The Pennsylvania Children's Trust Fund (CTF) is dedicated to funding community-based programs to prevent child abuse and neglect. 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.
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 (CSC), contracted by the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (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. CSC staff attends CTF board meetings, providing updates on events and program activities.
To learn more about the Children's Trust Fund, please visit the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, Office of Child Development web site.
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.
