About Us
Saint Louis MHB is an independent taxing district in the City of St. Louis authorized in Missouri state statutes and local ballot initiatives to administer public funds for behavioral health and children’s services for the benefit of City residents. MHB does not provide direct services itself but makes funding available for direct services operated by non-profit agencies. Please refer to our Partnerships pages for information on direct service programs funded by MHB.
MHB administers two City property taxes:
Community Children’s Services Fund is committed to improving the well-being of children from birth through age 18 in the City of St. Louis, by investing in a wide array of quality programs, from prevention to treatment, and supporting the development of a coordinated system of services for children.
Community Mental Health Fund invests in accessible, high-quality behavioral health and substance use recovery services. The evidence-based practices used by many grantees are effective and economical, leading to measurable results that improve the quality of life for City residents.
MHB invests these tax dollars primarily in grants to non-profit service organizations. Most grants are renewable for up to three years. In addition to grantmaking, MHB addresses behavioral health needs by making investments in partnership with other funders, and funding special initiatives in response to pressing, emerging community needs.
Custodian of Records
The Custodian of Records for Saint Louis MHB is the Executive Director.
All requests made under the State of Missouri’s Sunshine Law must be made in writing, by mail or email, addressed directly to:
Cassandra Kaufman, ED
Saint Louis MHB
333 South 18th St.
Suite 200
St. Louis, MO 63103
(or)
stlmhb@stlmhb.com
Our Investment Options
MHB employs a variety of ways to disseminate funds to the community—funds that achieve tangible results for City residents:
Competitive Grants to non-profit organizations for three-year cycles
Initiatives address an important or emerging need, which MHB chooses to support
Investment Managers are projects that align with MHB’s priorities in which a lead agency is chosen to re-grant designated MHB funds to other direct service providers in a field of service for which the lead agency has distinct expertise
Funding Partnerships in which one or more other funders combine their resources with MHB to achieve greater impact
Permanent Supportive Housing provides funds for rehab or new-build housing units made in the form of 10-year forgivable loans to address needs for permanent housing by persons with serious emotional disorders
Strategic Initiatives that are consistent with MHB’s mission and priorities for which special funding is sought to address a compelling need not available through the tax funds
Mission & Vision
Mission – MHB improves the quality of life for city residents by investing and participating in a coordinated system of social, behavioral and physical health services aligned with community priorities.
Vision – MHB is a strategic visionary leader investing in and strengthening an integrated system of social, behavioral and physical health services to build an equitable, thriving community.
Core Values
The following core values are what MHB stands for and what guides us in our work each day:
Stewardship and Accountability
Consumer Centered
Collaborative Leadership
Excellence
Effectiveness Through Learning
Measurable Impact
Strategic Domains
Three domains are the key areas on which MHB focuses attention:
Embody exemplary stewardship of public resources
Amplify communication and knowledge supporting a system of high-quality social, behavioral and physical health services
Improve social and behavioral health responses in St. Louis through creative community problem solving
To explore, click the "+" icon in the lower right coner of the interactive feature. You can also download a PDF version.
Board of Trustees
Terrell Carter, DMin
Chair
Executive Director, Rise Community Development
Lindenwood Park Neighborhood
Donna Schmitt, JD
Vice Chair
Partner – Armstrong Teasdale, LLC
St. Louis Hills Neighborhood
Rob Poirier, M.D.
Secretary/Treasurer
Clinical Chief of Emergency Medicine
Washington University School of Medicine
Central West End Neighborhood
Andi Blaylock
Global Director of Wellbeing - Emerson
DeBaliviere Place Neighborhood
Vander Corliss
CFO - United Way
Downtown Neighborhood
Linda Grayson
Manager – May Company – Retired
Central West End Neighborhood
Ronald Griffin
Director of Clinical Services with St. Louis County Department of Health
Penrose Neighborhood
Mario Hamell
Director of Operations – Parallon, Customer Service Division
Gravois Park Neighborhood
Carolyn Jackson
Substitute Teacher – Confluence South City Academy
Enright Neighborhood
Julia D. López, PhD, MPH, LCSW
Instructor of Medicine - Division of Infectious Diseases, Washington University
Forest Park Southeast Neighborhood
Lisa Mulligan
Director of Program & Development - Girls on the Run St. Louis
Shaw Neighborhood
Cassandra Pinkston, MPA
Chief Executive Officer - Higher Education Consortium of Metropolitan St. Louis
Shaw Neighborhood
Staff Members
Cassandra Kaufman
Executive Director
Serena Muhammad
Deputy Director
Denise Carter
Grants Administrator
Sue Culli
Digital Director
Zenique Gardner-Perry
St. Louis Area Violence Prevention Commission - Project Director
Dave Haasis
Director of Clinical Partnerships
Susan Kabat
Controller
Alicia Lee
Executive Assistant
Jessica Meyers
St. Louis Area Violence Prevention Commission - Director
Lisa Potts
Director of Prevention Partnerships
Poli Rijos
Director of Youth Development Partnerships
Our History
MHB Founded
The St. Louis mental health mil tax passed in November 1992, although revenue did not become available until January 1994 at which time board membership was determined and Don Cuvo became Executive Director. An office was quickly established at 4144 Lindell in the Central West End.
Children’s Services Approved
In November 2004, voters approved a new and dedicated tax to fund much-needed children’s services.
Request for Proposals
In January 2006, MHB released a call to request proposals addressing the new Community Children’s Services Fund based on outcome funding.
Jama Dodson Becomes Executive Director
In 2012, Don Cuvo retired after 18 years of service. The new Executive Director, Jama Dodson took over. The same year MHB celebrated over 100 Million in funding to the City of St. Louis.
MHB Moves to Union Station
In March 2013, under new leadership, a growing MHB relocated to the Post Office Annex in Union Station.
Remembering Don Cuvo
On April 28, 2015 Don Cuvo passed away. His 18+ years of exceptional leadership at MHB and vision for how we care for our city’s most vulnerable left a wonderful legacy.
MHB Celebrates 25 Years
January 2019, with a new logo, new website and a renewed vision for the future, MHB celebrates 25 years and investing over 200 million in grants serving the residents of the City of St. Louis.
Early Childhood Funding
In November 2020, voters expanded the CCSF funding to its full amount, a property tax increase from $0.19 to $0.25 per $100 in assessed property value, which will result in $2.3 million (approx.) annually dedicated to supporting early childhood programs and services.
Cassandra Kaufman Becomes Executive Director
The Saint Louis MHB Board of Trustees announced the selection of Cassandra Kaufman, MSW, as MHB’s next Executive Director, effective July 1, 2021 after serving 8 years as the Deputy Director and more than 25 years of experience in nonprofit management and leadership in health and human services.
Ms. Kaufman will become the third Executive Director of MHB, succeeding Jama Dodson who announced her retirement in January.