SB12-064, Colorado Children’s Trust Fund

Fact Sheet Memorandum

SB12-064

COLORADO CHILDREN‘S TRUST FUND

Sen. Nicholson, Rep. Massey

Staff Name:  Lou Irwin

What the Bill Does: This bill (1) clarifies the intent of the statute to be exclusively on prevention, and (2) extends the life of the stature for another 10 years

Colorado Context: The Colorado Children’s Trust Fund[1] was established in 1989 to receive grants from the federal government as well as to solicit and accept contributions, grants, gifts, bequests, and donations from individuals, private organizations, and foundations. These funds are to be used for programs that seek to reduce child abuse.  As written, the statute does not draw a strict line between prevention and intervention, the latter typically being a function of social service agencies and local governments.

National Context: Child abuse is a significant national problem, costing in excess of $100 billion in economic loss, and untold pain, suffering, and poor adult outcomes[2].  A number of states have created councils and trust funds to support programs aimed at mitigating child abuse and neglect.[3]  They vary in focus, but are generally aimed at promoting a nurturing environment within families that heads off abuse and neglect before they become problems. New Jersey has a fund that appears very similar to that of Colorado – it makes grants available from a trust fund for child abuse and neglect prevention programs, and pays for a statewide public education program on child abuse prevention.

 Provisions

• Inserts the words “primary or secondary” before each occurrence of “prevention programs”.  The intent is apparently to clarify that the purpose of the trust fund is to promote prevention, not to pay for intervention after abuse and neglect are underway
• Changes the repeal date for the statute from 1 July 2012 to 1 July 2022

 Fiscal Impact:  None

 Sponsor’s Comments:

[2]Economic Impact Study (September 2007), Prevent Child Abuse America http://www.preventchildabuse.org/about_us/media_releases/pcaa_pew_economic_impact_study_final.pdf

[3] Crane, K: Prevention Programs and Strategies: State Legislative Experiences, Prevent Child Abuse America http://www.ncsl.org/issues-research/human-services/prevention-programs-and-strategies-state-legislat.aspx