Iowa Residents Urged to Check Off Child Abuse

DES MOINES, IA (01/18/2010)(readMedia)-- With tax season approaching and W-2 forms being distributed, Iowans are reminded about the opportunity to directly impact the safety and wellbeing of children throughout the state by donating a portion of their 2009 tax refund to child abuse prevention. The current economic climate has had the dual effect of increasing the demand for services while also reducing the amount of resources available. This makes each donation all the more important.

Every two years, the Iowa Legislature determines four beneficiaries that will be listed as tax checkoffs on state income tax forms. This is the second year child abuse prevention has been a beneficiary. "We appreciate that nearly 6,000 taxpayers contributed more than $56,000 to help us provide timely services such as parent education, respite care, and crisis nurseries," said Stephen Scott, executive director of Prevent Child Abuse Iowa.

Proceeds will specifically support local prevention efforts via the Iowa Child Abuse Prevention Program (ICAPP). This statewide program helped nearly 20,000 adults and 68,000 children in 92 counties last year. "Our programs are helping to reduce family stress and provide support to parents that are facing greater challenges than ever," commented Amber Russell, ICAPP manager.

To access state income tax forms or to learn more about how to check off child abuse, residents can visit the Iowa Department of Revenue's website at http://www.state.ia.us/tax/index.html or 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. 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. The goal of ICAPP is to prevent child abuse before it ever occurs.

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.