Iowa Legislature Extends The Child Abuse Checkoff

DES MOINES, IA (03/31/2010)(readMedia)-- In an amendment to the last bill passed this session, the Iowa Legislature has extended the income tax checkoff for child abuse prevention through the tax years 2010-11. Last year, this checkoff raised more than $56,000 from over 6,000 taxpayers.

Donations from the checkoff support the Iowa Child Abuse Prevention Program (ICAPP) in 92 Iowa counties. ICAPP invests in building healthy families and children in order to avoid paying for the consequences of child abuse and neglect later.

"Ultimately, ICAPP projects are an investment in our future leaders and in the health and wealth of the society in which we all live," says Amber Russell, the program's manager.

Donations received from the checkoff are the only source of additional money for ICAPP, which is otherwise facing a reduction in funding.

Iowans still have an important opportunity to be part of the solution to child abuse by donating a portion of their 2009 tax refund to its prevention. The checkoff is located on line 58d. of state income tax forms. It is critical that we, as Iowans, invest in the health and well-being of the next generation: while the demand for services increases, our ability to provide these services continues to decrease.

To access state income tax forms or to learn more about how to check off child abuse, residents can visit the Check Off Child Abuse website at www.checkoffchildabuseiowa.org.

ABOUT THE IOWA CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION PROGRAM

In 1982, the Iowa Legislature established the Iowa Child Abuse Prevention Program. The goal of ICAPP is to prevent child abuse before it ever occurs. Nearly 18,000 adults and 67,000 children last year alone were able to benefit from programs such as parent education and support, sexual abuse prevention instruction, and respite and crisis child care.

This program receives federal and state funding to support child abuse prevention services throughout Iowa. Together with expanded funding for sexual abuse prevention education programs, ICAPP currently receives $1.35 million in funding.

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 distinctive in the child abuse field, where most efforts involve counseling and treating children and families after abuse has already occurred.

Prevent Child Abuse Iowa works to end child abuse in four major ways: 1) by organizing and directing statewide child abuse prevention programs; 2) by contributing staff and volunteer support to the statewide Community Partnerships for Protecting Children initiative; 3) by serving as a subject matter expert on child abuse and its prevention for public officials, professionals, the media, and the general Iowa public; 4) by strongly advocating for laws, policies, and programs that prevent child abuse.