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State Children's Trust Fund

The State Children’s Trust Fund (SCTF) was established as a separate fund in the state treasury in 1983 for the purpose of child abuse and neglect prevention. The Legislature specified the Office of Child Abuse Prevention as responsible for administering programs and projects with the SCTF’s annual allocation. Welfare and Institutions Code Section 18969 limits administrative costs to no more than five percent of the annual allocation. The SCTF is derived from moneys from state income tax voluntary donations, a percentage of birth certificate fees from state vital statistics, and a portion of specialty license plate revenue. 

The Legislature’s intent for the SCTF includes:

  • Funding of large-scale dissemination of information that will promote public awareness regarding the nature and incidence of child abuse and neglect and the availability of services for intervention including but not limited to, the production of public service announcements, well-designed posters, pamphlets, booklets, videos, and other media tools.
  • Funding of research and demonstration projects that explore the nature and incidence and the development of long-term solutions to the problem of child abuse. Funds may also be used for evaluation, research, or dissemination of information concerning existing successful program models.
  • Funding of innovative, child-centered approaches which indicate promise of quality, cost-effective services to prevent child abuse and neglect.
  • Funding to provide ongoing public awareness through activities that will promote the charitable tax deduction for the trust fund and seek continued contributions.  

Programs currently supported by the SCTF include:

  • California Evidenced Based Clearinghouse, an organization investigating and scientifically rating the evidence and effectiveness of child abuse and neglect programs and ancillary programs that support parents and children through training, research, and direct services.
  • Free online mandated reporter training allows ease of learning for the multitude of mandated reporters of child abuse and neglect. General training modules are offered in English and Spanish. Modules targeted to specific professions, such as teachers, nurses and clergy are also offered.
  • Public awareness campaigns for child safety concerns such as Shaken Baby Syndrome, Safe Surrender Baby Law, and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder prevention.
  • Training programs for family resource specialists to support parents and strengthen families through the utilization of the five protective factors.
  • Training conferences for increasing parent leadership in community-based child abuse and neglect prevention efforts; and increasing awareness of domestic violence in families and the effects upon child development and growth.

HOW MAY I DONATE TO THE SCTF?

Every California taxpayer will have the opportunity to donate all or a portion of their individual 2015 tax returns to the State Children’s Trust fund. The Voluntary Contribution Funds program, operated by the State of California Franchise Tax Board, collects critical funds to support the Trust’s statewide programs for the prevention, intervention, and treatment of child abuse and neglect.

You will be able to make a voluntary contribution to the Trust on the following returns:

Additional details and links will be posted as the 2015 tax season approaches!

  • Purchase specialized Kids License Plates. A portion of the license fees are deposited into the SCTF. "Kid’s Plates” may be ordered online at the following California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) web page.
  • Send a donation check directly to: 
    The Office of Child Abuse Prevention
    744 P Street - MS 8-11-82
    Sacramento, California 95814

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

California Department of Social Services
Office of Child Abuse Prevention
744 P Street - MS 8-11-82
Sacramento, California 95814

Phone: (916) 651-6960