Community Action Agency of St. Louis County, Inc. (d/b/a CAASTLC) is part of a national network of federally funded Community Action Agencies (CAAs), created by the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964. CAAs administer various programs on community levels to assist low-income people out of poverty conditions. Nationwide, CAAs help 11.5 million people toward self-sufficiency. CAASTLC is a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit corporation that has provided services in St. Louis County for 50 years.

Originally incorporated as Metroplex, Inc. in 1968, CAASTLC was founded as a satellite agency of and administered by the Human Development Corporation of Metropolitan St. Louis. In 1978, Metroplex, Inc. became a separate designated entity to provide anti-poverty programs for St. Louis County, excluding Wellston. In 1996, the agency’s name was changed to STEP, Inc. and, in 2003, STEP, Inc. became CAASTLC. Our focus remains: to end poverty and help families who are caught in poverty. Services are provided to 44,000 low-income people in St. Louis County annually.