Social Welfare & Health and Human Services Organizations
Contact Information
Kinaya Sokoya
1112 11th Street, NW, Suite B, Washington, DC 20001
Committee Needs / Areas of Expertise Desired
Accounting & Finance, Community Outreach, Entrepreneurship, Event Management, Fundraising / Development, Public Relations
Detailed Information

                                                         Mission and History of the DC Children’s Trust Fund

The D.C. Children’s Trust Fund for the Prevention of Child Abuse (The Trust, DCCTF) is a public/private partnership, which was established in October 1993 because of legislation passed by the District of Columbia City Council and authorized by the Mayor. We are approaching 30 years of providing primary prevention services in the District of Columbia.  In 1998, the Trust was incorporated as a 501(c) 3 private non-profit agency.  The mission of the Trust Fund is to prevent child abuse and neglect by providing funding and technical assistance to local groups for the establishment and/or expansion of prevention activities and services to strengthen families.  Each year, until Mayor Fenty’s term, the Mayor has designated the Trust Fund as the Title II lead agency in the District of Columbia for the prevention of child abuse and neglect.  National partners include the Alliance for Children’s Trust and Prevention Funds, the Circle of Parent Network, the Children’s Bureau, and the Center for the Study of Social Policy.

The Trust Fund promotes primary prevention using a social ecological public health approach, developed for prevention by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which recognizes the importance of addressing the effects of the environment as well as individual families in the environment. Prevention is pursued for individuals and families by offering parent support and a supportive environment developed through building relationships, strengthening the community, and promoting a society that is supportive of families.  The Trust has four pillars, we provide Parent Education, Parent Support (which includes support groups and training for community-based organizations), Parent Leadership, and Public Awareness.

  • On the Individual Level, the Trust Fund promotes parent education and support, and provision of services for the social and emotional competence of children.
  • On the Relationship Level, the Trust Fund promotes development of parental resilience, social connections for families, and provision of services to enhance parents’ and caregivers’ knowledge of parenting and child development. The Trust Fund is a member of the National Circle of Parents network, employing their parent self-help model for parent support to strengthen families
  • On the Community Level, the Trust Fund promotes safe and nurturing neighborhoods with adequate green spaces and where services are available that provide families with concrete support in times of need. Through our Parent Leadership Academy, the Trust Fund trains parents so they can better advocate for their children and themselves.  The Trust Fund also provides in-service training for community-based organization personnel and conducts a public awareness campaign with positive messages to support families.
  • On the Societal Level, the Trust Fund promotes public policies and practices that support families. The Trust Fund is the national training and credentialing center for the Effective Black Parenting Program, Los Ninos Bien Educados, and the New Confident Parenting Program. The Trust Fund is a member of the Child Trust Alliance which promotes the National Parent Leadership Month and Family Strengthening Month.
Is there an annual minimum give ($)?
Not at this time.