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| New Look? | |
Did you notice our new look with the updated "LIVE UNITED" logo?
We will be incorporating the updated logos as we join others around the world in celebrating 125 years of the United Way movement.
Indiana United Ways may contact our office or visit the "members only" section for the Logo Presentation materials from the March 30 Executive Roundtable meeting. |
| ICHS Legislative Update |
This webinar is an alternative to the regional forum meetings held in 2011. |
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Opportunities | |
RECOGNITION
Deadline: 7/27/12
FUNDING
Deadline: 4/30/12
Deadline: 4/30/12 Deadline: 5/2/12
Deadline: 5/4/12
Deadline: 7/16/12
Deadline: 8/13/12 |
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IaUW Public Policy | |
IaUW is a non-partisan organization that works to advance policy principles and compromise solutions toward our priorities.
Our policy priorities are developed and guided by our Public Policy Committee and our IaUW members, based on their work in Hoosier communities. |
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If you received this IaUW Public Policy Update from a friend, please sign up at your left. Thank you for your interest in advancing sound public policy in Indiana.
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Health Rankings: how does your county rank? | | |
 The 2012 County Health Rankings provide statistical information about health factors for each of Indiana's 92 counties. According to this ranking, Hamilton and Boone counties rank 1st and 2nd as the "healthiest," and Pike and Scott counties bring up the "least healthy" at 91st and 92nd.
The rankings are developed based on a combination of health outcomes, factors and policies, including tobacco use, diet, access to care, education level and more.
The Roadmaps to Health were added to allow community planners to consider and predict how certain program or policy changes will result in better health outcomes for a community.
Take the challenge to improve health factors in your community. Up to six communities that work to improve residents' health will be awarded a $25,000 Roadmaps To Health prize. Webinar is April 24 and intent to apply is May 31.
The County Health Rankings and Roadmaps to Health are collaborative projects of the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF). |
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26% of population and only 1.6% of questions | | |
The first twenty Republican Presidential debates have included 1,037 questions about a variety of topics. Yet, only 17 questions, or 1.6% total, involved child policy issues related to education reform, children's health, child welfare and safety, children with disabilities, early childhood development or child poverty.
This is despite the facts that the children ages birth to 17 years comprise 26% of the U.S. population and that the federal budget includes over $374 billion in investments in child health, safety, education, and security. Scan the chart of question topics as analyzed by Voices for America's Children.
What creates this discrepancy? Is it because children don't vote? ...or because there are no differences between candidates on children's issues? How will our Congressional and Statehouse races compare?
Nonprofit organizations serving children and families may help ensure children's issues are included in the policy dialogue about the future of our state and country. |
Social Media, Nonprofits and Advocacy | | |
  Social media provides unprecedented opportunity for cost-effective communications where nonprofits can match the message with the best delivery method. There are wonderful examples of policy change resulting directly from social media campaigns. Potential drawbacks include that social media 1) requires time and resources and 2) provides ample opportunity for unintentional errors and miscommunications.
Indiana's Nonprofit Resource Network provided a training and guide for nonprofits. As you develop your social media presence, here are a few tips specific to public policy and advocacy:
- Separate personal and professional social media presence. Staff are reminded that if they identify their professional position on personal pages, that their comments may be construed as speaking for the organization. Nonprofit charities may jeopardize tax-exempt status by engaging in political or partisan activities.
- Do no harm. Do good. Be positive. Focus on the mission. Ask yourself, "could my post do harm to the reputation of the organization?" "Am I providing factual information that advances meaningful and positive dialogue?"
- Think twice before you type. Remember that what you email, post, comment, tweet, blog or type in a status update creates a permanent and public record.
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Child Abuse Prevention Month | | |
 Have you driven by a display of pinwheels lately? April is "Child Abuse & Neglect Prevention Awareness Month."
In 2009, Indiana Department of Child Services received 110,431 reports and substantiated 24,754 cases of child abuse or neglect. Thirty-eight (38) children died from child maltreatment, with 79% under age 3. The media has shined the spotlight on the issue of child deaths at the hand of their loved ones and caregivers. Consider recent guest column by Mary Boggs, past president of the Children's Coalition of Indiana.
The Indiana General Assembly will be reviewing issues around child abuse and neglect, child welfare services, the abuse and neglect reporting hotline, ombudsman reports and more through an interim study committee. We will post dates and times for the committee meetings as available. |
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Money Smart Week April 21-28, 2012 | |
Our financial stability partners around the state are offering more than 100 free classes and events to help consumers learn to manage their personal finances during Money Smart Week®, April 21-28.
Poor budgeting skills, low financial literacy, outstanding debt and a lack of assets contribute to financial instability for individuals and families.
Money Smart Week is coordinated by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago with hundreds of partner organizations dedicated to financial literacy.  |
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