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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Governor Pence initiates Drug Task Force
The Governor announced a new Task Force on Drug Enforcement, Treatment, and Prevention. See press release. Specifically, the Task Force is charged with:
- Statewide assessment: Evaluate the existing resources across all areas, identify gaps in enforcement, treatment and prevention and provide recommendations for improvement.
- Enforcement: Identify effective strategies so federal, state, and local law enforcement can partner together to combat drug abuse.
- Treatment: Analyze available resources for treatment and identify best practices for treating drug addiction.
- Prevention: Identify programs and/or policies which are effective in preventing drug abuse, including early youth intervention programs.
The Task Force will meet each month through November, analyzing information and creating a report of recommendations.
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Legislative Study Committee topics
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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 - 9/16 review of many insurance issues including definitions, denials and complaints; 10/27 on whether or not bill drafts will be proposed
- 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 - 9/23 on the production and use of hemp oil
- Corrections and Criminal Code - 9/16 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 not yet scheduled
- Courts and Judiciary - 9/3 on whether or not the nine month period for claims against an estate should be extended, 9/10 and 9/24 - open adoption records, medical malpractice
- Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications 9/16 - broadband access
- Environmental Affairs - 10/14 and 10/28 waste management
- Government - 9/22 on policy body cameras and obsolete laws
- Pension Management - 9/23 on 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 on BMV special license plates and drunk driving, 9/29 and 10/8 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
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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.
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Blue Ribbon Commission to study teacher shortage
The Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz announced a Blue Ribbon Commission to explore strategies for recruiting and retaining quality teachers. See media release. The first meeting will be held September 11.
Superintendent Ritz points to an 18% drop in the number of initial teacher licenses issued over the last five years as well as a decline in the enrollment in schools of education.
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Webinar 9/9 on using the new poverty data
The Coalition on Human Needs is offering a webinar " Using New Poverty Data" on Sept. 9, 2pmET. The U.S. Census will release poverty data mid-September, and the Coalition on Human Needs wants to help make the Census data more accessible and help participants understand what the new data shows about poverty, income and health insurance. Register.
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September is National Disaster Preparedness Month - Be Ready!
Nonprofits should maintain and exercise plans in the event of disaster, including staff and client safety, communications, data recovery, alternative locations, financial reserves, etc.
Families should maintain a communications plan, including contact information (in writing in addition to cell phone), as well as a home safety kit. Do your children, relatives and neighbors know how to contact you and what to do in emergencies?
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Financial Stability Learning Opportunities
In case you missed them, here are recordings or upcoming opportunities for case managers, financial coaches, tax preparers and healthcare navigators.
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Updated EBT outage and ABAWD posters
We are working with Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) to get the word out about two important issues related to SNAP.
- reschedule their appointment with the IMPACT office if they missed it, and
- report their employment to the IMPACT office (as some recipients are already working and meeting the requirements, but may not have reported it).
We are also asking food pantries and community- and faith-based partners to post flyers. The policy of work requirements was in place prior to the recession. We want to make sure that recipients are informed of the requirements, and if they have medical or special needs, they need to make an appointment as soon as possible to not lose these essential benefits. For info about the number of total SNAP recipients in your county, view FSSA reports.
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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.
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Education, so that children are prepared for and succeed in school;
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Income/Financial Stability, so that individuals and families may achieve and sustain financial stability;
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Health, so that individuals may access quality healthcare; and
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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.
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 � 2015. All Rights Reserved.
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