FAQs

Below you’ll find answers to frequently asked questions about the Productive Living Board (PLB) and the work we do

What is a Senate Bill 40 Board (SB40)?

Senate Bill 40 is enabling legislation (205.968 through 205.972) passed by the Missouri state legislature in 1969, and is designed to allow individual counties in Missouri to approve a tax levy to provide support to persons with developmental disabilities in areas of residential, employment, and related services.

Pike County was the first county in Missouri to adopt the Senate Bill 40 enabling legislation in May of 1970. Today, nearly 90 counties throughout Missouri have passed this enabling legislation.

PLB-funded programs serve St. Louis County residents of all ages who have been diagnosed before the age of 22 with the following developmental disabilities:

  • Intellectual disability
  •  Cerebral palsy
  • Autism
  • Epilepsy
  • A learning disability related to  brain dysfunction
  • An individual who has substantial functional limitations in at least two of the following life areas:

○ Self-Care

○ Learning

○ Understanding and communicating language

○ Self-Direction

○ Physical Mobility

○ Living Independently or being economically self-sufficient

Individuals do not need to be eligible for Medicaid to receive funding from PLB.

Developmental disabilities are severe chronic disabilities that can be cognitive or physical or both. The disabilities appear before the age of 22 and are likely to be lifelong. Some developmental disabilities are largely physical issues, such as cerebral palsy or epilepsy. Some individuals may have a condition that includes a physical and intellectual disability, for example Down syndrome.

As a Senate Bill 40 Board, The Productive Living Board is bound by Missouri State Statute definitions (i.e. 630.005 & 178.900 Revised Statutes State of Missouri) of a developmental disability that is attributable to:

  • Intellectual Disability
  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Autism
  • Epilepsy
  • A learning disability related to brain dysfunction
  • An individual who has substantial functional limitations in at least two of the following life areas: self-care, understanding and communicating language, learning, self-direction, living independently or being economically self-sufficient, physical mobility

“Intellectual disability” replaced the term “mental retardation” and encompasses the cognitive part of a developmental disability, that is, a disability that is broadly related to thought processes. Because intellectual and other developmental disabilities often co-occur, intellectual disability professionals often work with people who have both types of disabilities.

There are three major criteria for determining an intellectual disability: significant limitations in intellectual functioning (determined by an IQ test), significant limitations in adaptive behavior (social, conceptual, and practical skills), and onset before the age of 18.

If you are interested in learning more about a PLB funded service that is listed on our website you can either contact the agency that provides that service directly or by click here to visit the IDD Gateway Resouce Guide.

PLB invests in agencies with a demonstrated history of success. We enter into funding partnerships that we intend to be long-term because uninterrupted services to individuals and their families lead to the most positive outcomes, and this is more readily achievable when agencies receive predictable funding.

Agencies that currently receive funding from Productive Living Board are not guaranteed funding in the next fiscal year. All agencies are required to reapply for funding each year so that we can regularly assess their impact and determine if additional support is warranted. This evaluation process ensures all agencies are held to high standards and accountable for the funds they receive from taxpayers through the Productive Living Board.

 
PLB considers many factors when identifying new projects or partners for funding. While most of our investments support long-term partnerships, we also remain open to emerging opportunities for one-time funding that align with our mission and funding philosophy. We evaluate new opportunities based on the following:
  • Alignment with PLB’s mission and strategic commitments
  • Documented need and community impact
  • Organizational capacity and readiness
  • Opportunities to address service gaps or expand access 
If you are interested in learning more about funding opportunities please contact us. We don’t always have opportunities available, but always want to learn more about services available and the needs they’re meeting.