May 24, 2023
Mental health heroes
Around Town
COMMUNITY VOICES By Dr. Larry A. Brown. Pg. 2
Features
Recipe, Movie & Sudoku. Pg. F-1 CLASSIFIEDS AND HOME & GARDEN. Pg. F-2 /F-3 St. Louis County Children’s Service Fund staff and board members following the Core Funding decision in March.
Submitted photo
St. Louis County Children’s Service Fund brings attention and services to the mental health needs of children across St. Louis County By Wendy Todd Since 1949, May has been observed in the United States as Mental Health Awareness Month to raise awareness about mental and behavioral health issues and decrease the surrounding stigma. In observance, the nonprofit, St. Louis County Children’s Service Fund (CSF), the largest service provider of its kind in Missouri, has been hosting a series of lunch and learns regarding well-being for youth this month. “We hope these events will provide an excellent platform for parents, educators and community members to learn from one another. Mental Health Awareness Month presents us with a great opportunity to better highlight and address our community’s mental health needs,” said Emily Koenig, executive director of CSF. Attendance has been good and has allowed participants to not only gain information about youth and mental health, but also
what CSF offers communities. “We have been thrilled to see many of our local educators and school-based mental and behavioral health providers attend these lunch and learns,” Koenig said. “With the series continuing throughout the month, we’re excited to be able to offer local educators, providers, parents and interested parties several opportunities to join us for one or more of the webinars. The nonprofit began in 2008 when a group of St. Louis County voters created the nonprofit and governmental entities to provide mental and behavioral health services to children and families. CSF has invested more than $450 million in organizations throughout the community using the “Putting Kids First” sales tax, which allocates a quarter-cent of every dollar spent in St. Louis County to its funding for services that include crisis intervention, counseling, child advocacy, education, prevention. Starting in 2005 funding for behavioral
health and substance abuse services were reduced due to budget cuts at the state and federal levels. A coalition of over 50 nonprofits paired with community members, recognized the need for more mental health resources for youth. After an independent assessment provided data to support an initiative, the St. Louis County Putting Kids First Campaign, also known as Proposition 1, was launched and passed on Nov. 4, 2008. Since its inception, CSF has experienced significant growth, nearly doubling the number of organizations it funds. This year, the organization made its largest allocation ever, providing $150 million to 70 local organizations over a three-year period. In another example of growth, the organization has partnered with the St. Louis County Library system and will provide social workers in five branches. Children’s Service Fund not only funds See ‘HEROS’ page 2
Serving North & Northwest St. Louis County | FREE Online at mycnews.com | Vol. 102 No. 21 | 636-379-1775
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