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ST. LOUIS, MO. -- The following is a news release from Citizens for Missouri's Children (CMC):

Citizens for Missouri’s Children (CMC), a nonprofit, non-partisan, public interest organization that advocates for the rights and well-being of all Missouri’s children, today announced that, due to a lack of funding to support key programs and initiatives, it has ceased operations, effective immediately.

The decision to cease operations, and thus end its child advocacy and educational efforts, was made following a thorough evaluation of the organization’s financial viability by its Board of Directors and executive leadership.

CMC, the only statewide children’s advocacy organization in Missouri, was focused on advancing public policies that guaranteed children would be protected and secure in nurturing environments, allowing them to thrive and grow to their greatest potential. Primary focus areas included child protection and safety, education, child health and mental health, among others.

In addition to its advocacy efforts, CMC published the annual KIDS COUNT in Missouri Data Book. A collaborative project of CMC and more than 30 public and private organizations from around the state, the KIDS COUNT in Missouri Data Book documented the status of children in all 114 Missouri counties and the City of St. Louis. It tracked 29 data indicators of child well-being, including 10 primary outcome measures. In the 2009 report, indicators were grouped into five categories: Economic Security, Educational Success, Child Health and Mental Health, Child Protection and Safety and Adolescent Success.

As a result of this closure, CMC will no longer produce this data book. Additionally, the organization has cancelled its 2010 Children’s Summit, planned for June 30 in Jefferson City, Mo.

“We have not reached this decision lightly,” said Sherry Tucker, President, CMC Board of Directors. “Our Board and staff explored a number of options to keep all or some of CMC’s programs running. However, our lack of current- and long-term funding make it impossible to continue to provide these programs in a meaningful way.”

Scott Gee, CMC Executive Director added “For 25 years, CMC has been the independent voice for Missouri's children. Supported by our members, we advocate for public policy that puts children first. We sincerely appreciate those individuals and organizations that have supported our efforts through the years. Without their support, the rights and well-being of Missouri’s children would have been overlooked.”