News
Register for 2017 CTF Prevention Conference
Registration is open for the Children’s Trust Fund’s biennial state child abuse/neglect prevention conference March 23 & 24, 2017 Capitol Plaza Hotel in Jefferson City. This year’s conference theme is “Resilience: Everyone, Everywhere”. Please join CTF and other community, national and state prevention leaders, advocates and practitioners as we prepare for April as Child Abuse & Neglect Prevention Month and provide opportunities to learn and share about current strategies in the field of prevention.
Registration is only $95 per person for the entire event including up to 9 training hours available. For questions pertaining to the conference please contact Alicia by e-mail or call 573-751-5147. We also encourage you to share with others by e-mail, through social media and the web. This is an event that only occurs every two years so you won’t want to miss it.
View or download 2017 Conference Program
Report Highlights Work of CTF
The Children’s Trust Fund Annual Report for Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 highlights CTF’s prevention activities, grants, public education campaigns, training and partnerships from July 2015 through June 2016. During that time, CTF awarded over $1.8 million in prevention funding to support 103 community-based programs providing home visiting, safe crib, crisis nursery, mentoring, parent education, sexual abuse prevention, family support, fatherhood initiatives, integrating the protective factors, public awareness, training and much more. Since its inception in 1983, CTF has awarded nearly $56 million in funding statewide from donations and dedicated fees to strengthen Missouri’s families and prevent child abuse, neglect. During FY 2016, over 127,000 of Missouri’s children, parents, caregivers, and those who work with families were directly served through CTF’s prevention funds. Thousands of others benefited from CTF’s public prevention campaigns and free materials.
CTF Discretionary Grant Funds Available
The Children’s Trust Fund (CTF) will be accepting grant applications for discretionary prevention programs for state Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 (July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2018) after March 1, 2017. Discretionary grants are designed to be responsive to low-cost prevention projects or needs identified by communities, organizations or agencies. A maximum of $5,000 per grant award may be requested per application. Grants are for one year and must be specifically aimed at primary and secondary prevention of child abuse/neglect including projects that strengthen and support families. Applications will be accepted for consideration until all approved funding has been obligated. For additional information please contact CTF Program Coordinator Laura Malzner (573-751-6511).
CTF Discretionary Application FY 2018 (Word)
CTF Discretionary Application FY 2018 (PDF)
Additionally, the CTF Board of Directors and program staff will be conducting a strategic review over the next several months of the CTF general child abuse/neglect grant funding process. Due to the potential for changes to the funding cycle, application and award process, as well as subsequent impact on encumbered funds over time, the CTF Board has made the decision to not solicit applications for first-year general prevention programs for the FY 2018 contract period. CTF will continue to fund general child abuse and neglect prevention projects eligible for renewal in FY 2018. Questions regarding the general child abuse and neglect prevention grant program may also be directed to Laura Malzner.
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Prevention $ense December 5, 2016
New Online Option to Report Child Abuse & Neglect
The Missouri Children’s Division has developed an online reporting system for use by mandated reporters. The online system is for non-emergencies and allows mandated reporters more flexibility to make a non-emergency report at a time that is convenient for them. The system also allows mandated reporters to avoid wait times sometimes experienced using the 800 number. Please see the attached flyer for more information about how to make a hotline report online. Please share this new information with any mandated reporters who may be interested.
A new CDC study about adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) shows early adversity can impact adult education, employment, and income.
Adverse childhood experiences and life opportunities: Shifting the narrative, published in the October 2016 edition of Children and Youth Services Review, shows people who reported four or more ACEs were less likely to complete high school and more likely to be unemployed and live in a household with an income below the federal poverty level than those who reported no ACEs. Current efforts to prevent adversity early in life, including child abuse and neglect, may be more effective if they broaden public and professional understanding of the links between early adversity and poverty. The study stresses that prevention should address barriers in society that limit access to education, employment, and income and that perpetuate poverty across generations.
Experiences “Weigh in” for the Holidays
A new study from Cornell University indicates people feel more grateful for what they have done than for what they have and that feeling of gratitude also leads to more generous behavior. Learn more from Public News Service (MO) November 30, 2016.
Dads Mentoring Dads, a prevention program based in Rolla, provides new and inexperienced dads facing challenging circumstances with a mentor. Read more & hear about the program from Prevention Consultants of Missouri Director Jamie Myers.
Prevention $ense November 21, 2016
Surgeon General Issues Landmark Report on Alcohol, Drugs and Health
A new, landmark Surgeon General’s report finds alcohol and drug misuse and severe substance use disorders, commonly called addiction, to be one of America’s most pressing public health concerns. Nearly 21 million Americans – more than the number of people who have all cancers combined – suffer from substance use disorders. The report, Facing Addiction in America: The Surgeon General’s Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health, marks the first time a U.S. Surgeon General has dedicated a report to substance misuse and related disorders. For the full report and executive summary, visit https://addiction.surgeongeneral.gov/
New Publication from Project Launch
Project Launch, with funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) ,is pleased to provide a new publication written by Project LAUNCH grantees, the only cohort funded solely at the community level. The publication Implementation of Young Child Wellness Strategies in a Unique Cohort of Local Communities describes the innovative strategies these grantees used to improve outcomes for children, families and communities. The e-Book is rich with creative approaches, lessons learned, and illustrative data from communities that can effectively inform future early childhood efforts in communities.
2017 Missouri Conference on Child Abuse/Neglect Prevention
Please make plans to attend the Missouri Conference on Child Abuse/Neglect Prevention, Thursday & Friday, March 23 & 24, 2017, Capital Plaza Hotel in Jefferson City. Come network with colleagues and learn more about many successful prevention strategies, initiatives, & models including:
- What makes families & communities resilient;
- Engaging parent leaders;
- How to effectively implement a Parent Café’s;
- Identifying Adverse Childhood Experiences & applying Trauma Informed Care in your work;
- The new Missouri-based online training for mandated reporters;
- Darkness to Light – Stewards of Children Training for child sexual abuse prevention;
- Strong Parents, Stable Children Training on the protective factors to keep families healthy & safe;
- The Focus on Fatherhood Program;
- Effectively telling the prevention story;
- Understanding & using cost analysis;
- Missouri Kids Count;
- Inspiring the Warrior Spirit within you;
- And much, much more!
Registration is only $95. Please visit ctf4kids.org to register online in January.
CTF Featured Grantee – Cubbies Who Care
The successful Cubbies Who Care program is part of Jefferson City School District’s Southwest Early Childhood Center, with the mission to provide conscious discipline education for parents and to be used in classrooms. Hear Principal Nicole Langston and Family Advocate Lisa Dierking as they talk about the program’s areas of focus and purpose.
Mentor for Teen Parents
The Mentor for Teen Parents prevention program is offered through Marygrove therapeutic residential treatment facility located in Florissant. Marygrove provides care for children, teens and young adults with behavioral and psychiatric disorders, mostly related to early life trauma. The Mentor for Teen Parents program focuses on supporting pregnant and parenting teens who are currently in transitional and independent living programs. Through a mentor or case manager, teen parents receive education and guidance for child abuse prevention, mental health, child development, child care, and community resources and housing. Mentors demonstrate how to live productively while raising a child. CTF funding supports mentors and case managers, both critical positions that directly impact teen parents and their children. We spoke with members from the Marygrove senior management team about the importance of independent and community support.
Rose Crofford, Marygrove Chief Operations Officer, talks about the importance of teen parents learning to support themselves and their children.
AUDIO: Importance of self-reliance for parenting teens
Kathryn Feldt, Marygrove Chief Development Officer, says community support greatly enhances the program’s success.
AUDIO: Community support
Dads Mentoring Dads
Dads Mentoring Dads is a program provided by Prevention Consultants of Missouri in Rolla. It’s designed to provide new or inexperienced dads, who may face challenging circumstances, with a mentor who will provide guidance toward successful fatherhood. Men of all ages are recruited so that the mentors can be matched up with a mentee they can best relate with. Participant dads may be referred by Family Court, Children’s Division, other local agencies, or may simply request on their own to become involved in this voluntary program. Mentors will work to develop a positive and supportive relationship for a minimum of one year. In Rolla alone, more than 900 families with children under 18 have no father figure in the home. For more than 350 homes in the area, grandparents are the primary caregivers.
We spoke with Jamie Myers, Executive Director, to learn more about Dads Mentoring Dads. He says, “We are excited about the opportunity CTF has given us to develop this unique method of reaching dads who have struggled to be engaged in their children’s lives. We have an active evaluation plan that should give us some good data and outcomes to report as the program continues.”
AUDIO: Myers talks about steps taken to provide a successful program:
AUDIO: Myers describes some of the setbacks fathers may have that the program can help them overcome.
The Dads Mentoring Dads program is currently looking for volunteers who would like to give back. For more information, visit preventionconsultants.org or call 573-368-4755.
Cubbies Who Care Program
The Cubbies Who Care program is part of Jefferson City School District’s Southwest Early Childhood Center, with the mission to provide conscious discipline education for parents and to be used in classrooms. Conscious Discipline©, is an evidenced-based parent education curriculum built on current brain research, child development information and developmentally appropriate parenting practices. The curriculum is designed to empower parents to consciously respond to, rather than unconsciously react to, everyday conflict. The Cubbies Who Care program focuses on four areas of interest: parent meetings, staff and community, Parents as Teachers, and teens as parents. Funded in part through a grant from the Children’s Trust Fund (CTF), Cubbies Who Care uses surveys to determine the needs of at risk parents. Many of the families participating are affected by poverty and nearly 80% of the Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) Program students have one or more developmental delays. With the help of Southwest Early Childhood Center staff and volunteers, Cubbies Who Care is able to provide parents with the resources needed to support their children.
We spoke with Nicole Langston, Principal of Southwest Early Childhood Center, and Lisa Dierking, Family Advocate for Southwest Early Childhood Center, about the Cubbies Who Care program.
AUDIO: Lisa Dierking talks about her role, as well as the structure of the Cubbies Who Care program.
Through small parent meetings, Title One and Early Childhood Special Education families have the opportunity to connect with each other, and to come together and learn together.
AUDIO: Nicole Langston explains the needs of local childcare providers.
Community surveys allow for needs to be assessed, but more importantly provide information on how these issues can be solved.
AUDIO: Learn about the other two focuses within the Cubbies Who Care program.
The Parents as Teachers program provides community-wide meetings for all parents, while the Teens as Parents program focuses on teen parents by providing positive, conscious discipline examples.
AUDIO: Find out how one Missouri business supports Cubbies Who Care.
Scholastic gives away books during every parent meeting. Because of this support, every family that attends a parent meeting receives two books.
AUDIO: Hear how Cubbies Who Care is using the Children’s Trust Fund grant.
Through the CTF grant, the Cubbies Who Care program has been able to provide useful materials for parents and families.
AUDIO: Nicole Langston talks about the long term goals for the program.
The overall purpose of the Cubbies Who Care program is to build up our community, while providing parents the skills needed to mold children with positive futures.
For more information about the Cubbies Who Care program, call (573) 659-3026.
Prevention $ense September 19, 2016
September – National Baby Safety Month
September is National Baby Safety Month in which the Missouri Safe Sleep Coalition is focusing on Safe to Sleep practices for infants. The Coalition has been convening over the last several months with the goal of increasing efforts of safe sleep awareness and education across the state. Coalition members include….read full article.
7 Ways Childhood Adversity Changes a Child’s Brain
In this article the science of early adversity and how it changes the brain is discussed – from the blog ACES Too High.
Childhood Exposure to Domestic Violence Tied to Later Increased Suicide Risk
Canadian researchers found that about 17% of adults who were exposed to chronic parental domestic violence as children made suicide attempts, compared with about 2% of those who didn’t witness parental domestic violence. The findings in the journal Child: Care, Health and Development, based on data involving more than 22,500 Canadian adults, also showed that nearly 17% of those who were sexually abused and more than 12% of those who were physically abused during childhood had attempted suicide at least once. Read full article from Health Day.
How to Help Children Exposed to Domestic Violence
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry outlines how to help children exposed to domestic violence.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Domestic violence (DV) impacts people of all ages and from all walks of life. In the United States, nearly 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men have suffered from severe physical violence from a partner. To bring attention to our nation’s dedication to eliminating this issue, Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) has been observed each October since 1987. DVAM is intended to help the nation mourn those who have been lost as a result of domestic violence, celebrate those who have survived, and connect those seeking to end the violence.
Children exposed to DV can be adversely affected as well. They can feel isolated; be unable to empathize with others; and suffer other emotional, mental, and social damage. Child Welfare Information Gateway has several publications and resources to help professionals better serve families and children who are affected by DV, such as Domestic Violence and the Child Welfare System and Promoting Protective Factors for Children Exposed to Domestic Violence: A Guide for Practitioners. More information is available in Information Gateway’s Domestic Violence web section. Also, the following organizations can provide technical assistance, training, and resources for professionals and families:
- National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
- National Resource Center on Domestic Violence
- National Network to End Domestic Violence
For more information, visit Child Welfare Information Gateway.
(Article adapted from Child Welfare Information Gateway.)
Providing Safe Sleep Environments for Babies
SIDS Resources, Inc. located in St. Louis, is a private, not-for-profit network that connects people to programs, services and information relating to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in Missouri. As a long time partner of the Children’s Trust Fund (CTF), SIDS Resources serves as a distribution center for safe cribs in the St. Louis and Kansas City regions.
Utilizing funds from the sale of the CTF prevent child abuse license plate, SIDS Resources provides a Pack n’ Play safe crib and crib sheets benefiting low income or at-risk families with infants. The program identifies eligible families through referrals from many surrounding community partners including Catholic Charities, St. Louis County Health Department, Family Care Health Centers, Grace Hill Neighborhood Health Center and Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center. The program focuses on removing the economic barrier that families face in terms of providing a safe sleeping environment for their babies. In addition to presenting parents in need with a safe crib, community volunteers and staff members work to educate and inform families on safe sleep practices and reducing the risk of SIDS for their infants.
We spoke with Lori Behrens, Executive Director, SIDS Resources, Inc. about the importance of the partnership with CTF.
AUDIO: Behrens on CTF as a reliable funding source
She says community partners assist the program in a number of ways from letting them know who may need assistance, to lending a hand when their own resources get low.
AUDIO: Behrens on additional support
Behrens says the Safe Sleep program is the best way to inform and educate the public on safe sleep practices for children. She says the in-person contact made through the pack-n-play program offers an expanded opportunity to educate parents and caregivers.
AUDIO: Safe Sleep Pack-n-Play Distribution Program
CTF license plate marketing partner organizations throughout Missouri help promote and sell the plates to increase prevention awareness and raise funds that are returned directly back into the community to provide prevention programs that help children and families.
For more information go to SIDS Resources, Inc. or call 800-421-3511.
PODCAST: ABC’s of Safe Sleep
September is National Baby Safety Month. In this podcast, Kirk Schreiber, CTF Executive Director, discusses the steps to prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) with Lori Behrens, Executive Director, SIDS Resources. They talk about the basic recommendations for providing a safe sleeping environment for infants and how to reduce the risk of SIDS. Through the ABC’s of Safe Sleep, listeners are given specific guidelines on how they can prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome while providing the safest sleeping environment for their children.
September is National Baby Safety Month
September is National Baby Safety Month in which the Missouri Safe Sleep Coalition is focusing on Safe to Sleep practices for infants. The Coalition has been convening over the last several months with the goal of increasing efforts of safe sleep awareness and education across the state. Coalition member agencies include the Children’s Trust Fund, Children’s Mercy Hospital – Kansas City, MO Department of Health & Senior Services, MO Department of Social Services, State Technical Assistance Team, Mother & Child Health Coalition, and SIDS Resources. During September, the Coalition is spreading the safe sleep awareness message via a unified social media campaign, in addition to CTF’s Safe to Sleep Media/Social Media Campaign that includes radio announcements; web promotion; metro transit advertising in St. Louis, Kansas City and Springfield; and refreshed Safe to Sleep materials available free to Missourians.
“Infant deaths due to suffocation and strangulation related to unsafe sleep environments are preventable. While this is a message that resonates throughout the year, Baby Safety Month gives us an added opportunity to increase the awareness as a group,” said Paula Cunningham, Children’s Trust Fund Public Affairs & Education Coordinator. “If parents and other caregivers only remember one thing about safe sleep for their babies, it is this…Safe to Sleep is as simple as ABC. Babies should sleep Alone, on their Backs in a Crib,” said Cunningham.
Know the key Safe to Sleep messages to keep babies safe & reduce the risk of SIDS & other sleep-related causes of death:
- Place baby on his/back to sleep alone, for naps & night time, to reduce the risk of SIDS.
- Place your baby in a safety-approved crib, bassinet or portable play area with a firm sleep surface & fitted sheet.
- Do NOT place baby to sleep on an adult bed or other soft mattress, waterbed, sofa, chair, beanbag, pillow, cushion, other soft surface or in a car seat.
- Remove all soft objects, toys, blankets, bumper pads, pillows from the baby sleep area.
- Dress baby in a sleeper/sleep sack instead of using a blanket or other covering..
- Put baby to sleep alone in a separate sleep such as a crib or bassinet, but in the same room where you sleep. Bed sharing is dangerous.
For more information about safe sleep for babies go to:
Children’s Trust Fund
SIDS Resources
HealthyChildren.Org
National Institute of Child Health & Human Development
Listen to Radio PSA – 5 Steps for Safe Sleep
Listen to Radio PSA – ABC’s of Safe Sleep
Prevention $ense September 9, 2016
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CTF Board Awards Prevention Grants
$2 Million Invested in Missouri to Strengthen Families & Prevent Child Abuse & Neglect!
The Children’s Trust Fund (CTF) Board of Directors recently awarded over $1.7 million in funding for State Fiscal Year 2017 to support 88 different organizations throughout Missouri for the prevention of child abuse and neglect and to strengthen families. The funds were awarded after a competitive grant and review process, and will be used to support evidence-based and promising programs including home visitation, safe crib, parent education, crisis nursery, fatherhood support, sexual abuse prevention, and community collaboration. Several grants will also address training needs including Stewards of Children focusing on child sexual abuse prevention & awareness, online training for mandated reporters of abuse, building Strengthening Families Protective Factors, and Parent Cafes’. The CTF Board invested additional dollars in public education and awareness bringing the total in prevention funding to just over $2 million dollars for the year. Public education campaigns focus on Strengthening Families, Shaken Baby/Abusive Head Trauma Prevention, safe sleep environments, child safety in or around vehicles (Not Even For A Minute), emotional abuse and neglect prevention, positive parenting, realistic expectations of children and stress reduction.
CTF receives funding from dedicated fees on marriage licenses and vital records, voluntary contributions designated on the Missouri State Income Tax Return, sales of the specialty CTF license plate, general donations, interest income from the Fund, and a Federal grant. Grants are awarded for one year with the possibility of renewal for an additional four years based on the performance outcome of the program and the availability of CTF funds. During the last three years, the grantee is required to fund an increasing proportion of the program’s cost.
Established by the Missouri General Assembly in 1983, CTF is Missouri’s non-profit foundation for child abuse and neglect prevention. In its 33-year history, CTF has awarded over $58 million dollars of non-general revenue funds for prevention programs throughout Missouri.
Hot, Cold or Otherwise…Never Leave Kids Alone in Cars!
Never Leave Kids Alone in Cars…Period!
With extreme temperatures building across Missouri and much of the country, the Children’s Trust Fund reminds everyone to never leave a child alone in a vehicle. Missouri CTF’s ongoing Not Even For A Minute Campaign encourages parents and caregivers to NEVER leave children unattended in or around vehicles. Left alone in a vehicle for a short time, a child is in danger of heat stroke, dehydration, overheating, hyperthermia, injury, abduction and even death.
Our friends from the national organization KidsAndCars offer the following simple tips for parents & caregivers to keep kids safe & prevent tragedies:
- Never leave children alone in or around cars; not even for a minute.
- “Look Before You Lock” – Get in the habit of always opening the back door to check the back seat before leaving your vehicle. Make sure no child has been left behind.
- Create a reminder to check the back seat.
- Put something you’ll need like your cell phone, handbag, employee ID or brief case, etc., in the back seat so that you have to open the back door to retrieve that item every time you park.
- Keep a large stuffed animal in the child’s car seat. When the child is placed in the car seat, put the stuffed animal in the front passenger seat. It’s a visual reminder that the child is in the back seat.
- Make sure you have a strict policy in place with your childcare provider about daycare drop- off. Everyone involved in the care of your child should always be aware of their whereabouts. If your child will not be attending daycare as scheduled, it is the parent’s responsibility to call and inform the childcare provider. If your child does not show up as scheduled; and they have not received a call from the parent, the childcare provider pledges to contact you immediately to ensure the safety of your child. (this is very similar to the ‘absence-line’ used by most elementary, middle and high schools)
- Keep vehicles locked at all times, even in driveways or garages. Ask home visitors, child care providers and neighbors to do the same.
- Keep car keys and remote openers out of reach of children.
- If a child goes missing, immediately check the inside passenger compartments and trunks of all vehicles in the area very carefully, even if they are locked. A child may lock the car doors after entering a vehicle on their own, but may not be able to unlock them.
- Be especially careful during busy times, schedule changes and periods of crisis or holidays. This is when many tragedies occur.
- Use drive-thru services when available (restaurants, banks, pharmacies, dry cleaners, etc.) and pay for gas at the pump.
- If you see a child alone in a vehicle, get involved. Call 911 immediately. If the child seems hot or sick, get them out of the vehicle as quickly as possible.
Please share these important safety tips with your childcare providers, teachers, relatives, friends, family & neighbors. And always remember to keep your pets safe from hot cars as well. It could save a life! Not Even For A Minute public education materials can be ordered free of charge.
Children’s Mental Health Week May 1 – 7
Children’s Mental Health Week is a critical time to bring awareness to the mental health needs of children and youth in Missouri. Approximately 13–20 percent of children living in the United States experience a mental disorder in a given year. Poor outcomes for these children can be prevented with early intervention and access to appropriate services. Focusing attention on children’s mental health educates the public, helps build understanding and acceptance, and helps diminish harmful stigma.
The Missouri Department of Mental Health (DMH) has developed tool kits, posted fact sheets and other materials to help assist local areas in designing activities and events that raise awareness about children’s mental health. Facebook and other social marketing tools are also available to local organizations to use throughout the month of May.
Additional tools and resources are available on the DMH website and:
National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
CTF Board Member Honored
Children’s Trust Fund (CTF) Board member Nanci A. Bobrow, Ph.D., St. Louis, was honored by Nurses For Newborns (NFN) on April 17, 2016 at the 18th Annual A Night for Newborns Dinner Auction presented by World Wide Technology, Inc. Dr. Bobrow is the 3rd recipient of the Champion for Families Award, a special award honoring those who dedicate their lives to helping children.
Dr. Bobrow, a licensed psychologist, served on the CTF Board of Directors from 2000 – 2008 and was appointed in 2012 by Governor Nixon where she continues in this position. She was CTF Board Chair from 2005 – 2007. She has been a member of the NFN Board of Directors since 2007 and served as Board President 2010 – 2012. Dr. Bobrow is also active with the St. Louis Crisis Nursery, Vision for Children at Risk and the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) St. Louis Section and previously served on the State Child Abuse and Neglect Review Board. She has several publications, honors and awards including the 1996 Woman of Achievement Award.
Nurses for Newborns provides a safety net for families most at-risk in order to prevent infant mortality, child abuse and neglect by providing in-home nursing visits which promote healthcare, education, and positive parenting skills in Missouri and Tennessee.
Governor Appoints Wiseman to CTF Board
The Children’s Trust Fund welcomes Derek J. Wiseman, St. Louis, to the CTF Board of Directors. Wiseman was appointed by Governor Jay Nixon with the appointment confirmed by the Senate on April 14.
Wiseman is an attorney with Husch Blackwell law firm in St. Louis and a graduate of Washington University School of Law. He is an assistant coach of the law school’s national moot court team, and had been a member of the team while in law school. Wiseman was president of the student body at the University of Central Missouri, where he earned his undergraduate degree. He and his wife, Eve, are the proud parents of two children. Wiseman replaces Susan Block, St. Louis, who has served on the Board since 2009. The Governor has appointed him for a term ending Sept. 15, 2018.
The CTF Board of Directors is comprised of twenty-one volunteer members, seventeen of whom are public members appointed by the Governor, with twelve of those members requiring confirmation by the Senate, two from the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House, and two from the Missouri Senate appointed by the President Pro Tem. Public members may serve up to two consecutive 3-year terms.
2016 Missouri KIDS COUNT Data Book
The Family & Community Trust (FACT), recently released the 2016 Missouri KIDS COUNT Data Book documenting the status of children in all 114 Missouri counties and the City of St. Louis. The annual report is a collaborative project of FACT, the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Office of Social and Economic Data Analysis (OSEDA) -University of Missouri, the Children’s Trust Fund (CTF), and 20 Community Partnerships from across the state. The book was released during an April 5 press conference at the University of Missouri.
The report provides an annual, state and county-level analysis of
child well-being measuring indicators of Economic Security, Child Protection and Safety, Education and Health. Data for the report is compiled from more than 80 federal, state, county and municipal sources by OSEDA.
To examine trends over time, Missouri KIDS COUNT compared the most current data (2014) to 2010 baseline data, which revealed that seven outcome measures improved in Missouri during this time period including: births to teens, unintentional injury, annual high school dropouts, births to mothers without a high school diploma, infant mortality, child deaths and low birth-weight infants. Outcomes that worsened during the same time period include children under 18 in poverty, child abuse/neglect and family assessments, and children entering/re-entering state custody.
Primary funding for the project is provided by Annie E. Casey Foundation and the Children’s Trust Fund.
Prevention $ense, March 31, 2016
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Within Our Reach: A National Strategy to Eliminate Child Abuse & Neglect Fatalities
The Commission to Eliminate Child Abuse & Neglect Fatalities issued a final report and recommendations on March 17, 2016. The 168-page report, entitled “Within Our Reach: A National Strategy to Eliminate Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities,” presents 10 recommendations for actions to help organizations and communities implement a strategic response to protect children at high risk of fatality from abuse or neglect.
With the release of the report the National Alliance of Children’s Trust and Prevention Funds offered the following statement expressing appreciation for the work completed:
“We applaud the important work of the Commission in identifying strategies, approaches and policies to support children and families so that every child in our nation can thrive,” commented Teresa Rafael, Executive Director of the National Alliance of Children’s Trust and Prevention Funds. “We commend the Commission on their dedicated approach in reviewing what is working in communities across the country and carefully considering their recommendations and issuing their call to action in protecting our nation’s children. It is particularly noteworthy that during its review and deliberations, the Commission sought the advice of parent advocates and highlighted their testimony and recommendations. We are pleased that the Commission has recommended the need to transform our child welfare systems for the 21st century to incorporate a public health approach that works beyond traditional child protection systems to a broader cross systems approach. Supporting children and families and the work of eliminating child abuse and neglect fatalities will require collective action from community leaders, parents, public and private partners and policy makers. The Alliance is eager to work with lawmakers and others to support this important work of advancing our shared goal of eliminating child fatalities and helping every child in America have the great childhoods they deserve.”
Aiding in the Development of Vital Parenting Skills
Parenting for Prevention increases the availability of parenting classes and works to reach parents at their cognitive level. The program has been wholey funded by CTF and offered through the YWCA of St. Joseph. Two ten-week sessions are held to provide parents information and to help develop parenting skills necessary to raising healthy children and to decrease the risk of child abuse and neglect. One of the program’s focuses is teaching parents how to interact with their children, and helping them understand that every child has a different personality so no one tactic will work with all. The program focuses on children 2 to 12 years old.
Class topics center around understanding child development, developing positive family communications, building positive social and emotional skills in both parent and child (responsiveness, sensitivity, nurturing), discipline and appropriate behavior management, and promoting self-reliance by sharing information from community services like Parents as Teachers, Early Head Start, Circle of Parents, Success by Six and others.
We spoke with Ellen Kisker, YWCA Prevention Educator, to learn more about Parenting for Prevention.
AUDIO: Ellen discusses one of the most common concerns of parents, discipline, and how the program’s materials help the parents.
AUDIO: Ellen discusses the short- and long-term goal of Parenting for Prevention.
For more information visit ywcasj.org or call Ellen at 816-232-4481.
Child Abuse/Neglect Prevention Month 2016
April is Child Abuse & Neglect Prevention Month here in Missouri and across the country. This year’s theme focuses on, “Building Community, Building Hope.” Many communities around the state are gearing up for events and activities scheduled throughout the month to emphasize the critical importance of preventing child abuse and neglect and keeping children safe. Go Blue Day for Missouri’s kids is scheduled for Friday, April 8. Please join thousands of Missourians on that day in wearing blue to promote the safety and well being of Missouri’s kids and the importance of child abuse prevention. Prevention begins with each of us – in our homes, neighborhoods, communities, schools, churches and wherever children and families congregate. To learn how to support meaningful and measurable change in children’s well-being, and how to engage families and communities in the prevention of child maltreatment, please explore the following resources:
- Visit the National Child Abuse Prevention Month website;
- Download the 2016 Prevention Resource Guide: Building Community, Building Hope and learn how to strengthen families using the protective factors;
- Download, post and share the 2016 Child Abuse Prevention Month Flyer;
- Access twenty-one tip sheets—in English and Spanish—that can be distributed to parents and caregivers;
- Bookmark three activity calendars—one each for prevention programs, parents, and community partners—and discover ways to integrate activities related to the protective factors into Child Abuse Prevention Month activities;
- View the prevention video gallery, which features videos from national child abuse prevention partners; Share these videos via email and social media to raise awareness among your networks;
- Download and post Child Abuse Prevention Month widgets to your website to help promote the initiative;
- Spread the word with prevention focused outreach materials, which provides traditional and new media strategies to help your organization or community raise awareness about events, reach potential supporters, and build relationships;
- Participate in Go Blue Day, Friday, April 8 by wearing something blue (the official color of prevention) to support Missouri’s kids;
- Participate in the CTF Go Blue Day Wellness Walk in Jefferson City, Friday April 8 (open to all state employees);
- Attend the Annual Pinwheels for Prevention Community Pinwheel Garden Ceremony at the State Capitol on Thursday, April 14, 2016 at 12:00 p.m. hosted by Missouri KidsFirst;
- Share the 2016 Child Abuse Prevention Month Proclamation from Missouri Governor Jay Nixon;
- Attend or volunteer for child abuse prevention month activities and events in your community;
- Follow Missouri CTF on Facebook and Twitter to keep up with April’s prevention activities and news;
- Order CTF’s free parent education and prevention materials to use in April and throughout the year;
- Make a tax-deductible donation to the Children’s Trust Fund or other non-profit that prevents child maltreatment and builds strong families.
Building Community, Building Hope – 2016 Resource Guide
The 2016 Prevention Resource Guide – Building Community, Building Hope is now available to download. The resource guide is produced annually by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Children’s Bureau, Office on Child Abuse and Neglect, Child Welfare Information Gateway, and FRIENDS National Resource Center to support community-based child abuse prevention professionals who work to prevent child maltreatment and promote well-being. The 2016 guide was developed with input from numerous national organizations, federal partners, and parents committed to strengthening families and communities.
Released in preparation for April – National Child Abuse Prevention Month, this guide provides information that anyone can use and share throughout the year including:
– information about the protective factors known to prevent child abuse;
– understanding child maltreatment;
– tools to help build community awareness and support;
– tip sheets for parents in English & Spanish; and
– activity calendars for Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Connecting Parents to their Babies with Operation Connect
The Operation Connect (formerly known as Caregiver Connections) program focuses on parenting education and parent-child attachment using The Incredible Years Parenting Series and Theraplay. This Kansas City-based program is funded in part through a grant from the Children’s Trust Fund (CTF), and housed within Operation Breakthrough.
Operation Breakthrough’s mission is to help children who are living in poverty develop to their fullest potential by providing them a safe, loving, and educational environment. Incredible Years is an evidence-based curriculum incorporating parent, teacher and child social skills training. Theraplay is an established method for improving the parent-child relationship using the four dimensions of healthy interaction-Structure, Engagement, Nurture, and Challenge as its framework. The program targets high-risk families, especially those with multiple risk factors.
We spoke with Brijin Gardner, Director of Clinical and Social Services for Operation Connect, about the program.
AUDIO: Brijin talks about the program’s domino effect.
The majority of families served by Operation Connect are working or in school and have inflexible work schedules, and parents who don’t have access to insurance or mental health services.
AUDIO: What are Brijin’s ultimate goals for Operation Connect?
The Center strives to support and empower the children’s families through education, advocacy, referral services, and emergency aid.
AUDIO: How Operation Connect helped one mom during a stressful time with her child.
The majority of moms don’t recognize themselves as a change agent in their child’s lives. Operation Connect equips parents with knowledge that they are a change agent in the life of their child.
AUDIO: Brijin explains her vision while creating the program and incorporating Theraplay.
For more information, please call Operation Breakthrough at 816-756-3511.
CTF Welcomes New Board Members
The Children’s Trust Fund (CTF) welcomes Sharon E. Rohrbach, St. Louis, and James D. Anderst, M.D., Kansas City, to the CTF Board of Directors. Both were appointed by Governor Jay Nixon on March 2, 2016 and will begin serving immediately.
Rohrbach is a Registered Nurse and the President of Dynamic Change, LLC, an organizational consulting company serving non-profit agencies across the nation. She is the founder and past CEO of Nurses for Newborns Foundation with offices in St. Louis and Nashville, TN. She also previously served on the St. Louis Regional Health Commission, the Governor’s Task Force to Reform Missouri State Government and the Missouri State Early Childhood Coordinating Board. Rohrbach replaces Patrice Mugg of Kirkwood who had served on the Board since 2005.
Anderst is a Pediatrician at Children’s Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, MO where he has served since 2008. He is currently Division Chief of the Division of Child Abuse and Neglect at the hospital. He also serves as a Professor in the Department of Pediatrics for the University of Missouri, Kansas City School of Medicine. He is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Helfer Society, the State Task Force on Children’s Justice, the State Task Force on the Prevention of Sexual Abuse of Children, the Missouri SAFE/CARE Network, and the Kansas City Children’s Protection Center Agency Partner’s Committee. Anderst replaces Robert ‘Bob’ Harris, M.D., Columbia, who had previously served on the Board for a number of years.
The CTF Board of Directors is comprised of twenty-one volunteer members, seventeen of whom are public members appointed by the Governor, with twelve of those members requiring confirmation by the Senate, two from the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House, and two from the Missouri Senate appointed by the President Pro Tem. Public members may serve up to two consecutive 3-year terms.
Prevention $ense, March 7, 2016
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CTF Discretionary Funds
The Children’s Trust Fund (CTF) will be accepting grant applications for discretionary funding programs for state Fiscal Year 2017 (July 1, 2016 – June 30, 2017) on or after April 1, 2016. Discretionary funding or ‘mini grants’ are designed to be responsive to low-cost prevention projects or needs identified by individual communities, organizations or agencies. A maximum of $5,000 per grant award may be requested per application. Grants are for one year and are not renewable and must be specifically aimed at primary and secondary prevention of child abuse/neglect, and projects that strengthen and support families. For additional information please contact CTF Program Coordinator Laura Malzner.
The FY 2017 Discretionary Grant Application may be downloaded by clicking on the links below.
FY 2017 Application for Discretionary Funding (Word)
FY 2017 Application for Discretionary Funding (PDF)
CTF License Plate Partner Grant Application Available
The Children’s Trust Fund (CTF) has released a new application for funding to market the CTF prevent child abuse license plate for Fiscal Year 2017 (July 1, 2016 – June 30, 2017). Since 1997, community organizations throughout Missouri have been promoting the popular specialty plate, depicting the green hand prints of a child, to increase prevention awareness and raise funds that are then directly returned back into the community for prevention programs and services. To be considered, applications must be submitted and received with a postmark no later than Monday, April 25. For questions, please contact CTF Program Coordinator Laura Malzner at (573) 751-5147 or by e-mail at laura.malzner@oa.mo.gov.
Providing Support to At-risk Families with Young Children
The Healthy Steps for Families program is a collaborative effort between Burrell Behavioral Heath and the Jordan Valley Community Health Center and is based in Greene County. CTF helps fund services to at-risk pregnant women or parents with children ages 0-3. Healthy Steps for Families medical staff and Healthy Steps specialists use real world scenarios to provide families with supportive environments to address a broad array of early childhood physical and developmental concerns. The program also helps parents understand physician’s findings and instructions, and offers referrals and resources pertinent to individual family needs.
We spoke with Jeanie Beck, Clinical Social Worker at Burrell Behavioral Health about Healthy Steps for Families.
AUDIO: How CTF funding benefits Healthy Steps for Families
Healthy Steps for Families addresses the physical, emotional, intellectual growth and development of children ages 0-3.
AUDIO: Jeanie gives advice to parents wanting to be the best parent they can be
Parent participants of Healthy Steps for Families often become referral sources. Families have been added to the program due to other parents who told them about it.
AUDIO: Jeanie reflects on the successes of the program
Jeanie recommends other providers looking to establish a program like Healthy Steps for Families take part in Strong Parents, Stable Children training.
AUDIO: Jeanie shares a personal experience working with Healthy Steps for Families
For more information, contact Denise Mills, Director of Corporate Services at 417-269-7254 or visit burrellcenter.com.
Prevention $ense, February 24, 2016
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Monday, March 7, 2016 2pm – 5pm Hillman Hall, Clark-Fox Forum, Danforth Campus Washington University, St. Louis Keynote speaker James Garabino, author and founding director of the Center for the Human Rights of Children at Loyola University Chicago, will discuss childhood violence and the links to gun violence. His talk will be followed by a panel discussion of St. Louis community leaders and experts, moderated by Melissa Jonson-Reid of the Brown School. Event is free but please
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for fiscal year 2015 is now available and highlights our prevention activities, grants, and public education campaigns from July 2014 through June 2015.
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Written by Jill Lepore, appearing in February 1, 2016 edition of The New Yorker. Also read Project Thrive Working to Strengthen Families
Great Circle’s
Project THRIVE is a collaborative, community-based initiative that works toward strengthening families in Adair County and select areas in Macon County who are experiencing high stress and/or other risk factors. Services are free to eligible families as a result of a grant from the Children’s Trust Fund via funding from the Community Based Child Abuse Prevention Program (CBCAP) federal grant administered by the Administration for Children & Families (ACF), Department of Health & Human Services.
In order to be considered for Project THRIVE, families must meet certain eligibility criteria such as: parents who are experiencing mental health or psychological disorders and have young children; parents with severe psychological disorders, substance abuse issues, or other at-risk factors that could lead to child abuse and neglect including trauma history; and many more. By ensuring that parents have the knowledge, skills and resources they need to care for their children, Project THRIVE can help promote children’s social and emotional well-being and prevent child maltreatment within families and communities.
We spoke with Kristin Rouner, Project Thrive Coordinator about this initiative.
AUDIO: The effects of Missouri CTF’s funding on Project THRIVE
Project THRIVE has a provider network comprising a variety of agencies within Adair and Macon counties that are referral sources. When those agencies identify a family that meet their criteria, they refer them to Project THRIVE. Kristin Rouner, as coordinator, works with the larger provider network in building capacity, organizing and delivering services to families in an integrated, strength-based comprehensive way.
AUDIO: A testament of success
Project Thrive’s network of primary care providers includes mental health, social service agencies, civic organizations, faith-based organizations, local government agencies and others. Together, they are committed to working collaboratively to provide comprehensive wrap-around services to families and eliminate service duplication. Each family works with a lead agency and a family support team of providers from the network to develop and implement a family road map for achieving their stated goal(s).
AUDIO: Families supporting other families in Project THRIVE
Project THIRVE focuses on ways to build and promote the protective factors, in every interaction with children and families to prevent child maltreatment and promote optimal child development.
AUDIO: Advice for counties wanting to provide similar services
For more information about Project THRIVE, please call Kristin Rouner at (660) 627-2463.
Annual Report Highlights Work of CTF
The Children’s Trust Fund (CTF) Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2015 highlights CTF’s prevention activities, grants and public education campaigns from July 2014 through June 2015. During that time, CTF awarded over $2.55 million in prevention funding to support 90 community-based programs providing home visitation, safe crib/safe sleep, crisis nursery, mentoring, parent education, sexual abuse prevention, family support, fatherhood initiatives, integrating the protective factors, public awareness, training and much more. Since its inception in 1983, CTF has awarded over $54 million in funding statewide from donations and dedicated fees to prevent child abuse, neglect and strengthen Missouri families.
Prevention $ense February 8, 2016
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In this second article of three installments,
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Check Off Child Abuse in Missouri
There are many ways Missourians help children each and every day. One quick and easy way is to make a charitable donation on your Missouri tax form to the Children’s Trust Fund (CTF). A child’s experiences have a direct link to their health and well-being in adulthood. Investing in children early in their life is key to helping them have a successful future. Your gift through Missouri’s Tax Check-off Program makes a BIG difference in the life of a child at risk for abuse and neglect.
Since 1983, CTF has invested millions in best practice child abuse prevention programs in communities around the state. Programs that strengthen families like parent education, family support, home visitation, mentoring, safe sleep practices, sexual abuse prevention, fatherhood and grandparent support, and many other effective prevention services are possible because Missourians like you make a gift on their Missouri tax return. CTF receives no general revenue, so all of its public education, prevention resources, and community based grant programs are made possible through dedicated fees and donations, such as through the tax check off program.
Just look for the child’s handprints on your Missouri State Income Tax Return and designate any amount over $2 to CTF by making your mark to contribute. Your donation may also be deducted on next year’s federal tax return, and with a $25 or more donation, you are eligible to purchase a CTF prevent child abuse license plate for your vehicle…the one with the green handprints.
Whether you do it yourself, file electronically or enlist the help of a tax professional, please consider donating a portion of your refund to CTF. The Missouri Department of Revenue will send your donation directly to CTF where it will be used to support Strong Families, Safe Kids. Thank you! Together we CAN check off child abuse in Missouri.
Prevention $ense February 1, 2016
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If you have not yet viewed The Raising of America documentary series, you may do so beginning February 1. From Feb. 1st – 15th, anyone can
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A new independent film entitled Beechner-McCarthy Joins CTF Board
The Children’s Trust Fund (CTF) welcomes Amy Beechner-McCarthy of Rolla to the CTF Board of Directors. She has been actively serving on the CTF Board since being appointed by Governor Nixon in July 2015. Her appointment was confirmed by the Missouri Senate in a hearing on January 13, 2016 and by the full Senate on January 21 as required by statute. Beechner-McCarthy is the chief executive officer of Your Community Health Center, Rolla. Previously, she served as executive director of The Community Partnership, a position she held for 18 years. She is a graduate of the University of Missouri, Rolla, and holds a Master’s Degree in Pastoral Theology from St. Mary-of-the-Woods College in Terre Haute, IN, with an emphasis in family and youth studies.
The CTF Board of Directors is comprised of twenty-one members of whom seventeen public members are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. In addition, four members are from the Missouri General Assembly, including two members from the Missouri Senate appointed by the President Pro Tem and two members from the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker. Public members may serve up to two terms of three years each.
Child Abuse, Neglect Data Released
HHS’ Administration for Children and Families (ACF) released the 25th edition of the Child Maltreatment Report, which analyzes data collected by state child protective services (CPS) agencies. The report shows an increase from Fiscal Year 2013 to Fiscal Year 2014 in four key metrics: referrals to CPS agencies (3.7 percent); referrals screened-in (2.3 percent); children who received an investigation or alternative response (2.0 percent); and children determined to be victims of child abuse or neglect (2.9 percent).
More than half of the states reported increases in child abuse and neglect victims; however, the largest increases were attributable to just a handful of states. Eight states had an increase in victimizations of 15 percent or more; similar patterns exist for the increases seen in referrals and children that are screened.
When states submit their data, they also are afforded the opportunity to submit commentary that may provide context to the data published in the report. The states’ commentaries suggest that policy changes related to intake, screening and investigations as well as increased public awareness are factors affecting the reporting of child abuse and neglect.
Prior to the release of the report, Rafael López, commissioner of the Administration on Children, Youth and Families, reached out to the child welfare leaders of states with the largest changes in numbers of referrals or reported victimizations. “We wanted to hear directly from state child welfare leaders about what was happening on the ground and better understand the factors contributing to these numbers,” said López. “The states confirmed the information submitted in their commentaries. The states also pointed to the co-occurrence of substance abuse, mental health issues and domestic violence as factors that are contributing to increases in victimizations.”
“We need to shift our focus to the front end prevention of child abuse and neglect and make sure that families get the help they need when they need it. We are receiving information from states and our grantees that will help us to identify and address co-occurring risk factors so children can thrive in loving, safe environments free of abuse and neglect,” said López.
The Administration on Children, Youth and Families (part of HHS’ ACF) is currently working with states to address parent drug use, mental health and domestic violence connected to the increases.
(Content of this post is from a public release dated January 25, 2016 from the Administration For Children and Families)
Prevention $ense January 22, 2016
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The Missouri Child Fatality Review Program’s (CFRP)
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The Children’s Bureau and Office of Child Abuse and Neglect (OCAN) recently released the video, Building Community, Building Hope, as part of a series of actions preventing and responding to child maltreatment. This video follows three programs, located in Iowa, Oregon, and California, that experienced success to innovatively engage parents and communities as a means to prevent and respond to child maltreatment. Watch the 
CFRP Annual Report: Preventing Child Deaths in Missouri
The Missouri Child Fatality Review Program’s (CFRP) 2014 Annual Report – Preventing Child Deaths in Missouri is now available. The report provides a statistical breakdown of child injuries and deaths both accidental and non-accidental by county and statewide. It also contains helpful recommendations for keeping children safe and reducing the chances for injuries and/or fatalities from occurring. Issued by the State Technical Assistance Team (STAT), Missouri Department of Social Services (DSS), the report provides information about Missouri’s Child Fatality Review Program and reflects the work of many dedicated professionals throughout the state who strive to improve and protect the lives of Missouri’s youngest citizens. In 2014, 951 child fatalities were reported to the Missouri Child Fatality Review Program – a decrease of 28 deaths from 2013. This number includes children that died in Missouri, regardless of their state of residence or state in which the illness, injury or event occurred. (reference p. 6 of report). Since 2002, the annual total of overall child deaths in Missouri has been reduced.
CFRP 2014 Annual Report
CFRP 2014 Annual Report Executive Summary
CFRP previous reports can be accessed here.
CTF Grant Funds Available
The Children’s Trust Fund (CTF) has released its grant application packet for the prevention of child abuse/neglect for Fiscal Year 2017 (July 1, 2016 – June 30, 2017). CTF anticipates approximately $400,000 available for new (first year) projects.
As Missouri’s Foundation for Child Abuse Prevention, CTF provides grants to community-based agencies and organizations throughout the state that focus on strengthening families and preventing child abuse and neglect by investing in and supporting children and their families. As part of the proposal, applicants must describe how they will incorporate the five protective factors known to prevent or reduce child abuse into their program. The protective factors that strengthen families include building parental resilience, social connections, knowledge of parenting and child development, concrete support in times of need, and children’s social and emotional development.
An informational meeting regarding the application will be held Friday, January 22, 2016, 10 am – Noon in Room 850 of the Truman Office Building, 301 W. High St., Jefferson City. The meeting is open to anyone interested in learning more about the grant program and application process. Registration is not required.
Download Presentation – FY 17 Grant Application Meeting 1-22-16
To be considered, applications must be postmarked by Friday, March 11, 2016. Grant award recipients will be announced after the CTF Board meeting on June 1, 2016. For questions regarding the General Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Grant application and process, please email CTF Program Coordinator Laura Malzner.
Child Abuse/Neglect Prevention Grant Funds Available
The Children’s Trust Fund (CTF) Board is pleased to announce the availability of child abuse and neglect prevention grant funds for state Fiscal Year 2017 (July 1, 2016 – June 30, 2017). CTF’s General Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Grant Application will be released on Friday, January 15, 2016. An informational meeting regarding the application will be held Friday, January 22, 2016 from 10 am – Noon in Room 850 of the Truman State Office Building, 301 W. High Street, Jefferson City. The meeting is open to anyone interested in learning more about the grant program and application process. Additionally, CTF’s Application for Funding will be available via the CTF website on January 15. It is anticipated that between $350,000 – $400,000 will be available for new prevention grants through this process. For further information please contact CTF Program Coordinator Laura Malzner.
As Missouri’s Foundation for Child Abuse Prevention, CTF provides grants to community-based organizations throughout the state that focus specifically on child abuse/neglect prevention and that support and strengthen children and families.
Mugg Receives 2015 Chair Award
(L to R) Patrice Mugg, Charmaine Smith, Kirk Schreiber
The Children’s Trust Fund (CTF), Missouri’s foundation for child abuse and neglect prevention, recently presented the 2015 Chair Award to Patrice Mugg of Kirkwood in recognition of her outstanding dedication, commitment and service for her efforts toward improving the well-being of children.
Originally appointed by former Governor Matt Blunt, Mugg has been a member of the CTF Board of Directors from March 2005 to present. She served as the CTF Chair-Elect from 2007-2009 and the Board Chair from 2009-2011, and also serves on the Program Committee.
As CTF representative, Mugg has participated in multiple trainings related to strengthening families and the prevention of child abuse and neglect. She is an official trainer of the Darkness 2 Light Stewards of Children, Sexual Abuse Prevention of Children Training. In addition, Patrice is a past recipient of the Kirkwood School District Volunteer of the Year Award, and she volunteers for and is involved in many other civic and non-profit organizations in her community.
Charmaine Smith, CTF Board Chair, presented the Chair Award to Mugg during CTF’s October Board meeting held in Jefferson City. “Patrice understands the critical importance of preventing child abuse and breaking the vicious generational cycles,” Smith said. “Her sincere compassion toward others and her passion to insure the protection and well-being of all children is strong and unwavering.”
“Over the years, Patrice has been and continues to be a consistent positive voice and dedicated advocate for Missouri’s children, as well as for those of us who work on behalf of Missouri’s kids,” said Kirk Schreiber, CTF Executive Director.
Mugg and her husband, Jeff, have four children and four grandchildren.
Established in 2002, the Chair Award was created under the chairmanship of Richard ‘Dick’ Dunn that permits the official chair to recognize a person or organization for outstanding service to the Children’s Trust Fund. The Chair may recognize annually one or more CTF Board members, individuals or organizations that have exhibited outstanding service, advocacy and volunteer work to or on behalf of the Children’s Trust Fund.
Board Members Elected to Leadership Roles
(L to R) John Heskett, Peggy Krokstrom, Kirk Schreiber
During the Children’s Trust Fund’s (CTF) annual fall board meeting October 14 and 15, 2015 in Jefferson City, the board elected Margaret Peggy Krokstrom, Chesterfield, as the new board chair, and John Heskett, Ed.D., also of Chesterfield, as the new chair-elect. Krokstrom replaces outgoing board chair Charmaine Smith, University City, who has served in the leadership role for the past two years.
“It is an honor to be working with The Children’s Trust Fund of Missouri”, said Krokstrom. “As the new chair of the CTF board I can assure you that the commitment, passion and focus of this organization are dedicated to all of our children in Missouri. We will continue to work diligently on the issues that promote awareness and prevention of child abuse and neglect. Your support and contribution to these efforts is encouraged, welcomed and appreciated. Please consider helping us today.”
Krokstrom, who initially served on the board from 2006 – 2009, was appointed by Governor Nixon in 2014, and will serve a two-year term as chair until October 2017. She currently serves as Team Leader in Operations and Service Training at Edward Jones in St. Louis. Previously she was the program coordinator for CHARACTER Plus for the Cooperating School Districts in St. Louis, has been an education consultant for several St. Louis area school districts as well as a classroom teacher in the Clayton School District.
Heskett was appointed to the CTF Board in April 2015. He serves as an adjunct professor of education at the University of Missouri – St. Louis and as an education consultant for BAFC Consulting. He previously served as the executive director of the Missouri Council of Administrators of Special Education. Heskett will serve as chair-elect during the same time period ending 2017.
LaFaver Appointed to CTF Board of Directors
The Children’s Trust Fund (CTF) welcomes State Representative Jeremy LaFaver, Kansas City, to the CTF Board of Directors. Rep. LaFaver was appointed November 12, 2015 by Speaker of the House Todd Richardson. First elected to the House in 2012 and re-elected in 2014, LaFaver represents District 25 in Jackson County.
Prior to his legislative duties, Rep. LaFaver worked as a child advocate for Kansas City’s Partnership for Children. His efforts led to the passage of several pieces of legislation in the Missouri General Assembly to help at-risk children and low-income seniors.
Rep. LaFaver has volunteered with the American Red Cross and Big Brothers/Big Sisters. He also served in the United States Peace Corps as a community health education volunteer in Turkmenistan. In addition, he has donated his time at Operation Breakthrough and the Kansas City Child Abuse Roundtable, as well as serving as a CASA volunteer in Jackson County.
A graduate of Kansas State University, LaFaver and his wife, Stephanie, are the proud parents of two children , Isabelle and Caroline.
The CTF Board of Directors is comprised of twenty-one members of whom seventeen public members are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. In addition, four members are from the Missouri General Assembly, including two members from the Missouri Senate appointed by the President Pro Tem and two members from the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker.
Also read – LaFaver Appointed to CTF Board – The Missouri Times
Building Nurturing Parenting Skills for Parents
The Missouri Baptist Children’s Home (MBCH) Children and Family Ministries works with pregnant women and new parents to develop skills that will help them build strong bonds with their babies thanks to a grant from the Children’s Trust Fund. Using the evidence-based Nurturing Parents curriculum, Pregnancy Service Specialists work with parents to create a plan that promotes healthy and safe home environments, enhanced parenting skills through child development education, educational opportunities (GED, job readiness resources), and assistance with accessing concrete supports (medical care, housing, transportation). We spoke with Jennifer Garland, Pregnancy Services Specialist, MBCH, about the range of support provided to expectant parents.
AUDIO: Support for new parents
Garland says MBCH works with social service agencies in the region to bring awareness about the program to pregnant women, but they also work to meet the women where they live through print materials and word of mouth.
AUDIO: CTF funding helps support staff and parent participation in training with the Nurturing Parenting Curriculum
The evidence based Nurturing Parents curriculum promotes home environments that are not only safe, but that enhance bonding between parents and their children.
AUDIO: Garland shares how one mother learned to build a better relationship with her children.
This program encompasses the southeast Missouri counties of Bollinger, Cape Girardeau, Dunklin, Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Perry, Scott and Stoddard.
A Multidisciplinary Approach to Preventing Child Sexual Abuse
Since 2011, the Task Force on the Prevention of Sexual Abuse of Children has brought together prosecutors, law enforcement officers, advocates and other community members who work together to address child sexual abuse. Mostly through policy and systems advocacy, the group works to make Missouri safer for children.
The task force has recognized four areas of priority. They include:
1. Standardized mandatory reporting curriculum
2. Multidisciplinary team best practices, focusing on how communities get better at investigating child sexual abuse
3. Increasing access to services for children who’ve experienced sexual abuse
4. Addressing youth with problem sexual behaviors so they don’t continue to perpetrate the behaviors throughout their lifetime
We spoke with Emily van Schenkhof, Deputy Director, Missouri KidsFirst about the task force and it’s work, and Cherisse Thibaut, Manager, Prevention and Community Engagement about mandated reporting and Stewards of Children training, which is being implemented across the state. Both of these programs are supported, in part, by two grants from the Children’s Trust Fund.
van Schenkhof says it’s all a process, and the team mindset helps move positive change along:
van Schenkhof shares how funding from CTF helps deliver on the task force’s findings.
The task force utilizes resources across the state to help bring awareness and gain insights into what’s happening in all regions.
Thibaut says CTF funding is moving Missouri forward by helping provide education that mandated reporters truly need.
The evidenced-informed Stewards of Children curriculum focuses on improving child-protective behaviors of adults that are responsible for children and is designed to increase knowledge, improve attitudes and change participants’ behavior over the long-term.
Thibault says a major goal in Missouri KidsFirst’s work with Stewards of Children is to eliminate barriers that might prevent the trainings from happening, for instance, eliminating materials costs.
Thibault recommends the Stewards of Children training to any and every youth servicing organization. To learn more about the training, contact Missouri KidsFirst at 573-632-4600.
Click here to view the 5 Steps to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse flier.
Empowering Families During Stressful Times
Stressful situations can take a toll on families and sometimes parents may feel like they’ve reached their breaking point. In those moments there are resources available to help. One such resource is CTF grantee Saint Louis Crisis Nursery. Since 1986, the program has made available a helpline for families who feel like they don’t have anywhere else to turn when they have an emergency or are in crisis. We spoke to DiAnne Mueller, CEO Saint Louis Crisis Nursery about what kinds of situations they see.
AUDIO: How the crisis nursery works
Once the initial crisis period is over the Saint Louis Crisis Nursery offers an after care program called Family Empowerment. Parents and caregivers are educated in critical parenting skills and basic child development issues; topics include appropriate discipline, budgeting, and job preparedness skills.
AUDIO: Mueller talks about a family helped by the crisis nursery.
The crisis nursery has many community partners that work to spread awareness about the services available.
AUDIO: Life saving services
Mueller has worked to open 5 crisis nurseries so far and says she’s happy to speak with anyone who would like to provide the service in their own community.
AUDIO: Opening a support service
You can contact the Saint Louis Crisis Nursery at 314-292-5770.