This article was co-authored and initially published on August 5, 2021 with Social Finance, a national impact financial and advisory nonprofit.

Birth through age five is a critical time for a child’s social and emotional development. Home visiting is a strong, evidence-based investment that governments can make to support child development and…

WHAT IS THE OFFICE OF CHILDHOOD?

The new Office, set to go into effect on August 28, 2021, will consolidate Missouri’s primary early childhood programs and funding (Child Care, Home Visiting, and Pre-K). Here are five powerful insights CTF Director Emily van Schenkhof has to offer about it:

1. It’s a good thing for Missouri kids!
Missouri’s early childhood governance has been weak—programs are spread across three state agencies, with limited strategic coordination. You may have experiences with state programs that have not lived up to their intent or potential. This move is designed to create a strong foundation for Missouri’s early childhood programs.

2. It won’t be easy.
Creating an efficient, effective and coordinated system will take…

In our most recent round of Grant Funding, CTF committed nearly $1.7 million over the next four years specifically targeted at measurably preventing Child Sexual Abuse.

We took some time to talk with Melanie Austin, Assistant VP of Programs at MOCSA (Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault) in Kansas City, one of four organizations awarded a grant, about how MOCSA intends to use CTF funding to integrate child abuse prevention strategies into its already proven community-based service model.

“A problem in the field of sexual violence, and specifically child sexual abuse, is that there are no significant evidence-based studies on what actually works when it comes to prevention,” Melanie states. “What we do know is…”

A strategy update from CTF Public Education Committee Chair, Melissa Birdsell:

“After coming onto the CTF Board, I was excited to be able to serve on the Public Education Committee. And as someone who works in the field of child advocacy, I was thrilled to learn about the commitment by CTF toward prevention education.

We know, through years of research, that prevention education for children and adults is the key to keeping kids safe. So, going through the process of conducting surveys and learning what Missourians actually think and know about child abuse and other related issues has been fascinating.

With the help and guidance of the Montana Institute, CTF surveyed people across the state, concentrating on four main areas of concern…”

One of my favorite parts of working at CTF is meeting leaders and advocates who share our passion for protecting children. So, if you can, please take 3 minutes to nominate a hero for me to interview in an upcoming edition of First-hand Insights.

A hero doesn’t have to be a recipient of CTF funding…