Based on the enactment of Senate Bill 51, Kansans now have the ability to contribute to a fund dedicated solely to the prevention of child abuse and neglect through the purchase of a special license plate.

The bill, signed into law by Governor Bill Graves in late April, establishes the Children=s Trust Fund (CTF) license plate. Kansas residents owning passenger vehicles or light trucks registered in Kansas will be able to obtain this special license plate. The license plate is valid based on annual renewal of a $50 tax deductible logo royalty payment to CTF and annual vehicle registration.

All funds collected for the logo royalty payment will go to CTF and used in the prevention of child abuse and neglect. The annual payment is due to CTF 60 days before the regular tag renewal. Once payment is received, a certificate will be issued by CTF for the purchaser to present to the County Treasurer=s office. The CTF license plates will be available at local county treasurer=s offices once CTF has secured an initial commitment for a 500-license plate order.

Kansas was the first state in the nation to establish a special fund dedicated to the prevention of child abuse and neglect. The fund was established by the 1980 Kansas Legislature; today, all 50 states and the District of Columbia have passed legislation to establish a children=s trust or prevention fund aimed at strengthening families and reducing the risk of child abuse and neglect.

A second major fund raiser for the Children=s Trust Fund involves a campaign featuring a nationally-known children=s artist commissioned to create a series of six paintings portraying the terrible societal effects cause by child abuse and neglect. Artist Jim Gunter was commissioned by the Kansas Children=s Trust Fund to create the third painting in the series of six. Two other paintings were commissioned by children=s advocacy groups in the state of Alabama, while Children=s Trust Funds in other states are vying for the remaining three commissions.

The Kansas painting, >As the Carousel Begins,= focuses on early childhood development. Funds will be raised for the Kansas Children=s Trust Fund through sale of 2,500 limited edition prints. Purchase price for a signed, framed and matted print is $180; an unframed print is $80. Profits from each sale are $80 per framed print and $60 for unframed prints.

The primary purpose of the CTF license plate and limited edition print campaigns is to partner the trust fund with local communities to raise money to develop and maintain community-based programs focusing on the prevention of child abuse and neglect. These programs include family support, education, and promotional campaigns.

According to Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services Secretary Rochelle Chronister, a member of the CTF board of directors, the need for Children=s Trust Funds with their goal of child abuse and neglect prevention is stronger now than ever.

AAs the incidence of child abuse and neglect rise, the need for prevention and early childhood development has become a national outcry, said Secretary Chronister. AIt is support from individuals that will help stem the tide.

Using funds from both the license plate and prints, CTF will issue Requests for Proposals for non-profit public and private organizations to gain access to new child abuse prevention funds for use in their area.

For more information, contact CTF at (785) 296-6916.

Page Last Updated: May 29, 2001