Grants to Alaska nonprofit organizations, government agencies, schools, and tribes for programs to mitigate child neglect and abuse. The purpose of grant funding is to support organizations that work to promote the development of healthy children, families, and communities.

ACT has identified three core areas of focus on the prevention of child abuse and neglect:  

1. Early Childhood Development: ACT will provide grants that support early childhood development work based on research that highlights the importance of social-emotional development in the first three years of a child’s life. Organizations funded under this portfolio area will have a specific focus on ages 0 to 3 years. ACT will prioritize funding for organizations that emphasize social-emotional learning and development and infant mental health including, but not limited to: high quality, evidence-based home visitation programs and parent skills training programs
2. Empowering Youth: These grants will invest in organizations that are developing, modifying, implementing, and/or evaluating effective and proven curriculum to help students ages 12 to 16 learn the major tenets of developing healthy, intimate relationships. Curricula will have a clear focus on sexual education, be medically accurate, culturallyresponsive, and LGBTQ-inclusive. Topics addressed will include, but not be limited to: issues of consent; domestic and sexual violence, delaying parenthood; and; effective reproductive health interventions. Grantees in this area must be able to show how their approach is researched-based and can be effectively evaluated.
3. Building Community Resilience: ACT will invest in community-based efforts/initiatives focused on preventing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and building resilience. ACT recognizes communities know their children and families best, and know how to help them prevent child abuse and neglect and heal those who have experienced trauma
   

Key components of the primary prevention and strengthening families approach include:

• Promoting community inclusion.
• Promoting healthy parenting skills and strengthening families.
• Addressing social determinants that create an environment that leads to CAN
• Providing support and services that are universal.
• Focusing on existing strengths and promoting continued growth and development.
• Fostering parent leadership and empowering parents to identify resources, support, and strategies to help them parent more effectively.
• Incorporating the understanding of Adverse Childhood Experiences study (i.e. reduce trauma and build resiliency).
• Support evidence-based or promising practices.

Priority will also be given to projects that address:

1. Parental Resiliency: Courage during stress or after a crisis; parents feel supported and able to solve problems.
2. Social Connections: A support system; relationships with extended family, friends, co-workers, and other parents with children similar ages.   
3. Knowledge of Parenting/Child Development Basic information about how children develop.
4. Concrete Support in Times of Need: Supports and services within the community, which can include transportation, food assistance, job training, and mental health services.
5. Healthy Social/Emotional Development: Children feel loved, have a sense of belonging, and can get along with others.