Economic Hardship Leads to Greater Need for Child Abuse Prevention Programs

DES MOINES, IA (02/17/2009)(readMedia)-- The current state of the economy has brought a host of new stresses to families that make everyday tasks like parenting seem even more difficult. For the first time this year, Iowans have an opportunity to support local child abuse prevention programs by donating a portion of their 2008 state income tax refund. The checkoff is located on line 58d. of state income tax forms. Donations directly support the Iowa Child Abuse Prevention Program (ICAPP).

ICAPP's Crisis Nursery and Respite Care programs are especially in demand in difficult economic times. These programs provide planned and emergency substitute childcare when parents are experiencing high stress.

"Economic hardship tends to increase demand for the services provided by the Iowa Child Abuse Prevention Program," said Amber Russell, ICAPP Manger for Prevent Child Abuse Iowa. "With these programs, parents experiencing difficult times can access a safe, reliable childcare provider to relieve some of the stresses of parenting."

"The stress of parenting is often made worse when families are worried about whether or not they'll be able to make ends meet," said Stephen Scott, Executive Director of Prevent Child Abuse Iowa. "By providing support to families before they reach a state of crisis, our goal is prevent child abuse altogether, rather than to only treat its after effects."

ABOUT THE IOWA CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION PROGRAM

In 1982, the Iowa Legislature established the Iowa Child Abuse Prevention Program. This program receives federal and state funding to support child abuse prevention services throughout Iowa. With the recent addition of $200,000 in state appropriations to expand sexual abuse prevention, ICAPP currently receives more than $1.4 million in funding annually.

Administered by Prevent Child Abuse Iowa, the Iowa Child Abuse Prevention Program provides funding to prevention services throughout the state, including education, support, and respite child care. The program benefits 15,000 parents and 60,000 children in more than 90 counties each year.

ABOUT PREVENT CHILD ABUSE IOWA

Founded in 1975, Prevent Child Abuse Iowa's fundamental - and critically important - mission is to end child abuse in the entire state of Iowa. Its single-minded focus on prevention is unique in the child abuse field, where most efforts involve counseling and treating children and families after abuse has already occurred.