Indiana Association of United Ways Logo 
Policy Update, September 4, 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).
Health Priority Area
Governor Pence initiates Drug Task Force
The Governor announced a new Task Force on Drug Enforcement, Treatment, and Prevention. See press releaseSpecifically, 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. 

Indiana has observed a 500% increase in accidental overdoses over 10 years and ranks among the worst for heroin overdoses. See graph at right, an excerpt from a presentation for the Children's Coalition by Dr. Joan Duwve of the IN State Department of Health. Scan her full presentation about the linkages between drug abuse and HIV transmission.
At the Statehouse
StateCapitolDayLegislative 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:
At the Statehouse - Take Action
Weigh in on issues important to you!
bullhorn We will try to summarize important opportunities to weigh in on rulemaking or public comment periods. Here are a few opportunities. 
Education Priority Area
math-teacher-student.jpg 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 teachersSee 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. 
Income Priority Area
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.  
Charitable Sector Priority Area
September is National Disaster Preparedness Month - Be Ready! 
How prepared is your nonprofit organization? How prepared is your family? September is National Disaster Preparedness Month when FEMA reminds us to make a plan and prepare a kit. 

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?
Income Priority Area
Financial Stability Learning Opportunities
FS class In case you missed them, here are recordings or upcoming opportunities for case managers, financial coaches, tax preparers and healthcare navigators. 
SNAP Logo
Income Priority Area
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.
First, the Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) services for SNAP and TANF will experience 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 for areas. 
* Eastern Time Zone - ET English and ET Spanish 
* Central Time Zone -  CT English and CT Spanish

As we have reported, we are working closely with FSSA and the IMPACT office to encourage people who are classified as ABAWDs, Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents, to meet the new work requirements and to: 
  1. reschedule their appointment with the IMPACT office if they missed it, and 
  2. 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
 
At the Statehouse
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 membersbased 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.