The Children’s Trust of Alachua County is an independent special taxing district established by voter referendum in November 2018, following decades of community interest and organizing around children’s services.

Discussions about creating a Children’s Services Council in Alachua County began in 2002. In 2015, a renewed grassroots movement, driven by parents, grandparents, child advocates, and local activists, joined forces with community leaders and key institutions to make this a reality. These leaders included the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners, the Greater Gainesville Chamber of Commerce, the University of Florida, Santa Fe College, United Way, Partnership for Strong Families, the Alachua County Children’s Alliance, and Alachua County Public Schools. Together, these groups held public meetings, listening sessions, and discussions, which highlighted the community’s desire to do more for local children.

Then, in 2016, to better understand community needs, the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners contracted with WellFlorida Council to conduct a comprehensive needs assessment focused on prenatal care and children up to age five. Commissioners also created a Children’s Services Advisory Board to study existing services, gather data, and recommend whether an independent Children’s Services Council should be formed. At the same time, the campaign for the Children’s Trust conducted polling that showed strong community support for investing in literacy, after-school learning, nutrition, vocational pathways, and early learning.

Next, in February 2018, based on the findings of the needs assessment, the commissioners voted unanimously to place a referendum on the November 2018 ballot. Voters approved the measure with more than 61% support, and the Children’s Trust of Alachua County was formally established under Florida Statutes Section 125.901 and Alachua County Ordinance 18-08.

Fund Purpose and Impact

Group of adults at event table — Photo credit: Children’s Trust of Alachua County

The Children’s Trust of Alachua County funds and supports a coordinated system of community services designed to help all children, youth, and their families thrive. In 2025, the Trust reached 27,133 individuals (22,251 children, 4,221 parents, and 661 professionals), advancing the following mission:

Strengthen healthy development
Support learning and future success
Ensure children live in safe communities

To promote healthy development and support caregivers: The Trust supports maternal and child health initiatives, family resource centers, care coordination, and system-building efforts. Listed below are just some of the initiatives the Trust funds to help ensure that children receive essential health care and that families have the necessary support to build a strong foundation for children’s long-term health:

Saving Smiles provides free onsite preventive dental care to address untreated oral health issues.
The NewboRN Home Visiting Program offers free postpartum nurse visits for families welcoming a new baby, providing physical exams, mental health screenings, safe-sleep education, and connections to additional support as needed.

To help children and youth learn and prepare for future success: The Trust supports early learning, child care access, literacy initiatives, out-of-school time programs, and career readiness opportunities. Listed below are just some of the initiatives that the Trust funds to help children and youth build the skills and confidence needed to succeed in school and beyond:

The Boys & Girls Club provides year-round after-school programs and summer camps.
TeensWork Alachua offered paid employment, job readiness training, mentoring, and financial literacy support for 270 youth in 2025, with 90% of employers reporting that participating teens gained skills.
Early learning programs, such as the Head Start Summer Bridge Program which provides summer early childhood programs, helps children improve literacy scores.
The Business & Leadership Institute for Early Learning strengthens the sustainability of home- and center-based child care programs by helping program leaders develop their business skills.

To ensure children live in safe and connected communities: The Trust supports mentoring programs, community partnerships, and safety-focused collaborations with municipalities and law enforcement. Listed below are examples of some initiatives intended to help create safe, more connected communities where young people can thrive throughout Alachua County:

Through IMPACT GNV, the Trust funds new technology hubs to help combat youth gun violence in the community.
The Trust partnered with the Center for Nonprofit Excellence to help local nonprofits build capacity, strengthen sustainability, and support community outreach efforts that promote safety and engagement.

Governance and Administration

The passage of the Juvenile Welfare Services Act in 1986 authorized the establishment of Children’s Services Councils in Florida. Children’s Services Councils, such as the Children’s Trust of Alachua County, are a form of local government entity that governs a special taxing district contiguous with an existing county. (More information about this type of special government is available from the Florida Alliance of Children’s Councils & Trusts.) Florida State Statute 125.901(a) prescribes Children’s Services Council governance and oversight.

A 10-member board of directors governs the Children’s Trust of Alachua County. The governor of Florida appoints five of these members from a list of nominees submitted at the local level. The remaining five seats are designated ex officio positions as follows:

An Alachua County commissioner
The superintendent of Alachua County Public Schools
A school board member
A Florida Department of Children and Families designee
A judge assigned to juvenile cases

The board of directors serves as the primary link between the community and the Children’s Trust of Alachua County, establishing written policies that guide organizational decisions, ensuring responsible stewardship of public funds, and evaluating its own effectiveness as a governing body.

The Children’s Trust of Alachua County administers funds by reviewing community proposals, awarding grants to local programs that align with its strategic goals, monitoring program outcomes, and providing technical assistance to ensure effective use of resources. This governance and administrative framework ensures that the Children’s Trust of Alachua County operates effectively, remains aligned with community needs, and fulfills its statutory mission to support children and families.