Indiana Association of United Ways Logo 
Policy Update, July 8, 2016 
Thank you for your interest and support. The Indiana Association of United Ways has provided its Policy Update on "odd Fridays" (1st, 3rd and 5th Fridays) for many years. As Lucinda Nord leaves IaUW and Maggie Snyder becomes your Policy Update writer and editor, we will have ONLY ONE ISSUE IN JULY. We are also interested in your feedback; see survey below. Contact us if you have any questions or comments about content (past, present or desired for the future).

Take the quick survey to share your feedback on IaUW Public Policy and our Policy Update.
At the Statehouse 2 Minute Update
This 2 Minute Update is brought to you by Maggie Snyder, your new Policy Update writer and editor.  Feel free to contact Maggie if you have any questions about newsletter content.  Use the survey link above to share your thoughts on how we can improve.

Watch the video for a quick overview of this newsletter.
Charitable Sector Priority Area Findings from Giving USA: 2015 was most generous year ever
Donations from America's individuals, estates, foundations and corporations reached an estimated $373.25 billion in 2015, according to
Giving USA 2016: The Annual Report on Philanthropy for the Year 2015, 
released last month. Interesting findings from the report include:
  • the combined growth for 2014 and 2015 reached 10.1%;
  • individuals remained the largest giving group by contributing $264.58 billion;
  • individual givers were responsible for two-thirds of the year's overall increase in total giving;
  • in the last year, international affairs and education saw the highest increases in giving, while giving to religion continued to be the most common.
Education Priority Area 2016 KIDS COUNT Data Book released
The KIDS COUNT Data Book is an annual report that ranks states on overall child well-being by using four key indicators: economic well-being, education, health and family and community.  The 2016 report uses 2014 data to tell us more about the landscape of child well-being nationally and at the state level. Indiana ranked 30th in the report released last month.  Other findings of note include:
  • 22% of children are living in poverty, including 333,000 Hoosier children;
  • 30% of parents lack secure employment;
  • 60% of 3 and 4 year-olds in Indiana are not in school, compared to 53% nationally; 
  • more children have health insurance, 7% children without; and
  • child and teen deaths and drug abuse are decreasing.
At the Statehouse New laws effective this month
Several Indiana laws went into effect on July 1.  You may have seen in the media that distilleries and breweries can now sell their products on Sundays and that college and high school sports are prohibited in the fantasy sports world.  Some additional newly effective laws that may be of interest to our readers:
  • pseudoephedrine purchasing - pharmacists can now determine whether to sell pseudoephedrine to those they do not know (takes effect July 13)
  • police body cameras - rules around rights to withhold or share the video footage
  • concussion prevention - athletic coaches for grades 5-12 are now required to take training courses to learn how to spot the signs of concussions
  • teacher background checks - meant to strengthen the process and limit confidentiality agreements between school districts and teachers
At the Statehouse
Legislative study committees announcedState Capitol
During the legislative session many interim study committee topics are recommended by the General Assembly. The meetings allow experts in the field and state agencies to share information about the current state of issues in Indiana in preparation for the next legislative session.  

In late May, the Legislative Council announced the topics to be studied in the interim before the 2017 session.  Committee membership  has also been announced.  Here are a few highlights of interest to our members and partners (only a subset of all):
  • Corrections and Criminal Code will study use of GPS in victim notification in domestic violence cases.
  • Courts and the Judiciary will study guardianship, civil rights issues related to gender identity and sexual orientation and visitation with a protected person.
  • Education will study ways to reduce school sexual misconduct and violations in schools.
  • Employment and Labor will study mis-classification of independent contractor status and payroll fraud.
  • Fiscal Policy will study tax incentives, food desert grant and loan program and return on investment for early childhood education spending.
  • Public Health, Behavioral Health and Human Services will study heroin use and treatment, loan forgiveness for certain dentists, multi-state nurse licensure, medical records confidentiality and disclosure in child abuse cases, hospital immunizations, employment first and First Steps.
  • Public Policy will study certain alcohol issues and daily fantasy sports, including if child support and past due taxes should be intercepted.
  • Public Safety and Military Affairs will study whether grants from military relief fund should be paid directly to vendors and more about district veteran service officers.
  • Roads and Transportation will study special group license plates and seat belts on school buses.
Separate panels were already established by law to study alternatives to ISTEP, redistricting, roads and immigration.

Upcoming committee meetings include: 
Check the interim committee calendar for updates.  
Charitable Sector Priority Area Overtime rules and the nonprofit sector
As you may have seen in our previous updates, the US Department of Labor's final rules on overtime and employee definitions go into effect on December 1, 2016.  IUPUI's School of Public and Environmental Affairs has recently studied what this may mean for Indiana's nonprofit organizations.  View their briefing, Revisions to Overtime Pay Regulations in the Fair Labor Standards Act:  Likely Impact on Nonprofit Employment.  The findings show that the new regulations will challenge the financial capacity of many nonprofit organizations across the state.

Helpful links on the overtime rule:
Charitable Sector Priority Area Nominate a volunteer for Serve Indiana Awards for Excellence
Volunteers throughout Indiana demonstrate the power of giving and caring every day.  To recognize these dedicated individuals, Serve Indiana invites you to nominate an outstanding volunteer, organization or business for Serve Indiana's 2016 Awards for Excellence.  Awards will be presented in eight categories:
  • exemplary volunteer program;
  • corporate service;
  • youth volunteer;
  • national service;
  • exemplary service-learning;
  • faith-based volunteer;
  • volunteerism; and
  • lifetime achievement.
Learn more about submitting a nomination.  Deadline July 18.
bullhorn
At the Statehouse - Take Action
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 in Indiana.
  • FSSA Division of Aging, will hold listening sessions to gather input on how the state delivers home and community-based services to older adults and adults with disabilities.
  • FSSA Office of Medicaid Policy and Planning, will hold a hearing on rules related to the Medicaid inpatient and outpatient reimbursement rate methodology for certain hospitals.  See LSA #15-372.  Hearing on 7/25/16 at 9am.
  • State School Bus Committee, DOEwill hold a hearing on rules related to child alert systems, contents of first aid kits and optional rear stop arms. See LSA #15-426. Hearing on 9/6/16 at 9am.
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 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 membersbased 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.