JEFFERSON CITY, MO – House Speaker Todd Richardson appointed Representative Jeremy LaFaver, D-Kansas City, to serve on the board of directors for Missouri’s Children’s Trust Fund, filling the last legislative vacancy.
“I’m looking forward to Rep. LaFaver’s work on the Children’s Trust Fund Board,” said Speaker Richardson. “He has a long track record of working on behalf of Missouri children. I’m confident he will serve well in this new position.”
LaFaver is honored to be joining the board.
“I am extremely honored to have been asked to serve our state in this capacity,” said LaFaver. “Children’s issues continue to be my top priority in the legislature and I look forward to working with my fellow board members and the CTF staff to make Missouri the best place to be a kid.”
LaFaver brings unique experience to the Children’s Trust Fund, having served as the public policy director for Kansas City’s Partnership for Children prior to being elected to two terms in the House. LaFaver currently serves on the Budget Committee that oversees appropriations for every state agency including the Children’s Division and the Department of Social Services.
“His in-depth knowledge of the state’s budget and children’s issues will serve the board extremely well,” said Debby Howland with the Kansas City Child Abuse Roundtable, a coalition of more than 40 children’s service agencies in the Kansas City Metropolitan area.
LaFaver has also previously served as a CASA volunteer, advocating on behalf of child survivors of abuse and neglect.
“Having worked one-on-one with victims of horrific abuse, I know firsthand the devastating and long-lasting impact it can have on a kid,” said LaFaver. “The work of the CTF’s partnering agencies is critical to making sure every child in Missouri has the opportunity to grow up free from fear and isolation.”
The Children’s Trust Fund Board of directors is made up of 21 people. Seventeen are appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate, two are appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and two are appointed by the President Pro Tem of the Senate. LaFaver joins Representative Bill Lant and Senators Jill Schupp and Bob Dixon as the legislative appointments to the board.
Rachael Herndon was the editor at The Missouri Times and also produced This Week in Missouri Politics, published Missouri Times Magazine, and co-hosted the #MoLeg podcast. She joined The Missouri Times in 2014, returning to political reporting after working as a campaign and legislative staffer.
Rachael studied at the University of Missouri – Columbia. She lives in Jefferson City with her husband, Brandon, and their two children.
