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, Executive Director
Saint Louis MHB
701 Market St., Suite 200
St. Louis, MO 63101
stlmhb@stlmhb.org
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
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
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
Mission
Mission –
MHB strategically invests in effective, equitable systems that improve behavioral health and expand opportunity for St. Louis City residents.
Vision
Vision –
We envision a future St. Louis built with community voice, shared investment, and collective action to create lasting well-being for all.
Core Values
The following core values are what MHB stands for and what guides us in our work each day:
Person-Centered –
We honor the inherent worth of every individual, valuing the dignity, perspectives, and needs of those we serve and those we work alongside.
Integrity –
We are guided by honesty and accountability in our decisions and relationships.
Learning –
We embrace curiosity, reflection, and continuous improvement to strengthen our impact and drive innovation.
Collaboration –
We achieve more together by building trust, sharing knowledge, and working across boundaries to tap into our collective strength to achieve common goals.
Measurable Impact –
We commit to make a difference that can be seen, felt, and measured, ensuring our work creates lasting and meaningful change.
Transparency –
We communicate openly and clearly, ensuring that our actions, decisions, and results are visible and accessible.
Statement of Strategic Direction
As the behavioral health landscape evolves, MHB will strengthen an interdisciplinary, integrated continuum of behavioral health care that addresses social determinants of health and advances equitable access for St. Louis City residents. MHB will continue to serve as a trusted local leader and steward that balances stability for core services with the flexibility to respond to emerging needs while ensuring that community resources remain responsive, coordinated, and sustainable.
Strategic Priorities
MHB focuses its attention in two priority areas:
Strengthen systems and advance community well-being
– MHB will invest in people, partnerships, and practices that build a more equitable, connected, and resilient behavioral health ecosystem.
Strengthen MHB’s organizational capacity and sustainability
– MHB will safeguard its long-term sustainability, invest in its people, and enhance its internal systems to support learning, transparency, and effectiveness.
To explore, click the "+" icon in the lower right coner of the interactive feature. You can also download a PDF version.
Board of Trustees
Donna Schmitt, JD
Chair
Partner – Armstrong Teasdale, LLC
St. Louis Hills Neighborhood
Rob Poirier, M.D.
Vice Chair
Clinical Chief of Emergency Medicine
Washington University School of Medicine
Central West End Neighborhood
Julia D. López, PhD, MPH, LCSW
Secretary/Treasurer
Assistant Professor of Medicine - Division of Infectious Diseases, Washington University
Forest Park Southeast Neighborhood
Andi Blaylock
Global Director of Wellbeing - Emerson
DeBaliviere Place Neighborhood
Vander Corliss
CFO - United Way
Downtown Neighborhood
Ronald Griffin
Chief Operating Officer - People’s Family of Corporations
Penrose Neighborhood
Mario Hamell
Director of Operations – Parallon, Customer Service Division
Gravois Park Neighborhood
Marcia Hayes-Harris
Family Engagement Liaison - Beyond Housing
West End Neighborhood
Carolyn Jackson
Substitute Teacher – Confluence South City Academy
Enright Neighborhood
Brian Phillips
Executive Director and Assistant Vice Chancellor - WUMC Redevelopment Corporation
West End Neighborhood
Cassandra Pinkston, MPA
Chief Executive Officer - Higher Education Consortium of Metropolitan St. Louis
Shaw Neighborhood
Janice Thomas
Elder Justice Manager at VOYCE and Coordinator of the Coalition for Justice for Elder & Disabled Adults
Skinker DeBaliviere Neighborhood
Staff Members
Cassandra Kaufman
Executive Director
Serena Muhammad
Deputy Director
Denise Carter
Early Childhood Program Director
Sue Culli-Wilson
Director of Administration
Dave Haasis
Clinical Partnership Director
Susan Kabat
Controller
Alicia Lee
Executive Assistant
Jessica Meyers
Prevention Partnership Director
Lisa Potts
Prevention Partnership Director
Poli Rijos
Clinical Partnership Director
Cameron Saari
Program Assistant
Deanna Shea
Accountant
Anjanette Washington
Accountant
Xinyue Zhang
Data and Performance Analyst
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.
Saint Louis MHB finds a new home at Peabody Plaza!
With a growing staff, we began to burst at the seams so after 10 years at Union Station, MHB moved to a larger office at Peabody Plaza with beautiful views of the Arch, Ballpark Village and our beautiful city!