Outpatient Therapy Program - Clinic Based (Therapeutic Counseling Individual, Group, and Family)
Outpatient Therapists are skilled and committed to providing services that are proven to be highly effective. Professional therapists assist children and families with making positive changes that enable them to live full, productive, healthy lives. When needed and appropriate, therapists will work together with other treatment providers (Compass Health and external partners) to ensure an integrated team approach is provided for the child and their family. We support both provisionally licensed and fully licensed staff members from multiple disciplines that can assist with a multitude of issues. Therapy staff can assist customers with alleviating symptoms related to various behavioral health and substance use diagnoses (i.e., depression, anxiety, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, etc.). Therapy staff can assist children and youth in times of grief, such as a divorce, school adjustment issues, or the death of a loved one as well as, provide assistance in coping with illness or injury and overall adjustment through life stressors – as childhood to adolescence can be a difficult time for many youths. This is just a small sampling of how professional therapy staff can assist the youth of Jefferson County with quality and evidence-based therapeutic interventions. These services are provided in the clinic setting, and many of our locations in the county offer evening and weekend hours to assist parents/guardians with getting their child to/from therapy appointments.
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The Pinocchio Program - School Based (Support services to high-risk youth)
The Pinocchio Program is designed for early detection and intervention of school adjustment difficulties in children enrolled in kindergarten through third grade. Benefits include reduction of negative adjustment behaviors, improving self-confidence, social skills, learning skills and other school-related competencies, and allow school mental health professionals to focus on children who need more intensive interventions. The program begins by conducting screening to identify children with early school adjustment difficulties (e.g., mild aggression, withdrawal, and learning difficulties) that interfere with learning. Following identification, children participate in a series of one-on-one (1:1) and/or small group sessions with a trained paraprofessional who utilizes developmentally appropriate child-led play and relationship techniques to help adjustment to the school environment. Outcomes for participating children include increased task orientation, behavior control, assertiveness, and peer social skills. The child sets the pace with the Pinocchio Associate supporting and reflecting on what the child says and does to reinforce and build on the child’s strengths. The program is suitable for implementation in a specially designed place on a school campus equipped with expressive toys and materials (art media, building toys, imaginative toys). Ongoing consultation and program evaluation allow for continuous improvement of the program - ensuring we meet the needs of students.
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The Psychiatry Services Program - Clinic Based (Psychiatry and Psychiatric Diagnostics)
The first appointment with a psychiatrist will take 45-60 minutes. During this initial evaluation with the psychiatrist, the doctor will ask many questions so he/she can better understand the concerns of the customer and work in tandem to formulate an effective treatment plan that might include medications and other treatments, such as psychotherapy if the child/youth is not already engaged in such services. At the end of the first session with the psychiatrist, the doctor will discuss treatment recommendations and provide an initial plan of care (outlined within the wellness plan). In most cases, customers will see the doctors again for follow-up visits until both the psychiatrist and customer agree that the condition has been stabilized. If medications are prescribed, the psychiatrist will discuss the eventual transition of care to the customer’s primary care physician. If the customer does not have a primary care physician, we will offer appointments with Compass Health Network providers and/or help to facilitate the selection of an available provider within the community. Although each case will vary based on individual needs and treatment plans developed with the customer, an average plan of care would consist of the initial evaluation and six to ten subsequent follow-up visits with the psychiatrist. This provider will also work in collaboration with other providers at Compass Health Network (programs the customer may be enrolled in) to ensure collaborative care.
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The School Based Mental Health Specialist Program - School Based (Home and Community Based Intervention Services)
The School Based Mental Health Specialist Program (SBMHS) is part of the highly successful system of care model. This model of practice has three core values and thirteen guiding principles that provide the philosophical framework for service provision. A case manager coordinates services and assumes the role of facilitator in this framework. Services and support are identified through a family-driven, wraparound approach, that continues to support great individual success for participants. The case manager links, monitors, and coordinates services for the identified child/youth and family within Jefferson County. Both the system of care approach and case management services supported within this program are evidence-based practices. Our SBMHS staff are qualified mental health professionals with bachelor’s or master’s degrees (including social work, counseling, and psychology). These professionals work under the supervision of licensed and/or qualified mental health professional supervisors and a licensed Program Director. The SBMHS professional staff are based in the school setting, providing both direct and indirect services to children diagnosed with a Serious Emotional Disorder (SED). Our program team recognizes that each school setting has its own unique culture, so while the positions may vary slightly from school to school, the core responsibilities and job duties of our staff remain consistent throughout all school settings.
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The School Based Therapy Program - School Based (Therapeutic Counseling Individual, Group, and Family)
School Based Therapy is a form of mental health care that is provided within the school setting aimed at addressing the emotional, behavioral, and psychological needs of students in participating Jefferson County schools. This type of therapy involves licensed therapists working directly in schools to offer counseling, crisis intervention, and support for students facing various challenges and obstacles. By being fully integrated within the school environment, therapists can collaborate closely with teachers, administrators, and parents to create a comprehensive support system. This approach helps ensure that the students receive timely and accessible mental health care, promoting their overall health and well-being, as well as academic success. By providing these services on-site, seamlessly interwoven in the academic day for the student, our professional therapists are alleviating transportation barriers for the student and their families (especially for those parents/caregivers who do not have the luxury to take time from their jobs) reducing the interruption to the student’s academic learning and reducing stigma associated with mental health treatment in an outpatient clinic setting. Our partnership with the schools is what truly makes this program successful, as they value our therapists and their ability to provide treatment services and support during the school day.
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The School Based Violence Prevention Program - School Based (Prevention Services)
The School-Based Violence Prevention Program was developed using James Stanfield’s successful prevention program, BeCool. The curriculum is based on the cognitive theory that children are what they think. The way children think controls how they feel and act. BeCool teaches students to think about the consequences of their actions before reacting impulsively. BeCool teaches students positive ways to cope with criticism, bullying, teasing, and anger in everyday situations by using educational videos, worksheets, and role plays. Material is reinforced using visual imagery icons that teach students the “cool” (assertive), “hot” (aggressive), or “cold” (passive) responses to situations and how each response affects them and their situation in a negative or positive way. The goal of the BeCool program is to teach students respect for themselves and others, creating a safer school and community environment. BeCool is the first program developed specifically to nourish the key elements of “Emotional Intelligence.” These elements include impulse control, empathy, and self-awareness within the context of assertiveness training. Students are taught reflective thinking techniques to promote self-control, stop bullying and interrupt the tendency to act impulsively. Students are taught visualization techniques to learn the pros and cons of behaving “hot,” “cold” or “cool” and by using optimistic self-talk, students become more self-aware and empathic to the feelings of others.
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The Youth Community Support (Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder) Program - Community Based (Case Management)
The goal of the Community Support Program is to provide quality wellness services to youth, assisting them on their journey to healthy living. This begins with the development of an individualized wellness plan. A team of professional's work with each youth to identify and achieve goals focused on recovering from or learning to manage psychiatric illness, substance use disorders and improving overall health. Staff may assist the families of these children find safe and stable housing or to find meaningful activities to engage in with family and friends. The treatment team assigned to each youth engaged in community support services will include a full group of specialized staff to assist the child with their presenting issues. On the first visit with a Community Support Specialist (CSS), the child and family will be asked about their strengths and what kind of things they want to improve - all individualized to that unique customer. Recommendations for specific services will be based on the information provided by the child and family, which assists our care team to individualize treatment and support that meets the unique needs of the child/youth. The primary professional assigned to the allocated units is the CSS, who works closely with the child and family. The CSS meets regularly with the youth to assist them in taking the steps to meet goals within the wellness plan and will coordinate care and involvement with other members of the treatment team.
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$45,000 (one program)
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De Soto #73 School District School Based Mental Health Coordinator (Support Services to high-risk youth)
This grant proposal aims to continue to expand and enhance school-based mental health services to ensure that every student and their family has the support needed to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Recognizing the significant challenges many parents face in navigating and accessing mental health care for their children—due to time constraints, financial burdens, and a lack of available information—this program seeks to bring services directly to where students spend most of their time: school. Key components include increasing the presence of on-campus mental health professionals, simplifying referral and service access, equipping school staff with specialized training, and strengthening partnerships that support whole-child wellness. By removing common barriers and making care more accessible and responsive, this initiative will empower families to engage more fully in their children’s mental health and well-being, fostering resilience and long-term success. Additionally, funding this proposal would allow the district to continue employing Mrs. Hartgrove, our dedicated School-Based Mental Health Coordinator, whose leadership and coordination have been essential to building and maintaining comprehensive supports for students and families.
Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition
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$155,000 (one program)
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Jefferson County Family Support Specialist Program (Home and Community Based Intervention Services)
The Jefferson County Family Support Program provides trauma-informed, culturally responsive in-home and in-school services to promote placement stability, with a special focus on kinship and relative caregivers. Delivered by a dedicated Jefferson County Family Support Specialist, the program supports caregivers navigating complex behavioral health challenges such as trauma, attachment disruption, depression, and caregiver burnout by: • Providing parent coaching and behavioral health supports • Accessing mental health services • Acquiring special education plans • Navigating kinship care • Offering meaningful resources and case-based advocacy Services include home visits, school observations, crisis consultation, and personalized mental health navigation. During the 2024-2025 grant year, the program expanded and now serves children across all nine Jefferson County school districts. Families are referred primarily by Jefferson County Children’s Division and courts—often during or following a mental health crisis. By stabilizing placements and strengthening caregiver capacity, the program ensures children are able to remain safely in the community, connected to their families and schools. In the 2024-2025 grant cycle, 94% of families completing services reported improved stability, and 89% cited reduced parenting stress.
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$75,000 (one program)
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Dream Maker Program (Skill-Building)
The Dream Maker program at GaitWay Inc. equips teen girls ages 13–18 in Jefferson County with essential life skills, confidence, and resilience through horsemanship and ranch-based learning. The program integrates hands-on work, structured lessons, and mentorship to support mental health, healthy relationships, and family well-being. Program Structure: Work Experience: 8 hours/week on ranch operations (horse health checks, cleaning, facility care), building responsibility, teamwork, and a strong work ethic. Horsemanship Lessons: Up to 4 lessons weekly (ground skills, private, and group riding) where girls develop leadership, patience, problem-solving, and emotional regulation. Mentorship & Peer Support: Consistent guidance from staff, adult female mentors, and positive peer interactions that foster belonging and trust. Skill Development: -Leadership and confidence -Emotional intelligence and self-regulation -Communication and conflict resolution -Healthy relationship-building -Resilience and self-esteem Outcomes: -Improved mental health and reduced risk of anxiety, depression, and social isolation -Strengthened family relationships through better communication and trust -Increased readiness for success in school, employment, and community life Dream Makers directly advances the mission of Proposition Healthy Kids and the Jefferson County Community Mental Health Fund by protecting youth well-being and strengthening families.
Jefferson Franklin Community Action Corporation
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$70,000 (one program)
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Dream Maker Program (Skill-Building)
JFCAC offers virtual, in-clinic, and school-based therapy services. The operational shift away from CPT code–based reimbursements to funding staff salaries and benefits will protect service continuity amid looming Medicaid cuts that threaten disruptions. JFCAC provides 1.5 full-time equivalent licensed therapists who deliver services across accessible settings to meet the needs of Jefferson County youth, offering support in the setting that best fits their circumstances. Clinic-based therapy offers a consistent, confidential environment where youth can focus on healing and skill-building with fewer outside distractions. Virtual therapy removes the transportation barriers, allowing youth to connect with a trusted therapist from their home when in-person visits are not possible. School-embedded therapy places licensed therapists directly in the school setting, creating a trusted and familiar environment that encourages engagement and reduces stigma. JFCAC's Behavioral Health program is now in its sixth year of successful partnership with DeSoto Schools. According to DMH, only 65% of Jefferson County students know where to seek help in their community, underscoring an urgent need for more visible, accessible, and trusted sources of behavioral health information. To address this, JFCAC’s full-time Behavioral Health Support Specialist manages referrals, scheduling, billing, family engagement, outcomes tracking, and delivers targeted outreach and educational activities.
Lutheran Family and Children's Services of Missouri
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$172,500 (one program)
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Mental Health Counseling (Case Management)
Services include therapy, case management, crisis intervention, and discharge planning for children and families. Services are offered in-person and virtually. In-person services are offered from Zion Lutheran Church in Hillsboro or from 3 Hillsboro schools. Experienced, licensed, or provisionally licensed therapists provide these services. Counseling services are available to children but prioritize serving children living in families who have are uninsured or unable to pay for services. LFCS is requesting an investment of $238,100 per year from JCCMHFB to support the program for Jefferson County children. This funding would cover costs of 1.75 FTE therapists to deliver mental health counseling services. LFCS expects to provide about 1,986 hours of direct services to about 78 children with this funding. The target population includes children who are ages three to nineteen years old, and their families who reside in Jefferson County. This includes children who exhibit mental health symptoms that impact their psychosocial functioning, family and peer relationships, and/or school performance. Negative impacts to a child’s functioning may mean exhibiting behavior problems, like outbursts and aggression; struggling to connect with family and peers in a healthy relationship; a loss of interest in hobbies or interests; or struggling to perform at school. The design of the program is consistent with research-informed, best practice therapy.
Miriam School and Learning Center
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$245,000 (two programs)
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Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation for Jefferson County Youth (Therapeutic Counseling Individual, Group, and Family)
To address behavioral health issues such as excessive eloping, biting, and hitting, which can lead to expulsion from a daycare or preschool setting, yearly, Miriam will provide a comprehensive mental health assessment, treatment, and consultation program for 30 to 40 children per year, ages two through six, who live in Jefferson County. Miriam’s Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (ECMHC) program is a promising practice built upon the established field of mental health consultation pioneered by Gerald Caplan. Miriam uses the ECMHC child/family-centered model of intervention that provides educators, caretakers, and parents with the tools needed to help decrease mental health symptoms in children so they can remain at their daycare or preschool. Parents or educators may refer children to the program. An assigned master’s-level licensed clinician assesses the child for up to three hours (Behavioral Health Diagnostic Evaluation), writes a treatment plan, and then consults with educators and caretakers at the child’s school for up to five hours, teaching behavioral interventions (School-Based Coordination). The therapist may provide up to 12 hours of on-site counseling with the child using interventions such as play, behavior, and art therapy (Counseling) to teach coping strategies. The therapist also coordinates treatment and community referrals with parents for up to five hours (Case Management). ECMHC will help 90% of participants keep their placement.
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Mobile Mental Health Testing for Jefferson County Youth (Outpatient Psychiatric Services)
Miriam has provided mental health testing to children ages two to eighteen for the past 17 years, helping identify disorders listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR). We have over 100 referral sources who regularly refer students. When we receive a referral for testing, we determine if the referral meets grant criteria and additionally validate the need for testing. Once accepted into the program, we assign the child to a testing team, and they determine what tests to administer (cognition, academics, social and emotional areas, and/or adaptive behavior). Master’s-level diagnosticians (certified school psychologists or examiners) administer tests, and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Ph.D. psychologist, or a Licensed Professional Counselor synthesizes all testing data, makes recommendations, and, when appropriate, renders a diagnosis. Because testing is mobile, we can complete testing at any location in Jefferson County that has privacy. We have daytime and evening appointments. Once we finish testing, the team writes up a comprehensive report within 30 days that includes recommendations, community resources, and, when appropriate, a DSM-5-TR diagnosis. One member of the team then meets with the family to review testing outcomes and recommendations. We follow up with the family within a few weeks to ensure they have contacted community resources.
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$110,000 (one program)
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Psychological Evaluations for Jefferson County Youth (Psychological Testing and Assessment)
The Psychological Evaluations for Jefferson County Youth program provides no-cost, high-quality psychological evaluations to Jefferson County youth, aged 19 and younger, who are in need of an evaluation due to a previously diagnosed or suspected mental health disorder. Our program seeks to ensure that high-quality psychological evaluations are accessible to youth regardless of families' ability to pay. To ensure the accessibility of our services, PIK provides evaluations in our clinic, in schools, and in other mutually agreed upon locations (such as pediatricians' offices, in-patient psychiatric units, residential care facilities, juvenile detention centers, and case workers' offices) across Jefferson County. The children we serve often come to us with severe behavioral disturbance and significant emotional problems. They are frequently at risk of harming themselves, using substances, academic failure, and involvement with the legal system. Over 90% of the children to whom we provide services have significant trauma histories and many have accrued multiple psychiatric diagnoses from a variety of providers (e.g. pediatricians, emergency rooms, and urgent care facilities). Frequently, they are receiving some form of intervention, though they are often making limited progress in treatment and their providers are in need of diagnostic clarity to ensure the effectiveness of their interventions.
Presbyterian Children's Homes & Services (PCHAS)
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$200,000 (one program)
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Family Solutions for Kids in Jefferson County (FSK JC) (Home and Community Based Intervention Services)
FSK provides comprehensive in-home and community-based therapy and case management programs designed to serve at-risk Jefferson County youth (ages 4-19) and families who are facing a variety of challenges. Our current program model consists of a master’s level licensed or provisionally licensed therapist and program supervisor. FSK’s proposed strategic growth plan would include adding a licensed therapist lead, master’s level practicum students, and dedicated case managers, working as a team to maximize service delivery to clients. FSK's voluntary program delivers 3-4 hour weekly sessions over 12-16 weeks through flexible hybrid delivery combining in-home, community-based, and telehealth sessions. Through grant funding, FSK can offer the following trauma-informed services at no cost to Jefferson County residents: individual/family/group therapy; parent education/coaching; communication skills training; child development education; case management; educational advocacy; psychiatric/other community services linkage/referrals. FSK’s program ensures quality of care through documentation, including treatment and safety planning with the family, updated at mid-intervention; initial and family assessments focusing on strengths and identifying challenges; and pre-/post-intervention outcome assessments. FSK team members complete a comprehensive after-care plan as appropriate and do minimum check-ins at 6 and 12 months. Families are also eligible for re-referral to the program.
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$134,000 (two programs)
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GuidEd - Jefferson County (Prevention Services)
GuidEd provides young people with a robust substance use assessment, one-on-one counseling, referrals for treatment for youth struggling with substance use and/or misuse, and support services that include academic support (tutoring), mentoring, and educational workshops for teens and their caregivers. PreventEd partners with local school districts, juvenile offices and other social service agencies to refer students for the program. Parents and other caregivers can also connect directly with PreventEd. These early intervention services are tailored to teens who have begun to exhibit the early signs of substance misuse. The traditional approach to dealing with substance use has been suspension or expulsion from school, enrollment in a treatment program, or involvement in the juvenile court system. PreventEd’s GuidEd program is the only true early intervention program in Eastern Missouri. Teens do not have to be seeking treatment for a substance use disorder or even require outside resources like counseling or self-help groups. As an organization that does not provide treatment, we are poised to make non-biased referrals to the appropriate level of care for every participant. GuidEd helps teens understand how their choices impact their brains, bodies, and futures, and is intentionally designed to give teens and their families the tools, direction, and guidance to get back on track. In 2024, 163 adolescents participated in the GuidEd program.
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Prevention First - Jefferson County (Prevention Services)
Prevention First offers universal evidence-informed, research-based in-school prevention education for grades K-12 that teaches development of resiliency skills and management of toxic stress, while focusing on drug-specific information that enables teens to make informed decisions regarding substances. PreventEd has developed over 30 prevention programs/curricula. These lessons are delivered in school settings and are tailored to the needs of the students so they can apply the skills learned comprehensively. Most lessons are delivered in 4 lesson series, which requires 4-8 consecutive weeks to present. Lesson times range from 30 minutes to 90 minutes. Teen Leadership Programs - including Teen Institute, ElevatEd/Hear Us, and Red Ribbon Leadership Training - extend Prevent Ed’s prevention work beyond the classroom by correcting dangerous myths and misinformation, encouraging healthy choices and behaviors, developing leadership and resiliency skills, and countering false stereotypes of non-drug users as boring and “uncool.” These Peer-to-Peer programs are offered to teach groups of high school students how to facilitate programming with their peers. PreventEd is a certified prevention agency of the Missouri Division of Behavioral Health, and was recently designated as a Recovery Friendly Workplace through the University of Missouri. In 2024, PreventEd served over 65,000 students in over 220 schools throughout Missouri’s Eastern Region.
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$131,000 (one program)
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Behavioral Health Intervention Specialist (BHIS) (Non-therapeutic Counseling)
Provident’s Behavioral Health Intervention Specialist (BHIS) program is a school-based service that delivers mental health supports to youth with acute needs while they are awaiting therapeutic counseling or medication intervention. A BHIS is a bachelor's-level mental health professional who co-locates in elementary, middle, and/or high schools during school hours to offer supportive services. Students may come to the program through self-referral, or referral from parents/guardians, educators, or school administrators. Once a youth is identified as needing supports, the BHIS completes a mental health screening and helps the family connect to appropriate long-term resources such as counseling, psychiatric services, and any other services the student and/or their family may require. After connections are made, the BHIS continues to follow up individually with the client as needed to provide ongoing support, coaching, and skill building to provide continuous care. The BHIS program serves as a safety net to help reduce the risk of youth “falling through the cracks” as they wait for other resources. BHIS staff provide school-based presentations about mental wellness (i.e. coping skills, mindfulness, and conflict resolution) to reach more youth who may need support. BHIS staff provide psychoeducation groups to students and school staff within the district, including topics such as problem-solving, interpersonal skills building, and decision-making.
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$102,000 (one program)
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Youth Mental Health Services (Therapeutic Counseling Individual, Group, and Family)
SLC has provided professional counseling in the greater St. Louis area since 1955. We offer individual, group and family counseling to anyone regardless of age, race, religion, gender, nationality, or marital status. Our master’s-level clinicians confidentially treat a range of mental health disorders, relationship issues, grief/loss, etc. Since 2016, we have served Jefferson County residents from our office in Herculaneum, and we also offer embedded counseling in several Jefferson County schools through the School Partnership Program (SPP). County mental health funds help enable our agency to provide services to youth in schools at no cost and close the gap between the actual cost of care and what clients or their insurance may be able to pay for office-based services. SLC clinicians are trained in a range of evidence-based practices, including but not limited to cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), trauma-focused CBT, psychoeducation, and family therapy. Psychiatric care is also available through our partnership with Assisted Recovery Centers of America (ARCA). Clients typically attend 50-minute sessions every week or every other week, based on the client’s needs and therapeutic appropriateness. When a client’s emotional well-being improves significantly, sessions may gradually taper and eventually conclude. SPP also provides opportunities for crisis intervention and classroom presentations that address social emotional and behavioral health.
SSM Health Care St. Louis dba SSM Health St. Clare Hospital
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$135,000 (one program)
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Youth & Family Services (Therapeutic Counseling Individual, Group, and Family)
SSM Health Youth & Family Services provides intensive outpatient services for middle and high school youth who are struggling with depression, anxiety, mood dysregulation, self-harm, and risky behaviors, among other issues. The programming is intended to reduce symptoms of youth depression and anxiety by promoting increased self-awareness and coping skills and by strengthening the family system. Therefore, participation is voluntary, and the youth must be willing participants in their treatment. Youth participating in the intensive outpatient program must also have one or more parent or caregiver committed to being involved in the long-term treatment process by attending the parent/caregiver group with the youth once a week.
UMSL Center for Behavioral Health
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$110,000 (one program)
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Psychological Evaluation Services for Jefferson County Children (Psychological Testing and Assessment)
SSM Health Youth & Family Services provides intensive outpatient services for middle and high school youth who are struggling with depression, anxiety, mood dysregulation, self-harm, and risky behaviors, among other issues. The programming is intended to reduce symptoms of youth depression and anxiety by promoting increased self-awareness and coping skills and by strengthening the family system. Therefore, participation is voluntary, and the youth must be willing participants in their treatment. Youth participating in the intensive outpatient program must also have one or more parent or caregiver committed to being involved in the long-term treatment process by attending the parent/caregiver group with the youth once a week.