Missouri Children's Trust Fund

CTF Conference Features National Speakers

Register NOW for CTF's child abuse & neglect prevention conference, A Generation of Prevention, March 18-20, 2009 at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Jefferson City.  In addition to Larry Scott of Rachel's Challenge, headliners include:

-Rob Grunewald, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis - Economic impact of early childhood education;
-Phil Arkow, American Humane Association, Stratford, NJ - The link between animal cruelty, domestic violence, and child abuse;
-Carla Snodgrass, Prevent Child Abuse Tennessee - Building parent leadership through the five Strengthening Families protective factors;
-Vicky Marchand, Washington, D.C. - Mapping pathways to the prevention of child abuse/neglect;
-Jay Otto, MostOfUs.Org, Cody, WY - Developing positive messaging to change social norms.

These speakers are complimented by a strong line-up of local Missouri presenters.  For more information, please contact CTF at (573) 751-5147 or ctf@oa.mo.gov.  Thank you to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) and Missouri KidsFirst for their support and sponsorship of this event.  We look forward to seeing you in March to help us kick-off April as Child Abuse Prevention Month!

 

Check-Off Child Abuse in Missouri

If you receive a refund on your Missouri taxes, please consider donating a portion of that refund to the Children's Trust Fund (CTF) through the tax check-off program.  Whether you are filing online or by traditional methods, a small donaton from you could make a big difference for Missouri's kids. This program was created in 1983 as the original source of funding for CTF and was the first tax check-off in Missouri.  CTF depends on your donations and contributions to provide prevention programming in Missouri that help build strong, healthy families and keep children safe. Just look for the handprints on your Missouri tax form and indicate the amount you would like to give, or for more information, contact your accountant.  Together we CAN check-off child abuse.  Thank you for your support!

View or print CTF Tax Flyer (pdf)
Download Ltr for Tax Preparers (pdf)
Play CTF Tax Radio Ad (mp3)
Play CTF Tax Radio Ad Pawprints (mp3)

Podcast: CTF Conference Offers Many Opportunities

CTF’s 2009 Statewide Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Conference – “A Generation of Prevention” will be held March 18-20, 2009 at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Jefferson City.  A variety of topics will be covered by outstanding national and local speakers and trainers.   This is an event that is held only every other year so don’t miss this wonderful opportunity.  Listen to the CTF Podcast to learn more! Register today! [Photo L-R: Producer John Sims, Paula Cunningham and Kirk Schreiber]

Listen/Download MP3
 

Podcast: Early Brain Development in Children

Positive and negative experiences can have a dramatic effect on the developing brain.  Dr. Linda Chamberlain is an epidemiologist specializing in family violence and their health effects, and the effects of childhood exposure to violence on children, adolescents, and adults.  Dr. Chamberlain explains the impact of witnessing domestic or other forms of violence on a child’s developing brain. 

Listen/Download MP3

CTF Child Abuse & Neglect Prevention Conference

Register NOW for CTF's statewide child abuse & neglect prevention conference, 'A Generation of Prevention: Lessons Learned & Pathways to the Future', March 18-20, 2009 at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Jefferson City.  Larry Scott of Rachel's Challenge will headline the event packed with national & local speakers. For more information, please contact CTF at (573) 751-5147 or ctf@oa.mo.gov.  Thank you to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) and Missouri KidsFirst for their support and sponsorship of this event. We look forward to seeing you in March to help us kick-off April as Child Abuse Prevention Month!

Safe Sleep Practices Reduce Risks

According to the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS),  Missouri has experienced a 46% increase over the last two years in the number of infant deaths due to unsafe sleeping practices. [Audio] This topic continues to be of vital importance for professionals and families in Missouri and across the country.  SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center in St. Louis recently held a news conference promoting safe sleep environments for infants and young children and discussed the risks associated with bedsharing.  The Children's Trust Fund (CTF) reminds parents/caretakers that the message is as simple as ABC - Babies should sleep Alone, on their Backs, in a Crib. CTF offers a free brochure, 'Six Simple Steps to Make Your Baby's Crib Safe', which can be ordered online and/or printed from our website.  An accompanying Safe Sleep Poster can be printed now with hard copies available soon.  Also please check out these related stories and resources:

[News Release - Sleeping With Babies, DHSS 1/28/09]
[Article - Rise in Infant Suffocations Renews Debate On Bed-Sharing, Washington Post online 1/26/09]
[Article - Co-sleeping With Baby Never Okay, JC News Tribune online 1/24/09]
[Article - Dallas (TX) Morning News, 11/27/08]
[Related - Story and PSA's from WHAMTV13, Rochester, NY]
[Public Service Announcement - Infant Suffocation from Miami-Dade (FL) Police Department]