Gearing up to significantly impact on how Louisiana families gain financial restitution, The Middleburg Institute supported by Share Our Strength has launched a multi-city public awareness campaign promoting the expansion of Louisiana's child tax credit legislation. Throughout the month, The Middleburg Institute will host listen-and-learn events explaining why tax credits matter for families and children in Louisiana and how to improve access to tax credits and tax assistance. Participants will also learn grassroots advocacy, leadership for results, financial literacy, and behavioral health strategies. Banking and financial coaching partners will teach critical financial concepts—including savings, budgeting, and money management—so that participants can fully experience the economic impact and benefits of tax credit policies as they are expanded in Louisiana. The workshops will be held across ten parishes for four months, culminating in April 2024 where participants will join two dozen thought leaders and policymakers for a Louisiana Child Tax Credit Simulator. "This is a laser-focused campaign that will reduce the fear of the political landscape, encourage civic engagement, and improve financial well-being," said Joyce James, president/founder at The Middleburg Institute. More than 580,000 Louisiana households with low to moderate incomes annually benefit from earned income tax credit policies. It is the broadest tax credit the state has to offer. However, more families could have benefited from the expansion of these policies. According to the IRS, an earned tax credit is a refundable credit that helps workers provide basic needs for their children, and the Child Tax Credit helps families with qualifying children get a tax break. Nationally, these credits have helped more than 25 million workers and families with annual incomes less than $200,000 and $400,000 if filing a joint return. "This campaign provides educational resources, projects, and programs to influence and change public policies that lift up and build economic security and financial stability in low-income communities statewide," said James.

For more information, visit https://themiddleburg.org. Learn about child tax credits at http://www.whitehouse.gov/child-tax-credits