The Children's Trust is an independent special district, authorized by section 125.901, Florida Statutes, and created by an ordinance adopted by the Miami-Dade County Board of Commissioners on December 3, 2002, and governed by a board of directors. The main responsibility of the board is to allocate funds to other agencies in Miami-Dade County that are operated for the benefit of children and youth. The Children's Trust has accomplished much for children and families in Miami-Dade County.
The governing board of The Children's Trust is made up of thirty-three (33) members as defined by county ordinance. Within the membership are seven members named by the governor and four members-at-large as appointed by a majority of the sitting members of the governing board.
Candidates for the board should have the following knowledge, abilities and skills:
- An awareness of the needs of children and families in Miami-Dade County
- Extensive professional experience with executive leadership accomplishments
- A dedication to the mission of improving the lives of children and families
- The ability to work collaboratively
- A record of effective advocacy for children
- A record of service on volunteer and/or public boards
Under Sec. 2-11.38 of the Code of Miami-Dade County, FL - Membership on boards: Eligible candidates shall be permanent residents and electors of Miami-Dade County. A person serving on any one of the following boards shall not serve on any other County board simultaneously except as provided by ordinance: Community Council; Community Zoning Appeals Board; Planning Advisory Board; Citizens' Independent Transportation Trust; Housing Finance Authority; Independent Review Panel; Industrial Development Authority; Health Facilities Authority; Educational Facilities Authority; Commission on Ethics and Public Trust; Environmental Quality Control Board; The Children's Trust; and the Public Health Trust. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a person is prohibited from serving on a County board where such service would violate federal or state law, the Miami-Dade County Home Rule Charter or county ordinance. See County Ordinance Sec. 2-11.38. - Membership on boards for more details.
In order to avoid a conflict of interest, the by-laws of the board prohibit a staff member of any agency from serving on the board if more than 50 percent of the agency's budget is awarded by The Children's Trust. No portion of a board member's salary may be paid through funding provided by The Children's Trust.
All board members are expected to attend the monthly meeting of the board, and actively participate as a member of at least one board committee which meets monthly, in addition to the meeting of the board as a whole. Each board member is required to file financial disclosure statements and abide by the Florida Code of Ethics.
Please refer to the Grants section for more information on major initiatives funded by The Children's Trust. Also available are the agencies currently funded, and other information on the work of The Trust.
Applications for board membership are not being accepted at this time.
Most meetings are held at the offices of The Children's Trust located at 3150 SW 3rd Avenue, Miami, FL 33129.
The Children’s Trust desires to maintain the highest level of integrity and transparency in all its endeavors and abides by statutory regulations which are promulgated in the State of Florida Code of Ethics for Public Officers and Employees (Chapter 112, Part III of Florida Statutes) and The Children’s Trust Ordinance, Ordinance #02-247, §9 (codified as §2-1529 of Miami-Dade County Code).
If you have questions about board membership or the application process, please contact the Clerk of the Board, through this form, or at 305.571.5700.