Policy Update, April 15, 2016

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).

Taxpayer Pride!

What publicly funded services do you value?

IaUW staff celebrate taxpayer pride--from libraries to parks to pre-k and more.

As the deadline nears for tax returns to be filed, we are reminded what our tax dollars support.

Here's a crazy idea. Print this flyer. Write in the publicly provided service that you value. Take your photo and post on social media with #TaxpayerPride. Tell your family and friends what you value!

Your editors especially appreciate schools, parks, clean air and water! And police, public health services, 2-1-1 and child services. And services for people with disabilities, legal aid, nutrition programs, consumer protection, and so much more.


	Sarah Nahmias, IaUW President and Rick Davis, Past-President

Thank you to Indiana's valued volunteers!

National Volunteer Week is April 10-16. This week gives your organization the opportunity to celebrate your volunteers!

We would like to thank volunteers across the state who are serving their communities. We also want to show our appreciation for Indiana Association of United Ways' board members, committee members and volunteers that support our work. Thank you for all that you do!

Learn more about National Volunteer Week.

Celebrate volunteerism!

We are launching, volunteerINdiana, an endorsed Bicentennial Project to highlight how Hoosiers serve in their community. Email us a photo of volunteer service in your community. Include the name, event, county, year of event and your contact, to get us started. More coming soon.

Legislative Study Committees on the Calendar

During the legislative session many interim study committee topics are recommended by the General Assembly. These committees provide legislators with more information on certain topics such as redistricting, immigration and more. The meetings allow experts in the field and state agencies to share information about the current state of certain issues in Indiana. Upcoming committee meetings include:

Senate Select Committee on Immigration Issues - April 19, May 25, June 15 all at 1pm.
Special Committee on Redistricting - May 5 at 1pm.
Legislative Council - May 25 at 10am.
See our quick summary of recommended, required and established study topics.

Check the interim committee calendar for updates.

Tax deadline Monday, 4/18
Because of Emancipation Day, tax returns are due on Monday. If you or someone you know has not filed yet, only three days remain. Free tax preparation sites have been crazy-busy in this last week of preparation.

File your taxes for free through My Free Taxes if your income is less than $62,000.

Money Smart Week April 23-30

Money Smart Week is a public awareness campaign designed to help consumers better manage their personal finances. Organizations may partner to host extra events during this week to increase community awareness about best practices for personal finance and financial stability. Learn more about Money Smart Week and events near you.

More counties facing heroin crisis consider syringe access

Twenty-four (24) counties are now in some stage of planning for a Syringe Access Program as a public health strategy to address the heroin crisis. Government, community and faith-based organizations are convening learning sessions and coalitions around local drug addiction issues. Project Cultivate tracks activity around Syringe Access Programs.

Weigh in on issues important to you!

Submitting comments during rulemaking periods is an important way to shape policy. State and federal agencies appreciate specific comments about possible impacts and ways to improve proposed rules. Below are a few open comment periods:

FSSA, Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services - related to rate changes for providers of Community Based Integration and Habilitation (CIH) waiver and Family Supports waiver. See announcement. Deadline: 5/12/16.
FSSA, Division of Mental Health and Addictions - related to minimum standards for opioid addiction treatment programs. See LSA #16-1, or proposed rule. Deadline: 6/30/16.

Indiana Kids Request for Proposals

Serve Indiana has announced that they will now be accepting applications for grants to help with two objectives in the Indiana Kids program:

prevent and reduce the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies and establish annual numerical goals for preventing and reducing the incidence of these pregnancies or
encourage the formation and maintenance of two-parent families.

Technical assistance calls will be held on April 18 and 27. Grant applications are due May 27.

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 60 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, including fact sheets, testimony and bill summaries.

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.

Federal Advocacy Action Center - Contact your member of Congress 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.

Congress.gov - Look up bills introduced or passed in Congress.