Paraquad Awarded It’s First-Ever St. Louis County Children's Service Fund Grant to Support Youth with Disabilities

Paraquad has been awarded $116,044 from the St. Louis County Children's Service Fund (CSF) to support its Youth and Family Services program. The program empowers youth with disabilities for success in adulthood by helping them build skills, confidence, and support systems to successfully transition into adult life.

This funding is a first for Paraquad from St. Louis County Children's Service Fund. Each cycle for CSF funding is highly competitive and includes rigorous review by internal and external evaluators. Funded partners represent an integrated network of partners, sharing a commitment to provide quality services and programs to the children and families of St. Louis County. CSF funding is made possible through a voter-approved quarter-cent sales tax, resulting in the investment of over $700 million in nonprofits and government entities since 2010.

Youth with disabilities experience significantly higher rates of mental and behavioral health challenges than their peers without disabilities. They often also face additional barriers to education, employment, independent living, and community participation. Paraquad's Youth and Family Services program addresses these challenges through individualized support that strengthens self-advocacy, independent living skills, healthy relationships, and successful transition planning.

"Our mission is to ensure young people with disabilities have the tools, confidence, and opportunities to build the lives they choose," said Latosha R. Fowlkes, LCSW, President and CEO of Paraquad. "We are incredibly honored to receive our first St. Louis County Children's Service Fund award. This investment recognizes both the importance of mental and behavioral health services for youth with disabilities and the life-changing impact of preparing young people for successful, independent adulthoods."

The majority of youth served through Paraquad's Youth and Family Services live with cognitive or developmental disabilities. Nearly all come from low-income households, many are youth of color, and approximately 40% have high support needs. Through one-day workshops, summer camps, monthly group programs, school-based independent living instruction, and advocacy during the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process, participants gain practical skills while building confidence and resilience.