Pennsylvania’s Children’s Trust Fund (CTF) was established in December 1988 by Act 1988-151 [11 P.S. §§ 2231-2238 relating to the Children’s Trust Fund Act (CTFA)]. It operates under the administration of the CTF Board and is supported by the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL), a dual deputate of the Department of Human Services (DHS) the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE).
Funds for the CTF are generated from a $10 surcharge on all applications for marriage licenses and divorce complaints. These surcharges are paid into a special non-lapsing fund. Interest, donations and federal funds also contribute to the CTF.
The CTF is dedicated to funding community-based programs to prevent child abuse and neglect. Since its inception, the CTF has invested more than $37 million through 295 grants. See the list of current grantees.
The CTF also supports the work of the Pennsylvania Strengthening Families Leadership Team. Learn more about this team’s work and the Strengthening Families Protective Factors Framework.