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 ranks 38th in 2016 voter turnout
Nonprofit VOTE and the
U.S. Elections Project recently released
America Goes to the Polls, a report that ranks all 50 states in voter turnout for the 2016 election and identifies policies that help contribute to higher turnout. They use data collected from Secretaries of State and state election offices and voter turnout is based on total ballots counted as a percent of the voter eligible population. Key findings include:
- National voter turnout exceeded 2012 at a level consistent with the last three presidential elections. 60.2% of the nation's 231 million eligible voters cast ballots compared to 58.6% turnout in 2012.
- Nationally, four in ten eligible voters did not vote. Among the most common reasons cited are a lack of competition and meaningful choices on the ballot or problems with their voter registration or getting to the polls.
- The campaigns dedicated 99% of their ad spending adn 95% of their campaign visits to the 14 battleground states - well over half going to just four states - FL, NC, OH and PA.
- Indiana ranks 38th in 2016 voter turnout with 57.9% of eligible voters casting a vote. Indiana was ranked 41st in 2012.
- Minnesota had the highest voter turnout with 74.8% and Hawaii had the lowest turnout with 43% of eligible voters participating.
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Thinking through calls to action for your organization
Like you, we have been receiving a number of calls to action from many of our national partners about proposed Federal policy changes and the potential cuts in the Administration's budget proposal. We encourage you to respond to calls to action that you receive from your partners to the degree they are aligned with your work. We know it is critical for nonprofit organizations to weigh in and we want to offer advice for the best way to do that.
As you consider signing on to calls to action, please keep in mind:
- the guidance contained in the advocacy and network citizenship guidelines;
- the most effective calls to action will be those that are nonpartisan and explain how the program benefits people and communities;
- if you have a state or national affiliate reach out to them for guidance;
- you might want to avoid calls to action that call for cuts in other areas or request tax increases; and
- if you are a United Way, you may want to consider United Way Worldwide's national policy agenda and remain consistent with the positions of the network.
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 Regional opportunities to weigh in on the Every Student Succeeds Act state plan
The Indiana Department of Education (DOE) is currently in the process of determining how the requirements of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) will translate into state education practice: which state practices will evolve as a result of ESSA, and which will remain the same. The State's ESSA plan must be submitted to the U.S. Dept. of Education on September 18, 2017 and must include four components: challenging state academic standards, academic assessments, statewide accountability systems and school support and improvement activities.
As a part of this work, the DOE is seeking feedback from stakeholders across the state through regional ESSA Community Meetings. At these meetings, DOE will share an overview of what ESSA requires and their strategy to address those requirements. It is critical they hear from educators, parents, and community members in order to develop the best plan possible. RSVP now to attend a community meeting near you. If the meeting near you is full, check back for more details on the virtual meeting they plan to offer.
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Follow along during the 2017 legislative session
The Indiana General Assembly is past the halfway point and bills that are still moving have crossed-over to the second chamber. Of the 850 or so bills that were filed at the beginning of session, only 362 are still moving. The Indiana General Assembly has moved up deadline dates for session and updated key dates include:
- Committee report deadline - April 3
- 2nd reading deadline - April 5
- 3rd reading deadline - April 6
- Anticipated Sine Die when session adjourns - April 21 or April 22
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 - April 1 at 8:00am
- Columbus - March 27, April 3 at 7:30am
- Elkhart County - April 7 at 12:00pm
- Goshen - April 1 at 8:00am
- Greater Lafayette - April 1 at 7:30am
- Hendricks County - March 27 at 7:00am
- Muncie-Delaware County - April 7 at 11:30am
- Tipton County - March 25 at 9:00am
If you attend,
drop us a note
to share a little about your experience.
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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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Office of Community and Rural Affairs
and
Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority
seek public comment for the State of Indiana Annual Action Plan for 2017. The Action Plan defines the funding sources for the State's five major HUD-funded programs and provides communities a framework for defining comprehensive development planning. You may
submit comment
and complete a
partner feedback survey
or attend a public hearing on March 30 before the April 1 deadline.
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Deadline approaching for On My Way Pre-K applications 
The deadline for 2017-18 On My Way Pre-K applications is Friday, March 31. 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 are eligible. These grants will be good for pre-k programs starting in the fall of 2017 and 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. See information for families or information for providers.
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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 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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