Kentucky nonprofits and public agencies working to prevent child sexual abuse can now apply for funding through the Child Victims’ Trust Fund, according to Attorney General Andy Beshear.
Applications for statewide and regional prevention grants are accepted until March 28, 2019. The grants will be awarded for fiscal year 2020 that begins July 1, 2019 and ends June 30, 2020.
The mission of the Child Victims’ Trust Fund is to provide financial support to help reduce the incidence and impact of child sexual abuse in Kentucky.
“The Child Victims’ Trust Fund is here to support and fund effective programs that help improve the safety of our children,” said Beshear. “We invite our partners in the fight against child sexual abuse to apply for grant funding to help them protect more children.”
Annually, the Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Prevention Board, within the Office of the Attorney General, announces the availability of Child Victims’ Trust Fund grants and selects recipients.
Based on geographical impact, nonprofit organizations and public agencies that work toward reducing child sexual abuse and exploitation are eligible for two types of grant opportunities.
A statewide prevention grant is available to organizations and agencies that offer a prevention program in all regions of Kentucky. A regional prevention grant is reserved for those who offer programs that are not conducted statewide.
Created in 1984, the fund, administered by the Office of the Attorney General’s Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Prevention Board, a 170(c) (1) nonprofit, distributes the funds through a grant process.
The fund operates on proceeds from the purchase of “I Care About Kids” license plates, donations made through the state income tax refund check-off program and private donations.
Beshear said Kentuckians receiving a state tax refund only need to check the box on the form and designate a portion directly to the fund.
Over the past three years, the Child Victims’ Trust Fund has awarded more than $410,000 in statewide and regional grants to organizations that help protect Kentucky children from sexual abuse.
Since 2016, the fund has supported Children’s Advocacy Centers and victims across the state by paying for more than 2,100 child sexual abuse medical exams.
Individuals whose organizations serve more than 102,500 Kentucky kids annually have received training sponsored by the fund on how to protect kids from sexual abuse by implementing best practices, policies and protocols.
Since taking office, Beshear has made protecting children from abuse one of the top priorities of his office. Beshear’s cyber crimes unit has nearly tripled the number of child sex offenders they have removed from Kentucky communities.
Kentuckians should report any suspected child abuse to local law enforcement or to Kentucky’s Child Abuse hotline at 877-597-2331 or 877-KYSAFE1.
For grant application details, or to donate to the Child Victims’ Trust Fund, click here.
Office of the Attorney General
