HISTORY

During the 1980's, a dramatic rise in child abuse cases led most of the 50 states to establish child abuse and neglect funds for community prevention programs. In September of 1985, Maine enacted the original Maine Children's Trust legislation. In 1994, this legislation was amended to establish Maine Children's Trust as a separate non-profit association with a (501) c3 status.

MISSION STATEMENT

To prevent the abuse and neglect of all of Maine's Children

VISION STATEMENT

To lead a statewide effort to prevent abuse and neglect of our children so effectively that our work is known in every county and every home

STRUCTURE

As established by State Law, the Board will have a minimum of 17 members, appointed as follows:

• One Senator appointed by the Senate President
• One State Representative appointed by the Speaker of the House
• 4 Members of the Maine Association of child Abuse and Neglect Councils - self selected
• 2 representatives of the Department of Human Services, appointed by the Commissioner
• 9 Members of the public and business communities
• Three appointed by the governor
• Three appointed by the Maine Chamber of Commerce and Industry
• Three elected by the Board of Directors of the MCT

• Public Awareness,
• Finance
• Executive
• Grant Allocations
• Chapter Activities

FUNDING

• The Trust gets money from three sources, presently:
  State of Maine Income Tax Check Off Revenues
• Private/Corporate Donations
• A Federal grant authorized under CAPTA (Child Abuse and Prevention Treatment Act). We are appointed by the governor to be the lead agency in Maine charged to administer this CBFRS (Community- Based Family Resource and Support) grant. The amount of this grant varies. Non-federal money going through our books leverages more federal money under this grant.

PREVENT CHILD ABUSE MAINE

The Maine Children's Trust has recently been granted the state charter for Prevent Child Abuse Maine by the national organization, Prevent Child Abuse America. There is one charter granted per state. This will further unify and strengthen the voice of child abuse prevention throughout Maine.

ACTIVITIES

Some of the activities that the Trust is charged to conduct, either by State law or the CBFRS grant, include:

• As a primary prevention activity of the trust, develop and implement a Campaign to provide statewide education and public information to enhance public awareness concerning child abuse and neglect.
• Coordinate, participate and fund public awareness activities that focus on Child Abuse and Neglect, to include the promotion of Child Abuse Prevention Month.
• To provide technical assistance and training to members of our "network"
• To advocate for systemic changes in state policies, practices, procedures and regulations
• Develop, operate, expand and enhance a statewide network of community-based, prevention-focused resource & support programs
• Foster the development of public & private partnerships
• Develop, initiate, propose or recommend ideas or innovations in rules, laws, policies and programs concerning child abuse and neglect to the Governor, the Legislature, state executive agencies, the business community and other entities.
• Fund program services that are identified as unmet needs in the state
• Establish a peer review network, and offer site evaluations for funded programs
• Conduct business of and fulfill charter of Prevent Child Abuse Maine