Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health
The Health and Human Services Earned Income Tax Credit outreach grant was awarded to MU Extension and will be evaluated by the Institute of Public Policy.
This three-year project leverages Extension’s comparative advantage of the statewide network of County Engagement Specialists and Field Specialists to increase awareness and uptake of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) in rural communities, including targeting Hispanic populations. EITC awareness will be crucial in the upcoming tax seasons as families experiencing economic hardships may be newly eligible for the tax credit.
This initiative brings together several partners from across the University of Missouri. Evaluation design and implementation involve faculty from the Institute of Public Policy in the Truman School of Public Affairs. Cultural competency training, outreach coordination, and translation efforts will be provided in coordination with MU’s Cambio Center.
Impact
The research component of the grant seeks to evaluate the possible relationship between the increased receipt of the Earned Income Tax Credit and changes in the risk and protective factors for adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) by providing EITC educational materials and outreach to targeted populations.