Boone County Community Services Department Releases 2025 Annual Report Highlighting Community Impact and Investments

COLUMBIA, Mo. (August 17, 2026) - The Boone County Community Services Department (BCCSD) has released its 2025 Annual Report, highlighting how public investments supported services for children, youth, and families and strengthened systems of support throughout Boone County.

In 2025, more than $12.2 million was distributed to contracted programs, supporting services across five program areas: infant and early childhood, school-based, youth and family support, treatment, and community support and basic needs. Funded programs served 96,932 Boone County residents, with 21% of individuals served living outside Columbia city limits.

The 2025 Annual Report provides detailed information about funded programs, the services they delivered, the populations they served, and the outcomes they measured. The report reflects the department's continued focus on data-informed decision making, accountability, collaboration, and strategic investment in the needs of Boone County residents.

"Positive change is rarely the result of a single initiative or organization. It is built through collaboration, persistence, and a shared commitment to serving the community," said Joanne Nelson, Director of the Boone County Community Services Department. "Throughout 2025, we worked alongside nonprofit organizations, public agencies, schools, community partners, and residents to strengthen services, implement new strategies, and invest in solutions that help children, youth, and families thrive."

Highlights from 2025 include:

• The Boone County Children's Services Board (BCCSB) completed a comprehensive strategic planning process focused on strengthening board governance and establishing a sustainable funding framework, refining department operations and capacity, and enhancing collaboration, communication, and transparency. The plan provides a roadmap for continuous improvement and future investments.
• New contracts awarded through the 2024 Open Request for Proposals began in 2025, and department staff conducted site visits with each funded organization to provide technical assistance, strengthen performance measurement systems, and support consistent data collection and reporting.
• The BCCSD continued advancing the Upward Mobility Initiative. More than 80 community partners collaborated across three areas-early grade literacy, fair and inclusive housing, and jobs and workforce development. Work during the year included developing renter resources, advancing the Boone County/City of Columbia Housing Study, developing the Raising Readers early literacy campaign, and laying the groundwork for workplace readiness resources.
• The BCCSD launched the Health and Justice Coordinating Council, which brought together leaders from law enforcement, government, healthcare, and behavioral health organizations. The council began identifying shared challenges and exploring opportunities to improve systems and coordination across Boone County.

The BCCSB has invested approximately $88.2 million in Boone County since 2015, demonstrating a long-term commitment to strengthening services and systems that support children, youth, and families.

To read the full 2025 Annual Report or learn more about Boone County Community Services Department programs, visit Boone County Community Services Department.

About the Boone County Community Services Department

The mission of the Boone County Community Services Department (BCCSD) is to support the greatest possible level of independence and self-sufficiency of Boone County residents by promoting their physical, mental, and social well-being to cultivate a safe and healthy community. The BCCSD oversees funding distributed from the Boone County Children's Services Fund and Domestic Violence Services funding.

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