Study: Shaken-Baby Cases Rose During the Recession

Time magazine reported that since the start of the current recession there has been a significant increase in cases of shaken baby syndrome, in which young children are shaken violently by an adult. This topic hits close to home for me, so I’d like to take a moment to bring awareness to this real and devastating form of child abuse. Researchers, led by child abuse expert Dr. Rachel Berger at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburg, analyzed 512 cases of head trauma in the children’s centers of four hospitals (in Pittsburgh, Pa.; Cincinnati, Ohio; Columbus, Ohio; and Seattle). They found that the number of cases had increased from 6 per month to 9.3 per month as of Dec. 1, 2007, a rate that had held steady since 2004.

"This is a perfect storm in a bad way, where we have economic stressors that are causing the removal of social-service resources for preventing and addressing child abuse," says Berger. Dr. Berger cautions that her study highlights an association, not a cause-and-effect relationship, between the recession and the incidence of shaken babies. But findings such as these are a stark reminder that many stressful circumstances—family tragedy, natural disaster or financial problems may push parents or caretakers to the limits of their coping abilities.

Berger says the findings also serve to highlight the risks of cutting back on social services provided by cities when economic times get tough; these services can educate parents and provide resources to help them cope with the stress, preventing child abuse from occurring.

Please read more about Shaken Baby Syndrome at The Hannah Rose Foundation website, www.dontshakeyourbaby.com.

Read more of the Time article here.

Tax Advantages to Having Kids?

Apparently, the IRS wants you to have kids, and they have several ways to offset the cost of raising them.

The Child Tax Credit applies to qualifying children age 17 and under. This credit can be applied so long as your total tax due is more than the credit, and you meet certain income requirements (Modified Adjusted Gross Income under $110,000 for married filing jointly, $75,000 for single, and $55,000 for married filing separately). This credit can be up to $1,000 per qualifying child.

Taxpayers who do not meet those two criteria can still claim part of the credit and may be able to claim the Additional Child Tax Credit. See IRS Publication 972 to determine your total Child Tax Credit.

Additionally, if you have children under the age of 13 and you pay for childcare so you and your spouse can work, you may qualify for the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit. This allows you to credit up to 35% of qualifying expenses.

Even better, these are not exclusive credits. If you have children who meet all qualifications, you can claim each of these credits, though certain other credits may reduce the amount you claim (such as the First Time Home Buyer Credit). As with all tax-related information, you should take the time to do the math for yourself, or ask a tax specialist.

Not that these tax credits should spur you to have a child. But, since the projected cost of raising a child to the age of 18 (not including college tuition!) is just shy of $200,000, parents need all the help they can get.

NYC Offers Tax Credit For Child Care

From Newsday.com:

The city is urging New Yorkers to claim the new Child Care Tax Credit when filing their taxes this season.

More than 50,000 New Yorkers claimed the credit last year, the first year the city credit was available. Mayor Michael Bloomberg's office says the average refund was $600.

Residents who earn $30,000 or less and pay child care expenses for children age three and under may qualify for the credit.

The mayor is urging families to call the city's information hot line, 311, to find out more information.