Indiana Association of United Ways Logo 
Policy Update, July 22, 2016 
Thank you for your interest and support. The Indiana Association of United Ways provides its Policy Update on "even Fridays" (2nd and 4th Fridays). Contact us if you have any questions or comments about content (past, present or desired for the future).
At the Statehouse United Way Hill Day
IaUW was represented in D.C. this month for United Way Worldwide's Advocacy Forum and Hill Day. Participants included United Way staff, board members and volunteers from across the country.

IaUW was able to meet with both Indiana Senate offices and three of the Congressional offices. We advocated for Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) expansion and discussed local Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) programs.
Education Priority Area - Take ActionComplete survey on early education funding Survey Graphic
Indiana Early Learning Advisory Committee's (ELAC) Funding Streams workgroup is developing the 2016 report on funding available in Indiana, specifically funding that supports early learning (ages zero to five) with a special focus on preschool funding.  See 2015 Funding Memo Report. The report summarized funding from several different sectors, including the philanthropic community.  
 
Participate in this survey by Tuesday, August 2 to help ELAC better understand the amount of funding that the philanthropic community is currently investing in early education and pre-K.  The survey results will help shape the 2016 ELAC Funding Memo that will be released early fall.
At the Statehouse - Take Action Register for ICHS Annual Meeting
Join the Indiana Coalition for Human Services (ICHS) for a panel discussion on the forecast for the upcoming elections and the 2017 legislative session.  What topics are on the horizon that may impact human services legislation?  What can we expect from the upcoming election, and how will it impact Indiana's political climate?  

Register online for the ICHS Annual Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, August 10, in Indianapolis. Download the ICHS Annual Meeting flyer for more details.
At the Statehouse
Legislative study committee calendarState 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. 

Upcoming committee meetings include: 
Check the interim committee calendar for updates.  
At the Statehouse Staying nonpartisan during elections
The November elections are approaching, and Indiana has been receiving more political media attention due to Governor Pence being selected as a Vice Presidential candidate. Nonprofit VOTE is a great resource for 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations to learn more about what is allowable during elections and more. Check out their Voter Engagement Toolkit that includes helpful guidelines and tips for your nonprofit organization to consider.

Prohibited activities include:
  • Endorsing a candidate
  • Making a campaign contribution using your organization's resources
  • Rating or ranking candidates on who is most favorable to your issues
  • Letting candidates use your facilities or resources, unless they are made equally available to all candidates
Permissible activities include:
  • Conducting or promoting voter registration
  • Encouraging people to vote
  • Educating voters on the voting process
  • Hosting a candidate forum
  • Creating a candidate questionnaire
Education Priority Area Every Student Succeeds Act and state implementation
The Indiana Department of Education (DOE) is in the process of determining how the new Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requirements will translate into state education policies.  ESSA requires participating states to submit a plan that must include certain required components: challenging academic standards, academic assessments, statewide accountability systems and school support and improvement activities.  Learn more about ESSA implementation in Indiana or view a quick ESSA overview

A draft plan will be open for stakeholder review by January 2017.  To help DOE develop the statewide plan, they are having an ESSA Listening Tour to gather input.  Look for dates near your community in September and October.
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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.
  • Department of Education, will hold listening sessions to gather input for Every Student Succeeds Act state implementation.  
  • 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.
  • Governor's Council for People with Disabilities, is accepting public comment on its 2017-2021 State Plan to address the availability of services for individuals with disabilities and their families.  Deadline 7/25/16 at 5pm.
  • 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.