Policy Update, August 21, 2015

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).

Help us understand financial assistance

We are aware that many healthcare, community- and faith-based organizations and township trustees provide some type of financial assistance for healthcare. However, we do not understand the size and scope of assistance. We also would like to identify best practices and cost efficiency.

Does your organization provide financial assistance for individuals with their health care? Or are you aware of assistance in your community? This may include paying a HIP POWER account, health insurance premium, co-pay, deductible or prescription on behalf of a client. It may also include forgiving a healthcare bill.

Take confidential financial assistance for healthcare survey!

More counties explore syringe access to prevent HIV and Hep-C

The Public Health, Behavioral Health and Human Services Committee will review syringe distribution and collection programs on Monday. Syringe access is provided as a way to prevent disease transmission and to build trust with providers for intravenous drug users.

The map at left illustrates the counties currently exploring or implementing syringe access programs, as known to the IU Rural Center for AIDS/STD Prevention. Three counties have been approved for Syringe Access Programs (SAP). About sixteen counties are exploring or have started the process.

Project Cultivate provides information about the process for SAP approval and about best practices for implementation.

Legislative Study Committee topics

The interim study committees of the Indiana General Assembly have been announced with first committee dates. Check calendar. Of interest to our readers are:

Education - 9/8, 9/29 and 10/19, all 1pmET; 9/8 on whether ISTEP should be replaced with an alternative test and 9/29 on school testing, data and reporting requirements
Public Health, Behavioral Health and Human Services - needle exchange on 8/24, review of many insurance issues including definitions, denials and complaints
Fiscal Policy - multi-year review of tax incentives (EITC, NAP, IDA Credits, etc.), school corporation capital projects, EDGE credits and more
Agriculture and Natural Resources - Indiana farm products on 8/25
Corrections and Criminal Code - multiple issues related to adult protective services and protection of elderly against abuse, human trafficking, DNA samples, technology issues with sexual assault, crime and bullying
Courts and Judiciary - 9/3, 9/10 and 9/24 - open adoption records, medical malpractice
Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications on 9/2 and 9/16 - broadband access
Environmental Affairs 10/28 - waste management
Government - policy body cameras and obsolete laws on 8/26, annexation laws on economic development projects
Pension Management - public pensions and state police benefits on 8/26
Public Policy - smoking, e-cigarettes, taxes and regulations, relationship to health and pregnancy
Road and Transportation 9/15 - BMV issues, enterprise zone funds for transportation, railroad crossings and special group license plates
Redistricting - alternative methods of redistricting
Budget Committee - Indiana State Policy compensation relative to local departments
Commission on Improving the Status of Children 11/18 - teen suicide prevention

Weigh in on issues important to you!

We will try to summarize important opportunities to weigh in on rulemaking or public comment periods. Here are a few opportunities.

Public hearing on August 24 for plan to modify the methodology and metrics that determine in which of the school improvement categories, the "A" through "F" grading scale, adult high schools are to be placed. See proposed rules.
Public hearing on hospital presumptive eligibility determinations and appeals on August 27.
No Wrong Door plan survey by FSSA or final stakeholder session on Sept. 10 related to long-term care services for people with disabilities and seniors.
FSSA is holding town hall meetings in Indy and Terre Haute on 9/9, Muncie and Gary/Merrillville on 9/10, South Bend and Evansville on 9/16, Clarksville and Ft. Wayne on 9/17 to gather input on changes to the Community Integration and Habilitation (CIH) and Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waivers.
Public hearing and comments received received on Environmental Stewardship Program (ESP) and Comprehensive Local Environmental Action Network Community Challenge Program (CLEAN) for clean air, water and solid waste on October 14.

Correction:

Tax Credits for review in 2015

The Legislative Services Agency (LSA) is focused on a subset of tax credits as a part of its tax incentive study for 2015. Please note the changes--corrected from our 6/5 issue, based on a previously published schedule.

LSA is preparing an updated report on the following credits, exemptions and tax issues, with a focus on whether the tax credits incentivize certain behaviors, such as charitable giving, savings, housing rehabilitation, etc. Below offers data from the 2014 Tax Incentive Review.

Type of Credit	Credit name (C=Corporate, I=Individual)	Taxpayers Claims*	Amount Claimed
Charitable Giving	21st Century Scholars Program (C)(I) Indiana Colleges and Universities Contribution (C)(I) Individual Development Accounts (C)(I) Neighborhood Assistance Program (C)(I) School Scholarship Contribution (C)(I)**	208 87,562 121 2,965 559	$23,269 $8,692,310 $83,790 $2,193,549 $1,447,645
Educational Savings	Indiana 529 College Savings Account Contribution (I)	67,452	$44,982,291
Rehabilitation	Historic Rehabilitation (C)(I) Residential Historic Rehabilitation (I)	39 203	$165,954 $247,035
Employment in poverty	Earned Income Tax (I)	531,569	$103,834,798

* Claim data is based on most recent full year reported for 2010, 2011 or 2012.

** Note that some credits are capped by annual state appropriations.

More DCS case workers to meet growing demand

Governor Pence authorized the hiring of 113 additional case workers for the Department of Child Services (DCS). Scan the DCS report to the State Budget Committee presented 8/14. DCS Director Mary Beth Bonaventura worked to explain the difference between staff ratios using "cases" versus staff ratios using "children" as she responded to questions before the State Budget Committee. She also discussed current challenges including drug abuse by parents.

Learn more about June DCS stats or hotline reports and abuse and neglect.

Financial Stability Learning Opportunities

As the kids go back to school, it's time to increase your knowledge and skills, too. The next month has several opportunities for case managers, financial coaches, tax preparers and healthcare navigators.

Prize-linked savings accounts: lessons from an Indiana pilot program - This short webinar will be offered Wed, August 26, 10amET. Register for the Prize-linked Savings webinar.
Tax Tips for Healthcare Navigators - This webinar will provide an overview of tax implications related to the ACA, i.e. the penalty and tax credit reconciliation. Session will be held Monday, August 31, 3pmET, and will be recorded. Ideal for Navigators, VITA volunteers, financial assistance workers. Register for Tax Tips for Navigators and VITA sites webinar.
Indiana Tax Amnesty Program - If you have specific questions, join one of the regional sessions offered around the state between August 24 and October 12.
Credit-building as an asset - Join an in-person full-day training offered on Thursday, September 10, in Indianapolis. Register for Credit-Building Training. Space is limited.

Retailers: Please post EBT outage poster

The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) is transitioning the vendor from JPM Chase to Xerox for Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) services. The transition will result in a temporary overnight outage from 11pm, Saturday, September 26 through about 12:30pm, Sunday, Sept. 27. FSSA and Xerox are working to inform retailers and to enlist their help in disseminating posters in English and in Spanish.

EBT cardholders will not be able to make SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, AKA "Food Stamps") purchases at grocery or convenience stores or access TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or cash welfare) funds at ATMs during the system transition.

Side note: The conversion is scheduled for September 26 because it is three days after all SNAP benefits have been issued for the month, and typically, a majority of the TANF cash withdrawals have been made well before this time of the month.

Learn more details about the transition.

IaUW Public Policy

IaUW 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.

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

Review our public policy documents created during the 2015 session of the Indiana General Assembly, including fact sheets, testimony and bill summaries. See our quick summary based on IaUW priorities.

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.

Community Report Card - Check out key indicators in Education, Income and Health for your neighborhood, county or region.

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.