The Childrens Trust

About Us

A Brief History
In the late Eighties, recognizing that the needs of children in Miami-Dade County far exceeded the resources and support systems available, a cadre of committed individuals spearheaded a drive to address the problem. Using a Florida statute that allowed for such an initiative, the group generated a two-part referendum in 1988. Voters overwhelmingly recognized the need to help area children, but declined to fund the remedy through tax revenues.

With a new strategy and renewed commitment, another cadre of citizens, spearheaded by the savvy fund-raising efforts of retired Miami Herald Publisher David Lawrence Jr. ("Founding Board Chair," please see below), launched a new initiative in 2002. Given this second opportunity and with a much better funded campaign, Miami-Dade voters in September 2002 approved an independent special district, a dedicated funding source for children entitled "The Children's Trust." The vote was 2-1 in favor. One key difference between the 1988 and 2000 campaigns was that the latter emphasized the commitment would be to all Miami-Dade children, while clearly recognizing that some children are more at risk and, hence, need and should get more help. A "sunset provision" required that the initiative be returned within five years for voter approval.That vote took place Aug. 26, 2008. Miami-Dade voters decided in overwhelming numbers - 86 percent - to reauthorize The Children’s Trust, this time in perpetuity. With full support across Miami’s tri-ethnic communities, voters made a clear choice that The Trust, supporting children and families across the county, was essential, especially so in difficult economic times.

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The Billion-Dollar Bet On A
Community’s Future
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In recognition of his "untiring efforts on behalf of The Children's Trust" from its inception through the successful authorization campaign, Dave Lawrence Jr. was honored as a "Founding Board Chair 2002-2009." The honorific title, approved unanimously at The Trust's board meeting on Jan. 12, 2009, invites Mr. Lawrence to attend all board meetings and to serve as an advisor "to continue to lead and guide the organization," but confers no voting status on Board matters.

The Children's Trust, our staff and 33-member board remain committed to funding programs that offer the highest possible quality services, with the goals of implementing best practices and improving the lives of children and families in our community. A full-day board retreat that took place Dec. 12, 2008 reassessed priorities and generated an altered roadmap for The Trust, especially owing to the cuts to our budget over the next years. While The Children's Trust budget for 2007-08 was $161 million, the 2008-09 budget will be $140 million and the projected budget for 2009-10 is $116 million - a 25-percent reduction.

Our revenues from taxes for FY 2008-09 are $99 million based on a 0.4212 mill property tax (the statute authorizes The Trust to levy up to 1/2 mill). A person owning a home assessed at the median-taxable-value, minus the homestead exemption, in Miami-Dade County will pay $56 a year for FY 2008-09.

A strong emphasis on active collaboration is critical to improving services and access for children and families in Miami-Dade County. The Trust encourages creative approaches to coordinating, integrating and funding services across and within the areas of health, safety, development and to promote increased parental and community involvement on behalf of all our children and The Trust stresses outcome measurements for all approved grants.