Quarter-cent sales tax could expand children’s mental health services in Buchanan County

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- Members of the Buchanan County Kids Committee learned about an initiative which has already been successful in several Missouri counties with a Children's Services Fund. 

Melissa Birdsell, director of operations for Voices of Courage, explained how the initiative is a quarter-cent sales tax that would create a dedicated funding source for services benefiting children and teens ages 19 and under.  

If approved, the tax revenue would be distributed to eligible local agencies across Buchanan County to support children's mental health programs and other essential services. 

“So we know that we have a lot of mental health issues both with children and adults throughout the country, in fact, but certainly here, and we wanted to look at different ways we could help even more than what we are doing now,” Birdsell said.  

Facilitators of the program said the goal is to replicate Missouri Statute 67.1775, which aims to establish the fund to provide resources to families and children.

Birdsell said the conversation around this initiative actually began back in November, long before anyone knew the Amendment 5 income tax initiative would be proposed. 

She said regardless of what happens with Amendment 5, the organizations involved plan to keep moving forward.  

“We know that doesn’t change anything about the issues here in Buchanan County and the need for the services that we provide,” she added.  

Another reason the initiative was launched, Birdsell said, was because federal funding for local agencies has become increasingly unreliable.  

“We were trying to find a way to create stable, sustainable income and revenue for our agencies so we could budget,” Birdsell said.  

Daniella Brown, CEO of the YWCA, said the funding wouldn't just benefit organizations like the YWCA and Voices of Courage. She said it could also help both small and large agencies throughout the county that serve children. 

Brown said there will be an application process outlined in the initiative's bylaws so agencies across Buchanan County will have a clear understanding of how to apply for funding.  

“There are a number of substantiated cases of child abuse and child neglect in our county if we want to increase and help with the mental health of our children, we have to do something today,” Brown said.  

She said agencies are taking a closer look at the community's biggest needs, including services for children with autism, mental health support, housing stability and food security. 

Birdsell said research has consistently shown that addressing childhood trauma early leads to healthier and safer communities over time.  

“We know if a child’s trauma goes untreated throughout their childhood, they are going to grow into a lot of different issues that we deal with now,” she said.  

Brown and Birdsell also wanted people to understand exactly what the proposed tax would mean. They explained it would be a quarter-cent sales tax, which works out to one penny for every $4 spent.  

“So one dollar for every four hundred dollar so this isn’t something that we are thinking will solve all our problems because it is not an unlimited funding resources,” Brown said.  

Brown added that the funding process is clearly outlined in state statute and she pointed to the 11 Missouri counties that already have a similar fund in place, saying they've seen improved outcomes year after year.