Who We Are
PLB is a public taxing entity, commonly known as a “Senate Bill 40 Board,” that enters into funding contracts with agencies that serve individuals with developmental disabilities in St. Louis County. While adhering to the state statute that makes our work possible, PLB leverages its resources to understand and meet the changing local community needs.
Our History
PLB was created by taxpayers in 1979, when options for people with developmental disabilities were more limited than today but expectations for inclusive opportunities were growing.

- 1969
Senate Bill 40 Legislation passed in MO
Senate Bill 40 Legislation passed in MO
May 15, 1969 - 1979
St. Louis County passed 5 cent Senate Bill property tax levy
St. Louis County passed 5 cent Senate Bill property tax levy
May 15, 1979 - 1980
First 10 agencies are funded
First 10 agencies are funded
May 15, 1980 - 1984
Supports for independent living in the community begin to receive funding
Supports for independent living in the community begin to receive funding
May 15, 1984 - 1987
Special Offenders Project – “Options for Justice” is created
Special Offenders Project – “Options for Justice” is created
May 15, 1987 - 1988
Seminars for direct support staff are funded in partnership with St. Louis Community College
Seminars for direct support staff are funded in partnership with St. Louis Community College
May 15, 1988 - 1989
St. Louis County approves 5 cent tax levy increase
St. Louis County approves 5 cent tax levy increase
May 15, 1989 - 1992
A transition from school to employment project is jointly funded with SSD
A transition from school to employment project is jointly funded with SSD
May 15, 1992 - 1997
Summer Work Experience Program and Neighborhood Experiences begin
Summer Work Experience Program and Neighborhood Experiences begin
May 15, 1997 - 2001
PLB’s Quality Enhancement/Service Excellence system is implemented
PLB’s Quality Enhancement/Service Excellence system is implemented
May 15, 2001 - 2003
Annual satisfaction survey for all individuals who receive services is created
Annual satisfaction survey for all individuals who receive services is created
June 15, 2003 - 2011
An intensive employment training program for students in their last year of school is developed with SSD, Vocational Rehabilitation, area hospitals and St. Louis Arc
An intensive employment training program for students in their last year of school is developed with SSD, Vocational Rehabilitation, area hospitals and St. Louis Arc
May 15, 2011 - 2012
Supported employment staff training project with Maryville University is begun
Supported employment staff training project with Maryville University is begun
May 15, 2012 - 2015
Adaptive Equipment Lending Library is established with the Center for Specialized Services
Adaptive Equipment Lending Library is established with the Center for Specialized Services
May 15, 2015 - 2016
Partnership for Hope collaboration with Department of Mental Health begins
Partnership for Hope collaboration with Department of Mental Health begins
May 15, 2016 - 2018
IDDHelp.org collaboration is launched with United Way of Greater St. Louis, DDR, and DDRB
IDDHelp.org collaboration is launched with United Way of Greater St. Louis, DDR, and DDRB
May 15, 2018 - 2019
SB40 Alignment and Integration collaboration begins with DDRB, DDR, and DDA
SB40 Alignment and Integration collaboration begins with DDRB, DDR, and DDA
May 15, 2019 - 2020
Rapidly adapted service provisions and provided $339,680 in emergency funding in response to the COVID-19 pandemic
Rapidly adapted service provisions and provided $339,680 in emergency funding in response to the COVID-19 pandemic
May 15, 2020 - 2021
Launched funding opportunities that awarded 32 agencies a total of $1,443,344 for emergency, capital, or other one-time funding needs
Launched funding opportunities that awarded 32 agencies a total of $1,443,344 for emergency, capital, or other one-time funding needs
May 15, 2021 - 2022
PLB partnered with five new agencies and funded nine new programs to meet emerging needs in the community
PLB partnered with five new agencies and funded nine new programs to meet emerging needs in the community
May 15, 2022
Our Mission
PLB funds quality services, fosters collaboration, and drives innovation to create opportunities for
people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in St. Louis County.
Our Vision
People with intellectual and developmental disabilities are empowered to live the lives they choose.
PLB’s Continued Commitment
In 1969 a state statute was enacted that allowed the citizens of Missouri counties to vote on a property tax levy to support services for individuals with developmental disabilities. The tax levy passed and the state boards that were created became commonly known as “SB 40 Boards” after the Senate Bill that created them. The voters of St. Louis County approved adopting a “SB 40 Board” in 1979, and PLB’s first Board of Directors was appointed in 1981. Since 1979, the needs and supports for individuals have changed and the SB 40 statutes (Missouri Revised Statutes 205.968 to 205.972) have been modified several times to allow for these changes.
A nine-member volunteer Board of Directors appointed by the St. Louis County Executive and approved by the County Council sets the financial and administrative framework for the agency and hires and directs the Executive Director to conduct the everyday operations of the agency.
The present tax is set at 8.8 cents per $100 assessed property value and generates approximately $25 million annually. Each year, the PLB contracts with agencies that will provide services to approximately 4,100 individuals with developmental disabilities in St. Louis County.
What is a developmental disability?
As a Senate Bill 40 Board, PLB is bound by Missouri State Statute definitions (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:
Learning
Understanding and communicating language
Physical mobility
Living independently or being economically self-sufficient
Understanding and communicating language
Learning
Self-direction
Living independently or being economically self-sufficient
Physical mobility
Who is eligible to receive services funded by the PLB?
St. Louis County residents may be eligible to receive services from Productive Living Board if they have a diagnosed developmental disability.
The disability must appear before the person is 22 years old and reflects the person’s need for individually planned and coordinated services throughout life or for an extended period.
Funded services include: community services, employment services (supported employment and sheltered workshops), advocacy services, family support, transitional programs, adaptive equipment, recreation and transportation. Learn more about our Funded Services.
Meetings
Snapshot of PLB
The Productive Living Board for St. Louis County Citizens with Developmental Disabilities was established in 1979 when St. Louis County voters approved to tax themselves for the purpose of developing services and supports for residents with developmental disabilities.
News & Events
Employment Services Committee Meeting
July 1 @ 2:30 pm - 3:00 pmCommunity Services Committee Meeting
July 1 @ 3:00 pm - 3:30 pmAdministration Committee
July 1 @ 3:30 pm - 4:00 pmJuly 14, 2025 Board Meeting
July 14 @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Funding Totaling $31,080,918 Has Been Approved for FY’26
May 15, 2025
End of Year Reports Now Available
December 16, 2024
Amy Wilson and Lou Brock Jr. Appointed to the Productive Living Board
November 26, 2024