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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 Indiana Early Learning Advisory Committee Annual Report
The Early Learning Advisory Committee (ELAC) has released their 2017 Annual Report. Each year they conduct a comprehensive needs assessment on the state of early learning in Indiana and present recommendations addressing those identified needs to the Governor's Office and the Indiana Legislative Committee.
The report found that in 2016, Indiana made progress in improving the affordability, accessibility and high quality of early care and education for young children and their families.
- There are more high-quality, diverse early care and education programs.
- Indiana successfully implemented two pre-k pilots for low-income families in 22 counties across the state (Early Education Matching Grants and On My Way Pre-K).
- New research from United Way of Central Indiana identified a positive $1:4 return on investment for high-quality pre-k in Indiana.
- The wait list of children waiting to receive a Child Care Voucher has been eliminated.
 While Indiana is making progress, the report also pointed out recommendations and areas where we can improve.
- There are 84,333 four-year old children in Indiana and half are low-income (below 185% FPL). There are 27,095 unserved low-income four-year old children that are not in a high quality subsidized pre-k program.
- Indiana should develop a standardized Kindergarten readiness assessment so we can monitor how many children are prepared for school when they enter Kindergarten.
- The cost is a barrier to high quality early care and education. High quality care, on average, costs about $7,500 to $8,500, and for a family in poverty that is almost half (41%) of their budget to pay for one child to attend.
- On average as a state, 13% of children in need of care are enrolled in a high quality program. The map to the right shows you the percentage of children enrolled in high quality by county. (Red = 0% enrolled, Yellow = less than 10%, Grey = 10-20%, Blue = 20-30%, Green = more than 30% enrolled)
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Indiana's Early Childhood Program Funding Analysis
Indiana Early Learning Advisory Committee (ELAC) has released a funding memo, Early Childhood Program Funding Analysis, that summarizes the funding that supports early learning programs (ages 0-5). Programs and services in the early learning years help children enter school ready to learn and stay on the pathway to future success. These opportunities include evidence-based home visiting services, early intervention services, and early care and education programs. Highlights include:
- An estimated $1.3 billion supports early learning in Indiana, a slight decline from the 2015 report. These dollars are a combination of public (federal, state and local) and private (philanthropic and families) funding sources.
- There are 25 unique sources of funding that come from a combination of public and private dollars. Several early learning programs are supported by blending or layering funding sources.
- The greatest percentage of funding comes from parents, approximately $826 million, that pay out-of-pocket for early learning services (child care or preschool).
Based on survey responses, philanthropic partners contributed about $13.7 million in funding to support early learning in 2016. Sixteen United Ways across the state reported providing $10.6 million. In addition to financial support, Untied Ways and philanthropic partners may also provide "in-kind" support of early education in their local communities through a variety of efforts, including roles in coordinating, convening, training, volunteer placement and recognition of quality.
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 All IN 4 Pre-K at the statehouse January 25 
The All IN 4 Pre-K campaign is hosting a day at the statehouse on January 25. This is a chance to join a public rally for pre-k expansion and meet with your lawmakers to tell them how important it is to expand pre-k in Indiana. Learn more and RSVP to share how many early care and education providers, advocates and local families you are bringing!
All IN 4 Pre-K is seeking support from more than 100 organizations across the state who are "all IN" for pre-k expansion. Leaders from Early Learning Indiana, the Indiana Chamber and United Ways and Funds across the state have already signed the letter in support. Please consider having your organization sign on for pre-k expansion before January 25.
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Preparing for the 2017 legislative session
The Indiana General Assembly is preparing for the
2017 legislative session that will begin on January 3 and must end no later than April 29. This session is a "long session" where lawmakers will decide the state's next two-year budget which is typically about $30 billion. Legislators will make tough funding decisions on state government services, including education, infrastructure and public safety. Links to help you follow are below:
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Check out our Third House / Meet Your Legislator event calendar
IaUW is tracking Third House Sessions and "meet your legislator" events across the state. These meetings are opportunities for constituents to talk to their legislators and learn about bills they are working on at the statehouse. It is important that legislators hear input from their constituents and these events are a great way for you to connect and share your thoughts. View our Third House Calendar that will be updated regularly throughout the legislative session. Check back often for new events as they are posted. Upcoming events include:
- Bloomington - January 13 at 11:30am
- Greater Greenwood - January 13 at 11:30am
- Hamilton County - January 13 at 7:30am
- Madison County - January 9 at 6:30pm
- Southwest IN - January 13 at 11:30am
If you attend,
drop us a note
to share a little about your experience.
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Our United Way Day at the Statehouse will be held on Monday, March 6. Note that the date has changed since the last newsletter. We invite staff, volunteers, board members and agency partners to join our Statehouse Day. We especially encourage new volunteers and staff to visit the statehouse and meet your legislators during this important, budget session.
Come and meet with your legislators to discuss key topics that are important to your community!
Register today.
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 Healthcare coverage update 
December 15, the deadline to enroll in plans that start January 1, turned out to be the biggest day ever for the ACA Marketplace with over 670,000 Americans selecting a plan. President Obama commented that for the first time in our history more than 90% of Americans are insured. Since November 1, over 70,000 Hoosiers have selected a 2017 healthcare coverage plan through the ACA Healthcare Marketplace. 56% of Indiana Marketplace consumers can select a plan for less than $100 a month.
Indiana's alternative to Medicaid expansion, HIP 2.0, insures an additional 224,000 Hoosiers.
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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
.
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FSSA Department of Mental Health and Addiction is accepting written comments regarding the addition of psychosocial rehabilitation services offered in accredited clubhouse settings under the Medicaid Rehabilitation Option.
Learn more.
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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 a
re 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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