The Community Based Services Program offered through the Children's Services Fund of Clay County supports programs that promote the safety, well-being, and healthy development of children from birth through age nineteen living in Clay County, Missouri. This fund was established following the approval of a one-quarter cent sales tax in 2017 and is administered by a nine-member board appointed by the Clay County Commission. Grants are available to eligible organizations that provide community-based child welfare and mental health services as outlined under Missouri statutes RSMo 67.1775 and 210.861.

For the 2025 funding cycle, applications open on April 1 and close at 5:00 PM CST on April 28. Successful applicants will be notified in August 2025, with one-year grant contracts beginning on September 1, 2025. The program offers one-time grants to help organizations launch or expand services for children and teens residing in the county. Funding can support a range of services, including counseling and therapy, mental health screenings, outpatient psychiatric and chemical dependency treatments, crisis and intervention programs, respite care, temporary shelters, services for teen parents, and transitional living programs.

The Fund is restricted from supporting certain categories. These include inpatient medical or psychiatric care, transportation services, grants to individuals, capital expenditures, endowments, and annual appeals. Grantseekers are required to apply through the designated online portal. New users must register for access, and organizations with existing accounts should contact the grants office to gain appropriate user permissions.

Technical assistance with the application process is available through the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation. Grant-specific inquiries can be directed to Kathy Seelbach, while system-related support can be requested via grants@growyourgiving.org or by phone at 816-627-3452.