The Pennsylvania Children's Trust Fund (CTF) is dedicated to funding community-based programs to prevent child abuse and neglect. A 15-member Board of Directors administers the fund. The Deputy Secretary for Office of Child Development and Early Learning serves as the Executive Director of the CTF. Staff within the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) carries out the duties and responsibilities of the CTF Board.

Children's Trust Fund grants are intended to develop innovative and creative child abuse and neglect prevention programs. Specific emphasis for funding is placed on primary prevention programs, which focus on the prevention of abuse before it occurs for the first time.

The Center for Schools and Communities, contracted by OCDEL, provides statewide training and networking opportunities to program staff, offers technical assistance and monitoring onsite, as well as via mail, email and telephone to program supervisors and managers, and supports OCDEL through data collection, report preparation, site visits and monitoring, topical presentations, assistance with preparation of Requests for Proposals and application review.

Click here to learn more about the Children's Trust Fund.

Legislation

The CTF was established by the Children's Trust Fund Act in December 1988. Funds are generated from a $10 surcharge on all applications for marriage licenses and divorce complaints.