William Siedhoff, Director

1520 Market, 4th Floor
Room #4065
St. Louis, MO 63103
(314) 612-5900
Fax: (314) 612-5909

NOTICE: Effective June 1, 2009 Department of Human Services will no longer be located at 634 N. Grand Blvd.

The City of St. Louis' Department of Human Services is that unit of city government mandated by the City Charter to administer social welfare programs. The Department presently coordinates programming and funding for the Office on the Disabled, Homeless Services, St. St. Louis Area Agency on Aging, Veterans Affairs, and Youth and Family Services.

As a unit of City government, funding sources are City General Revenue, as well as state and federal revenue. The overall Departmental activities are guided by the City Charter, the Mayor, and the Board of Aldermen.

The Department of Human services provides only Information and Referral as a direct service to the citizens of the City of St. Louis. Other services are provided via subcontracts and partnerships with public and private entities. Thus, the Department has a long and rich history of fiscal management, contract negotiations, payment by reimbursement, contract monitoring, and data collection for evaluation purposes.

Fiscal Services. The Fiscal Unit of the Department coordinates the overall budget; including, but not limited to receipt of funds, payment of vouchers, coordinating fiscal issues for the Board of Estimate and Apportionment, and establishing the Department's Chart of Accounts.

Veterans' Affairs

1520 Market, 4th Floor
Room #4065
St. Louis, MO 63103

This division act as an advocate to those veterans within the city of St. Louis, who are at risk because of poverty and poor living conditions. Working within governmental and voluntary coordinating and planning groups, needs assessments on veterans' issues are conducted. In addition, this division seeks public and private grant resources for direct assistance to veterans and their families in employment and supportive services. Veterans Affairs administers employment programs sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Veterans Employment and Training Service.

  • Programs for homeless veterans such as the Homeless Veterans Employment Project prepare veterans for successful work situations and remove barriers to their full employment. This project provides housing, meals, clothing, medical, legal, employment, and a variety of supporting services, with sponsoring agencies.
  • The Special Veterans On-the-Job Training Program provides job training situations for veterans with private employers who step forward to hire and train vets, and gain from their reliability and "can do" attitude.
  • Veterans Resource Directory is over 100 pages of resources compiled annually in a single directory, which is widely used and distributed throughout the St. Louis Metropolitan Area. The Directory is available at the Veterans' Affairs Office free of charge.

Youth and Family Services

1520 Market, 4th Floor
Room #4062
St. Louis, MO 63103

The Youth and Family Services Division administers and participates in the planning of a broad range of programs, which are intended to improve and enhance the quality of life of the at-risk children and families in the City of St. Louis.

  • The Summer Food Service Program. Presented the 2002 USDA Food and Nutrition Service "Summer Sunshine Award" for excellence in the achievement of successful outreach, this program provides meals at over 200 sites to approximately 17,000 children involved in summer school programs, daycares, latchkey, recreation, and church sponsored programs during the summer months of June through August.
  • The Child and Adult Care Food Program provides year round meals to children in schools, homeless shelters, and day programs across the St. Louis Area. Approximately 800,000 meals are served annually through this program.
  • The M.I.N.E. Program. In cooperation with the of the City's Juvenile Court system, this program emphasizes the importance of mentoring, instruction, nutrition and esteem by utilizing life skills programs which hold juvenile offenders accountable for their actions; thereby reducing the likelihood of the reoccurrence of unacceptable behaviors.
  • After School Initiatives. The Youth and Family Services Division in collaboration with the Mayor's Office, St. Louis Public Schools, and numerous other organizations is working towards the development of programs, which will support children and youth during out-of-school hours. New initiatives are forthcoming.
  • Early Childhood Success Initiative. Recognizing that positive experiences between birth and school entry boosts a child's healthy development and future prospects, the Youth and Family Services Division is committed to assisting in the development of childhood programs that expand access to quality services; which in turn, promote child health and safety, enhance early learning opportunities, and expand access to high-quality and affordable child care. The Division is actively seek partnerships to aid in the accomplishment of this goal.

Office on the Disabled

Mission

The job of the Office on the Disabled is to assist the City's being in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The job is also to assist the City in making it one that welcomes people of all disabilities as full and equal participants in the community.

As such, this Office provides assistance to people who have all types of disabilities, including hearing, seeing, mobility, developmental, psychiatric, and others by –

  • assisting City Departments to make all their services fully accessible (see the City policy prohibiting discrimination against people with disabilities);
  • responding to grievances presented by individuals with disabilities;
  • reducing communications difficulties for disabled citizens by providing to City Departments sign language interpreters, Braille and large print production assistance, etc;
  • participating with other public and private organizations working to make our City fully accessible and full of opportunities to help our disabled citizens realize their potential;
  • referring individuals to other City and nongovernmental agencies for services and help developing independent living strategies;
  • determining whether existing properties should be given occupancy permits despite the presence of some inaccessible features; and
  • helping develop reasonable accommodations for disabled City employees who do not have to give up working altogether and for City job applicants.

City of St. Louis Accessibility Survey

The Office on the Disabled is conducting a survey about accessibility in the City of St. Louis, and we'd like to know your thoughts. Please take a few moments to complete our survey.

Click here to take our survey

Programs

In addition, the Office manages certain programs, including:

Reviewing design plans for certain kinds of construction projects within the City.

Making incentive grants to small businesses that are making their entrances and restrooms accessible through the Accessible Businesses Lead Everywhere (ABLE) Program. The following materials are available about the ABLE Program: ABLE Program Application, Summary of Grant Requirements , and Frequently Asked Questions

Providing communications services for people with all kinds of disabilities.

In cooperation with the St. Louis Area Agency on Aging and a variety of nongovernmental social services agencies, the Office provides information and referral services to those who seek help from the office.

Providing training on the Americans with Disabilities Act to various City agencies and others as appropriate.

Assisting disabled City employees and job applicants secure reasonable accommodations.

Administering –

For further information
Contact:
Office on the Disabled
City Hall
Room 30 (basement level)
1200 Market St.
St. Louis, MO 63103
Phone: 314-622-3686
Fax: 314-622-4019
Hours:8 AM - 5 PM M - F

TDD - Answering Machine
314-622-3692
TTY - 314-622-3693
Email Office on the Disabled


For the sections in Adobe Acrobat pdf format, you must have the free Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. Get Acrobat Reader 7.0 Now. PDF Accessibility
Get Acrobat Reader

Homeless Services

1520 Market, 4th Floor
Room #4062
St. Louis, MO 63103

The Homeless Services Network Board Program of St. Louis is a unique community-based process coordinated by the Department of Human Services, Homeless Services Division, that provides a comprehensive response to the different needs of homeless or at-risk individuals and families in the City of St. Louis.

The Homeless Services Network Board Program has several important functions which include:

  • Development, coordination, and monitoring of new and existing service programs to meet the needs of the homeless and/or at-risk population.
  • Negotiation of contracts with social service agencies to deliver these services ensuring through monitoring, that these services are not duplicated and that funds are efficiently and effectively utilized.
  • Coordination and direction of the Homeless Services Network Board, a consortium of health and human service professionals, advocates, government officials, representatives from nonprofit agencies, and homeless clients from the metropolitan area.

At the foundation of the Homeless Services Network program is the "continuum of care model." This approach to homelessness is comprehensive, flexible, and inclusive of all service providers. The fundamental components of this continuum of care system are:

  • Outreach and assessment efforts to identify an individual's of family's needs and make connections to facilities and services.
  • Immediate shelter as a safe alternative to the streets.
  • Transitional Housing and necessary social services. Such services include substance abuse treatment, short-term mental health services, independent living skills, etc.
  • Permanent housing or permanent housing arrangements.

St. Louis Area Agency on Aging

1520 Market, 4th Floor
Room #4086
St. Louis, MO 63103

The St. Louis Area Agency on Aging (SLAAA) provides a comprehensive and coordinated system of community-based services for older adults in the City of St. Louis. The Agency’s objectives are: (1) to secure and maintain maximum independence and dignity in a home environment; and (2) to encourage economic, social, and personal independence for older persons by providing opportunities for employment, socialization, and volunteer activities in the community.

SLAAA provides three important services for St. Louisians aged 60 and older:

  • Advocates for older St. Louisians.
  • Identifies the needs of the elderly and creates multi-year plans for the development of comprehensive, community-based services which meet those needs.
  • Administers Older Americans Act funds and other funds which implement the plans.

SLAA administers programs largely through contracts with local service providers delivering these services at the neighborhood level.

Community Services

  • Senior Centers with Meal Programs. Through contractual agreements, SLAAA assists 19 senior centers and 12 nutrition sites in public housing that provide nutrition, social, physical, and recreational activities.
  • Transportation. By increasing their mobility, transportation services allow older persons to access other needed services such as medical, shopping, senior centers, and necessary business.
  • Information and Referral. Information and Referral Services answers questions about the availability of services.
  • Health Promotion. Health Promotion provides health promotion and disease prevention services, i.e. education about good health habits, physical fitness, and proper nutrition.
  • Senior Community Employment Program (Title V). Title V provides employment training opportunities for eligible persons aged 55 and older.
  • Legal Assistance. Helps safeguard the rights and interests of older persons, protects them and their property, and provides advice and counsel to older persons and their families.
  • Housing Options. Fosters development of additional housing alternatives, such as home sharing, group residences, and exchanging housing equity for needed cash.

In-Home Services

  • Home Delivered Meals (sometimes called "Meals on Wheels"). The most requested service is home delivered meals. This meal provides one-third the daily recommended nutrition, five days a week, to persons who cannot shop and prepare food for themselves.
  • Personal Care. Provides (non-medical) hands-on care that is needed for daily living.
  • Housemaker Services. Includes cooking, cleaning, laundry, and general household tasks that do not involve direct care of the older person.
  • Respite Care. Helps family members who are caring for an older relative in their home by giving them a break, or "respite" from care giving responsibilities.

Institutional Services - Ombudsman Services for Complaint Resolution

Long Term Care Ombudsman program investigates and resolves complaints made by or on behalf of older St. Louisians who are residents of long term care facilities.

Return to City Departments Page

This Page Last Modified: 11/18/09