File Your Taxes and Check Off Child Abuse in Howard, Allamakee, and Winneshiek Counties
Iowans Urged to Donate a Portion of Their 2008 Tax Refund to Child Abuse Prevention

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Decorah, Iowa – March 2, 2009 -- As tax season approaches, residents of Howard, Allamakee, and Winneshiek counties are urged to donate a portion of their 2008 tax refund to help prevent child abuse in our community.  Every two years, the Iowa Legislature determines the four beneficiaries that will be listed as income tax checkoffs on state income tax forms. Child abuse prevention has been designated as a beneficiary for the 2008 and 2009 tax years; the proceeds will specifically support local prevention efforts via the Iowa Child Abuse Prevention Program.

By checking off child abuse on 2008 state income tax forms, residents can truly make a difference in the lives of children by ensuring the continued support of child abuse prevention efforts in Howard, Allamakee, and Winneshiek counties.

“Child abuse checkoff dollars would greatly benefit the continuation of parent education and child sexual abuse prevention programming in Howard, Winneshiek, and Allamakee counties, “ stated Jennie Hill, Family Support Network Coordinator for Helping Services for Northeast Iowa.  Jennie also stated that “these dollars can continue to increase the health of northeast Iowa families.”

“Iowa’s new checkoff will strengthen families and protect children all over this state,” said Steve Scott, executive director of Prevent Child Abuse Iowa.  “Checkoff revenue will support a statewide program with a long track record of providing child abuse prevention services. Isn’t it much better to prevent abuse from ever happening than only treating its after effects?”

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 (ICAPP). 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.  Helping Services for Northeast Iowa receives Prevent Child Abuse Iowa funds to administer parent education and child sexual abuse prevention programming in Howard, Allamakee, and Winneshiek counties.