A newly developed document titled “Connecting Families to Tax Credits to Improve Child Wellbeing in California: A Brief for California Local Health Departments and Children & Family Service Providers" has just been released and can be found attached to this blog post. This document is intended to assist Local Health Departments (LHDs) and children & family service providers in their efforts to educate about how the collection of the California Earned Income Tax (CalEITC), California...

The U.S. Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey collected survey responses before and after monthly Advance Child Tax Credit (CTC) checks were issued to families with children. The survey shows that initiation of CTC payments coincided with a drop in food insufficiency and difficulty paying weekly expenses in households with children. About 47% of survey respondents reported spending their CTC payments on food. To read the complete article, click here .

The National Institute for Health Care Management (NIHCM) Newsletter highlighted Black Americans and what's next for health equity: "Black Americans have faced an increased risk of being hospitalized and dying from COVID-19 compared to White Americans. This disproportionate burden placed a spotlight on the ongoing impact of systemic racism and long-standing inequities on the health of Black Americans. Multiple forms of economic discrimination mean that Black Americans are more likely to be...

New Child Trends research uses data from Zero to Three’s State of Babies Yearbook 2021 to examine disparities in maternal and child health, and discusses why these disparities exist. The researchers also highlight strategies that policymakers and practitioners can use to promote racial and ethnic equity to improve maternal and child health. For example, paid family leave is tied to lower rates of infant mortality and maternal depression and increased rates of breastfeeding and infant...

From CalEITC4me: As we prepare for the 2021 Tax Season, we are sensitive to the difficult time that many Californians are experiencing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and we want to work with you to ensure that each and every one of them who is eligible for the California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC) claims it. Last year when the sheltering orders came down, we turned our in-person programs into online outreach, and as a result of our collective work more than 6.2 million...

From the Internal Revenue Service (IRS): “EITC Awareness Day is a joint venture between the IRS and its many partners and stakeholders. Intensive media coverage helps us reach the broadest possible range of eligible taxpayers, including the underserved populations and the newly eligible taxpayers. EITC can increase a federal tax refund from $1 to $6,660 for qualified taxpayers. IRS estimates four of five, or 80%, of eligible taxpayers claim and get this important credit. Help us ensure the...

Golden State Opportunity has released a new report, Our Fair Share: The Earned Income Tax Credit’s Crucial Role During a Recession , with original economic analysis confirming that the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a powerful economic driver. Analysis shows that in 2019 state and federal EITC refunds created or sustained 74,000 jobs in California, which is equivalent to nearly 25% of the total jobs created in California that year. Over the four years California has invested in its own...

The California Office of the Surgeon General (OSG) is creating a report to be published in the summer of 2020. The report will feature the public health response to preventing and mitigating Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and toxic stress—tentatively titled “ Halving the Burden of ACEs and Toxic Stress in a Generation—California’s Blueprint for an ACEs-Aware Public Health Movement .” An important portion of the report will be dedicated to outlining primary, secondary, and tertiary...

Each year, millions of children in California endure the trauma of abuse, violence, natural disasters, and other adverse events. These experiences can give rise to significant emotional and behavioral problems that can profoundly disrupt the children’s lives and bring them in contact with child-serving professionals. For therapists, child welfare workers, case managers, and other helping professionals involved in the care of traumatized children and their families, the essential act of...

Healing Together is a new campaign that engages men, and people of all genders, in the work to build safe and accountable communities by focusing on healing, gender justice, and racial equity—instead of punishment—to end intimate partner violence. The campaign aim to shift away from punitive policies and systems that produce violence and expand community-based approaches that focus on prevention, accountability, and healing for all. Individuals and organizations can visit the Healing...

The leading cause of death for infants age 1 month to 1 year is Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUIDs). This includes sleep related deaths and SIDS. Here are some facts you can share to make sure the parents you know have the information and resources that can help them make the best parenting decisions when it comes to safe sleep: Babies should always sleep on their backs Babies should be in their own crib, not an adult bed, couch, or car seat Babies should not sleep with others Use firm...

Domestic violence often occurs alongside child abuse and neglect, therefore its prevention is also critical for child abuse prevention. Studies show: 30 to 60 percent of children from homes where domestic abuse is present are also victims of abuse themselves Parents who are stressed and burdened by being victimized are also at increased risk of neglectful or abusive parenting Witnessing domestic violence can cause serious harm to psychological, cognitive, social, behavioral and emotional...