Missouri Children's Trust Fund

Early Interventions Create a Healthier Future

A new article published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) reinforces the importance of prevention programs and policies that support safe, stable and nurturing relationships and environments for children.  According to authors James A Mercy, Ph.D., and Janet Saul, Ph.D., investing in prevention programs can not only improve the long-term health and mental health of a child that can last throughout adulthood, but can also reduce criminal behavior and generate important economic benefits to society.  Conversely, a history of adverse and traumatic experiences can detrimentally effect optimal brain development and lead to long term health risks such as smoking, obesity, diabetes, heart disease, as well as emotional and behavioral problems such as continuing the cycle of violence in relationships, depression, and even suicide.  The article sites several successful research-based prevention models.  [Read full article - JAMA June 3, 2009]

Governor Nixon Appoints New Board Members

Governor Jay Nixon recently appointed three members to the Children's Trust Fund (CTF) Board of Directors.  Joining the CTF Board are Susan E. Block, University City; Stacey L. Dujakovich, Kansas City; and Robert J. Harris, M.D., Columbia.
 
Block is an attorney and a partner at Paule Camazine and Blumenthal. She previously was an administrative judge of the Family Court of St. Louis County. The Missouri Supreme Court appointed Block to serve on the Missouri Children's Service Commission, the Missouri Children's Justice Commission, and the Missouri Supreme Court Family Court Committee.

Dujakovich is an office manager with Union Shop Apparel in Kansas City and has served in bookkeeping positions with several Kansas City businesses.

Dr. Harris has been a practicing pediatrician in Columbia for 44 years. He was a member of the Columbia Board of Education from 1981 to 1990, including serving as board president from 1984 to 1986.

CTF expresses appreciation to outgoing Board members Kay Lynne Myers, Kansas City (10 years) and Nuzhat Nisar, M.D., Ballwin (3 years) for their outstanding volunteer work and service.

Related - [Governor Nixon Announces Appointments 6/2/09]

New Members Appointed to CTF Board

The Children's Trust Fund (CTF) welcomes five new members to the CTF Board of Directors. Joining the CTF Board are Paula E. Clay, Columbia; Kathleen Boyle Dalen, Ph.D., Kansas City; Richard C. Dunn, Springfield; Stephen F. Huss, Ph.D., Hillsboro; and Thomas M. Vansaghi, Ph.D., Kansas City. In addition, Governor Jay Nixon recently reappointed Board member Lynne M. Cooper, D. Min., St. Louis, to a second term.

The CTF Board of Directors is comprised of twenty-one members in which seventeen public members are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate, two Missouri Senate members are appointed by the President Pro Tem, and two House of Representative members are appointed by the Speaker of the House. 

Public members may serve up to two consecutive 3-year terms and may serve until their successor is appointed.  CTF also expresses appreciation to outgoing Board members Terry Bloomberg, St. Louis (8 years); Sam Burton, Ph.D., Rolla (11 years); Daniel 'Duke' McVey, North Palm Beach, FL (formerly of Jefferson City)(12 years); Christy Garnett, Independence (10 years); Margaret 'Peggy' Krokstrom, St. Louis (3 years); and Sheryl Maxwell, Lilbourn (3 years) for their volunteer work and outstanding service to CTF.

CTF Chair Encourages Prevention Throughout the Year

Now that April has come and gone, so have many of the public activities highlighting it as child abuse prevention month.  What many people learn during April relates to the long term impact that child abuse and neglect can impose on a child’s development.  Specifically, it is learned that a child who has experienced the trauma of abuse and neglect can have life-long struggles with relationships, academics, job experiences, physical health, mental health and future parenting behavior.

Typically, if we see a child with a broken bone, we support and help that child with their physical needs and healing.  However, the emotional, cognitive and spiritual breaks resulting from abuse and neglect are often not responded to or recognized in the same supportive manner.

As adults, we are responsible to create a safe environment for all children to grow, develop and heal.   It is important to keep the momentum from April going throughout the year, so that we can reach each child impacted by the fear and pain of child abuse, keep the cycle from repeating and work together to stop it once and for all.

Regina Staves, Ph.D., Children’s Trust Fund Chair
Avila University, Kansas City, Missouri
Assistant Professor
Interim Chair, Department of Psychology

Chief Kolilis Receives Easter Award

Chief Gus Kolilis (center) pictured with Kirk Schreiber (left) and
Rodney Jones, STAT, (right)

Gus Kolilis, Chief of the State Technical Assistance Team (STAT), Missouri Department of Social Services (DSS), was the recent recipient of the 2009 Richard P. Easter Award.  The award was presented by the Children’s Trust Fund during the Chief’s retirement ceremony celebrating 43 years of service as a law enforcement officer.

The CTF Board of Directors established the award in 2000 in honor of the late Richard P. Easter, 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.
 
Article on Gus Kolilis-StLToday online 4/13/09

CTF Releases Annual Report

The Children's Trust Fund (CTF) Annual Report (pdf) for Fiscal Year 2008 highlights CTF prevention activities, events, grants, and public education campaigns from July 2007 through June 2008.  During that time CTF distributed over $2.8 million in prevention funding and directly served over 80,000 persons.  CTF funded community-based programs such as home visitation, safe crib, respite care, mentoring, family support and parent education, including infant nurturing, fatherhood and grandparent support.  CTF continued its "Never Shake A Baby", "Not Even For A Minute", "Words Hurt" and "Parent with Patience" public awareness campaigns.  Celebrating its 25th anniversary, CTF has distributed over $40 million in community-based prevention funding throughout Missouri over the years.

View/download CTF Annual Report FY2008 (pdf)

CTF Welcomes New Board Members

The Children's Trust Fund (CTF) welcomes two new members to the CTF Board of Directors. Representative Rachel Storch, 64th District, St. Louis, and Senator Jolie Justus, Kansas City, were recently appointed by Missouri House Speaker Ron Richard and President Pro Tem Charlie Shields respectively.  Storch and Justus join fellow legislators Representative Mike McGhee, Odessa, and Senator Carl Vogel, Jefferson City, who make up the other two legislative board members. In addition, Governor Jay Nixon recently reappointed board members Patrice Mugg, Kirkwood, and Dena Ladd, St. Louis, to a second term. The CTF Board of Directors comprise 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. [Senate Press Release - Jolie Justus 3/2/09]

DYS Receives National Recognition for Innovation

Congratulations to the Missouri Division of Youth Services (DYS), Department of Social Services, for being named the winner of the prestigious 2008 Annie E. Casey Innovations in American Government Award in Children and Family System Reform.  DYS has long been noted for its comprehensive treatment and rehabilitative approach toward juvenile offenders in its network of regional facilities statewide that keep youth close to their families.  Making education, job readiness skills and work experience a priority, DYS prepares youth to re-enter their communities as law abiding and productive citizens.  DYS has one of the lowest recidivism rates in the country with less than 10 percent of youth re-entering the juvenile justice system or adult corrections.  As the award winner, DYS will receive $100,000 to assist toward replication of the program around the country.  This innovative Missouri model was highlighted in the Casey Foundation's 2008 Kids Count Data Book essay entitled 'A Road Map for Juvenile Justice Reform'.

Related-[Governor Blunt Lauds Program's Success] 

Missouri Fraternal Order of Eagles Donates $132,510 to CTF

Photo caption (left to right):  Madam State Conductor Leslie Franklin, Kirk Schreiber, Patrice Mugg, State President Phillip Lance, Madam State President Becky Wilson

The Missouri Fraternal Order of Eagles (F.O.E.) recently presented a check for $132,510 to the Children's Trust Fund (CTF).  With over 500 in attendance, the check was presented during the Missouri F.O.E. State Convention held June 19-21 in Cape Girardeau.

Each year, the newly appointed Missouri State Auxiliary and Aerie Presidents select an Eagle’s State President's Charity of choice. CTF was chosen as the 2007-2008 recipient, and over the past year, individual Eagles Clubs throughout the state have raised funds within their communities to contribute in a collective effort to support child abuse and neglect prevention.  At the Eagle’s request, CTF will use the funding to support crisis nurseries throughout the state.  Crisis nurseries provide short-term shelter and care for children whose families are faced with emergencies or who are in crisis.

Kirk Schreiber, CTF executive director, and Patrice Mugg, CTF Board chair-elect, were present to accept the check.  “We very much appreciate the Missouri F.O.E. for all of their hard work and efforts throughout the year in support of CTF and the crisis nurseries,” said Schreiber. “The Eagles are a wonderful partner, and their financial contribution will go a tremendous way in strengthening families and keeping children safe, healthy and free from abuse and neglect.”

Some of the community fundraising events included the following: 
Cape Girardeau Aerie #3375 hosted a dinner, mystery theater and raffle; Cape Fair Aerie #4278 sponsored the annual Buddy Bass Fishing Tournament; Boonville Aerie Auxiliary #1022 served breakfast to the public one Sunday each month and hosted a golf tournament; and Jefferson City Aerie #2693 hosted a 'Hula for the Prevention of Child Abuse' luau.

Blue Ribbon Month Message Encouraged Throughout the Year

Kiener Plaza Fountain in downtown St. Louis turns blue to recognize April as child abuse and neglect prevention month.

April is National Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention month and marks the time when Missouri KidsFirst (MKF), the Children’s Trust Fund (CTF) and other child advocates reaffirm their dedication to putting kids and families first.  Planned activities throughout the state united many organizations and people behind a Stong Families, Safe Kids effort that must be carried out all year long.

“Everyone must share in the responsibility to protect our children." said Jay Wood, Missouri KidsFirst executive director.  “Child abuse and neglect are community issues.  Parents, educators, public officials, faith-based and local organizations all play an important role to strengthen families and help children reach their full potential.”

In most cases, isolation, stress and unrealistic expectations of children serve as the underlying causes behind child abuse.  Engaged and supportive communities can be successful in preventing many abusive situations by offering and sustaining home visitation programs, parent education, mentoring opportunities, crisis intervention and other evidenced-based practices.

“We know that the abuse and neglect of children negatively impacts brain development, can cause long-term health issues, and destroys the ability to establish healthy relationships,” said Kirk Schreiber, CTF executive director.  “Our focus must be to change behavior by supporting prevention efforts that offer ways for families and children to lead productive and safe lives. Certainly, the cost of prevention is less costly than treating the effects of abuse that can so often last a lifetime."