Applications

Our voucher funding programs provide financial assistance to persons with documented intellectual and developmental disabilities living in St. Louis City, St.Louis County, and St. Charles County who enroll in recreation programs. Our fiscal year runs from October 1-September 30. Click here to watch a presentation explaining our voucher programs.

Returning applicants ONLY may use the Online Application. In order to complete your application submission, you MUST have an active email address to legally verify your signature after submitting the funding request. Funding is not guaranteed until you are contacted by the Recreation Council with an official approval.

Click below on the region where you live get started.

Cardinal’s Care Backpack Program: Application
All Counties: E-Connect Tablet Initiative Application ~ E-Connect Information
Client Rights and Responsibilities: Client Rights & Grievance Procedure
Adventures for Adults: Flyer ~ Find an Adventure

St. Louis City

The following voucher programs are administered by the Recreation Council, with funding from the St. Louis Office for Developmental Disability Resources and are available for St. Louis City residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Complete a Funding Application:
St. Louis City PDF Fillable Voucher Application
Client Rights and Responsibilities: Click Here for Document

Extended Day Voucher Program: The Recreation Council of Greater St. Louis’ Extended-Day Voucher Program for the 2022-2023 school year is intended to assist working families.  Click Here for Your Extended Day Packet

St. Louis City Overnight Camp Voucher Program: This program allows children and adults with developmental disabilities to apply for a voucher for one week of any overnight camp which best meets their interests and support needs. Funding does not apply to day programs or day camp. As an alternative to a full camp week, individuals may apply for two mini-camps of 3-4 days. Please be sure to include accurate dates on your application. Click Here for Your Overnight Camp Packet

St. Louis City Experiential/Adventure Voucher Program: This voucher program serves adults ages 18 and older with developmental disabilities to access funding to attend one adventure program such as an out of town trip or multi-day high adventure activity. Selected activity must be operated by a recreation provider, special needs agency, or other adventure provider. Click Here for Your Adventure Packet

St. Louis City CARE Voucher Program: This voucher program assists individuals of all ages with intellectual and developmental disabilities to participate in inclusive and specialized community-based recreation programs. This funding may be used for recreation programs and activities, including day camps and school break camps, among many others. Click Here for Your CARE Packet

St. Louis City Personal Care Recreation Supports Voucher Program: This voucher program assists individuals of all ages with developmental disabilities who are in need of one-on-one personal assistance (physical or behavioral) to participate in community recreation programs. Families find, screen, and hire the support person to work with the individual and may request partial reimbursement for hours paid to the support person. Click Here for Your Personal Care/Recreation Supports Packet

For SLRC Service Coordinators/DD Resources Service Advocates only:

Please note: The Eligibility Verification Form, and Camp Transportation Application are to be filled out by the individual’s Service Coordinator/Service Advocate only.

St. Louis City Eligibility Verification Form: Click Here for Consumer Eligibility Form

Individuals participating in all voucher programs must complete this form if they have never received voucher funding from the Recreation Council. Your DD Resources Service Advocate, Regional Center Service Coordinator or a physician must complete this form. Family members and/or Direct Support/Care Providers may not complete this form. Individuals must reside in St. Louis City, have an intellectual or developmental disability, complete all necessary paperwork and meet all program criteria and requirements established by the St. Louis Office of Developmental Disability Resources and the Recreation Council of Greater St. Louis.

St. Louis City Camp Transportation Information Flyer: Click Here for Camp Transportation Flyer

St. Louis City Camp Transportation Packet: Click Here for your Overnight Camp Transportation Packet
This Transportation Voucher Program assists campers with the cost of transportation to summer overnight camps. This voucher applies only to the camps that provide transportation. Contact the Recreation Council for information on the summer overnight camps that provide transportation.

Please read the guidelines for each program before applying. The original application must be mailed to:

The Recreation Council
11 Worthington Access Drive, Suite E
Maryland Heights, MO 63043

St. Louis County

The following voucher programs are administered by the Recreation Council, with Productive Living Board funding, and are available for St. Louis County residents with developmental disabilities.  

If you know what program you need funded, complete this application:  St. Louis County PDF Fillable Voucher Application

For information packets on our individual programs, see  descriptions below.

Client Rights and Responsibilities: Click Here for Document

St. Louis County Experiential/Adventure Voucher Program: This voucher program serves adults ages 18 and older with developmental disabilities to access funding to attend one adventure program such as an out of town trip or multi-day high adventure activity. Selected activity must be operated by a recreation provider, special needs agency, or other such adventure provider. Click here to download this packet:  Adventure Packet for St Louis County

St. Louis County Recreation Supports & CARE Funds Voucher Program:

This voucher program assists individuals with developmental disabilities of all ages in two different ways: for individuals who are in need of support (assistance to address personal care or behavior support issues) in order to participate in recreation programs and/or access to funds for the cost of the actual recreation program. This voucher program assists individuals of all ages with developmental disabilities with the cost of attending inclusive and/or specialized community-based recreation programs such as day camps, horseback riding, cooking, hobby and interest classes, music lessons, fitness programs, martial arts, sports, gymnastics, day trips, and more. Program cannot be therapeutic or school-based. Click here to download this packet: Care Packet for St Louis County.

St. Louis County Extended Day Voucher Program for students ages 13-21: This voucher program enables working families to obtain for their son or daughter, age 13-21, before-school or after-school services that will meet their unique family before/after-school care needs. Families can choose between, or a combination of, in-home, out-of-home and/or an organized after-school program services. Parents or guardians must work outside the home during the hours being requested. The funding assists the family to address a portion of the costs of their after-school services. Extended day funding is part of our learn and leisure program during pandemic and virtual learning environment. Click here for After School/Extended Day Packet. Extended Day Packet for St Louis County

St. Louis County Overnight-Camp Voucher Program: This program allows children and adults with developmental disabilities to apply for a voucher to purchase up to one week or two mini-camps of any overnight camp, which best meet their interests and support needs. Funding does not apply to day programs or day camp. As an alternative, individuals can apply for two mini-camps. Please be sure to include accurate dates on your application. Click here for Overnight Camp packet: Camp Packet for St Louis County ~ Overnight Camp Applications for Summer 2024 will open on January 15, 2024.

St. Louis County Eligibility Verification form

Individuals participating in voucher programs must begin by verifying their eligibility to funding based on their disabilities. Individuals complete have this form completed by a physician or their Regional Center Case Manager if they have never received voucher funding from the Recreation Council. Family members and/or Direct Support/Care Providers may not complete this form. Individuals must reside in St. Louis County, have a developmental disability, complete all necessary paperwork and meet all program criteria and requirements established by the Productive Living Board for St. Louis County Citizens with Developmental Disabilities and the Recreation Council of Greater St. Louis.

Please read the guidelines for each program before applying. Original application must be mailed to:

The Recreation Council
11 Worthington Access Drive – Suite E
Maryland Heights, MO 63043

St. Charles County

FY’2023 Funding: We currently have a waiting list for funds through September 30, 2023. You may submit an application to get on the waiting list.

FY’2024 Funding: For programs occurring between October 1, 2023-September 30, 2024, you may apply for FY’2024 funds. You must have program dates and costs to apply for FY’24 funding.

FISCAL YEAR: Funding occurs between OCTOBER 1-SEPTEMBER 30 annually.

Funding Guidelines: READ THIS prior to completing application so you know how the Program Works and how much you can request
Apply for funding here ~ You MUST have a DMH case number to apply

Printable / Fillable PDF Voucher Application for St. Charles County

OR Apply Online
Client Rights and Responsibilities: Click Here

The Recreation Council’s voucher program is generously funded by the DDRB (Developmental Disabilities Resource Board) of St. Charles County. The voucher provides financial assistance to persons with developmental disabilities. Funded programs include summer day camps, overnight camps, adult adventures, recreational classes, sports, fitness, dance, arts, and other recreation or leisure programs. Vouchers are available for St. Charles County residents with developmental disabilities who have Department of Mental Health (DMH) eligibility. These include people with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism, and head injuries that occurred before age 22. You may print the PDF fillable form and complete it by hand or type directly onto the form and save a copy.  Send your completed application to our St. Charles County office by email, postal mail, fax, or drop it off in person.

St. Charles County Community Recreation CARE Voucher Program: This voucher program assists individuals of all ages with developmental disabilities with the cost of attending inclusive and/or specialized community-based recreation programs such as day camps, horseback riding, cooking, hobby and interest classes, music lessons, fitness programs, martial arts, sports, gymnastics, day trips, and more. Program cannot be therapeutic or school-based.

St. Charles County OVERNIGHT CAMP Voucher: This program serves youth and adults who have intellectual and developmental disabilities to access funding to attend one week (5-6 consecutive days) at an overnight camp that best meets their interests and support needs.  As an alternative to one week of camp, individuals can apply for up to two mini-camps which usually operate for 3-4 consecutive days.
Find a Friend Challenge for Overnight Camp Attendees: Flyer
High Need Verification: Regional Office or DDRB case manager completes this form to request higher level of funds for 1:1 overnight camp.

St. Charles County ADULT ADVENTURE Voucher Program: This voucher program serves adults ages 18 and older with developmental disabilities to access funding to attend adventure programs such as an out of town trip or multi-day high adventure activity. Adventure Flyer

St. Charles County Recreation PERSONAL CARE Voucher Program: This voucher program assists individuals of all ages developmental disabilities who are in need of one-on-one personal assistance (physical or behavioral) to participate in community recreation programs. Families find, screen, and hire the support person to work with the individual and may request partial reimbursement for hours paid to the support person. Personal Care Guidelines

St Charles County does NOT provide voucher funding for EXTENDED DAY or AFTER SCHOOL services. This service is only funded in St. Louis City and County.

Applications may be hand-carried, mailed, faxed, or emailed to:
The Recreation Council
60 Gailwood Drive, Suite C
St. Peters, MO 63376
stchascounty@recreationcouncil.org
Fax: 314-726-3454

Have questions? We can help.

Reach out to your program coordinator for any questions you have regarding vouchers or requirements for funding.

Contact Us >
Recreation Council staff talking at a meeting.