Thank you for your interest and support. The Indiana Association of United Ways usually provides its Policy Update on "odd Fridays" (1st, 3rd and 5th Fridays). Contact us if you have any questions or comments about content (past, present or desired for the future).
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 2-1-1 funding bill advanced out of first committee
Earlier this week, HB1010, the legislation for 2-1-1 funding, passed out of the House Family, Children and Human Affairs committee. The bill is now waiting to be scheduled for a hearing in House Ways and Means Committee. The bill is a priority for House Republicans.
Is your legislator on House Family, Children and Human Affairs? Thank them for supporting HB1010 and for voting to advance the 2-1-1 funding legislation.
Is your legislator on House Ways and Means? Ask them to support HB1010 and tell them how the 2-1-1 service has benefited you, a friend or your community.
 2-1-1 callers include veterans, victims of domestic abuse, seniors and job seekers, among many others. Currently, 2-1-1 receives the vast majority of its funding from the philanthropic sector, even though government agencies such as the State Dept. of Health, FSSA and 9-1-1 regularly refer Hoosiers to 2-1-1. Without government funding, this service is unsustainable.
Follow Indiana 211 Partnership, Inc. on Twitter and Facebook to share the message with your organization's followers and friends.
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  EITC Awareness Day - TODAY
January 30 marks national EITC Awareness Day. The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) helps lower-wage working families keep more of what they earn. Research finds that the EITC encourages work, reduces poverty and leads to long-term gains in child health and academic success. See our press release or PSAs.
Free tax preparation sites are launching this weekend around the state. Call 2-1-1 to find a site near you, search online or file for free at www.myfreetaxes.com (if income below $60K).
IaUW advocates for maintaining and strengthening the EITC. The Indiana General Assembly is currently considering proposals that would remove the marriage penalty and help families with 3 or more children with the State EITC. Read our one-pager on Taxpayer Fairness and State EITC. If you would like to join our advocacy on State EITC, email us or contact your legislator.
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 HIP 2.0 approved and begins Feb. 1
Governor Pence announced federal approval of HIP 2.0. Indiana FSSA has been working diligently to create the processes for transitioning or enrolling: - those Hoosiers currently enrolled in HIP 1.0;
- those whose income is between 100%-138% of poverty and who are currently enrolled in a Marketplace plan;
- current non-disabled adults on traditional Medicaid; and
- new applicants whose income is 24%-138% of poverty (those who fell in the coverage gap).
Please note that FSSA is posting detailed information, copies of notices sent to participants, explanations and FAQs on its site--with messaging and processes unique to categories above. Information is being updated as they receive additional questions.
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Within minutes of the announcement, United Ways were called for a reaction. There are some advocates who might have preferred a traditional Medicaid expansion, just as there are other advocates who didn't want any expansion. We believe that HIP 2.0 is a compromise solution that will help close the coverage gap and provide access to hundreds of thousands of Hoosiers who would have had no other option. Indiana's United Ways have advocated for and celebrate the federal approval.
HIP 2.0 participants will now have access to quality, affordable coverage with essential health benefits. Will it be perfect? No, hardly any health insurance plan or new program is. What we do know is that HIP 2.0 is built on a program that has enjoyed consumer satisfaction and bi-partisan support. HIP 2.0 seeks to bend the healthcare cost curve for long-term sustainability.
Our ALICE Report illustrates how many households are working hard yet not getting ahead. In our state, 14% of households earn below poverty and an additional 23% of households earn above poverty but below the cost of living. Many of these "ALICE households" have fallen in the "coverage gap" and were anxiously awaiting HIP 2.0 approval. Affordable health insurance coverage provides low-wage workers not only access to healthcare but also protection against financial devastation in the event of health issues. IaUW will be working with FSSA, CMS and key partners on awareness and implementation.
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 Stay informed and get involved
The Indiana General Assembly is off and running with a number of bills already passing the first chamber. Bookmark key sites. Tools from IaUW -
UPDATED--some daily!
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Register for United Way Day at the Statehouse  IaUW's annual United Way Day at the Statehouse event will be on Wednesday, March 4, the afternoon before our State Leaders Conference.
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2015 - another "Education Session" 
Education committees are running very long as important issues are being debated--often contentiously. Key issues receiving lots of attention (and are key priorities of either the Governor or certain Republican leaders):
- Funding - The school funding formula is complicated, which includes a "complexity index" to provide additional funding for schools with high poverty, disability and other factors. Efforts are underway to increase funding for vouchers and growing suburban districts. Even with a 3% overall funding increase, every option will likely result in some winners and some losers.
- Vouchers and school choice - Efforts are underway to vastly expand the number of school choice scholarships, charters and the manner and amounts that are funded.
- Governance - Several bills would change the governing structure between the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Board of Education and the Department of Education, as well as with local districts.
- Teacher and school performance - A few bills address how teachers and schools are evaluated, monitored and financially rewarded.
- Testing and curriculum - Several bills address types of required tests, who provides the tests, when and how they are administered and the content of the curriculum and testing.
- Deregulation - Several bills aim to roll back previously enacted legislation, including removal of reporting requirements, anti-bullying legislation, certain staffing qualifications and more.
- Support services - A few bills deal with school discipline, school counselors, disability services, criminal background checks and more.
While there are bills related to early education and pre-K expansion, they are not the highest priority of leadership. Legislators cite their desire to wait to see the outcomes of pre-K pilot. The budget includes a continuation of the existing pre-K pilot; IaUW applauds the continuation and would like to see an expansion.
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 IaUW Public PolicyIaUW is a nonpartisan organization that works to advance policy principles and compromise solutions for the common good. We focus on policies that are aligned with the impact work in local communities conducted by our 61 United Ways and United Funds.
- Education, so that children are prepared for and succeed in school;
- Income/Financial Stability, so that individuals and families may achieve and sustain financial stability;
- Health, so that individuals may access quality healthcare; and
- Strong Communities, where a statewide 2-1-1 network and a strong charitable sector help communities thrive.
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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.
NEW - Community Report Card - Check out key indicators in Education, Income and Health for your neighborhood, county or region. IN211.org - S earch 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.
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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Copyright © 2013. All Rights Reserved.
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