Division of Family & Children's Services
Mississippi Centralized Intake
1-800-222-8000 | (601) 432-4570
Reporting abuse, neglect and exploitation in the State of Mississippi
www.msabusehotline.com
Children's Trust Fund
The Children’s Trust Fund (CTF) concept originated with the late Ray E. Helfer, M.D., an internationally recognized pediatrician in the field of child abuse and prevention. Dr. Helfer saw trust funds used to care for our nation’s highways and wildlife – why not have trust funds to care for our nation’s children? His idea has been the catalyst for the nationwide network of community based programs that have been initiated by states with children’s trust and prevention funds. The first CTF was created in the state of Kansas in 1980. Today, all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico have passed legislation to establish a trust or prevention fund. Nationwide, the different states' children’s trust and prevention funds receive revenue from a variety of sources such as surcharge fees on marriage licenses or other vital records, individual and corporate fundraising, and State and Federal resources.
Children’s Trust Funds play a leadership role with other organizations in the community when seeking to prevent child abuse and neglect before it occurs. Children’s Trust Funds have demonstrated the capacity to serve as leaders of coalitions and collaborative efforts focused on prevention activities. Additional strengths include the support and promotion of innovative strategies to strengthen families and prevent abuse. Children’s Trust Funds are well respected in the professional community for their leadership and commitment to prevention.
The Mississippi Children’s Trust Fund was created by the Mississippi Legislature in 1989. The primary purpose for the fund is to encourage and provide financial assistance in the provision of direct services to prevent child abuse and neglect. A thirteen member Advisory Council provides direction and recommendations on behalf of the Mississippi Children’s Trust Fund. The Advisory Council must include directors of these four state agencies: Mississippi Department of Health, Mississippi Department of Education, Mississippi Department of Mental Health, and the Mississippi Department of Human Services. The Mississippi Legislature allows a one dollar ($1.00) surcharge from every birth certificate and a one thousand dollar ($1000.00) fine imposed by the court on each person that commits certain crimes against a minor, to fund the Mississippi Children’s Trust Fund. The mission of the Advisory Council is to reduce child abuse and neglect by:
The National Alliance of Children’s Trust and Prevention Funds initiates and engages in national efforts that assist state Children’s Trust and Prevention Funds in strengthening families to prevent child abuse and neglect. This includes promoting and supporting a system of services, laws, practices, and attitudes that supports families by enabling them to provide their children with a safe, healthy, and nurturing childhood.
Children’s Trust Fund of Mississippi
Advisory Council Members
Toni Kersh
Erin Busin
tkersh@mde.k12.ms.us erin.busin@bi2.com
Geneva Cannon
Edward N. Kramer III
Geneva.cannon@msdh.state.ms.us
enremark@aol.com
Sandra Parks
Judge Mike McPhail
Sandra.parks@dmh.state.ms.us
jmcphail@netdoor.com
Mark Smith
Dr. Anna M. Marshall
mark.smith@mdhs.ms.gov Anna.m.marshall@jsums.edu
Patrick Swoopes
Vernon Smith
Patrick.swoopes@uhsinc.com
vsmith@cityofpascagoula.com
Dr. Tracy Mims
mimstracy40@gmail.com
DHS Contact
Cherri Hedglin
cherri.hedglin@mdhs.ms.gov
The Children’s Trust Fund of Mississippi was established in 1989 to assist organizations in delivering programs aimed at preventing child abuse, neglect and exploitation. The primary purpose of the Children’s Trust Fund is to encourage and provide financial assistance in the provision of direct services to prevent child abuse and neglect. The role of the Advisory Council is to encourage and provide direction and recommendation on behalf of the Children’s Trust Fund.
Contact Information
Mississippi Department of Human Services
Division of Family & Children's Services
Administration/Prevention Unit
1-800-345-6347 | (601) 359-4512