Vision for Children at Risk

What Vision for Children at Risk does

Vision for Children at Risk (VCR) is a St. Louis-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit established independently in 1999 (with roots dating to 1990) that works to advance child well-being in the St. Louis metropolitan area. Its work spans four focus areas — Family Engagement, Data & Research, Collaboration, and Advocacy — and is delivered through an interconnected portfolio of programs including Family Support Services (peer-based family support), the System of Care initiative (coordinating 45+ partner organizations for children with Serious Emotional Disorders), LEAP Ahead STL (early childhood developmental screening, with 15,000+ screenings tracked since 2019), LIFT-MO (TANF family resource advocacy), STLCANN (child abuse and neglect prevention), Connected2Thrive (mental health stigma reduction), and the NextGen Grantmakers Initiative (youth-led grantmaking launched with the Deaconess Foundation in 2025).

VCR's core data asset is the Children's Data Center, an interactive platform tracking 40+ child well-being indicators across nine counties in Missouri and Illinois, supplemented by the Children of Metropolitan St. Louis (CMSL) Data Book — published 13 times since 1991, with the 13th edition released in 2024. The technology stack is intentionally lightweight: a web-based data portal plus the ASQ Enterprise screening tool integration and Constant Contact for email distribution. There is no proprietary AI/ML capability described in the source materials.

Revenue comes primarily from braided government and foundation grants — including SAMHSA (federal), St. Louis County Children's Service Fund, St. Louis Mental Health Board, and the MacKenzie Scott Foundation (2024 award) — together with individual donations and event-driven fundraising (e.g., the annual Stepping Up for Kids Awards Luncheon). Services are delivered free of charge to families. The organization operates from the Deaconess Center for Child Well-Being with a team of approximately 12 staff, led by President & CEO Sanaria Sulaiman (since December 2017), under Board Chair Bryan Berry. No revenue figures are publicly disclosed.

Name

Vision for Children at Risk

Legal name

Vision for Children at Risk

Website

https://visionforchildren.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Vision for Children at Risk is a St. Louis-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that promotes child well-being through family support, regional child well-being data and research, cross-sector collaboration, and advocacy across the St. Louis metropolitan area.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Child Welfare and Family Support Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Child and Youth Services (62411), Child and Youth Services (624110), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351)

akta.pro primary industry

Child Protection & Child Rights (BPAGABAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Developmental Screening & Assessment (0–5) (EDACAFAA), Mental Health & Emotional/Trauma-Informed Childcare (anxiety, PTSD) (HSAAAIAI), Inclusive Infant & Toddler Care (Special Needs / IFSP-Aligned) (EDACAGAI)

Keywords

• Child welfare services
• Family support services
• Early childhood screening
• Community advocacy programs
• Child well-being data

Headquarters

HQ city

St Louis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Grants: VCR receives significant funding from federal and state sources including SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) grants for System of Care and family support services, and Department of Social Services partnerships.
2. Foundation Funding: Funded by St. Louis County Children's Service Fund, St. Louis Mental Health Board, and received MacKenzie Scott Foundation award in 2024. Also partnered with Deaconess Foundation for NextGen Grantmakers Initiative.
3. Donations: Individual and organizational donations support VCR's operations. Website includes donation functionality with various giving levels ($25, $50, $250, $500, and other amounts).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Vision for Children at Risk is a nonprofit organization that promotes child well-being through direct family support services (peer-based support partners for families with children up to age 21), collaborative initiatives (System of Care, LEAP Ahead STL, LIFT-MO, STLCANN, Connected2Thrive, NextGen Grantmakers), data and research products (Children's Data Center, CMSL Data Book covering 40+ child well-being indicators), and racial-equity-focused advocacy campaigns serving the St. Louis metropolitan region.

Product overview

Vision for Children at Risk operates as a nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of interconnected programs focused on child well-being in the St. Louis region. The core offerings include the Children's Data Center—an interactive platform tracking over 40 child well-being indicators—and the CMSL Data Book publication. Direct service programs include Family Support Services providing peer-based family support, System of Care for children's mental health services, LEAP Ahead STL for early childhood screening coordination, LIFT-MO for TANF family resource advocacy, and STLCANN for child abuse prevention networking. Collaborative initiatives include Connected2Thrive for mental health awareness, the NextGen Grantmakers Initiative for youth-led philanthropy, and Parent/Vitality Cafés for community strengthening. The organization combines data-driven research with family-centered engagement, advocacy, and cross-sector collaboration to address disparities and build equitable systems for children and families.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Children's Data Center Interactive data platform providing access to over 40 child well-being indicators for the St. Louis metropolitan area, including population demographics, family support metrics, maternal and child health data, early childhood development statistics, quality education measures, and safety indicators. Data can be explored through a guided step-by-step process or customized reports. For community members, researchers, advocates, and policy professionals.
• Family Support Services Peer support program providing lived-experience Family Support Partners who walk alongside families navigating parenting and accessing supports and resources. Services include connecting families to resources, providing non-judgmental support, and helping families identify and achieve their goals. For families in St. Louis City and County.
• System of Care (SOC-STL) Comprehensive mental health and support services initiative addressing the needs of children, youth, and young adults at risk for or with Serious Emotional Disorders (SED), their families, and caregivers. VCR provides project management, infrastructure services, and family support services in partnership with over 45 key organizational partners. Funded by SAMHSA.
• LEAP Ahead STL Regional collaborative initiative supporting developmental, social, and emotional screening efforts for children birth to age 5. Provides a unified approach to early identification and coordination of resources and referrals to ensure children enter kindergarten ready to learn. Includes free access to the ASQ Enterprise screening platform for childcare and healthcare providers. More than 15,000 screenings tracked since 2019.
• LIFT-MO Collaborative pilot project connecting families enrolled in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program with Resource Advocates who help enable, empower, and assist families in accessing and navigating resources to build strong support systems. VCR is the pilot area partner for St. Louis City and County with Missouri Department of Social Services.
• Connected2Thrive Community vision and campaign preventing child abuse and neglect while reducing mental health stigma. Provides family, youth, and provider toolkits along with campaign materials to support mental health as health.
• NextGen Grantmakers Initiative Youth-led grantmaking initiative placing funding decisions directly in the hands of young changemakers through the Youth Advisory Council. Empowers youth as decision-makers who design, lead, and allocate grant funds to projects that matter most to their communities. Launched in partnership with Deaconess Foundation with $100,000 in grants distributed.
• St. Louis Child Abuse & Neglect Network (STLCANN) Network initiative improving the lives of children and families impacted by abuse or neglect while strengthening families to prevent child abuse and neglect. Provides educational and networking opportunities, awareness promotion, quarterly training workshops with continuing education credits, and the annual Stepping Up for Kids Awards recognition drawing 300+ attendees.
• CMSL Data Book (Children of Metropolitan St. Louis) Comprehensive data book covering over 40 indicators of child well-being, illustrating inequities in outcomes throughout the St. Louis region. Published periodically since 1991 with the latest 13th edition published in 2024. Data is disaggregated to highlight racial inequities.
• Parent Cafés / Vitality Cafés Facilitated conversation groups using the research-informed Strengthening Families framework to promote well-being. Vitality Cafés focus on six domains of well-being: Environmental, Financial, Mental, Physical, Social, and Spiritual Vitality.
• #WoW Talk Cafés Monthly conversations for youth and emerging adults generating dialogue to build Youth Thrive Protective and Promotive Factors, using Be Strong Families' nationally recognized Café model. Prepares youth for transition to adulthood through peer-to-peer learning.
• Advocacy Campaigns Policy advocacy and community organizing initiatives focused on Healthy Children, Strong Families, Connected Communities, and Equitable Society. Includes action alerts, elected official identification, and voting resources.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 15,000 early childhood screenings tracked since 2019 through LEAP Ahead STL
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Deaconess FoundationflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Deaconess Foundation partnered with VCR to launch NextGen Grantmakers Initiative, placing $100,000 of funding decisions directly in the hands of young changemakers through VCR's Youth Advisory Council. This transformative initiative shifts traditional grantmaking power structures.
• Missouri Department of Social Services (DSS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024DSS established LIFT MO Pilot Project in partnership with VCR to connect families enrolled in TANF with resource advocates. VCR serves as pilot area partner for St. Louis City and County.
• St. Louis Child Abuse & Neglect Network (STLCANN) Legacy OrganizationscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017STLCANN was established in 2017 through merger of St. Louis Family & Community Partnership (formed 2005 from merger of St. Louis Neighborhood Network and Family to Family initiative) and St. Louis Area Council on Child Abuse & Neglect (established 1975).
• LEAP Ahead STL PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partners include Almost Home, ARCHS, Belle Children's Services, Hilltop Child Development Center, LUME Institute, Nurse-Family Partnership, Nurses for Newborns, Raising St. Louis, Southside Early Childhood Center, St. Martin's Child Center, United 4 Children, Unleashing Potential, YMCA Community Development, Youth in Need, YWCA Head Start. Partners work together on developmental screening for children birth to age 5.
• System of Care Network Partners (45+ organizations)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSOC-STL includes over 45 partners: Amp Connections, Annie Malone, Behavioral Health Network, Behavioral Health Response, Bethany Christian Services, BJC HealthCare, Bold Moves, Bricks Mortar Broom & Shield, Center for Health Community Partnership and Research, Children Permanency Partnership, Cornerstones of Care, Department of Mental Health, Department of Youth Services, Family Forward, Haven of Light, Hermann Center, Hopewell, Ignite Hope, Institute of Community Medicine, Keys to Knowledge and Action Consulting, Limitless Horizons Consulting, Missouri Alliance for Children & Families, Missouri Institute of Mental Health, MO Families for Families, MPWER, NAMI St. Louis, Nurses for Newborns, Places for People, Preferred Family Healthcare, Presbyterian Children's Home and Services, St. Louis Queer Support & Healing, St. Louis Family Court, St. Louis County Children's Service Fund, St. Louis County Family Court, St. Louis County Police/Crisis Intervention, St. Louis Mental Health Board, Story Stitches Artists Collective, The Women's Safe House, UMSL Children's Advocacy Center, Washington University, Youth In Need.
• Family and Community Trust (FACT)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFACT is a partner organization in the LIFT MO initiative, collaborating to connect TANF families with resources and support.
• New Madrid County Family Resource CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in LIFT MO initiative working to prevent child welfare involvement among TANF families.
• Be Strong FamiliescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVCR uses Be Strong Families' nationally recognized Café model for Parent Cafés, Vitality Cafés, and #WoWTalk Youth Cafés. The café model is research-informed and part of the Strengthening Families framework.
• Child Care Aware of MissouriminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBeginning in 2025, VCR supports families with child care subsidy applications through partnership with Child Care Aware of Missouri.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Youth In Need: St. Louis-area nonprofit serving at-risk youth and families through counseling, early childhood, and housing programs. A System of Care partner with overlapping mission on vulnerable children, behavioral health, and family services.
• Nurses for Newborns: St. Louis-based nonprofit providing in-home nursing visits and support for at-risk families with infants. Direct peer as a LEAP Ahead STL partner serving overlapping early-childhood and family-support populations in the same metro.
• Parents as Teachers: St. Louis-headquartered national nonprofit providing early childhood parent education and family support services. Most directly comparable peer — overlapping mission on early childhood development, family engagement, and regional St. Louis roots.
• Deaconess Foundation: St. Louis-based foundation focused on child well-being that shares office space with VCR at Deaconess Center and co-launched NextGen Grantmakers. Direct peer on child welfare grantmaking and co-location collaboration.
• United 4 Children: St. Louis-based nonprofit advancing high-quality early childhood education and advocating for children's well-being. Direct peer on regional child advocacy and early-childhood systems change, and a VCR award giver (Contributor Champion Award, 2021).
• LUME Institute: St. Louis-based early childhood education nonprofit advancing high-quality early learning. A LEAP Ahead STL partner with directly overlapping early-childhood screening and provider network focus in the same metro.
• Family Forward: St. Louis-area nonprofit serving children and families affected by abuse, neglect, and trauma. A System of Care partner with directly comparable therapeutic family services and child welfare focus.

Broad incumbents

• Children's Defense Fund: National child advocacy organization promoting policies and programs for children, especially poor and minority children. Comparable on national child rights advocacy and data-driven policy work, but operates at much larger national scale.

Emerging players

• Raise the Future: National nonprofit focused on adoption and permanency for children in foster care. Adjacent peer given VCR's work with child welfare-involved families through LIFT-MO and System of Care.
• KidsForward: Wisconsin-based advocacy organization advancing child well-being and family economic security through policy and data. Comparable as a state-level advocacy and data-driven child well-being intermediary with similar focus areas.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/visionforchildren
• Instagraminstagram.com/visionforchildren
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vision-for-children-at-risk

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Vision for Children at Risk