Policy Update, January 17, 2014

Dear Reader:

2014 brings a new format for the IaUW Policy Update. Our readers shared how they value information and desire a few new features, including:

categorizing articles into our Policy Priority areas of Education, Financial Stability, Health, Charitable Sector and our regular Statehouse/Capitol Hill updates;
highlighting when to "Take Action" -- now in RED; and
making it easier to read on mobile devices.

The Policy Update will continue to evolve to meet the needs of our advocacy partners. Thank you for caring about sound public policy in Indiana. Contact us anytime with your feedback or questions.

Lucinda Nord, 317-921-1394 or cell 317-502-8504

Child care and pre-k legislation

Important child care and pre-k bills are moving in the legislature. IaUW is working with many early education advocates, including business leaders, to standardize common sense health and safety rules for child care, to ensure taxpayer funds are being used to provide safe, research based, quality early education programs, and to increase pre-k options Woman in Live United T-Shirt Plays Drums with Children

Woman in Live United T-Shirt Plays Drums with Children

HB1004 Early Education Vouchers - This bill, also known as the "pre-k" bill, aims to provide low-income children with vouchers to attend high-quality school-based or community-based pre-kindergarten programs. Passed in the House on 1/16 with a vote of 87-9.
HB1036 Child Care & Development Fund Eligibility - This bill ensures that taxpayer funds are being utilized at quality child care providers that meet health and safety requirements. See HB1036 Summary and Grid. The House Family, Children and Human Affairs Committee is expected to vote 1/22.
See our fact sheet on Child Care in Indiana.

For more early education legislation see our full bill tracking list.

Indiana General Assembly is in Session

The "short session" of the Indiana General Assembly has begun and will conclude by March 14. Check out the new Indiana General Assembly website and the links most used by our readers:

See our IaUW bill list. Note this list will change throughout the session.

Register for the Legislative Update Webinars

IaUW partners with Indiana Coalition for Human Services (ICHS) and Indiana Nonprofit Resource Network (NRN) to provide three webinars throughout the legislative session. Sessions require pre-registration and will be held on Thursdays, 3pmET/2pmCT. Participants receive related documents. All staff and volunteers in human service organizations are invited to register through the links below:

January 23 - Session starter provides overview of introduced bills and ways to advocate.
February 20 - Mid-session update provides an overview of bills that "crossed over" to the second chamber.
March 20 - Post-session wrap-up explaining newly enacted laws.

Attend a "Third House" session with your legislator(s)

State legislators hold "Third House" or "Meet Your Legislator" sessions throughout the legislative session. Legislators share the latest updates from the Statehouse and usually take questions and feedback from constituents. IaUW updates the Third House calendar in two formats: a clickable calendar with map links and a downloadable document. Are you aware of other sessions? Email us.

United Way Day at the Indiana Statehouse

Mark your calendars for this event that brings together United Way members and legislators at the state capitol. We will gather Tuesday, February 18, 2014.

Register for event.
Check out the flyer or see photos and video from last year.

Indiana 2-1-1 Healthcare Project

Indiana 211 Partnership has launched a Healthcare Project. IN211 will serve as a central hub for callers to access pre-screenings, information, and referrals that best suit their healthcare needs. IN211 will provide detailed information about Navigator/CAC programs around the state.

Healthcare providers - Please submit your information about services you offer or events you are hosting in your communities.
Info for consumers - Check out the Calender of Outreach and Enrollment events throughout the state. Or call 2-1-1 for more information.

Healthcare Enrollment
Recently released numbers from the federal Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) show that more Hoosiers are enrolling in the Marketplace.

Enrollment in Marketplace plans increased jumped dramatically with the improvements in healthcare.gov site. For the first half of the Open enrollment period (October 1 - December 31), 30,443 Hoosiers selected a Marketplace plan.
Additionally, 42,900 Hoosiers were eligible for Medicaid and enrolled.

Explore the full CMS Enrollment report (29 pages).

Early Education Matching Grants Available

The IN Division of Family Resources announced the availability of the Early Education Matching Grants (EEMG), also known as the "pre-k" grants. Providers may apply for this competitive grant if they meet the eligibility requirements below:

must obtain/have commitments for matching funds (one-to-one match);
eligible children must be between the ages of 4-5, in a family that does not exceed 100% of the federal poverty level;
must provide services for at least 180 days per year;
must administer kindergarten ready assessment (ISTAR-KR);
must include parental involvement in services;
and meet other requirements.

The Division will be providing webinars to help with the grant application process. Letters of intent are due by January 29 and the applications are due by March 7. Learn how to apply.

IaUW Public Policy

IaUW is a nonpartisan organization that works to advance policy principles and compromise solutions for the common good. We focus on programs and policies that help:

children prepare for and succeed in school;
individuals achieve and sustain financial stability;
individuals access quality healthcare; and
communities thrive, including a strong 2-1-1 network and charitable sector.

Our policy priorities are developed and guided by our Public Policy Committee and our IaUW members, based on their work in Hoosier communities.

Frequently Requested Links / Documents

iauw.org - Learn about the Indiana Association of United Ways, current trainings and conferences and the ways we support local United Ways/Funds, partners and communities.

IaUW Policy / Advocacy info - Review and download IaUW Policy Priorities, Third House calendar, bill lists, fact sheets, talking points and testimony.

Advocacy Action Center - Contact your member of Congress or State Legislator, provided through our partnership with United Way Worldwide.

IaUW Policy Update Archive - Read prior issues, special articles and key documents produced by IaUW related to public policy and advocacy.

IN211.org - Search for human service information available through the referral database or by calling 2-1-1. Download reports about resources, needs, gaps and trends from Indiana 211 Partnership.

NRN Calendar - Register for high-quality and affordable training for nonprofit staff and volunteers by the Indiana Nonprofit Resource Network.

Funding and Other Opportunities - Explore current requests for proposals, funding and recognition opportunities.

Indiana General Assembly - Check the hearing or floor schedule, watch a live or recorded hearing or floor session and look up your legislators.

Library of Congress - Look up bills introduced in Congress. Note that the THOMAS site will be maintained through 2014 and fully replaced by Congress.gov.