Right Column
State Children's Trust Fund
The California we dream about is for safe, healthy kids who live in supportive families and communities. In 1995, more than 690,000 child abuse and neglect reports were received in California. The initial cost to taxpayers once a child is abused is immense. $1.5 billion is spent each year on services for children documented to be abused or in danger. The cost to taxpayers and society escalates because when children are abused, neglected or exploited, they are at high risk for school failure, drug addiction, juvenile crime, premature sexual activity, and welfare dependency.
Families have the primary responsibility for their children and government should encourage that to happen. The California State Children's Trust Fund (CSCTF), established by the Legislature in 1983, funds and promotes programs that assist at-risk families. The CSCTF funds creative programs that reach communities from the inside out. These programs use the community's natural infrastructure (schools, libraries, hospitals, churches, colleges, police stations, banks and clinics) to provide services that work to help strengthen the family.
Programs the CSCTF funds include:
- Helping neighborhoods in assessing and solving their needs for a safer environment in which to raise children.
- Providing school-based services to children in families who are in danger of abuse and neglect. Crisis assistance is provided when there are signs of potential abuse.
- Conducting public awareness campaigns on the issues of child abuse and neglect. The "Never Shake a Baby" is a statewide and national campaign that stresses the danger of shaking an infant.
- Providing voluntary in-home services to families at risk and making connections with available community resources. This includes responding to special needs of families beginning from prenatal care to children up to five years of age.
- Providing professional and public education about child rearing and abuse prevention.
HOW MAY I DONATE TO THE CSCTF?
- Voluntary donations on Line 51 of the California State Income Tax Return form.
- "Kid's Plate" automobile license plate sales.
- Pledge form provided by the United California State Employees Campaign.
- Or you may send your check to:
California Department of Social Services
Office of Child Abuse Prevention
744 P Street - M.S. 19-82
Sacramento, California 95814
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
California Department of Social Services
Office of Child Abuse Prevention
744 P Street - M.S. 19-82
Sacramento, California 95814