Indiana Kids First Trust Fund (KFTF) Grants

Indiana Kids First Trust Fund (KFTF) Grants is sponsored by Indiana Kids First Trust Fund (KFTF). The Indiana Kids First Trust Fund distributes grants to support programs that benefit children. Specific goals, guidelines, and proposal requirements are outlined in their Request for Proposal.

Kids First Trust Fund Board Doug Weinberg, Chair Olivia Shaw (IDOH) Abigail Diener Dr. Maria Finnell Don Travis (DCS) Matt Wilson # Kids First Trust Fund (KFTF) # Kids First Trust Fund Mission Statement Children are our most important assets.

The mission of the Indiana Kids First Trust Fund is to promote the health of children and reduce infant mortality by funding programs which prevent child abuse and neglect and reduce infant mortality. Pursuant to IC 31-26-4-15, before October 1 of each year, the Kids First Trust Fund Board is required to prepare a report concerning the program established by IC 31-26-4 for the public and the General Assembly.

The legislation creating the Kids First Trust Fund (originally called the “Children’s Trust Fund”) was passed by the Indiana General Assembly and signed into law by the Governor in 1994. The Trust Fund is administered by the Kids First Trust Fund Board.

Members of KFTF Board include individuals appointed by the Indiana General Assembly and the Governor as well as individuals representing the Indiana Department of Child Services and Indiana Department of Health.

As outlined in statute, the purpose of the Indiana Kids First Fund is to recognize that: 1) The children of the state are its single greatest resource; 2) Children require the utmost protection to guard their future and the future of the state; 3) It is in the public interest to protect children from abuse and neglect; 4) It is in the public interest to reduce infant mortality; and 5) The Indiana Kids First Trust Fund shall provide funding for community programs that prevent child abuse and neglect and reduce infant mortality.

The primary source of revenue for the KFTF is the “Kids First” license plate offered to Hoosier motorists through the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV). A $25 group fee is included in the cost of the license place and is then distributed to the Kids First Trust Fund.

In addition to license plate fees, the Trust Fund is also eligible to receive donations, funds transferred from other funds, and appropriations from the General Assembly.

Trust Fund SFY 2024 Financial Report Carry Forward from Previous Year $3,249,719 License Plate Donations $218,125 Victims of Family Violence Fund Investment $156,601 The above categories of revenue reflect the following: (1) the carry over balance in the Trust Fund from the previous state fiscal year; (2) the license plate fees received from BMV as a result of Kids First license plate sales; (3) the transfer of funds f rom the Family Violence and Victim Assistance Fund pursuant to IC 5-2-6.

8-7; (4) interest income earned from the Trust Fund’s investment principal; and (5) donations received. Of note, the primary source of revenue for the Trust Fund – license plate donations – has decreased every year since SFY 2008 when license plate revenue totaled $968,815. This is likely due to the popularity and expanded variety of choices for specialty plates available to the public.

Prevent Child Abuse Indiana (PCAI) $305,584 Final Total Balance in Kids First Trust Fund Final total Balance in Fund at close of SFY 2024: $3,312,896 IC 31-26-4-13(a) provides that money in the Kids First Trust Fund may be used for projects that propose to accomplish the following: (1) The support, development, and operation in local communities of programs that prevent (2) The development of innovative local programs of education and training concerning child (3) The promotion of public awareness of child abuse and neglect; (4) Statewide efforts to prevent child abuse and neglect.

In SFY 2024, KFTF provided funding to Prevent Child Abuse Indiana (PCAI). PCAI is a division of The Villages and is a chartered state chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America. KFTF agreed to provide PCAI $443,251 for child abuse and neglect prevention efforts throughout the state with $3 05,584 being expended during the state fiscal year.

The final $ 137,667 was encumbered in SFY 24 but was not expended until SFY 2 5. Among other work, PCAI provides child abuse and neglect prevention education. As part of their grant agreement with KFTF, PCAI staff, as well as other volunteers, were expected to deliver a minimum of 75 virtual and in-person presentations to approximately 2,000 youth, parents, professionals, and community members.

PCAI was also expected to create, produce, and distribute a minimum of 100,000 pieces of child abuse and neglect prevention information A significant part of what Prevent Child Abuse Indiana does is work in communities across the state to establish Local Child Abuse Prevention Councils. These Local Councils are grassroots, volunteer led organizations that work to bring the message of primary prevention to their areas.

As part of their agreement with KFTF, PCAI was charged with providing support to existing Local Councils and adding new counties to the PCAI Prevention Council Network. KFTF funding also supports PCAI’s work to conduct prevention awareness activities year -round with an emphasis on April as Child Abuse Prevention Month.

PCAI plans an annual event in early April “kicking off” Child Abuse Prevention Month and works with existing Child Abuse Prevention Councils as well as Local Offices of the Indiana Department of Child Services in their efforts to create and facilitate their own community-based April activities.

The Kids First Trust Fund Board appreciates our continued partnership with PCAI and the work they do throughout Indiana to help Hoosier families and children. More information on Prevent Child Abuse Indiana can be found here: https://www. pcain.

org/ . Nonprofit Subsidiary Corporation (IC 31-26-4-17) IC 31-26-4-17(b) required the KFTF B oard to study the topic of establishing a nonprofit subsidiary corporation. The statute further required that the board submit a report to the general assembly addressing the board's findings and determinations not later than December 31, 2021.

If the boar d determines to establish a nonprofit subsidiary corporation, the report must also include an implementation plan and estimated budget for the establishment of the nonprofit subsidiary corporation.

On January 5, 2022, th e KFTF Board submitted a preliminary report to the General Assembly noting that it had not come to a final decision regarding the creation of a nonprofit subsidiary organization and that further study was required. During 2024 the KFTF board continued to study the possibility of establishing a nonprofit subsidiary to further the purposes of the Trust Fund.

No expenditures related to the establishment of the subsidiary and no final decisions were made on if or when it would be established. Study and discussion of the matter will continue during 2025. When a final decision is made, the Board will report their findings to the General Assembly.

Board Members by Appointing Authority (IC 31-26-4-6) • House of Representatives: Rick Hug • House of Representatives: Ed Kominowski • Governor (General Public): Will Young • Governor (Child Advocacy Organization): Matt Wilson • Governor (Child Advocacy Organization): Abigail Diener • Governor (Medical Community): (Vacant as of 1/8/2025) • Indiana Department of Health Designee: Olivia Shaw • Indiana Department of Child Services Designee: (Vacant as of 1/10/2025)