Council for Children & Families

Department of Early Learning (DEL) Senior Policy Advisor Sonali Patel serves as a member of the Council for Children & Families. Created by the Washington State Legislature in 1982, the Council and the accompanying Children’s Trust Fund of Washington promote prevention of child abuse and neglect in Washington.

The Council consists of 15 Governor appointees, who together with Council staff provide leadership in child abuse and neglect prevention efforts, including educating the public on issues such as Shaken Baby Syndrome and post-partum depression.

The Council:

  • Manages the Children’s Trust Fund of Washington.
  • Develops a statewide network of community-based programs to support families and promote healthy child development.
  • Funds 17 community-based family resource programs throughout Washington State. Local programs match these dollars with local resources.
  • Works with statewide partners to provide training and peer-to-peer support opportunities for volunteers, parent leaders and staff of local programs focusing on family support practice and outcome evaluation.
  • Provides technical assistance and information to community leaders, local programs, and policymakers on research, best practices and family support programs in communities throughout Washington.
  • Works with local programs to evaluate program outcomes and facilitate continuous quality improvement.
  • Co-sponsors (with Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center) the Shaken Baby Syndrome Prevention public awareness campaign, a statewide public awareness campaign to increase awareness about the effects of shaking infants and young children.
  • Markets Heirloom Birth Certificates to increase funding for the Washington Children’s Trust Fund.

The Children’s Trust Fund of Washington is a separate fund within the state treasury created by the Legislature to receive public and private donations to support the work of the Council. The fund supports programs that strengthen families, prevent child abuse and neglect, and educate the public about Shaken Baby Syndrome.

Proceeds from the sale of Heirloom Birth Certificates and the Keep Kids Safe license plate are put into the Children’s Trust Fund, and the fund also accepts tax-deductible donations.

Visit www.ccf.wa.gov to learn more.