Policy Update, June 23, 2017 
Thank you for your interest and support. Indiana 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).  
At the Statehouse United Way Hill Day
Guests representing Indiana United Ways visit with Congressman Rokita
Five Indiana United Ways were represented in D.C. this month for United Way Worldwide's Advocacy Forum and Hill Day.  There were about 90 participants including United Way staff, board members and volunteers from across the country.   IUW was able to meet with several members of the Indiana delegation to advocate for affordable and accessible healthcare and for increased investments in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.
Charitable Sector Priority Area Giving USA:  Individual donors drove the rise in philanthropic giving in 2016
American individuals, estates, foundations and corporations contributed an estimated $390.05 billion to U.S. charities in 2016 according to Giving USA 2017:  The Annual Report on Philanthropy for the Year 2016.  Total giving increased by 2.7% over the year and giving by individual donors increased by nearly 4% which helped to offset the sharp decline in bequests. Interesting findings include:
  • all nine major categories (religion, education, human services, giving to foundations, health, public-society benefit, arts, culture and humanities) saw an increase in giving for only the sixth time in the last 40 years;
  • education giving saw relatively slower growth at 3.6% compared to an 8% growth in both 2014 and 2015;
  • the majority of giving (32%) went to religion with an estimated $122.94 billion in contributions; and
  • giving to environment/animals increased 7.2% in 2016, the largest gain of any philanthropic subsector.
Learn more about the 2017 Giving USA report and view an infographic summary of the data.
Charitable Sector Priority Area Indiana ranks 28th in the nation for child well-being
The national 2017 KIDS COUNT Data Book, released earlier this month by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, ranked Indiana 28th in the nation for child well-being. The annual KIDS COUNT Data Book measures child well-being in four domains - family and community, economic, education and health. Indiana ranks 19th in the economic domain, 31st in the family and community, 35th in health and 14th in education.   Trends show that while unemployment is down and wages are up, child poverty continues to remain high.  Indiana continues to struggle with the percentage of children living in high-poverty areas. At 13%, this represents more than 200,000 children, an 18% increase compared to 2008-2012 data.

View the national 2017 KIDS COUNT Data Book and the Indiana 2017 KIDS COUNT Data Book.
Income Priority Area Financial Coaching Census 2016
Financial coaching has gained recognition as a strategy that can improve financial capability and security.  Yet within this advancing field of practice, many questions remain.  What is the current size of the field?  How is financial coaching being implemented?  How do organizations, coaches and funders measure success?  And what is needed to support more effective implementation?  

To begin addressing these questions and support the growth of the financial coaching field, the Center for Financial Security (CFS) and Asset Funders Network (AFN), developed the second annual Financial Coaching Census to better understand the financial coaching field, from its size to its scope, identifying both challenges and opportunities.  These insights allow organizations and funders to better and more swiftly address the shifting needs of coaching programs, financial coaching practitioners and clients.

To learn more about the Financial Coaching Census 2016 view the executive summary or download the full report.
At the Statehouse
Legislative Study Committees State Capitol
During the legislative session many interim study committee topics are recommended by the General Assembly.  The meetings allow experts in the field and state agencies to share information about the current state of issues in Indiana in preparation for the next legislative session.  In late May, the Legislative Council announced the topics to be studied in the interim before the 2018 session.  Here are a few highlights of interest to our members and partners (only a subset of all):
  • Courts and the Judiciary will study Adult Protective Services, civil forfeiture laws, defense services for CHINS and guardianships and shared decision making.
  • Education will study several topics related to the Every Student Succeeds Act.
  • Fiscal Policy will study uniform property tax assessment of nonprofit entities and a multi-year review of certain tax incentives.
  • Government will study food deserts.
  • Public Health, Behavioral Health and Human Services will study changes to state law to respond to changes in federal law on healthcare.
Check the interim committee calendar for updates.  

Several new laws go into effect on July 1. View the 2017 Enrolled Act Summary for more information.
At the Statehouse - Take Action
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.
  • FSSA is accepting public comments on the State's amendment to the HIP 2.0 extension waiver.  Deadline to submit comments to the State is June 23.  Learn more about the federal comment period open through July 9. 
  • FSSA Division of Aging is accepting public written and oral comments regarding the the opportunities for change in the Home and Community Based Services system to better serve older adults and persons with disabilities. Learn more about submitting comments before the July 19 deadline.
  • Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) is hosting regional listening sessions to hear about rural Indiana's current strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities to help guide future OCRA programming initiatives. Learn more about regional sessions beginning June 27 and ending August 3.
At the Statehouse
IUW Public Policy 
IUW 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.
  • Education, so that children are prepared for and succeed in school;
  • Income/Financial Stability, so that individuals and families may achieve and sustain financial stability;
  • Health, so that individuals may access quality healthcare; and 
  • Strong Communities, where a statewide 2-1-1 network and a strong charitable sector help communities thrive.
Review our  public policy documents , including fact sheets, testimony and bill summaries. 
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.

Funding and Other Opportunities  -  Explore current requests for proposals, funding and recognition opportunities.

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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