In March of this year, First Lady Maria Shriver launched "Connect California," a new statewide campaign to help California families access government assistance programs that are too often underused.

Shriver's effort to increase the number of Californians accessing EITC is entitled "It's Your Money. Claim It. Save It. And Make It Grow." One in four eligible Californians do not file a federal tax return to claim the credit, the lowest participation rate of any state in the nation. Over 750,000 Californians miss out on almost $1 billion in EITC payments.

"These dollars are too important to leave sitting in Washington, D.C.," said Shriver. "We need them here, in the pocketbooks of California's most vulnerable families. This tax credit lifts more children out of poverty than any other federal program."

This spring, First Lady Shriver volunteered at EITC-focused community events in Fresno and Orange County, partnering with Central California Legal Serivces and the Legal Aid Society of Orange County. These events helped working families get their taxes done for free and learn about other services that can make a real difference in their lives.

For the full press release about the event in Fresno, click here.

For the full press release about the event in Orange County, click here.