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).
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 2 Minute Update featuring Michelle Beer 
Indiana Association of United Ways brings you a 2 Minute Update featuring Michelle Beer. Michelle is our new Community Impact Director and will be leading our grant and programmatic work. Her United Way and community impact experience make her a great asset to the IaUW team. Welcome, Michelle!
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 New income and poverty census data available
New data from the U.S. Census American Community Survey shows national improvements in poverty rate, household incomes and the number individuals that have health insurance coverage. The findings are covered in two reports Income and Poverty in the United States: 2015 and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2015. Some national highlights include:
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Poverty rate is down - The official poverty rate dropped 1.2 percentage points from 2014 to 2015 with 13.5% of the U.S. population, or 43.1 million people still struggling to get by.
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Median household income is up - Median household income was $56,516, an increase of 5.2% from 2014.
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Health insurance coverage is up - The number of people without health insurance coverage in 2015 was 29 million, slightly more than 9% of population, which is down from 33 million in 2014.
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Indiana ALICE Report Update released
Indiana Association of United Ways released the ALICE Report Update in mid-September. ALICE is an acronym that stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed and represents Hoosier households with income above the Federal Poverty Level but below the basic cost of living. This Report Update comes two years after the original report was released and focuses on ALICE overtime from 2007 before the recession to 2014 when the most recent data was available.
Key findings from the Report Update include:
- In Indiana, 36% of households live below the ALICE threshold - 14% live below the poverty level and another 22% are above poverty but below the basic cost of living.
- There are over 550,600 ALICE households in Indiana. Together, with those in poverty, there are nearly 908,000 Hoosier households unable to make ends meet.
- Since 2007, the percentage of households below the ALICE threshold has ranged from a low of 32% in 2007 to a high of 37% in 2012.
- All counties in Indiana have more than 17% of households living below the ALICE threshold.
According to the Census data above, the Federal Poverty Level for a family of four in 2015 was $24,257. The ALICE Report's 2014 data showed that to cover the basics of housing, child care, transportation and health care would cost a family of four $47,952 in Indiana. There has been a growing awareness that the Federal Poverty Level is far below the cost of living. From a United Way perspective, we want to see individuals and families in our communities move from poverty to financial stability, and we know ALICE falls in between.
Many of Indiana's United Ways and Funds are using the ALICE Report in their local communities to shape practices and policies to better support our struggling, hard-working neighbors. We have seen local workgroups form, creative solutions in action and more through our use of the ALICE data.
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 Partnerships for Early Learners capacity building grants 
Non-profit programs that are Paths to Quality levels 3 and 4 are invited to apply for Partnerships for Early Learners' latest capacity building grant. Programs can receive up to $50,000 to expand. The deadline for stage one applications (similar to letter of intent) has been extended to September 29 at 5pmET. Please share this great opportunity with providers in your network. Due to restrictions on the funds that support this work, programs located in Marion, Hamilton, Boone, Hancock and Hendricks Counties are not eligible to apply. Learn more about this funding opportunity.
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Legislative study committee calendar
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 before the 2017 session.
Upcoming committee meetings include:
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 Healthcare outreach and enrollment providers come together 
Indiana Primary Health Care Association (IPHCA) is hosting free outreach and enrollment regional luncheons for professionals involved with health coverage education and enrollment. RSVP by October 3rd for the chance to connect with your peers in the field. Luncheons will be held in the following regions:
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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.
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FSSA Division of Mental Health and Addiction and Department of Correction will host the Indiana Annual Recovery Month Symposium (INARMS) to bring together mental health, substance abuse and criminal justice professionals to interact and share ideas. Learn more about the 9/26-9/27 event.
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Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) and Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) are accepting comments on their 2015 Combined Annual Performance Evaluation Report before 9/29/16. Learn more.
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 IaUW Public PolicyIaUW 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.
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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.
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 - 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.
Congress.gov - Look up bills introduced or passed in Congress.
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