Connie Cunningham, the executive director of the St. Louis County Children’s Service Fund, announced today that she will leave the position at the end of the month to pursue other interests.
“I am grateful for having had the opportunity to serve the residents and particularly the children of St. Louis County,” Cunningham said. “And I am proud that the St. Louis County Children’sService Fund is in solid financial shape and will be in the hands of an excellent staff.”
The fund was created in 2008 when County voters approved a quarter-cent sales tax to provide financial support to programs assisting children in need of behavioral health services.
Among St. Louis County Executive Steve Stenger’s first actions after taking office in 2015 wasappointing Cunningham to lead the CSF, with a mandate to spend down what had been an excessive fund balance and put that money to work to help the County’s young people.
County Executive Steve Stenger commended Cunningham on her service.
“Connie Cunningham took over a fund that, quite frankly, had been in disarray,” he said. “Sheleaves it in far better shape than she found it. I salute her for the great work she’s done on behalf of the children of St. Louis County and I wish her the best in the next phase of her life.”
Cunningham came to the CSF from Jefferson City, where she had headed the Missouri Family Health Council.
Emily Koenig, the fund’s Director of Administration and Finance, will serve as its interim director.