Indiana Association of United Ways Logo 
Policy Update, April 4, 2014 
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.
 
CORRECTION from last issue: The pre-K pilot approved in HEA1004 is limited to 4-year-olds younger than 5, not 4 and 5 as written in error. Please excuse our mistake.
At the Statehouse - Take Action
Voter Registration Deadline is Monday, April 7
register If you want to vote in the primary, you need to register to vote by the close of business on Monday, April 7. You may register by mail or online. Learn more about voter registration. Learn who the candidates are in each district.

You might also consider working the polls, as our democracy depends upon poll workers. 
Health Priority Area If a person is "in line" or has a "qualifying life event"....
Doctor checks boy with stethoscope while mom looks on. As thousands of Hoosiers applied for health insurance during open enrollment, there is a little confusion about the deadline, penalty and special enrollment period. Below tries to summarize topics that are frequently misunderstood:
  • Individual mandate, penalty and deadline - Americans are required to carry health insurance to avoid tax penalties in 2015. The deadline to apply was March 31. Penalties are pro-rated based on the number of months without insurance April - December and based on income. If you don't have coverage, you must pay a fee or have an exemption from paying the penalty fee.
    • Individuals who were "in line" on 3/31 may complete their enrollment process. 
    • Individuals who have a "qualifying life event" such as a changes in income or family size may qualify for a "special enrollment period." 
    • Individuals who are in poverty or have other special circumstances may qualify for and request an exemption from the penalty.
  • Health Insurance Marketplace - The deadline was March 31. Tax credits and subsidies are limited to those who met the deadline or who qualify for a "special enrollment period." Learn more about getting coverage outside of the open enrollment period.
  • Medicaid, CHIP, HIP - Low-income individuals may apply for Medicaid programs, including Children's Health Insurance Program and Healthy Indiana Plan, at any time during the year. Each program has different income thresholds and eligibility guidelines.   
Call 2-1-1 or visit www.healthcare.gov or attend one of the many outreach and enrollment events throughout the state. Check out the information and calendar maintained by IN211.

Income Priority Area  - Take Action Money Smart Week - April 5-12, 2014
Have you checked your credit score within the last year? Looking for ways to teach your children or students about budgeting?  When was the last time you talked with employees about opportunities to increase their savings? 
 
Money Smart Week provides the opportunity to talk about finances. Teachers may download free quizzes and games to teach students about money. Employers may offer employees links to information and calculators to encourage savings, credit repair and ID protection. 
 
Look for an event near you in Indiana. Download tools through the Federal Reserve or through mymoney.gov
Health Priority Area County Health Rankings: how does your county rank?
The County Health Rankings and Roadmaps were released. Hamilton, Hendricks and Boone counties rank at the top in both health factors and outcomes. Scott, Fayette and Blackford are at the bottom for health outcomes, while Starke, Scott and Newton counties are at the bottom for health factors. Health outcome measures include length and quality of life such as premature death, poor health, poor physical or mental health days and low birthweight. Health factors include:
  • health behaviors such as smoking, obesity, excessive drinking, STDs and teen births;
  • clinical care measures such as numbers of uninsured, numbers of health providers, preventable hospital stays, and health screenings;
  • social and economic factors such as education level, employment, poverty, single-parent households, violent crime and death;
  • physical environment factors such as air and water pollution, severe housing problems and long commutes alone.
Find how your county ranks or read the full report for Indiana. The Roadmaps offer solutions to improve health. This project is a collaboration between the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute.  

 

Governor signs early education bills
The photo at the right shows Governor Pence, surrounded by preschool children and a bi-partisan group of legislators, as he signed HEA1004, Early Learning Pilot Grant and Study. While FSSA is the state agency authorized to administer the program, many details have not yet been finalized.  
 
HEA1036, Child Care Development Fund Eligibility, will require that taxpayer funded CCDF subsidies will be used only at child care providers that meet common sense health and safety requirements.
 
Both programs encourage providers to participate in the Paths To Quality voluntary rating program. 

Read our summary of early education laws. We will share info about processes and technical assistance opportunities as we learn them. 

At the Statehouse Legislative Session Highlights
In case you missed it, check out the recorded webinar or the one-page summary about newly enacted laws from the 2014 session of the Indiana General Assembly. Thanks to our partners at Indiana Coalition for Human Services and Indiana Nonprofit Resource Network.

Charitable Sector Priority Area - Take Action National Volunteer Recognition Week is April 6-12
Thank YOU for your volunteer time! According to the Indiana Civic Health Index, approximately 26% of Hoosiers volunteer their time. Be sure to thank your volunteers and celebrate their service during National Volunteer Recognition Week. Find creative and low-cost ideas to express appreciation.
advocate
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.

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