Governor Dan McKee, Rep. Teresa Tanzi and Sen. Lammis Vargas are all urging adoption of a new $650 per child refundable tax credit to be including in the FY 2027 state budget. Child Tax Credits are a proven strategy to help families with the high cost of raising children. Parents, like Lavascia Williams of Providence, use cash refunds from federal and state Child Tax Credits for essential family needs like food, housing, utilities, child care, clothing, and education expenses.
Here is Lavascia’s story about how a new Rhode Island Child Tax Credit will help her and her daughter Lotus make ends meet:
Hi, my name is Lavascia.
This is my daughter Lotus.
I’m a first-time mom. I’m also a small business owner, a full-time student, and I work part-time as a substitute teacher — so juggling responsibilities is something I’m constantly navigating.
Because of that, having access to resources like United Way of Rhode Island has been incredibly important for me.
Specifically, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program has helped me file my taxes for the second year now, and that support has made a real difference.
As a new mom, there’s so much I’m learning all at once — and finances are a big part of that. Before this, I didn’t fully understand what I qualified for, how to file taxes for my business, or even how systems like the Child Tax Credit are meant to support families like mine.
But the Child Tax Credit is really about putting money back into parents’ pockets to help offset the everyday cost of raising a child — and those costs add up quickly.
This year’s proposal feels like a step in the right direction, especially as families are facing rising costs. For many of us, every dollar truly counts.
As I think about working more hours and continuing to build stability, childcare is one of the biggest things on my mind. And while this kind of support may not cover everything, it can help with real, immediate needs — even if that’s just covering a week of childcare or giving a little breathing room.
Around tax season, there’s something really reassuring about knowing that this support is consistent — that there’s something in place designed to help families like mine.
And beyond the financial impact, having access to guidance through programs like VITA made me feel informed, supported, and confident — which is just as important.
At the end of the day, when families understand what’s available to them and can actually access it, it creates real impact — not just financially, but emotionally and mentally too.
I’m truly grateful for the support I’ve received and for programs that continue to invest in families like mine.
Thank you.
