ST. CHARLES COUNTY, Mo. — Nearly $10 million in local youth-services funding supports 55 programs this fiscal year, but the public funding rules leave important limits on what that money can buy.

The Community and Children’s Resource Board says its fiscal 2027 investments reach 33 partner agencies. The voter-approved one-eighth-cent sales tax supports mental-health and substance-use services for county children age 19 and younger.

The permitted categories include counseling, crisis intervention, prevention, temporary shelter, respite and outpatient treatment. The board’s funding page states that Missouri law prevents it from funding inpatient medical, psychiatric or chemical-dependency services, or transportation.

That boundary is significant for families whose needs cross several systems. A publicly funded counseling program does not mean the same fund can pay for hospitalization or the trip to an appointment.

The board evaluates applications using proposed needs, services, outcomes and expenses; awards may run for one, two or three years. Program count and dollars committed are therefore different measures from children actually served or treatment outcomes.

The next accountability question is whether outcomes and access data show that the funded network meets demand. Families can request provider information from CCRB at 636-939-6200.