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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January 27 is #EITCAwarenessDay 
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) supports the financial stability of nearly 550,000 low- and moderate- income Hoosier workers by reducing the regressive tax burden. The EITC benefits more than 27 million low-wage earners across the country and brings an average of $2,396 back into their pockets each year. Research finds that the EITC encourages work, reduces poverty and leads to long-term gains in child health and academic success.
For EITC Awareness Day, we ask our partners to help raise awareness about claiming this important credit and filing tax returns for free through local Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) programs or through MyFreeTaxes.com. One in five who are eligible for the EITC are leaving money on the table and we can help change that by raising awareness. Use our social media samples for the 2017 tax filing season, check out EITC Awareness Day Resources from CFED and spread the word about #EITC on social media.
IaUW advocates for the expansion of the EITC to ensure that all working Americans can access the pro-work, anti-poverty impacts of the credit. Under current law, millions of individuals are excluded from the EITC and actually taxed into poverty. Act now
to #ExpandEITC!
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Promote MyFreeTaxes during this tax filing season so that more Hoosiers can file their taxes for free!
Tax filing season for 2016 returns started January 23 with an April 18 filing deadline. IaUW encourages you to help the people you know and work with file their taxes for free. If a single or married couple has income less than $64,000 then they may be able to file for free through MyFreeTaxes.com. More than 70% of Hoosiers qualify to use this free, safe and secure online service.
To help spread the word as an employer, you may:
- post this MyFreeTaxes flyer in your break room;
- include this payroll stuffer with paystubs in February; and
- offer computer, internet and printer access during or after hours for an employee to complete their return and print a copy for their records.
For taxpayers with income above $64,000, they may still file through MyFreeTaxes for a fee competitive with other online tax preparation software. Find more info at
www.myfreetaxes.com.
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All IN 4 Pre-K advocates rally at the statehouse
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Advocates from Southwestern Indiana discuss pre-k expansion with Lt. Governor Crouch.
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The All IN 4 Pre-K campaign hosted a day at the statehouse earlier this week. Hundreds of people including many early care and education providers, families and business and community leaders were in attendance for this special day to bring attention to the importance of pre-k expansion in Indiana.
Later that afternoon, the Senate Committee on Education and Career Development heard compelling testimony in support of SB276, one of the pre-k expansion bills, and a vote is expected in the next couple of weeks. The pre-k expansion bill on the House side, HB1004, will be heard in the House Education Committee on January 31. Lawmakers have important decisions to make when it comes to the budget and pre-k expansion this year.
If your legislator serves on one of the committees above call or email to tell them about the importance of pre-k expansion and the positive impact it would have on your community!
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 On My Way Pre-k now accepting applications for 2017-18 
On My Way Pre-K applications are being collected now for grants to eligible children who will be four years old, but not yet five years old on August 1, 2017, and will be attending kindergarten in the 2018-19 school year. These grants will be good for pre-k programs starting in the fall of 2017. Families living below 127% of the Federal Poverty Level in need of pre-k programs living in Allen, Jackson, Lake, Marion and Vanderburgh counties are encouraged to apply. Applications must be received by Friday, March 31.
See
information for families
or
information for providers
.
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 Healthcare update 
It's important for people to know that as of now, nothing about the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace has changed, and consumers who enroll by the January 31 deadline will have coverage starting March 1. We know that consumers have questions about repeal efforts and the implications for their coverage moving forward, and it is something to pay close attention to. For now, it's important that consumers take action before the deadline to get the coverage they and their families need. Potential ACA repeal and reconciliation processes could take many months before the administration makes any substantive changes in interpretation, enforcement or content of ACA regulations. We will continue to keep you updated as changes occur. Consider meeting with your Senator or Member of Congress during the February 20-24 recess.
 Enroll America recently released
Getting America Covered: Tracking Gains in Health Insurance Coverage, 2013-2016 which highlights improvements in healthcare coverage. In 2013, 17.3% of Hoosiers were uninsured and that has improved to only 7.2% of Hoosiers uninsured in 2016.
The image to the right shows improvements from 2013-2016 across the country. The darker blue means there is a higher percentage of uninsured.
Health insurance provides more affordable access to health care as well as financial security in case of serious illness or injury and the peace of mind that comes from these protections. There is growing evidence that those who have gained coverage in recent years are benefiting in a variety of measures related to access to care, affordability and reduction in bankruptcy.
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Register now for January 30 legislative update webinar 
IaUW partners with the Indiana Coalition for Human Services to bring you updates during the legislative session. The first update webinar will take place on Monday, January 30 at 2pmET. We will share an update about the progress with legislation affecting working Hoosiers, children, seniors and people with disabilities. Register now to watch the webinar live. The recorded version will be posted on our website if you are not able to watch the live recording. Additional legislative update webinars will be recorded on March 10 and May 5.
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Follow along during the 2017 legislative session
The Indiana General Assembly is nearly one month into session.
Committee hearings have been taking place and more than 1,240 bills have been filed. 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:
- Carroll County - February 4 at 8:00am
- Columbus, Bartholomew County - January 30 at 7:30am
- Goshen, Elkhart County - February 4 at 8:00am
- Grant County - February 4 at 8:00am
- Greater Lafayette - February 4 at 7:30am
- Hendricks County - January 30 at 7:00am
If you attend,
drop us a note
to share a little about your experience.
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Join us for United Way Day at the Statehouse on March 6 
Watch this
short video to hear why Tonja Couch, Executive Director of United Way of Jackson County, encourages her peers to visit the statehouse and meet with their legislators.
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.
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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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FSSA Division of Aging is accepting public comment for Indiana's Statewide Transition Plan Version 6.
Learn more about submitting comments before the February 17 deadline.
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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. Our policy priorities (new!) are developed and guided by our Public Policy Committee and our members, based on their programmatic work in Hoosier communities.
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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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