Areas of Focus

​At the Escambia Children’s Trust, our mission is to invest in the well-being and future of every child in Escambia County. Guided by data and community input, we’ve identified key focus areas that address the most pressing needs of our children and families. These areas are dynamic and may evolve as we continue to assess and respond to our community’s needs.

A young boy eating an apple

Children are Healthy

Ensuring the physical health of our children is foundational. We aim to improve health outcomes by addressing:​

  • Infant mortality
  • Low birthweight babies
  • Prenatal care
  • Teen pregnancy
  • Oral health
  • Childhood obesity
  • Bacterial STD rates among children aged 0–18
A group of children of varying ethnicities sitting at school desks, eagerly raising their hands

Children Are Ready to Succeed in School and Life

We support educational initiatives that prepare children for lifelong success, focusing on:

  • Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) participation
  • Access to quality child care
  • Kindergarten readiness
  • Reducing chronic absenteeism
  • Improving 3rd-grade reading proficiency
  • Enhancing middle-grade math skills
  • Increasing high school graduation rates​
A girl wearing a backpack, holding the hand of an adult

Children Are Safe and Protected from Abuse and Neglect

Creating a safe environment is paramount. We believe this is most effectively achieved through:

  • Reducing substance-exposed newborns
  • Minimizing foster care placements
  • Decreasing verified cases of child maltreatment
  • Addressing domestic violence impacts on children
A woman hugging a young girl tightly while sitting on a couch

Children Have Supports to Help Them Avoid Risky Behaviors

We promote positive development and resilience by focusing on:​

  • Alleviating childhood hunger
  • Reducing youth arrests
  • Lowering school suspensions
  • Decreasing school-based arrests and referrals to law enforcement
  • Enhancing youth mental health services
  • Reducing hospitalizations due to mental disorders​
Two hands holding a paper cutout of a family of two parents and two children

Our Approach

ECT employs a data-driven strategy, continuously assessing community needs to allocate resources effectively. We collaborate with local organizations to implement programs that align with these focus areas, ensuring that our initiatives are both impactful and responsive.​

Get Involved

Your engagement is vital to our mission. Whether you’re a parent, educator, service provider, or community member, there are numerous ways to contribute:

Explore Funding opportunities

Attend Upcoming Meetings

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