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Arkansas Children's
Trust Fund
With the
passage of Act 397, "The Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Act," the
Arkansas Legislature registered their objection to the abuse and neglect of children and
acknowledged the need to address the problem in a humane and effective way -
prevention. Moreover, they accepted the responsibility for providing the leadership
and resources needed to make prevention possible. The Arkansas Children's Trust Fund
was created by Act 397 of 1987 as a means for generating funds for the "direct
provision of services to prevent child abuse and neglect."
The State Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board is a nine member, Governor appointed
board responsible for administering the Children's Trust Fund. The Board is
responsible for establishing policies and procedures that govern the Trust Fund and for
reviewing and approving all grant applications. As a group, the Board must
demonstrate knowledge in the area of child abuse and neglect prevention.
Who are we?
The Board, which has representation from all judicial districts, is made up of a
diverse group of individuals from many different fields. What brings them together
is their commitment to the prevention of child abuse and neglect.
Board members are appointed by the Governor and may serve two three year
terms. 2000-2001 Board member are: Debra Walden, Chair Jonesboro - Judy Beard,
Fiscal Officer Little Rock - Jan |
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Barclay, Rogers - Shay Evans, Marion - Brenda Hill, Little Rock - Toyce
Newton, Crossett - Dwight Sperry, Texarkana - Jana Starr, Nashville - John Verkamp,
Greenwood
What Do We Do?
Act 397 originally provided revenue for the Children's Trust Fund by levying a $5.00
surcharge on all marriage license fees in the state of Arkansas. In the 1993
legislative session, Act 174 raised the surcharge to $10.00. By law twenty percent
of the collected revenues is deposited into trust for the future of our children.
Another twenty percent is spent on administrative costs. The remaining sixty percent
is spent on child abuse prevention programs across the state.
The Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board and the Children's Trust Fund support a wide
variety of programming, but our primary focus is Parenting Education and Support
programs. Programs designed to enhance parental competencies, resources and coping
skills are the most encouraging and the most accepted strategies for preventing child
abuse and neglect.
Keeping parent education and support as the focus, the State Board has designated the
following funding categories: home visiting programs, group-based parenting classes,
parenting outreach and assistance, parent mutual support, prenatal or new parent programs,
programs for pregnant or parenting teens, programs for substance abusing families,
programs for parents of children with disabilities, and family crisis support
programs.
This year the Board, through the Children's Trust Fund, funded thirteen prevention
programs across the state. Grants range from $15,000 to approximately $50,000.
The majority of the programs |
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provide home visitation services. Other programs include parenting classes
and parent support groups.
In addition to funding prevention programs, the Board also promotes the
establishment of a Child Abuse Prevention Council in every county of the state.
Local councils review any grant proposals to the Children's Trust Fund that originate from
their county. All proposals MUST be reviewed by the appropriate local Council before
the Board will even consider a project for funding. Local Councils also take part in
recognizing April as Child Abuse Prevention Month. There are 50 certified Local
Councils for the year 2000.
One of the Board's more recent triumphs has been as a visionary sponsor, in conjunction
with the Center for Effective Parenting, of the Arkansas Parenting Education Network
and the Arkansas Conference for Parent Educators. The First Annual Conference in
1999 was a huge success. The Second Annual Conference in Springdale in May of 2000
promises to be a great success as well.
No single agency or individual has the necessary knowledge, skills, resources, or societal
mandate to provide the level of assistance and support needed to end child abuse and
neglect. Preventing child abuse challenges us to work together. Through their
efforts in promoting the existence of county local councils on child abuse prevention, the
funding of prevention programs, and the support of the Arkansas Parenting Education
Network, the Board works to weave prevention efforts into the very fabric of our
communities.
Suzanne Sisson is with the Arkansas Children's Trust Fund
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