Kick Off Child Abuse Prevention Month by Checking Off Child Abuse on Line 58d.

DES MOINES, IA (03/23/2009)(readMedia)-- The month of April marks Child Abuse Prevention Month as well as the end of tax season. The deadline to file state income taxes is April 30, meaning that this is the last opportunity for Iowans to directly contribute to the Iowa Child Abuse Prevention Program this year. Prevent Child Abuse Iowa urges Iowans to check off child abuse on line 58d of Iowa state income tax forms to help children and families across the entire state.

April also happens to be Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about ways to prevent child abuse before it ever occurs. What better way to help promote awareness than by checking off child abuse in April?

"We cannot stress enough that this is a great chance to support Prevent Child Abuse Iowa and its network of local organizations by checking off child abuse on your 2008 Iowa tax forms, " said Stephen Scott, executive director of Prevent Child Abuse Iowa. "Be sure to file your taxes and check off line 58d to help prevent child abuse."

"Preventing child abuse is really about strengthening families," said Rhonda Boltz of Prevent Child Abuse Iowa, "It is about equipping caregivers with the tools, training, and support they need to raise healthy and strong children."

ABOUT CHECK OFF CHILD ABUSE

Proceeds of the check off will directly support the Iowa Child Abuse Prevention Program (ICAPP) to aid communities across Iowa in their efforts to prevent child abuse through education and support to young parents, sexual abuse prevention education for children and adults, and through crisis and respite care for parents that need a break.

Child Abuse Prevention was designated by the Iowa Legislature as a beneficiary of the state income tax check off for the 2008 and 2009 tax years. Iowa tax payers may donate all or a portion of their refund. If a tax payer is not entitled to a refund, they may still donate; the amount will simply be added to the total owed to the state. All 2008 donations qualify as a tax deduction for the 2009 tax year.

ABOUT CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH

Organizations across the state will celebrate Child Abuse Prevention Month by sponsoring various activities designed to raise community awareness. Many of the activities include the use of a blue pinwheel, the new national symbol of child abuse prevention. Some groups intend to "plant" a pinwheel garden, while others plan to deliver pinwheel bouquets to schools, hospitals, and businesses. Marshalltown residents are planning a "March for Children" on April 25th, and the Lee County Child Abuse Prevention Council will ask the local Board of Supervisors to officially declare April as Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Partnerships with non-traditional stakeholders can have a big impact on community perceptions. This year, Hy-Vee Inc. will be partnering to prevent child abuse by printing and distributing 2.5 million grocery bags with a message about child abuse prevention. The bags will be used throughout Hy-Vee Inc.'s seven-state service area. This partnership clearly supports the message that protecting children is everyone's business.

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.