Timeline

In the late 1980s, recognizing that the needs of children in Miami-Dade County far exceeded the resources and support systems available, a group of child advocates attempt to address the issue through the creation of a special taxing district. Under a Florida statute that allowed for such an initiative, the group was successful in bringing a referendum to ballot in 1988, but voters failed to pass it.

59.2% of Floridians vote in favor of state-paid voluntary pre-K education beginning 2005, a significant win for early childhood education.

Funding begins to support 211 Helpline for families to access health and human services information and referrals.

As a way to honor individuals and programs devoted to children and families, The Trust hosts its first Champions for Children Award Ceremony, an annual tradition that continues today.

The Children’s Trust hosts the first-ever Family Expo, attracting over 10,000 children and families each year. This year also marks the launch of Quality Counts, aimed at improving child care in partnership with the Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/Monroe. Additionally, 91 small community organizations receive dedicated funding to enhance their program management and deliver quality services. The HealthConnect initiative begins, improving access to health care in public schools, while the Youth Violence Prevention initiative is also introduced.

The Miami Heart Gallery is created as a partnership between The Trust and child welfare agencies to encourage adoption and foster care.

The first Spooky Symphony is held. The free family-friendly Halloween concert is sponsored by The Trust and features two Trust-funded providers, The Greater Miami Youth Symphony and the Alhambra Orchestra.

Read to Learn is established to increase the number of third graders who read at or above grade level. A year later, the Read to Learn Book Club launches, offering free monthly books for 3-year-olds.

The Trust joins a collaborative to fund a five-week, paid summer internship for thousands of high school students at organizations throughout the county that would become known as the Summer Youth Internship Program (SYIP).

The Trust establishes the Family Strengthening initiative to offer individualized parenting and clinical intervention services and adds 40 mental health professionals to current school health nursing and social work staff.

The Children's Trust Book Club is expanded to include children from birth until 5 years old. The Trust also begins funding community-based oral health prevention services.

The Children’s Trust Parent Club is launched to offer free workshops that increase awareness and engagement in effective parenting strategies to support child development.

The Children’s Trust partners with the U.S. Department of Defense to provide high-quality child care for military families through the Thrive by 5 initiative, as part of the DoD’s Military Child Care In Your Neighborhood-PLUS (MCCYN+) program. The Trust also plays a key role in Mayor Daniella Levine Cava’s Blue Ribbon Children’s Commission, helping organize and lead the inaugural Mayor’s Children’s Summit in October. Trust staff and board members continue to contribute by serving on several subcommittees of the Commission.