Healthy, Educated, Supported, and Safe

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From the Executive Director Colin Murphy Welcome to the first edition of the newsletter of the Children's Trust of Alachua County. We will share important news about our activities in helping our children be Healthy, Educated, Supported, and Safe. All of our activities support these goals.

Our first order of business is to thank the voters who organized the Citizens for Children's Trust of Alachua County and supported the referendum that authorized the Trust. This is a great example of the voice of the people, the voters, communicating their wishes to public officials. We want to continue an ongoing dialogue through this newsletter, our social media listed above, and our website (www.childrenstrustofalachuacounty.us). We also hope that local news outlets share the work of the Trust with the community.

Summer Fun and Funds The board of the Children’s Trust approved $500,000 so that more kids can enjoy this summer by learning, exploring, engaging, improving skills, and having fun. Our Summer Programming Fund was influenced by the report, "Ensuring the Summer Thrive," conducted by the Youth Development Research-Practice Partnership of the University of Florida for the Children's Trust. More information and application.

Matching Funds The Trust is also helping organizations leverage Federal, State, and private revenues by providing funds of up to $300,00 to meet required matching funds. Frequently, funders want to see local support so they ask for matching funds before approving their grant. This initiative help fills a gap for qualified organizations. More information and application. Sponsorship Funds The Trust is also now providing  Sponsorship Funds, up to $20,000, to help support some types of community-based service/cultural fairs, special needs resource events, health education events, educational events, school readiness events, and conferences. More information and application.

SwampBots Robotics The Children's Trust supports the SwampBots, a high school robotics team that has started three younger teams to serve kids from the rural communities of Alachua County. Students build robots under the care of trained coaches and professionals. Learn More.

Alachua County Joins Nationwide Network to Collaborate on Improving Outcomes for Children Prenatal-to-Three The Children'sTrust has been selected to receive a three-year $250,000 grant from the Pritzker Children's Initiative, one of 10 awarded following a national competition to identify innovative community-based efforts to improve outcomes for infants and toddlers. Learn more.

CTAC in the Media See what the Gainesville Sun is saying about the Children's Trust. Learn what some of our board members are doing: County Commissioner Ken Cornell, Dr. Nancy Hardt and Dr. Patricia Snyder are busy. Read more.

Capitol Connection The Florida Children's Council provides regular updates of Legislative activities. Learn more.

Share your news and stories with us by emaling childrenstrust@childrenstrustofalachuacounty.us. Photos, with releases, are welcome.