The mission of the Children and Family Trust Fund is to prevent family violence in all its forms; to protect the most vulnerable and end abuse where it has occurred; and to strengthen and support individuals and families to live lives free of violence.

The Trust Fund spurs the development and replication of innovative programs to prevent child abuse, domestic violence and elder abuse. For example, the Trust Fund has established home visiting, parent education and support, school-based programs, community collaborations on elder abuse, family resource centers, shaken baby prevention, crisis care/respite services.

By ensuring the safety of thousands of children, families and elderly each year, the Trust Fund saves expenditures in crime, health care, public assistance and more. Yet funding dwindled from $4.5 million in the late 1980’s to $681,000 in 2002, and zero in 2004-05. Furthermore, during the last few years allocations had been legislative discretionary funds, or member items.

The 2006-07 budget allocates $2 million for the Trust Fund’s critical family violence prevention programs, thanks to the concerted efforts of members of members of the Trust Fund Advisory Board, Trust Fund supported programs, and Prevent Child Abuse New York.

Prevent Child Abuse New York also recommended amending the New York State Children and Family Trust Fund Act, New York State Social Services Law Article 10-a Section 481-E (2), to provide more flexibility in the allocation formula for awarding grants, so that funding priorities can be determined based on need. Little progress was made this year on the amendment.

The recommended amendment would provide 20 percent for child abuse prevention or family resource and support programs, 20 percent for domestic violence prevention or service programs, 20 percent for elder abuse prevention and services, 20 percent for regional or statewide family violence prevention programs, with the remaining 20 percent allocated based on current priorities and needs.  

The New York State Children and Family Trust Fund was established by the state Legislature in 1984, to provide financial support for programs and to prevent or reduce the adverse effects of family violence in all its forms: child abuse, domestic violence and elder abuse. Our children, as well as our communities and society as a whole, benefit when violence against family members of all ages is prevented. The Trust Fund is one of the few sources of state funding for elder abuse prevention programs, to enable vulnerable older people to live in environments free of violence. 

Administratively within the New York State Office of Children and Family Services, Trust Fund standards and priorities are recommended by an Advisory Board, whose members are appointed by the Governor, Assembly Speaker, and Senate Majority Leader. 

Currently the Children and Family Trust Fund Act requires that 40 percent of funds be allocated for local child abuse prevention and family resource and support programs, forty percent for local domestic violence prevention or service programs, and twenty percent for regional or statewide family violence prevention education. Elder abuse programs are included in the domestic violence category. Unexpended regional and statewide dollars are made available for local programs, with a priority on programs that address both child abuse and domestic violence.

The current allocation formula does not begin to address the rapidly increasing numbers of adults over 65, and the need for services for at-risk elderly.  

To address this shortcoming in the law, and to provide more flexibility in the allocation formula to continue to be able to respond to changing needs, funding allocations should be set at a 20% minimum for all program areas.

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