The Lincoln County Resource Board, which serves as the administrator of the Lincoln County Community Children’s Services Fund, is an independent oversight board dedicated to improving the mental health and well-being of children, youth, and families in Lincoln County, MO. The fund is authorized under Missouri State Statutes RSMo 67.1775 and 210.861, which allow local communities to create community children’s service funds and establish the types of services eligible for funding. Efforts to expand access to local mental health services began in 2000, when a group of concerned residents recognized the lack of available resources and launched the county’s first suicide prevention program in local high schools. Their advocacy, in partnership with the Lincoln County Commissioners, led to the formal establishment of the Lincoln County Children, Family, and Mental Health Board of Trustees in 2003, later renamed the Lincoln County Resource Board.

In 2004, the newly formed board secured a two-year grant from the Missouri Foundation of Health, which enabled organizations to provide critical services for children and youth through the Lincoln County Wellness Center. When the grant expired, the Lincoln County Resource Board maintained operations through local funding until 2006, when Lincoln County voters approved the Putting Kids First initiative. This decision created the Community Children’s Services Fund, supported by a $0.0025 (1/4-cent) sales tax dedicated to youth mental health services that began in 2007.

Fund Purpose and Impact

The Lincoln County Resource Board administers the funds to support a comprehensive system of prevention, intervention, and treatment programs for children and youth from birth to age 19. Through partnerships with community agencies, the board provides services such as counseling, crisis care, therapeutic mentoring, psychiatric services, care management, parenting programs, school-based prevention, and forensic interviews, among others.

By working directly with children and families, the Lincoln County Resource Board achieved measurable results during the 2024-2025 contract cycle. More than 2,290 children and youth, representing 637 households, received services with outcomes that included the following:

90% of children in the Family Empowerment Program remained free from abuse and neglect during participation.
85% of youth assessed as having a high level of risk for neglect experienced a reduction in at least one risk factor within six months.
Programs addressing homelessness reported that 70% of children in need of stable housing were placed in safe, secure environments within half a year.

Beyond individual support, the fund also leads communitywide initiatives such as the Child Abuse and Neglect Plan, which brings together educators, child welfare agencies, and mental health providers to address systemic challenges. Through this comprehensive approach, the Lincoln County Resource Board continues to ensure that every child and family has access to the resources needed to build healthy futures.

Governance and Administration

The Lincoln County Resource Board is governed by a 12-member volunteer Board of Trustees appointed by the Lincoln County Commission. In accordance with county ordinance, the board must include a minimum of nine members and meet at least quarterly; its composition ensures diverse representation and accountability:

At least one member must be a licensed physician.
One-half of the members must be individuals who are not health care providers.
At least one-third of the members must have current or past experience receiving, or supporting a family member who has received psychiatric or substance use services.

This structure promotes a balanced perspective, combining professional expertise with lived experience to guide funding and programmatic decisions.

The Board of Trustees functions as a nonpolitical, community-focused board committed to improving the well-being of Lincoln County’s children and families. The members provide transparent oversight and responsible administration of public funds, ensuring that every dollar supports accessible, high-quality mental health services for Lincoln County’s children and families.

Operational responsibilities are carried out through Resource Board staff who manage contracts with service providers, monitor program performance, and oversee fiscal compliance to ensure funds are used effectively. In this structure, the trustees set policy and provide governance oversight, while Resource Board staff carry out the administrative functions that support implementation of funded services.