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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Tell Congress: In honor of Veterans Day, expand tax credits for more of our veterans 
The Earned Income Tax Credit is the nation's strongest tool to promote work and help working families keep more of what they earn to pay for things like childcare, groceries, and car repairs so they can get to work. Across the nation, about 2 million veteran and military families receive the EITC and the Child Tax Credit, another critical work support.
But 600,000 veteran and military service members who aren't raising children at home are largely excluded from the pro-work, anti-poverty benefits of the EITC. In fact, veterans are among the 7.5 million American workers taxed into, or deeper into, poverty. We can and must change that.
This Veterans Day, Friday, November 11, educate policymakers on how expanding the EITC will help our nation's veterans to keep more of what they earn to have a shot at a brighter future. Or share this social media post: Support our #veterans and #ExpandEITC #VeteransDay.
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General Election results
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| | graphic from the Associated Press |
The General Election concluded this week after a polarized election season. View the Indiana election results by county as compiled by the Indiana Secretary of State Election Division or a quick list compiled by RTV6. Indiana will have a new administration under Governor Eric Holcomb, including a new Superintendent of Public Instruction, Jennifer McCormick, and Attorney General, Curtis Hill. There will also be many new legislators joining the Indiana General Assembly for the upcoming 2017 session.
Nonprofit VOTE is hosting a post-election debrief webinar, Voter Turnout in the 2016 Election: Who Voted and How it Mattered, on Tuesday, November 15 at 2pmET. Register now to find out about changes in the the electorate, turnout and voting and partisan trends compared to the last presidential and midterm. What factors drove participation? How might the trends reflect the impact of your engagement efforts and inform future work?
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 Getting to know your newly elected officials |
| | Sen. Charbonneau with United Way of Porter County's Kim Olesker |
If you are a constituent to, or your community has a newly elected official, think of ways to start building the relationship. Introduce yourself and invite them to your agency to learn more about the work you do. Inform them about the nonprofit sector and challenges you may face. Get to know them while they are still in town full-time before the legislative session begins in January. This is good to do with your more experienced legislators as well! Most of them may have individual campaign websites where you can learn more about their interests.
Many of our IaUW members have been working with Early Learning Indiana and partner organizations to advocate for an increase in state funding for high-quality pre-k. One way they are advocating, is by inviting legislators to visit pre-k programs in their local communities across the state. Having legislators personally connect with a local pre-k program helps educate them on the issue and it forms a relationship.
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Calling on President-Elect Trump to support health, education, financial stability and the charitable sector 
United Way Worldwide is calling on President-elect Donald Trump to support and invest in initiatives related to health, education and financial stability within the first 100 days of his new administration. United Way looks forward to working with the President-elect, administration officials and members of Congress to implement the following policy recommendations:
- Strengthening the charitable deduction
- Expanding the Child Tax Credit and the Earned Income Tax Credit
- Increasing access to high-quality child care
- Expanding the Children's Health Insurance Program
- Enhancing 2-1-1
- Investing in higher education and job creation
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Legislative study committees wrapping up
During the legislative session many interim study committee topics were recommended by the General Assembly. The majority of meetings and topics assigned have been discussed. As study committees come to a close, we look ahead at Organization Day which will be held on November 22.
Upcoming committee meetings include:
View final reports and recommendations from the following interim committees:
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 Overtime rules take effect in three weeks 
The US Department of Labor's overtime rules go into effect on December 1, and we hope that your organization has had the chance to prepare. While you may hear that there are proposals to extend the effective date, we encourage you to prepare for December 1. Key helpful documents for nonprofits include:
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 Find or post a health insurance enrollment event 
Open Enrollment for 2017 health plans through the Health Insurance Marketplace started earlier this month. Indiana 211 maintains a calendar of health insurance education and enrollment events across the state. Events range from a "health fair" atmosphere with many organizations, flu shots and other services to a quiet place for one-on-one interaction with Certified Navigators. Post your event here, use the map to find an enrollment event near you or simply dial 2-1-1.
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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.
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Department of Education is accepting public comments on the Every Student Succeeds Act to help shape the state plan. Learn more.
- Department of Workforce Development is accepting public comments on on the state's procedure for determining the eligibility of training providers to be included on the Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL) as part of WIOA. Submit comments before Nov 21.
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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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