The Children's Trust Fund is reminding people filing their state income taxes to remember to check a box that will help prevent child abuse.
A checkoff box on a state income tax return form allows residents to donate $5, $10 or more to fund programs in local communities that prevent child abuse. Through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the Children's Trust Fund serves as a voice for Michigan's children and families and promotes their health, safety and welfare by funding local programs and services statewide that prevent child abuse and neglect.
The checkoff box can be found on both the online and paper versions of the Voluntary Contribution Schedule Form 4642.
"It's imperative that Michigan supports the local programs and services that protect children and prevent abuse and neglect," said Michael Foley, executive director of the Children's Trust Fund (CTF). "By simply checking a box, tax filers have the power to directly impact those services and ensure the health, safety and welfare of the children in their communities. Every dollar donated through the tax campaign has generated $31.64 in grants to local communities."
Grants from the CTF support a wide range of programs and services through the statewide network of Child Abuse and Neglect Councils. Based on local priorities, local councils use funding for initiatives such as shaken baby and safe sleep education, parent support and child sexual assault prevention and education. CTF also funds 37 competitive grants that target at-risk families with services such as home visitation, support for families with incarcerated parents and respite care.
The CTF relies heavily on the contributions donated through the state income tax campaign to fund direct service and local prevention programs across the state of Michigan that help build strong, healthy families and keep children safe. Since its creation in 1982, the CTF has raised more than $70 million and provided support to over 7 million children and families.
Michigan income tax return forms are available on the website for the Michigan Department of Treasury. For additional information about the CTF, how to contribute and the tax campaign, visit www.michigan.gov/ctf.
Published: Wed, Feb 14, 2018
