Lincoln County Tax for Children Summary

March 13, 2017

Tax Approval

  • Date Passed: 2006
  • Tally in Favor: 51.17% of votes

Tax Administration

  • Name of Administrative Entity: Lincoln County Resource Board (LCRB)
  • Webpage: www.lincolncountykids.org/
  • LCRB Executive Director: Cheri Winchester
  • Other Staff: None

Board of Directors

  • Selection: The Lincoln County Commissioners appoint board members.
  • Term Length: Board members are appointed for three-year-terms, and can be re-appointed at the discretion of the County Commissioners.
  • Current members: Visit the LCRB website to learn more about current board members (see Board of Directors section).
  • Meetings: Board meetings are held monthly on the fourth Wednesday. The LCRB website has more information about the board meetings (see Meetings section).

Application Process and Funding

  • Applying for Funds: Funding opportunities are announced at Board meetings and published on the LCRB website. For more information on funding, visit the LCRB Funding Information page.
  • Review Process: The Selection & Review Committee meets several times (typically four times per year) to review and discuss proposals while considering utilization history, the community needs assessment, school-based assessment, providers’ clinical outcomes reports, and more. Potential funders and providers are often invited to present their proposals to the Board. The Selection & Review Committee takes the recommended proposals to the Finance Committee for approval, and then, to the Board of Directors for approval.
  • Funding Period: All grants are awarded for one year, and recipients are required to re-apply every year.

    The LCRB currently funds 12 non-profit agencies that provide direct treatment services, early intervention, and prevention programming to address behavioral and mental health needs. In 2017, the LCRB will fund 10 non-profit agencies. For more information on currently funded programs, visit the LCRB website (see Contracted Agencies section).

  • Working with Other Funds: The LCRB has a Medicaid tax match program with Crider Health Center and Family Advocacy and Community Training (FACT).

The Children’s Services Fund has been instrumental in creating a collaborative system of care through partnerships among funded providers, schools, law enforcement agencies, and the greater health and charitable systems. This tax has changed the way in which children’s mental and behavioral health needs are addressed in Lincoln County. Local funds, for local children with local oversight, has allowed Lincoln County to infuse more than $1 million annually into evidence-based, outcomes-producing programs and services that are changing the lives of children and their families. The following section presents two stories illustrating how the Children’s Services Fund has radically improved the outcomes of children living in Lincoln County.

Inspiring Stories[16]

Catholic Family Services (CFS)—Supporting Children to Face their Challenges

Malinda was in her junior year in high school when her school guidance counselor recommended her to visit CFS. She was suffering from depression, anxiety, family difficulties, and had been a victim of an unreported crime. Malinda had been engaging in self-harming and risky behaviors. Her grades had fallen, and she would frequently cry—sometimes in the classroom and often at home alone. She denied using drugs or alcohol and indicated she was once considered to be a “good kid,” but that was a “long time ago.” Malinda met consistently with one of the counselors at CFS, and it was during one of the sessions that she shared an extremely painful experience that had a direct impact on her life and her current choices and behaviors.

At CFS, Malinda was provided with numerous resources and encouraged to be proactive in confronting the issue and the challenges it presented. In a recent session, Malinda informed the counselor that “the good kid is back.” She finished last semester with all A’s on her report card, has been accepted into the college of her choice and awarded a full scholarship. Malinda is once again involved in school activities, is no longer self-harming or participating in risky behaviors. Malinda has recently indicated that she feels drawn to a helping profession and may want to become a counselor.

Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services (PCHAS)—Serving Children to Achieve their Goals

Brian was a child who had severe impulse control issues. He was physically aggressive with his little sister and mother. During his first visit to PCHAS, his assigned counselor worked with Brian and his mother to develop a plan to help him achieve his goals. The plan included coping skills to stay calm in stressful situations, learn social skills, and create a daily routine of getting ready for school and going to bed. During the last year, his counselor has witnessed an extraordinary change in Brian. He very rarely loses control of his impulses anymore and no longer hits his sister or mother. Brian is also performing great in school, and his newly learned social skills have helped Brian in getting along better with his classmates. Brian’s mother has managed to create a mutually agreeable routine for Brian—who goes to bed and wakes up on time now. As a result of his hard work, Brian can now play together with his little sister, follow instructions, and have a stronger and better relationship with his family.

14 Missouri Kids Count Data Book (2016)
15 Missouri Kids Count Data Book (2016) County Pages
16 Names used in inspiring stories are fictional.

 

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