Contact negotiations for Boone County children’s organization start today

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Boone County Children's Services Board meets Thursday morning to start contract negotiations with a children's program that provides social, emotional or behavioral support to school-aged children.

This comes a couple of months after the Family Access Center of Excellence was asked to cut about $1.6 million ahead of the 2027-28 school year, and after a $3.6 million contract was already issued for the current year.

The board said the funding cut is not based on FACE's performance.

"This decision is not a reflection of the quality of FACE's work, leadership or partnerships. Rather, it is a necessary fiscal action to protect the integrity and sustainability of the Children's Services Fund as a whole," according to a document for Thursday's meeting.

Boone County Community Services Director Joanne Nelson told ABC 17 News that the funding issue stems from a surplus of one-time money in the children's services fund. Now that the funds have been awarded, they can't be replaced.

Nelson said other programs that receive the children's services funds could be affected in the coming years.

Check back for updates.