IN.gov - Skip Navigation

Note: This message is displayed if (1) your browser is not standards-compliant or (2) you have you disabled CSS. Read our Policies for more information.


Subscribe for e-mail updates
Print This Page Rate This Page Suggest a Link E-mail This Page HELP Find a Person Find an Agency
Amber Alert
Amber Alert - TEST
Subscribe for e-mail updates

Click to view the Practice Indicators

DCS > How Can I Help? > Kid's First Trust Fund Kid's First Trust Fund

Subscribe for e-mail updates

Kids First Mission Statement:

Promote the health of children and reduce infant mortality by funding programs which prevent child abuse and neglect.

Brief History

The Indiana Children’s Trust Fund was established by the Indiana General Assembly in 1994. Legislation called for the design and issuance of a Children’s Trust Fund license plate. "KIDS FIRST" license plates became available in January 1995. The Children’s Trust Fund receives their monies from the sale of the "KIDS FIRST" license plates. This money is then granted to community programs throughout the State of Indiana for projects addressing prevention of child abuse and neglect.

In July of 2003, the Children’s Trust Fund became the Kids First Trust Fund. Senate Enrolled Act No. 420 made this official change in hopes that the name change will tie the trust fund more directly with the license plates.

The Kids First Trust Fund (KFTF) currently funds a portion of Prevent Child Abuse Indiana, a division of The Villages, to provide parenting education and workshops statewide to increase public awareness regarding the prevention of child abuse and neglect. The KFTF also currently funds a portion of the statewide Community Partners for Child Safety program listed below.

The two programs currently funded are:

Prevent Child Abuse Indiana, a division of The Villiages

Community Partners for Child Safety: The purpose of Community Partners for Child Safety is to develop a child abuse prevention service array that can be delivered in every region in the state. This service continuum builds community support for families that are identified through self-referral or other community agency referrals to connect families to resources needed to strengthen the families and prevent child abuse and neglect.

PRIMARY PREVENTION:

Services available to the general community or to all families to PREVENT child abuse and neglect.

Key aspects of primary prevention are that it:

  • is offered to all members of the population;
  • is voluntary, attempt to influence societal forces which impact parents and children;
  • seeks to promote positive family functioning rather than just prevent problems.

SECONDARY PREVENTION:

Services available to keep child abuse and neglect from happening after certain warning signals have appeared

Key aspects of secondary prevention are that it:

  • Is offered to pre-defined group of "at-risk" individuals, but before abuse or neglect has occurred.
  • Is voluntary; and
  • Is usually problem-focused on the particular stressors or identified parents or caretakers.

Clarification of Definitions:

Intervention: Aims to protect a child during or after abuse or neglect has occurred.

Prevention: Aims to avert abuse and neglect before they occur.

    More information about the "Kids First" license plate can be found on the BMV website at http://www.in.gov/bmv/3817.htm#18. Plates may be purchased without going to the BMV. Add $42 to your renewal with a note indicating that you would like a "Kids First" license plate.

    The following are the "Kids First" license plate letter combinations. Please note that the alpha combinations have no meaning beginning with 9.


    CT = Children's Trust
    KF = Kids First
    KD = Kids
    KS = Kids Sake
    LK = Love Kids
    KP = Kids Plate
    HK = Hug Kids
    (9) KA, KB, KC, KE, KG, KH - will continue through the alphabet with K as needed according to sales.

    A license plate does not need to be purchased to donate to the Kids First Trust along with the link that is already there so that they can donate via the web.

    Click here to donate to the Kids First Trust Fund!

    Public Education:

    For questions regarding the Kid's First Trust Fund, please contact John N. Jefferson at (317) 234-5745, or john.jefferson@dcs.in.gov or fax number (317) 232-4436 (attention: John N. Jefferson).