MIAMI, FL., March 18, 2026 – The Children’s Trust of Miami-Dade proudly announces that for the 13th consecutive year it has earned the prestigious Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA). As a special taxing district established in 2002, this recurring recognition demonstrates The Children’s Trust’s unwavering commitment to financial responsibility and excellence. It is a testament to its rigorous, thoughtful solicitation processes, which ensure that appropriate funding is allocated to meet the needs of children and families in Miami-Dade County.

The Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting was awarded to The Children’s Trust for its annual comprehensive financial report for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024. GFOA specifically recognized the organization’s transparency in communicating its economic activities, reinforcing The Trust’s standing as a leader in public-sector financial management.

The Children’s Trust operates on a $260.1 million budget for fiscal year 2025-2026, funding hundreds of programs across thousands of sites, serving tens of thousands of children and families every year. All of this was accomplished, notably, without increasing property taxes for Miami-Dade County residents. This investment enables The Trust to partner with 303 agencies countywide, provide quality early learning, after-school and summer camps, paid summer internships to high school students, comprehensive school-based health services to K-12 schools, provide parenting and family resource support services, and more.

“We have proudly served Miami-Dade County for over 20 years and will continue to do so with respect to the responsibility we’ve been honored to receive. Our true reward is knowing that Miami-Dade County’s future is brighter due to the strategic and responsible investment we’ve made as a community today,” said The Children’s Trust’s President & CEO James R. Haj.

Some of The Trust’s most distinguished investments and partnerships include:

• HealthConnect In Our Schools: a crucial investment in the physical and mental health and academic success of students across Miami-Dade County, in partnership with Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) and the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade. Through The Trust funds and support from the partners comprehensive school-based health services are provided through six health care service agencies, reaching all public schools.
• Zero Drownings Miami-Dade: an innovative water safety initiative transforming drowning prevention education across the county. The Children’s Trust is the lead funder of this initiative, focused on providing free swim lessons to children as a field trip during their school or camp day to reduce child drownings.
• Youth Development: The Children's Trust is the largest funder of after-school programs and summer camps in Miami-Dade, which offer children opportunities to strengthen life skills, learn about nutrition, engage in sports and healthy activities, make friends, and discover and cultivate new interests.
• Early Childhood Education Funding: The Trust invests in early child care programs through its Thrive by 5 program, which includes child care scholarships and support to high-quality centers and educators that lay a strong educational foundation for young children.
• Parent Support Programs: Through initiatives such as The Children’s Trust Parent Club, the organization offers resources to help parents and caregivers navigate the complexities of raising resilient, happy children.
• Books for Free: A partnership with Miami Dade College that provides free books to children, encouraging early literacy and reading development. The program supports Miami-Dade's efforts to ensure that all children are proficient readers by the third grade, a key indicator of long-term success.

For more information about The Children’s Trust and its programs, please visit www.TheChildrensTrust.org.

For photos highlighting the impact mentioned above, click here.

Media Contact:

Natalia Zea
Chief Public Policy & Community Engagement Officer, The Children’s Trust
Phone: 786.598.2208
Email: natalia@thechildrenstrust.org