News
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.
PODCAST: Protecting Children Against Sexual Abuse Part 1
In this podcast, Kirk Schreiber, CTF Executive Director, discusses the prevention of sexual abuse of children with Cherisse Thibaut, Manager, Prevention and Community Engagement with Missouri KidsFirst and Nancy Corley, Director of Child and Family Wellbeing, The Alliance of Southwest Missouri. The group talks about defining sexual abuse and the impact that it can have on individuals and communities. Listeners are given specific examples of what they can do to support prevention efforts.
It’s Hot Hot Hot! Never Leave Kids Alone in Cars
It’s Hot Hot Hot! Never Leave Kids Alone in Cars…Period!
Summer months in Missouri often means extreme heat, which can pose extreme risk for kids who are stuck in a car. The Children’s Trust Fund’s 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 at 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!
CTF Announces Grant Awards
The Children’s Trust Fund (CTF) Board of Directors recently awarded more than $1.5 million in prevention funds in Fiscal Year 2016 to over 100 child-serving organizations throughout Missouri. The grants will provide programs and services that strengthen families by building protective factors and reducing the risk of child abuse and neglect. Of those awarded, 15 grants are new totaling $401,036, and 89 are renewal grants totaling $1,154,197.
“CTF is excited to be funding so many worthwhile initiatives and quality prevention programs throughout the state that will reach thousands of Missouri’s children and families,” said CTF Executive Director Kirk Schreiber. “In particular, we are thrilled to be supporting new grants that will provide training in the areas of protective factors, sexual abuse prevention, and the Healthy Families America home visitation model. CTF will also continue its partnership with FACT and OSEDA for Missouri Kids Count, and with the Department of Health and Senior Services targeting safe sleep practices in counties by providing safe cribs and home visits to families in need.”
Funds awarded support evidence-based and promising programs including parent education and support, safe crib/safe sleep, crisis nursery, fatherhood support, mentoring, home visitation, sexual abuse prevention, community collaboration around supporting children and families, and training. Generally, grants are awarded for a five year period with the grantee required to fund an increasing proportion of the program cost during that time.
CTF, Missouri’s foundation for child abuse and neglect prevention, strengthens families and prevents child abuse through grant distribution, education, awareness and partnerships. Established in 1983, CTF has awarded over $55 million in non-general revenue to date to support community-based programs statewide. CTF receives funding through dedicated fees on marriage licenses and vital records, voluntary contributions designated on the Missouri State Income Tax Return, sales of the CTF prevent child abuse license plate, general donations, interest income for the Fund and a federal grant administered through the Administration for Children and Families.
Click on alphabetical list or regional list to view current grantees.
Reducing Parent Stress through Baby Connect
Baby Connect supports CTF’s Shaken Baby initiative through messaging on knitted baby hats. The hats are knitted and then donated by inmates with the Missouri Department of Corrections.
In an effort to help young parents in Missouri’s Bootheel region, ParentLink at the University of Missouri, Columbia, with a grant from CTF, created Bootheel Baby Connect. The project includes a Facebook group for parents of new babies who live in Missouri’s southeastern most region. The group provides parents with a network of friends with whom they can share positive parenting, challenges, and solutions, as well as access to basic supports. The group also utilizes the support of the ParentLink Warmline (1-800-552-8522) to provide services to families in need. We spoke with Ta’janette Sconyers, M.Ed., Director of Baby Connect. She says the program’s main goal is prevention but she knows there are times when intervention strategies are necessary and Baby Connect and the Warmline are there for those times as well.
AUDIO: Sconyers talks about targeting teen parents with the program, but also being a resource for other parents:
AUDIO: Another goal of the program is to have an impact on future generations of the families it supports:
AUDIO: Sconyers talks about the ParentLink Warmline:
Two toddlers die in hot cars on Father’s Day, reports KidsAndCars.org
OLATHE, KS. – Two children died of heatstroke in hot cars on Father’s Day, reports KidsAndCars.org, the only national nonprofit child safety organization working solely to prevent injuries and deaths of children in and around vehicles.
Five children have died in hot cars already in June, bringing the total to 7 child vehicular heatstroke deaths this year nationwide.
- June 21st (Pomona, CA) – A 3-year-old girl was unknowingly left alone in a vehicle after returning home from a Father’s Day family outing.
- June 21st (Columbia, SC) – A 4-year-old boy got into an unlocked car in an apartment parking lot.
- June 11th (Spirit Lake, ID) – A 3-year-old boy got into a neighborhood vehicle on his own.
- June 5th (Baton Rouge, LA) – A 22-month-old girl was unknowingly left by a child care provider.
- June 2nd (Hiland Park, FL) – An 18-month-old girl died after being unknowingly left in vehicle after the mother believed she had been dropped off at daycare.
- May 12th (Lake City, FL) – A 16-month-old girl died after being unknowingly left in vehicle after the father believed she had been dropped off at daycare.
- April 20th (Phoenix, AZ) – A 2.5-year-old boy died after being unknowingly left in his father’s vehicle.
“Today is the day for every parent in America to understand that this can happen to anybody and take simple steps to protect their children.” says Janette Fennell, KidsAndCars.org president and founder. “Far too many wonderful parents and caregivers believe that this would never happen to them or their family; which is the most dangerous mistake we can make as parents. Nobody is immune,” she continued.
These tragedies are not only predictable, they are 100% preventable, yet over 700 children have died inside hot cars in the last 20 years, according to KidsAndCars.org.
KidsAndCars.org’s successful Look Before You Lock program has provided more than 625,000 education cards to birthing hospitals nationwide providing safety tips about how to keep children safe.
Safety Tips from KidsAndCars.org
Below are some simple tips parents and caregivers can follow to prevent heatstroke 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. 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) Everyone involved in the care of your child should always be aware of their whereabouts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Please share these important safety tips with your childcare providers, teachers, relatives, friends, family and neighbors… It could save a life!
KidsAndCars.org urges everyone to read “Fatal Distraction,” Gene Weingarten’s Pulitzer Prize-winning article in The Washington Post at http://ow.ly/ldDwU, which explains how these heartbreaking and preventable tragedies can happen to anyone.
For additional information, statistics and charts specific to child vehicular heat stroke visit http://www.kidsandcars.org/heatstroke.html
For further details about ways to keep children safe in and around vehicles, please visit www.KidsAndCars.org.
# # #
Teaching Children About Gun Safety
Eddie Eagle
In recognition of June being designated as National Safety Month by the National Safety Council, please see the following links related to Gun Safety. CTF strongly encourages the use of the safety tips offered & other information to help make sure parents, families & kids know the importance of gun safety.
National Child Safety Council – Safety 4 Kids
National Child Safety Council – Gun Safety
Eddie Eagle GunSafe
National Rifle Association – Gun Safety
Project ChildSafe
Project ChildSafe – Safe Storage
National Shooting Sports Foundation – Safety
Kids Health
Safe Kids Worldwide – Gun Safety
Safe Kids Worldwide – Gun Safety PDF
2015 Prevention Resource Guide
The 2015 Prevention Resource Guide – Making Meaningful Connections 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 for Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention. The 2015 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;
– child maltreatment statistics;
– resources to inform providers on human trafficking;
– tools to help build community awareness and support;
– tip sheets for parents in English & Spanish; and
– activity calendars for Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Go Blue Day for Missouri’s Kids – April 10
Additionally, please use the Child Abuse Prevention Month poster to promote April, and specifically Go Blue Day on Friday, April 10. We encourage you to join thousands of Missourians on that day in wearing blue to show your support for Missouri’s kids and the importance of preventing child maltreatment.
Child Abuse & Neglect Prevention Month 2015
April is Child Abuse & Neglect Prevention Month nationally and here in Missouri. This year’s theme focuses on “Making Meaningful Connections.” 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. One of many events is Go Blue Day for Missouri’s kids scheduled for Friday, April 10. We hope you will join us along with 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. To help you plan for Child Abuse Prevention Month you can:
- Visit the National Child Abuse Prevention Month website to find useful resources.
- Download the 2015 Prevention Resource Guide: Making Meaningful Connections and learn how to strengthen families using the protective factors.
- Access dozens of tip sheets—in English and Spanish—that can be distributed to parents and caregivers. There are three new tip sheets this year…”Feeding Your Family,” “Human Trafficking: Protecting Our Youth,” and “Support after an Adoption“
- 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.
- Download and post Child Abuse Prevention Month widgets to your website to help promote the initiative.
- Spread the word with the online media toolkit, which provides traditional and new media strategies to help your organization or community partnerships raise awareness about events, reach potential supporters, and build relationships.
- Participate in Go Blue Day, Friday, April 10 by wearing something blue (the official color of prevention) to support Missouri’s kids.
- Attend the 6th annual Pinwheels for Prevention Community Pinwheel Garden hosted by Missouri KidsFirst at the State Capitol on Tuesday, April 14, 12 Noon.
- Register and attend this year’s CTF Child Abuse/Neglect Prevention Conference – ‘1 Childhood 4 Every 1 – All Kids Deserve A Good 1!’ April 14 &15 at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Jefferson City. View conference program/agenda.
- Attend the 33rd Annual Child Advocacy Day at the Missouri State Capitol on Wednesday, April 1.
- Attend or volunteer for child abuse prevention month events in your community. Check here on CTF’s community events calendar for an event near you.
- Follow Missouri CTF on Facebook and Twitter to keep up with April’s prevention activities and news.
- Order CTF’s parent education and prevention materials including our Strengthening Families Protective Factors Poster to use during April and throughout the year.
PODCAST: The Importance of Parent Leadership
February is National Parent Leadership Month. For this podcast we talk about the importance of parent involvement and leadership in communities with Sam Blue, Community Engagement Specialist for the Vision for Children at Risk through Project LAUNCH in St. Louis. Blue is also a member of the FRIENDS National Parent Advisory Council for Community Based Child Abuse Prevention. In addition to his professional accomplishments, Blue is a husband of 23 years and father of 9 children, seven daughters and two sons.
CTF Annual Report Available
The Children’s Trust Fund (CTF) Annual Report – Fiscal Year 2014 highlights CTF’s prevention activities, events, grants and public education campaigns from July 2013 through June 2014.
During that time, CTF awarded over $2.9 million in prevention funding to support 117 community-based programs providing home visitation, safe crib/safe sleep, crisis nursery, mentoring, parent education, sexual abuse prevention, family support, strengthening families, public awareness and other prevention initiatives. Since its inception in 1983, CTF has awarded nearly $52 million in prevention funds statewide from donations and dedicated fees.
An Easy Way to Check Off Child Abuse
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). It’s been proven that 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. Parent education, family support, home visitation, mentoring, safe sleep practices, sexual abuse prevention, fatherhood and grandparent support, strengthening families 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 specialty license plate for your vehicle…the ones with the green handprints.
Whether you do it yourself or enlist the help of tax professionals, 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.
Registration Now Open for CTF Prevention Conference
Registration is now open for t
he Children’s Trust Fund’s biennial prevention conference April 14 & 15, 2015, Capitol Plaza Hotel in Jefferson City. This year’s conference theme is “1 Childhood 4 Every 1 – All Kids Deserve A Good 1”. Please join CTF and other community, national and statewide prevention advocates and practitioners as we recognize 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 with CEU’s 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.
Printable 2015 Conference Registration Form or Register Online Now
CTF Welcomes New Board Members
The Children’s Trust Fund (CTF) welcomes four new members to the CTF Board of Directors. Senators Jill Schupp (D), Creve Coeur, and Bob Dixon (R), Springfield, were recently appointed by Senate President Pro Tem Tom Dempsey. Senator Schupp represents District 24 in St. Louis, and Senator Dixon represents District 30 in Greene County. Additionally Governor Jay Nixon appointed M. Peggy Krokstrom, Chesterfield, and the Rev. Andy Bryan, Springfield, to the CTF Board. Peggy Krokstrom is an Instructional Designer with Edward D. Jones in St. Louis, and Andy Bryan is the Senior Pastor at Campbell United Methodist Church in Springfield.
The CTF Board of Directors is comprised of twenty-one members, seventeen of whom are public members appointed by the Governor and confirmed 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.
Child Maltreatment Report 2013
The Children’s Bureau, Office of the Administration for Children and Families recently released its latest annual report on child abuse and neglect. Child Maltreatment 2013 is the 24th edition of the report which includes national and state level findings about investigations and assessments, perpetrators of maltreatment, and prevention and post investigation services. The report is based on federal fiscal year 2013 data submitted by 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
Key findings in this report include:
■ From 2009 to 2013, overall rates of victimization declined, from 9.3 to 9.1 per 1,000 children in the population. This results in an estimated 23,000 fewer victims in 2013 (679,000) compared with 2009 (702,000).
■ Since 2009, overall rates of children who received a CPS response increased from 40.3 to 42.9 per 1,000 children in the population. This results in an estimated 145,000 additional children who received a CPS response in 2013 (3,188,000) compared to 2009 (3,043,000). States provide possible explanations for the increase in Appendix D, State Commentary.
■ Nationally, four-fifths (79.5%) of victims were neglected, 18.0 percent were physically abused, 9.0 percent were sexually abused and 8.7 percent were psychologically maltreated.
■ For 2013, a nationally estimated 1,520 children died of abuse and neglect at a rate of 2.04 children per 100,000 children in the national population.
CTF Grant Application Available
The Children’s Trust Fund (CTF) has released its grant application packet for the prevention of child abuse/neglect for Fiscal Year 2016 (July 1, 2015 – June 30, 2016). CTF anticipates approximately $300,000 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 Wednesday, January 21, 2015 from 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.
To be considered, applications must be postmarked by Thursday, March 12, 2015. Grant award recipients will be announced after June 3, 2015. For questions regarding the General Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Grant application and process please email CTF Program Coordinator Laura Malzner.
CTF Grant Application Packet FY2016 (Word)
Prevention Funding Application Information
The Children’s Trust Fund (CTF) will release a Request for Application for proposals addressing the prevention of child abuse/neglect and strengthening families for State Fiscal Year 2016 (July 1, 2015 – June 30, 2016) on Thursday, January 15, 2015. An informational meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 21 from 10 am – Noon in Room 850, Truman State Office Building, 301 W. High Street, Jefferson City, MO 65101. The meeting is open to anyone interested in learning more about the grant program and application process. It is not necessary to RSVP. CTF’s Request for Application will be available via the CTF website on January 15.
As Missouri’s Foundation for Child Abuse Prevention, CTF works to prevent child abuse and neglect and strengthen families through grant distribution, education, awareness and partnerships.
For questions regarding the General Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Grant Program please email Laura Malzner.
Simulating Parenthood to Enhance Teen Responsibility
Hannibal’s C.H.A.R.T. Teen Task Force is a Children’s Trust Fund prevention grantee that works to eliminate unplanned teen pregnancies throughout Northeast Missouri. The program is available to any school, church group, or youth group, in a seven county area in northeast Missouri which includes: Marion, Ralls, Pike, Monroe, Shelby, Lewis, and Clark. It provides an opportunity for teens to have hands on learning about what it takes to care for an infant through the Baby Think It Over/Empathy Belly program. Real Care Baby infant simulators are used to help students work through situations that are likely to arise if they were to become parents. The program also uses simulated pregnancy bellies to give teen girls an opportunity to feel what it might be like to be pregnant. The third type of simulator is for the prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome.
All of the experiences with the simulators are intended to help students understand how their lives might change socially and at home with a pregnancy or while trying to raise a child. We spoke with Leigh Ann Bergman, Community Coordinator, about the program and how it is helping educate teens.
AUDIO: Bergman talks about the community members who support and assist with the program.
AUDIO: Bergman talks about goals for the school year.
AUDIO: Bergman talks about the simulators that were purchased with CTF funding, and their importance.
Shopping on Amazon is an easy way to help Missouri kids
The Amazon Smile program is an opportunity for individuals to contribute a little bit of their Amazon purchase price to the charitable organization of their choice, every time they shop, at no additional cost. The AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price from your eligible AmazonSmile purchases. The purchase price is the amount paid for the item minus any rebates and excluding shipping & handling, gift-wrapping fees, taxes, or service charges. All you have to do is be logged in to smile.amazon.com and a portion of your purchase will automatically be donated. It may seem like a small amount, but with so many online shoppers, a little bit can go a long way. We know there are many worthy causes out there. With funding received at CTF, we will be working to support programs across Missouri with the shared goal of preventing child abuse and neglect, and building Strong Families, Safe Kids. Follow these instructions to sign up for your Amazon Smile account:
- First visit smile.amazon.com online
- You may use the same account on Amazon.com and AmazonSmile. If you already have an Amazon account, login with that. Your shopping cart, Wish List, wedding or baby registry, and other account settings are the same for both.
- You will be prompted to select a charitable organization to receive donations from eligible purchases before you begin shopping. There are nearly a million eligible 501(c)(3) organizations to choose from. There is a search box in which you type Missouri Childrens Trust Fund Board (You may change your charity selection at any time.)
- Once registration is completed and your charity is chosen, just make sure that you select Amazon Smile every time you log on to shop with Amazon.
- Shop at smile.amazon.com from your desktop or laptop computer, your mobile phone, or your tablet, including any Kindle Fire device. (Currently purchases made through the Amazon Shopping App or Kindel E-reader are not yet eligible.
Remember to login to AmazonSmile.com every time you shop!
Fostering Supportive Environments for Kids
A new guide is available on how communities can foster supportive environments for children. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently released Building Community Commitment for Safe, Stable, Nurturing Relationships and Environments, developed by Prevention Institute (PI). This publication provides guidance to mobilize communities to create safe spaces and settings that keep kids safe and support their healthy development. As part of CDC’s Essentials for Childhood initiative to prevent child abuse and neglect, this document lays out steps that communities can use to build support for many issues. Nine key elements and case examples are presented, organized into three areas: developing a shared vision, build understanding of the need and solutions, and partnerships.
Guiding Teen Parents Toward Success
The Independence School District’s (ISD) Teen Parenting Support program offers expectant and new teen parents opportunities to continue their education while getting support for all of the new responsibilities facing them. The ISD not only uses home visitation and case management to support teen parents, but provides an opportunity for them to bring their children into the classroom and get hands on support and education. Since receiving grant funding from Children’s Trust Fund, the program has been able to increase the level of support to parents through implementation of the Love & Logic Parent Model, and after school opportunities for parents and their families. We spoke with John Tramel, Director of Neighborhood and Family Services for the district, along with Nicole Sequeira, Family Service Coordinator/McKinney-Vento Liaison and Juanice Williams, Teen Parenting Specialist about the program and how it helps build a strong foundation and a greater chance for success. Tramel reports that over 90% of their teen parents graduate from high school but, beyond graduation, they want to make sure the components are in place so that students can follow and implement their career path and ultimately reach their life goals.
PODCAST: Mandated Reporting in Missouri, What’s Changed
In this podcast Children’s Trust Fund Executive Director Kirk Schreiber speaks with Cherisse Thibaut, Prevention and Community Outreach Manager for Missouri KidsFirst, about mandated reporting in Missouri. They discuss recent legislation that has changed, who is required to report suspected abuse, and why the changes were made. Changes to mandated reporter requirements. Thibaut also discussed how to report suspected abuse as well as the current efforts by Missouri’s Task Force on the Prevention of Sexual Abuse of Children.
Anyone who suspects child abuse or neglect is urged to call the Children’s Division Hotline at 800-392-3738.
AUDIO: Mandated Reporting
25th Edition Kids Count Data Book Available
The Annie E. Casey Foundation (AECF) has released The KIDS COUNT Data Book 2014 . The annual publication documents child well-being nationally and across the 50 states, as well as the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Using an index of 16 indicators, the 2014 report ranks states on overall child well-being and in four domains: (1) economic well-being, (2) education, (3) health, and (4) family and community. For 2014, the three highest-ranked states for child well-being were Massachusetts, Vermont and Iowa; the three lowest-ranked were Nevada, New Mexico and Mississippi. Missouri ranked 29th overall with its highest ranking in education (22) and lowest in child health (30). The report also provides national trends, comparing the latest data with mid-decade statistics. The 2014 Data Book is the 25th edition of the Casey Foundation’s signature publication.
AECF Kids Count Data Book Resource Page
25th Edition of Kids Count Data Book Highlights Improvements
Missourinet – Kids Count Story – July 23, 2014
2013 (current) Kids Count in Missouri Data Book online
Making Meaningful Connections – 2014 Prevention Resource Guide
The Child Welfare Information Gateway provides numerous resources for child abuse and neglect prevention, including the 2014 Prevention Resource Guide entitled Making New Connections. The Resource Guide is created annually to support community-based child abuse prevention professionals in their work to prevent child maltreatment and promote well-being of children and families. Others including policymakers, parent educators, family support workers, health care providers, child care providers, teachers, mentors, program administrators, and clergy, will also find this resource helpful. The 2014 edition includes the following chapters: Protective Factors Approaches to Promoting Well-Being, Working With Families Using the Protective Factors, Engaging Your Community, Protecting Children, Tip Sheets for Parents and Caregivers, and Resources.
2014 Prevention Resource Guide – Making Meaningful Connections (PDF)
Educating Children and Parents about Sexual Abuse
Project Aware is a school and community based sexual abuse prevention education program, provided through the Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault (MOCSA), Kansas City and supported by the Children’s Trust Fund. The free program educates children, parents, school staff and interested community members throughout Jackson, Platte, Clay and Cass Counties. Project aware teaches pre-k through 5th grade students critical information about body safety, safe and unsafe touches, how to identify a trusted adult to tell and that they have a right to tell. The program also trains parents and teachers on how to create a safe environment for children, and provide education on the caregivers role in sexual abuse prevention. Children with developmental disabilities are also served through Project Aware. We spoke with Mary Hopkins, Education and Outreach Specialist, about the program.
AUDIO: Educating and debunking myths
AUDIO: Hopkins talks about ways community members can reach out.
AUDIO: Resources made available through CTF grant funding
Kids and Vehicles…a Dangerous Combination
Many parents face the decision about whether or not to leave the kids in the car while they run a quick errand, in the name of convenience. But this seemingly innocent act can turn deadly in just seconds. It’s important that all parents and caregivers realize that it is never safe to leave a child in or around vehicles, Not Even For A Minute! In addition to temperatures that can skyrocket inside a vehicle, leaving children susceptible to heat stroke, there are other dangers. They include backovers, frontovers, power window accidents, trunk entrapment, vehicles set into motion, car jacking and abduction. It’s important for parents and caregivers to remember that most of these things can happen very quickly.
In addition to making sure the kids go with you when you leave the vehicle, follow these tips to ensure they don’t use the vehicle as a play place when you’re at home or elsewhere:
- Always put your keys in a safe and secure place.
- Keep vehicles locked at all times, even at home, and remind your friends and neighbors to do the same. Unlocked cars pose a risk to children who are naturally curious and often fearless.
- Teach your children the dangers of a car and let them know it is not a toy or playground.
- Establish a routine of checking the back seat every time you exit the car to ensure no one is left behind. Don’t overlook sleeping infants.
- Place your child’s diaper bag or a small toy in the front seat to serve as a constant, visible reminder of you child’s presence in the car.
- Place your purse, briefcse or other personal item in the back wth the child to give you an additional reason to check the back seat.
- Ask your childcare provider to call you if your child does not show up for childcare as scheduled.
- Try to plan ahead when you have errands. Run errands when your spouse, trusted neighbor or friend can watch your child.
- Remember to use drive-through convenience provided by banks, dry cleaners, phamacies, restaurants and other businesses.
- Use your debit or credit card at the gas pump.
- When a child is missing, check vehicles and trunks immediately.
- If you see an unnattended child in a car, call 911 immediately.
To help spread this critical safety message, CTF offers several ‘Not Even For A Minute’ public education materials. These are available at no cost in hard copy and download (pdf) and include a poster and rack card (pdf) with helpful tips and reminders.
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CTF Welcomes Michelle Crockett
The Children’s Trust Fund (CTF) welcomes Michelle Crockett, Carthage, to its Board of Directors. She was recently appointed to the Board by Governor Jay Nixon. Currently the director of talent acquisition for Leggett & Platt, Inc., Crockett previously was executive director of Barceda Families, a non-profit agency providing child abuse prevention, intervention and family support services. Crockett also taught in the Lamar R-I School District for 10 years. “I feel honored and privileged to have the opportunity to serve on the Children’s Trust Fund Board of Directors. It is an outstanding foundation dedicated to making a difference in the lives of children across the state of Missouri,” said Crockett. Her appointment is subject to confirmation by the Missouri Senate.
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 Legislature, 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 of the House.
Continuing the Connection During Separation
PATCH, which stands for Parents and Their Children, of Chillicothe, is a non-profit organization that helps children, whose mothers are incarcerated at Chillicothe Correctional Center, keep the connection during the time that they’re separated. The visits take place in a home-like setting, over 4 hours. They are supervised by PATCH staff or volunteers. The visits help to reduce the risk of abuse and neglect when the incarcerated parent is reunified with their child(ren).
PATCH also provides required parenting classes to mothers. The women complete ten classes over a five week period through the parent education course Turning Points. Additional visits may be earned through on-going participation in PATCH Parent Support Group meetings. CTF provides grant funding for the PATCH program. We spoke with Barb Burton, Program Director, about PATCH and how it works to help build and maintain strong family relationships during the incarceration period and beyond.
AUDIO: Burton describes PATCH visits and describes the program’s eligibility requirements.
AUDIO: Burton describes how PATCH has impacted mothers.
AUDIO: Burton reflects on the long-term benefits the program can have on children.
AUDIO: Burton shares the benefits the program has seen since receiving CTF funding.
Governor Proclamation Ceremony
Child Abuse Prevention Month Proclamation Ceremony April 28,2014
Last month Governor Jay Nixon presented a proclamation declaring April as Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month in Missouri. Over thirty individuals joined the Governor in his Capitol office for the ceremony including Representative Jill Schupp from the Missouri House, Children’s Trust Fund Board members, state division directors, child advocates, service providers and children. Many individuals present were members of the Missouri Prevention Partners (MPP) Coalition, a consortium of agencies, organizations and individuals who provide leadership to reduce child abuse and neglect by strengthening families and communities. Thank you Governor Nixon, to all who participated and to those who made Child Abuse Prevention Month a huge success!
Sublette Receives CTF Award
(L-R) Sgt. Jeffery Owen, Maj. Luke Vislay, Trooper Patrick Sublette, Captain Sarah Eberhard, Colonel Ronald Replogle
The Children’s Trust Fund (CTF) recently presented the 2014 Richard P. Easter Award to Trooper Patrick D. Sublette on April 25 at the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Office of Drug & Crime Control in Jefferson City.
Trooper Sublette is a member of the Missouri State Highway Patrol. He is a computer technology specialist and a skilled investigator of child exploitation cases. Trooper Sublette was instrumental in redeveloping the Digital Forensics Investigative Unit (DFIU) to allow more proactive investigations and developed an innovative case management database to permit an increased caseload. He received the award before his family, fellow officers, peers and other department members during the appreciation ceremony, which included presentations from:
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Ronald Replogle, Colonel of the Missouri State Highway Patrol
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Rodney Jones, Chief of the State Technical Assistance Team (STAT)
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John Pehle, State Technical Assistance Team (STAT) Investigator
- Kirk Schreiber, Children’s Trust Fund Director
The CTF Board of Directors established this award in honor of the late Richard P. Easter, former State Technical Assistance Team (STAT) Chief, who is remembered for his commitment and leadership in promoting statewide prevention efforts to better protect Missouri’s children. CTF presents the award each year to a distinguished law enforcement officer in Missouri for exemplary contributions to the prevention of child abuse and neglect.
Connecting Families at Fun City
Columbia’s Fun City Youth Academy’s Connecting Families with Tools for Living program supports families in their efforts to lead healthy and productive lives, as well as find support when needed. Fun City Youth Academy has evolved over the years from a safe, supervised program for unattended children, to include cultural enrichment activities and to engage area youth and their parents in academic, cultural and recreational programs that promote academic achievement, self respect, and social responsibility, as well as link families to services and opportunities. The program offers both reading and math curricula and, most recently, developed a partnership with the Columbia Public Schools for an 8 week summer school session. The program uses the Strengthening Families Framework and the Building Strong Families curriculum. We spoke with Program Director Consuela Johnson about Fun City and how it works to enhance the lives of those it serves.
AUDIO: Fun City’s long-term goals of providing educational and cultural development
AUDIO: How CTF funding helps provide for children and their parents
AUDIO: Johnson talks about the necessity to provide for parents as well as children.
AUDIO: Johnson shares a number of examples of the variety of assistance Fun City provides.
Kids Count in Missouri 2013 Data Available
University of Missouri’s Office of Social & Economic Data Analysis (OSEDA) along with the Children’s Trust Fund (CTF) recently released the KIDS COUNT in Missouri 2013 Data Book documenting the status of children in all 114 Missouri counties and the City of St. Louis. The annual publication is a collaborative initiative of the The Annie E. Casey Foundation, OSEDA, CTF and many other public and private organizations from across the state. Annie Casey recently announced that The Family and Community Trust (FACT) is the newest KIDS COUNT grantee in Missouri for 2014. FACT is a non-profit organization supporting 20 community partnerships around the state whose mission is to find solutions to improving the lives of the families and children in their communities.
The online resource provides information on measures of child well-being covering areas such as health, education, financial security, juvenile justice and child protection. The 2013 data finds that during the most recent reporting period, Missouri made improvements in seven of the key KIDS COUNT indicators including a births to moms without a high school diploma, low birth weight infants, infant mortality, teen violent deaths, percent of annual high school dropouts, and births to teens. Three indicators worsened – students enrolled in free/reduced lunch, child abuse/neglect and family assessments and out-of-home placements.
Data for the report is compiled from more than 80 federal, state, county and municipal sources by OSEDA. Primary funding for the project is provided by Annie E. Casey and the Children’s Trust Fund.
Kids Count Executive Summary
Missouri Profile
Composite Ranks
Understanding the Data (including Minority Profile)
2013 Databook with County Profiles
2013 Databook without County Profiles
April is Child Abuse & Neglect Prevention Month
April is Child Abuse & Neglect Prevention Month both nationally and here in Missouri. This year’s theme focuses on, “Making Meaningful Connections.” 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 11. We hope you will 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. To learn how to support meaningful and measurable change in children’s well-being, and engage families and communities in the prevention of child maltreatment, you can:
- Visit the National Child Abuse Prevention Month website to find useful resources.
- Download the 2014 Prevention Resource Guide: Making Meaningful Connections and learn how to strengthen families using the protective factors.
- Access dozens of tip sheets—in English and Spanish—that can be distributed to parents and caregivers. There are two new tip sheets this year titled “Preventing Child Sexual Abuse” and “Making Healthy Connections With Your Family.”
- 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 the online media toolkit, which provides traditional and new media strategies to help your organization or community partnerships raise awareness about events, reach potential supporters, and build relationships.
- Participate in Go Blue Day, Friday, April 11 by wearing something blue (the official color of prevention) to support Missouri’s kids.
- Attend the 5th annual Pinwheels for Prevention Community Pinwheel Garden at the State Capitol on Wednesday, April 16, 2014 at 12pm hosted by Missouri KidsFirst.
- Attend or volunteer for child abuse prevention month events in your community. Check here on CTF’s community events calendar for an event near you.
- Follow Missouri CTF on Facebook and Twitter to keep up with April’s prevention activities and news.
- Order CTF’s parent education and prevention materials including our new Strengthening Families Protective Factors Poster to use in April and throughout the year.
Mentoring Young Parents
The Young Parent Program, through the New Madrid County Family Resource Center, is a mentoring program that helps young women and their partners during pregnancy and early parenting. The Young Parent Program works to help parents develop skills and independence through support, counseling and friendship. The program focuses on continuing education, finding and maintaining employment, information on living a healthy lifestyle and practicing positive parenting skills. We spoke to Tonya Vannasdall, Director, about the program’s beginnings, the strides made and where she hopes it will go from here.
AUDIO: Vannasdall talks about the program start with the help of the Children’s Trust Fund.
AUDIO: Vannasdall says the program is meant to not only educate but provide an outlet for quality time.
AUDIO: Vannasdall chats about the long-term goals of the Young Parent Program.
AUDIO: Many of those who have been previous participants in the Young Parents program return later on to share their experiences with other parents in the program.
30 Years, A Look Back with Nanci Bobrow, Ph.D.
Nanci Bobrow, Ph.D. is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, St. Louis University School of Medicine, and a licensed Psychologist working with the Division of Endocrinology at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center. She earned a doctoral degree in counseling psychology from St. Louis University. As a practitioner, Dr. Bobrow has held numerous local, state and national leadership positions in the area of prevention as well as therapeutic intervention. She previously served on the CTF Board from 2000 until 2008 serving as Board Chair from 2005-07 and was appointed by Governor Nixon in 2013 to serve another term. She is also a former Chair of the Task Force On Children’s Justice, and past President of Prevent Child Abuse Missouri. We spoke with her about the contributions CTF has made over the years.
AUDIO: Dr. Bobrow talks about the experience that led to her involvement with CTF
AUDIO: Working with the Specialty License Plate program
AUDIO: Addressing Shaken Baby and Safe Sleep campaigns
AUDIO: How the board evaluates programs for impact and success
AUDIO: Dr. Bobrow reflects on her time with the board
AUDIO: Dr. Bobrow shares her thoughts on CTF’s work and advancements.
CTF Discretionary Funds Available
The Children’s Trust Fund (CTF) will be accepting grant applications for its annual discretionary funding program for state Fiscal Year 2015 (July 1, 2014 – June 30, 2015) on or after April 1, 2014. 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, questions or technical assistance please contact CTF Program Coordinator Laura Malzner.
The FY 2015 Discretionary Grant Application may be downloaded by clicking on the links below.
Discretionary Funds Application FY2015 (Word)
Discretionary Funds Application FY2015 (PDF)
CTF Annual Report Available
The Children’s Trust Fund (CTF) Annual Report – Fiscal Year 2013 is now available and highlights CTF’s prevention activities, events, grants and public education campaigns from July 2012 through June 2013.
During that time, CTF distributed over $3.2 million in prevention funding to support 116 community-based programs providing home visitation, safe crib/safe sleep, crisis nursery, mentoring, parent education, sexual abuse prevention, family support, public awareness & other prevention initiatives. Since its 1983 inception, CTF has distributed over $48 million in prevention funds from donations & dedicated fees.
CTF continued its public education campaigns including Strengthening Families with the development of a related rack card; Never Shake A Baby addressing abusive head trauma; Not Even For A Minute (NEFAM) reminding caregivers about the dangers of leaving children in and around vehicles; Safe to Sleep by updating materials; Words Help addressing the prevention of child emotional abuse & neglect; & Parent with Patience promoting positive parenting.
Read all about it and thank you for your continued support!
30 Years, A Look Back with W. Dudley McCarter
W. Dudley McCarter is an attorney with Behr, McCarter & Potter Law Office in St. Louis. McCarter was appointed to CTF’s Board from 1996 through 2003 and served as Board Chair from 2001-2003. We caught up with him to talk about his time with the Children’s Trust Fund, which included CTF’s first Shaken Baby Syndrome prevention video and the beginning of the Specialty License Plate campaign.
AUDIO: McCarter talks about a broader awareness of abuse and neglect
Check Off Child Abuse with a Single Mark
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). It’s been proven that 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. Parent education, family support, home visitation, mentoring, safe sleep practices, sexual abuse prevention, fatherhood and grandparent support, strengthening families and many other effective prevention services are possible because Missourians like you make a gift on their Missouri tax return.
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 specialty license plate for your vehicle…the ones with the green handprints.
Whether you do it yourself or enlist the help of tax professionals, 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.
Child Maltreatment 2012
The Administration for Children and Families recently released its latest annual report on child abuse and neglect. Child Maltreatment 2012 is the 23rd edition of the report which includes national and state level findings about investigations and assessments, perpetrators of maltreatment, and prevention and post investigation services. For the sixth consecutive year data shows a steady decline in the number of children who suffered from all forms of maltreatment.
■ Specifically, from 2008 to 2012, overall rates of victimization declined by 3.3 percent, from 9.5 to 9.2 per 1,000 children in the population. This results in an estimated 30,000 fewer victims in 2012 (686,000) compared with 2008 (716,000).
■ Since 2008, overall rates of children who received a Child Protective Services (CPS) response increased by 4.7 percent, from 40.8 to 42.7 per 1,000 children in the population. This results in an estimated 107,000 additional children who received a CPS response in 2012 (3,184,000) compared to 2008 (3,077,000).
■ Nationally, four-fifths (78.3%) of victims were neglected, 18.3 percent were physically abused, 9.3 percent were sexually abused and 8.5 percent were psychologically maltreated.
■ For 2012, a nationally estimated 1,640 children died of abuse and neglect at a rate of 2.20 children per 100,000 children in the national population.
Read or download the full report.
CFRP Annual Report – Preventing Child Deaths in Missouri
The Missouri Child Fatality Review Program’s (CFRP) 2012 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. Since the Program’s implementation 20 years ago, the annual total of overall child deaths has been reduced.
Current and previous reports can be accessed here.
CBCAP Grant Funds Available
The Children’s Trust Fund (CTF) is pleased to announce the availability of Community Based Child Abuse Prevention (CBCAP) grant funds for fiscal year 2015 (July 1, 2014 – June 30, 2015). Approximately $200,000 is available to fund two new CBCAP programs. CBCAP funding is a federal initiative that originates from the Administration for Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. CTF is the designated state lead agency to disburse CBCAP funding.
The CBCAP project in Missouri is designed to help communities develop a model integrated system for delivering health, family support, and social services to children and families in order to improve outcomes, reduce costs, and ultimately reduce the risks of child abuse and neglect. Through incorporating a lead agency concept, each CBCAP site works to develop a more efficient and coordinated way of working with families to reduce duplication of existing services and maximize the resources of public and private providers. Providers working together in a cohesive network, identifying family strengths, parent involvement and leadership, and incorporating the Strengthening Families Protective Factors are all major elements in this model. Community collaborations and partnerships are strongly encouraged to apply. As part of the funding requirements, each site must participate in a rigorous strategic planning and evaluation process.
According to CTF Executive Director Kirk Schreiber, the Missouri CBCAP model offers community partnerships and provider networks an excellent opportunity to work together to provide coordinated services and support to children and families while building community capacity to more efficiently and effectively work with children and families in the future. “This model has proven successful with previous community recipients, and we are very excited to work with new communities to replicate it.”
An informational meeting regarding the grant application will be held Tuesday, February 11, 10a-1p in the Truman Building, Room 500, 301 W. High Street, Jefferson City, MO 65109.
The deadline for submitting a CBCAP application is Tuesday, April 15, 2014, 5:00 p.m. For more information please contact Laura Malzner, CTF Program Coordinator, at (573) 751-5147 or e-mail at laura.malzner@oa.mo.gov.
FY 2015 CBCAP Application For Funding (Word)
FY 2015 CBCAP Application For Funding (PDF)
FY2015 CBCAP Powerpoint Presentation 2/11/2014
Providing Parent Care along with Child Care
A few years ago, staff with the Jefferson City Daycare Center noticed that some of the children’s parents were struggling with having a life outside of providing for their families. They had very little peer contact and didn’t have the resources available to participate in activities outside of home and work.
To address the issue, Jefferson City Daycare implemented their Parent Education Program, with funding from the United Way and then the Children’s Trust Fund. It’s based upon the Strengthening Families approach to protective factors. The program provides opportunities for parents to take part in educational presentations including subjects like nutrition, infant/child CPR, dental health, budgeting, positive discipline, single parent concerns, and ideas and activities for playing with children. The center welcomes a wide variety of speakers. Donna Scheidt, Jefferson City Daycare Center Director, says the program has grown beyond education and is helping parents make much needed connections and friendships.
AUDIO: Scheidt talks about how the parent classes help provide support for everyday parenting
AUDIO: Scheidt talks about the power of word-of-mouth in building resources
AUDIO: Scheidt shares an example of the positive impact the program can have for parents
30 Years, A Look Back with Patty Wolfe Hasselbring
Patty Wolfe Hasselbring served as CTF’s 2nd Director, from 1987 to 1994. During her time, she implemented a program called Front Porches in 1994, a demonstration project focusing on family support. We spoke to Hasselbring about her accomplishments as Director and the accomplishments of CTF over the past three decades.
Giving Tuesday, December 3, 2013
#GivingTuesday™ is a movement to create a national day of giving added to the calendar on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday. This is the second annual event. #GivingTuesday is a special call to action and creates a national day of giving around the annual shopping and spending season to inspire giving every day. CTF has become a #GivingTuesday partner to encourage families and individuals to be generous in whatever ways matter to them, whether that means volunteering at a local charity or donating to a favorite cause. The following is a list of ways that CTF is promoting #GivingTuesday and encouraging you to do what you can to help us prevent child abuse and neglect across Missouri.
- Does your employer offer matching gift donations? Consider making a #GivingTuesday donation today.
- Donate to CTF in a number of ways. Learn more.
- Follow us on Facebook & Twitter for updates on #GivingTuesday.
- Be a social media ambassador yourself for #GivingTuesday. Share the message on your social media accounts.
Supporting Healthy Babies
The Columbia-Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services has been providing home visitation services for several decades. An expansion on that practice is the Healthy Babies program, through which social service staff conduct home visits at least once per month providing support services and educational materials using the Partners for a Healthy Baby Curriculum. As part of the support, parents are provided with health and safety items such as car seats, cribs, clothing, diapers, WIC, food stamps, Medicaid and breastfeeding support, as well as encouragement in building healthy relationships. CTF provides grant funding for a portion of the Healthy Babies program. We spoke with Steve Hollis, Human Services Manager, about Healthy Babies and its effectiveness.
Hollis says recent research supports the idea that the first years of life are extremely important and should get a lot of focus. The Healthy Babies program is a great fit for investing in early childhood development.
AUDIO: Steve Hollis discusses Healthy Babies’ investment in the stages of early life.
For many of the families involved, they may not realize their own needs before becoming a part of Healthy Babies. But once they begin receiving visits they gain so much that they don’t want it to stop.
AUDIO: Steve Hollis explains the success of Healthy Babies, and why the program works.
CTF funding has given the Columbia-Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services an opportunity to expand the Healthy Babies program, something Hollis says came at the perfect time.
AUDIO: Steve Hollis explains how CTF’s grant supports Healthy Babies.
AUDIO: Steve Hollis discusses the importance of Healthy Babies’ partnership with CTF.