Essential support when students need it most.
The Student Aid Fund for Emergencies (S.A.F.E.) provides fast, essential financial assistance to students with disabilities who are facing immediate, crisis-level needs. Formerly known as Critical Needs, the rebranded S.A.F.E. program continues its mission with expanded impact, helping students stay healthy, stable, and fully engaged in school.
In partnership with the Special School District’s Family and Community Engagement (FACE) department, S.A.F.E. ensures that no student is left without the most basic supports needed for safety, dignity, and independence.
About S.A.F.E.
Every student deserves the opportunity to learn and thrive. Yet many children in St. Louis County face overwhelming barriers—poverty, homelessness, food insecurity, lack of access to healthcare—that directly affect their academic progress and overall well-being. For students with disabilities, these challenges can be even more critical.
S.A.F.E. exists to bridge the gap when families have nowhere else to turn.
What S.A.F.E. Provides
S.A.F.E. covers urgent, essential items not accessible through insurance, community programs, or family resources. Supports include:
- Incontinence supplies (child and adult sizes) when Medicaid or private insurance allotment is exhausted
- Prescription assistance for students who are uninsured, underinsured, or awaiting insurance activation
- Nutritious food, especially for families in crisis or living in food deserts
- Basic daily needs such as shoes, socks, undergarments, deodorant, bath soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, coats, gloves, and hats
- Eyeglass repair or replacement when insurance will not cover costs due to two-year replacement cycles
- Dental services, including sedation needs for older students
- Other emergency supports that increase a student’s independence, health, or academic progress
Through its continued partnership with FACE, S.A.F.E. also supports long-standing programs formerly under Critical Needs, including:
- Food Kits
- Winter Coat Drive
- Personal Care Drive
How to Apply
The application must be completed by a social worker, teacher or administrator. All information must be complete, supporting information must be attached, and an administrator’s signature is required. Applications will be considered based on the following criteria:
- Emergency need apparent and documented – social worker/teacher/administrator has talked with family about the need; family admits that they aren’t able to meet the need
- Financial need detailed – free/reduced lunch status; family meets the federal guidelines for poverty; information in SIS
- Community resources have been exhausted; no options exist to assist the student
- High potential for student medical emergency/loss of independence/academic failure/dropout due to the need not being met
Why S.A.F.E. Matters
Unmet critical needs can dramatically affect a student's daily functioning and connection to school. These challenges often lead to:
- Poor attendance or truancy
- Decreased academic performance
- Low self-esteem
- Refusal to participate in class
- Excessive hunger and fatigue
- Behavioral challenges
- Avoidance of medical care
- Family disengagement
- Increased risk of dropout
By meeting essential needs quickly, S.A.F.E. provides stability when it matters most—helping students remain engaged, confident, and capable of learning.
From the Newsroom
For many St. Louis County families facing higher costs and limited resources this winter, a new winter coat isn’t just helpful—it’s life-changing. It means safety, comfort, and the chance for a child to arrive at school ready to learn.
As we’ve come to the end of 2025, there’s no better time to reflect on the impact we can make together.
The Critical Needs Program is about building equity and giving every child the chance to learn, grow, and belong. With community support, we can make sure that no student’s education is interrupted by unmet basic needs
