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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 United Way Day at the Statehouse recap 
IaUW wants to thank everyone who attended our United Way Day at the Statehouse. We had 35 participants join us including United Way executives, board members, volunteers and community partners. During the day we were able to connect with 37 legislators to discuss the importance of our education, financial stability, health and charitable sector priorities.
Guests from UW of Delaware County and UW of Madison County preparing for a meeting at the statehouse.
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 KIDS COUNT 2017 Data Book released 
The Indiana Youth Institute released the 2017 KIDS COUNT in Indiana Data Book last week. The Data Book provides the latest state-level information on child well-being in five categories: family and community, economy, education, health and safety. Key data points include:
- in 2015 the total child population under age 18 was 1,579,456;
- 20.9% of the child population fell below the poverty level in 2015 which was slightly improved from 21.5% in 2014;
- in 2016 the average pupil to licensed guidance counselor ratio was 619;
- the number of Children in Need of Services (CHINS) identified by the Department of Child Services increased to 15,555 in 2015 which was nearly 1,000 more than in 2014; and
- 7.5% of children under age 18 had healthcare coverage in 2014 which was an improvement from previous years.
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Policies helping ALICE households
The United Way ALICE Report has helped shape our policy agenda since we released the first report in 2014. ALICE is an acronym that stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. The ALICE Report provides state and county-level data about households that are working and living above the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) but below the basic cost of living. Through the report, we know that 36% of Hoosier households are living below the basic cost of living. There are bills moving this session that we think would help support ALICE families on their path to financial stability.
SB154 would remove some components of the asset limit test that determines eligibility for SNAP benefits. Applicants would self-attest to their assets when applying for benefits and could have up to $10,000 in assets. Their assets would not include things like children's bank accounts, CDs and prepaid funeral expenses. We support this bill and think that it would help ALICE families by allowing them to keep some of their savings intact when they fall on tough times and need access to temporary benefits.
SB154 passed out of the Senate with a vote of 34-16 and we encourage you to ask your Representative to support this bill in the House.
HB1004 is one of the pre-k expansion bills and it would allow families up to about 250% of the FPL to get partial pre-k scholarships. Currently the On My Way Pre-K Pilot program serves children at or below 127% FPL. We advocate that the income threshold be raised to 185% FPL to align with the free or reduced lunch program and to support pre-k for more ALICE families.
Encourage your elected officials to raise the income threshold for the pre-k expansion pilot program.
SB412 would prohibit money in a 529 education savings account from being considered as a resource or asset in determining eligibility for certain public assistance programs, including Medicaid, the Energy Assistance Program, and scholarships or grants from the Commission for Higher Education. This bill would help encourage more low-income families and ALICE families to participate in a 529 savings account by removing some of the disincentives to save.
SB412 is up for a vote in the House Chamber. Encourage your Representative to support this bill.
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Legislative update webinar coming soon
IaUW partners with the Indiana Coalition for Human Services to bring you updates during the legislative session. The first update webinar was recorded on January 30. View the 16 minute recording. We will continue to share updates about the progress with legislation affecting working Hoosiers, children, seniors and people with disabilities. Additional legislative update webinars will be recorded. The March 10 webinar has been postponed but a webinar will be available online in the near future. Check back next Policy Update and register now for the webinar on May 5.
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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:
- Boone County - March 11 at 7:30am
- Columbus - March 13, March 20 at 7:30am
- Evansville - March 11 at 9:15am
- Goshen - March 18 at 8:00am
- Greater Lafayette - March 18 at 7:30am
- Howard County - March 17 at 8:00am
- Muncie-Delaware County - March 17 at 11:30am
- St. Joseph County - March 24 at 12:00pm
- Vigo County - March 11 at 10:00am
If you attend,
drop us a note
to share a little about your experience.
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Apply for a Day of Service mini-grant
Serve Indiana is seeking applicants for Day of Service mini-grants. The goal of this mini-grant program is to demonstrate the power of service as a solution to community needs. Serve Indiana encourages projects that: (1) demonstrate community connections and use of local resources, (2) build capacity of local volunteer centers and national service programs through regional networking and co-planning of activities, and (3) increase national service participant and volunteer understanding and commitment. Grant application period opens February 27 with a March 20 submission deadline. Learn more.
Start planning now for National Volunteer Recognition Week, April 23-29.
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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 regarding amendments to the state's Aged and Disabled waiver to increase assisted living rates and member slots.
Learn more and submit comments before the March 24 deadline.
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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
before the April 1 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 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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