Healthy, Educated, Supported, and Safe |
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From the Executive Director, Colin G. Murphy |
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As people feel more comfortable coming together again, I recently had the opportunity to speak at the Rotary Club of Gainesville and share the impact the Children’s Trust and its partners are making this summer. I also visited the Children’s Services Council of Leon County, one of the newest councils in Florida. We had a wide-ranging discussion on how to navigate, and successfully build, a new organization solely focused on children.
We are about 18 months into our start-up in Alachua County. In that time (much of it during the COVID lockdown), we have funded programs for children at all stages of development and recently started a new “Summer Fun” program that provides 2,000 kids an opportunity to participate in fun and educational programs over the summer break. These programs are underway, and we are working closely with our partner agencies to make sure kids are getting the most out of these summer experiences.
We urge you to stay connected by following us on social media where we will continue to share important news about our activities and how we are working to help children stay Healthy, Educated, Supported, and Safe!
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PBS NewsHour Series:
Raising Our Future: America’s Child Care Dilemma – July 12-16, 2021
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Our nation’s child care infrastructure is in crisis. Accessible, affordable, high-quality child care allows families to work, and offers babies the nurturing learning environment they need for healthy development. It also helps build a future for our families, our economy, and our nation. Learn more about the current child care crisis through the five part @NewsHour series during the week of July 12–16 at 7:00pm on WUFT, or check your local PBS station anywhere in the country. Segments can also be viewed here.
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Our Summer Fun programming is off to an exciting start. The 22 summer providers have a total of 48 programs. Over 2,000 youth will be supported by Children’s Trust funds including 19 Elementary programs, 20 Middle School programs, and 9 High School programs.
Full scholarships may be available for children from families at or below 200% of the 2020 federal poverty threshold, and
- children with Individualized Educational Plans (IEPs),
- children with families receiving SNAP benefits,
- children in foster care, or voluntary and formal kinship care, and
- children under in-home case management supervision.
Partial scholarships may be available for children from families between 200% and 400% of the 2020 federal poverty level.
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Kristy Goldwire, MSW, Director of Program Operations for the Children’s Trust of Alachua County, celebrates with the children of Camp Just for Us as they open for summer. The camp is partially funded by the Children's Trust through the Summer Fun program.
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Digital academy students and any child in Alachua County 18 and younger can pick up meals! CLICK HERE for free curbside meal pick up information!
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Two New Contract Managers Hired |
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The Children’s Trust of Alachua County recently hired Deon Carruthers and Belita James, MSW, as Contract Managers. Their role is essential to ensuring that services are provided to children as intended and that taxpayer’s money is being carefully spent.
Carruthers performed a similar role as a Community Development Specialist with the City of Madison, Wisconsin. He has also held positions where he was a liaison with community groups for the Madison Metropolitan School District. Carruthers is a graduate of Ashford University in San Diego, CA.
James comes from the University of Florida, Hepatology-Research, where she was a Multi-Center Data Abstractor/Research Coordinator. James’ understanding of program deliverables and program reporting will be especially useful in this role. She earned a Bachelor and Master of Social Work from Florida A&M University in Tallahassee.
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System Mapping RFP Released
The Children’s Trust is seeking proposals for a system mapping of service touchpoints and formalization of intake, referral, and information sharing protocols. The successful applicant will work collaboratively with staff and project partners to create an ongoing touchpoint identification to add new services, introduce new key contacts, and evaluate changes in the number and percentage of all eligible families being served or connected.
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What is the Children's Trust?
The Campaign for the Children's Trust of Alachua County started as a grassroots movement made up of parents, grandparents, child advocates, and local activists. They knew in their hearts there was more our community could do to support our local children. Local data collected and shared by experts who serve children and youth in Alachua County supported those citizens’ beliefs and lived experiences. Learn more.
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The Children's Trust of Alachua County is a proud member of the Greater Gainesville Chamber. |
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Capitol Connection:
Legislative Session Recap
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The 2021, 60-day legislative session opened on Tuesday, March 2 and adjourned on Friday, April 30. In total, 273 bills passed both chambers out of the more than 3,000 bills that were filed. Legislation affecting children include those in the following categories: economic self-sufficiency, child protection, juvenile justice, equity, early learning, children with special needs, K-12 education, and the state budget. See Recap
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Share your news and stories with us by emailing childrenstrust@childrenstrustofalachuacounty.us. Photos, with releases, are welcome. |
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