Missouri Children's Trust Fund

Making a Difference 'One Child at a Time'

DiAnne Mueller has devoted her life to helping others and since 1994 she has been making a difference for children and their families as executive director of the St. Louis Crisis Nursery.  The Crisis Nursery, with four locations in and around St. Louis and a fifth location opening soon in nearby Wentzville, is committed to preventing child abuse and neglect by providing respite care and shelter to children whose families are faced with a crisis or emergency.  Parents can voluntarily bring their children to any of the nursery sites for a variety of reasons ranging from overwhelming parental stress, domestic violence, a parent medical emergency, and other situations that jeopardize the safety and well being of a child. The Crisis Nursery receives support from many in the community as well as foundations including the Children's Trust Fund.  See the complete feature article as it appears in the April 2008 edition of St. Louis Woman Magazine and read how DiAnne continues to make a difference one child at a time.

Prevention Funds Available Through Annual Grant Application Process

The Children's Trust Fund (CTF) Board of Directors announces the availability of grant funds for child abuse/neglect prevention programs for state Fiscal Year 2009 (July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009). Up to $300,000 is available for first year projects and up to $900,000 is available for renewal projects (those that are currently funded by CTF within the five-year grant cycle.) 

"These funds are available annually to support Missouri's children and families, and we are thrilled many prevention programs previously supported by CTF are being replicated in other parts of the state," said Gina Staves, CTF board chair.

CTF receives no general revenue funding, but funds all of its prevention activities, programs and public education campaigns with funds received from dedicated fees on marriage licenses, vital records, general donations, donations from the specialized CTF license plate, state income tax checkoff, interest from the fund, and a federal grant. 

"It's critical that we commit to our grant recipients for up to five years, provided they meet the grant requirements, so they can continue to provide essential prevention services and sustain themselves once CTF funding has ended," said Kirk Schreiber, CTF executive director.  During the final three years of funding the grantee is required to provide matching funds in increasing increments.

To be considered, applications must be postmarked on or before March 13, 2008.  For more information please contact Laura Malzner, CTF Program Coordinator, at (573) 751-5147 or laura.malzner@oa.mo.gov.

Download FY 2009 CTF General Prevention Grant Application (Word doc)
Download FY 2009 CTF General Prevention Grant Application (PDF)

Grant Funds Available to Assist Communities with Helping Kids and Families

The Children's Trust Fund (CTF) is pleased to announce the availability of Community Based Child Abuse Prevention (CBCAP) grant funds for fiscal year 2009 (July 1, 2008 - June 30, 2009).  CBCAP funding is a federal initiative that originates from the Administration for Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services in Washington, D.C.  CTF is the designated lead agency to disburse this funding in Missouri.

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. Community collaborations and partnerships are encouraged to apply.  As part of the funding requirements, each site must participate in a rigorous strategic planning and evaluation process.

According to Kirk Schreiber, CTF Executive Director, 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.  "This model has proven successful with previous community recipients, and we are very excited to offer these grant opportunities for a "third generation" of CBCAP communities."   

The Missouri CBCAP model is recognized by the federal funding agency as attaining the highest level of program standards and performance indicated by evidenced based outcomes and successful replication of the program in other communities.  Each CBCAP site continues to show statistically significant improvement in scores of standardized measures of family risk (Child Abuse Potential Inventory) and distress (Parental Stress Index) among parents participating.   Families also report high levels of satisfaction with the services they receive.

The deadline for submitting a CBCAP application is Friday, April 18, 2008, 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.

Download FY 2009 CBCAP Application (pdf)
Download FY 2009 CBCAP Application (Word doc)    

BraveHearts Program Provides Support to Dads

Healthy Families Counseling and Support, a nonprofit agency that serves families in Clay and Platte Counties, is having success reaching dads through the BraveHearts Program.  The free support program for fathers with children ages birth to 6 began two years ago with funding from the Missouri Children's Trust Fund and the Kauffman Foundation.  Using a curriculum from the Center for Successful Parenting, a BraveHearts' facilitator takes fathers through parenting and child development education, fatherhood development, case management services, mentoring, and job training. Referrals for the program are received from local courts, attorneys, high schools and Head Start. Some fathers refer themselves.  Most volunteer to attend, though some are court-ordered. Free childcare is provided while the dads are in session, and one portion of the meeting is committed to play time which helps to strengthen the bond between fathers and their children.
[KC Community News]

CTF Announces Funding Available For Home Visitation Programs

The Children’s Trust Fund of Missouri (CTF), in conjunction with the Missouri Department of Social Services, requests proposals from qualified vendors to develop and provide comprehensive prevention home visiting services by a registered nurse to high risk parents residing in the counties of Franklin, Jefferson, St. Charles, St. Louis, and St. Louis City.  Proposed services to other counties may be included; however, services to the five previously listed counties must be provided.

Home visitation services shall assist parents/expectant parents to: (1) develop effective parenting skills to ensure the optimal health and development of their children; (2) prevent repeat teen pregnancies; (3) attain maximum educational achievement; (4) develop the capability to support themselves and their children; (5) have healthy birth outcomes; and (6) ensure the safety and overall well-being of children.  Proposals are due in the CTF office no later than Thursday, September 27, 2007, 4:00 p.m. to be considered.  The Nurse Home Visitation Application Packet contains detailed information and instructions and may be downloaded.  Questions may be directed to Laura Malzner, CTF Program Coordinator at 573-751-5147.

Blunt Announces Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Grants

Governor Matt Blunt announced today that the Children’s Trust Fund (CTF) Board of Directors approved and awarded over $1.5 million for Fiscal Year 2008 to 58 community-based child abuse prevention grantees.  Located throughout Missouri, the organizations and agencies will provide programs that strengthen families to reduce the risk of child abuse and neglect.

Download FY 2008 Grant Listing (pdf)

Related story:  Southeast Missourian

Crisis Nursery of Springfield Opens Doors

Isabel's House, Springfield's first crisis nursery, recently held a grand opening ceremony that featured Missouri Governor Matt Blunt and First Lady Melanie Blunt.  Aided by numerous contributors, including a grant from the Children's Trust Fund, the nursery was created to give children from birth to age 12 a place to stay while their families deal with temporary crises such as as homelessness, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, medical emergencies or domestic violence. Isabel's House can care for up to 20 children for a maximum of 30 days. [Springfield News-Leader] [More photos from the dedication]

Related stories:
Governor, First Lady Celebrate New Center to Protect Children from Abuse and Neglect
Isabel's House Latest Refuge for Halting Violence

Invest in Kids Working Group

The Invest in Kids Working Group was created to examine and document the economic benefits of investments in young children and explore policies to finance expansion of such services. Working group members are leading experts in economics, business, advocacy and public policy. The group is chaired by Robert Dugger (bio), a CED Trustee and Chairman of the Partnership for America's Economic Success Advisory Board.

The Partnership for America's Economic Success is a collaborative initiative of 11 funders created to document the economic impacts of children growing to be successful, productive adults, and is administered by the Pew Charitable Trusts.

The Committee for Economic Development has information and links to a wealth of research from some of the nation's top researchers on topics in the economics of investing in early childhood and various position papers.

WIC: Improving health of MO women, infants and children

Every month, more than 130,000 Missourians participate in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, commonly known as WIC. The program provides nutrition information and food assistance to pregnant women, new mothers, infants and children up to five years of age.

In Missouri, 42 percent of all the live births recorded from 2000 to 2005 were to mothers receiving WIC services to improve the birth outcome for themselves and their babies. The percentage of babies receiving WIC services during their first year of life increased to 55 percent of all infants born in Missouri. More on the WIC Program

Blunt announces plan to benefit youngest students

Gov. Matt Blunt today announced he will recommend a $2 million funding increase for the Parents as Teachers program which helps Missouri parents prepare their children for success in school.

“Education is my highest priority as Missouri’s Governor,” said Blunt. “Missouri is a leader in early childhood development and Parents as Teachers is a perfect example of an innovative program that is helping prepare our youngest generation to be tomorrow’s leaders.”

Missouri’s Parents as Teachers program has been recognized as the national standard for early childhood education programs. All Missouri families with children under the age of 3 are eligible to participate in the program.