Policy Update, May 26, 2017 
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).  
Education Priority Area - Take Action
Attend the Early Learning Summit in Bloomington on June 5
The second annual Summit for Economic Development via Early Learning Coalitions is being held on June 5 from 9:00am-4:30pmET in Bloomington.  The Indiana Summit will explore the business case for investing in early childhood and will provide tools to develop, grow and sustain early learning coalitions in local communities across the state.  The event is a great opportunity for business leaders, community and faith-based partners, early childhood providers and other interested individuals passionate about early childhood education to come together and learn from each other. View the flyer for more information and an agenda and register to attend.
At the Statehouse - Take Action
View the end of session Legislative Update webinar 
Indiana United Ways, Indiana Coalition for Human Services and the Children's Coalition of Indiana partner to provide legislative updates to related to nonprofit and human services issues.  The webinar will provide a recap of the 2017 legislative session and updates on key human services legislation.  View the recording and contact us if you have any additional questions.  You may also view Indiana United Ways' Legislative Summary.
At the Statehouse Interim study committee topics assigned State Capitol
During the 2017 legislative session a number of study topics were recommended through legislation and the Legislative Council is who decides which topics should be assigned. The resolution assigning the study committee topics was released this week. Below is a breakdown of the assignments with highlighted topics that may be of importance to our readers.
  • Interim Study Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources: issues related to concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) related to transformation of traditional farms and the need for special regulations
  • Interim Study Committee on Commerce and Economic Development: short term rentals and restrictions; government regulation and services that arise around the sharing economy operating through electronic platforms
  • Interim Study Committee on Corrections and Criminal Code: implementation of HEA1006-2014 including savings, jail overcrowding, regional jails and more; review of bills that increase criminal penalties; increasing support services related to mental and addiction for individuals in the criminal just system; serious mental illness and the death penalty
  • Interim Study Committee on Courts and the Judiciary: changes in court jurisdictions; adult protective services (APS); defense services for CHINS children; civil forfeiture laws; guardianships and shared decision making
  • Interim Study Committee on Education: eligibility of undocumented student to pay the resident tuition rate; new teacher introduction programs;several topics related to the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
  • Interim Study Committee on Elections: impact of policy changes related to Indiana election law related to voter participation and election results
  • Interim Study Committee on Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications: self-generation of electricity by school corporations; wind power devices; rental rates on utility poles; rural broadband service in Indiana
  • Interim Study Committee on Environmental Affairs: public water supply protection, providing water utility service that is affordable and adequate for those areas without
  • Interim Study Committee on Financial Institutions and Insurance: incorporation of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners
  • Interim Study Committee on Fiscal Policy: eliminating the state gross retail tax on food in vending machines; issues related to taxes by retail merchants and for transient residential housing; establishing a neighborhood enhancement property tax relief; tax increment financing and the uniform property tax assessment of nonprofit entities; school district financial analysis;multi-year review and evaluation of all tax incentives
  • Interim Study Committee on Government: food deserts
  • Interim Study Committee on Pension Management Oversight: public pension program; increasing participation of public employees in retirement savings
  • Interim Study Committee on Public Health, Behavioral Health and Human Services: shortage of healthcare providers, improving diabetes, improvements to the INSPECT program;changes to state law to respond to changes in federal law on healthcare.
  • Interim Study Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs: employer responsibility for healthcare coverage to surviving spouse and children of officer who dies in line of duty
  • Interim Study Committee on Roads and Transportation: eligibility for INDOT contracts; motor vehicle maintenance; special group recognition license plates; traffic amnesty
  • Commission on Improving the Status of Children:  infant mortality and children born with an addiction; license requirements as barrier contributing to shortage of child care and abuse providers
Health Priority Area
Indiana submits HIP 2.0 waiver amendment
In January, Indiana submitted a HIP 2.0 extension waiver and now, after receiving guidance from the Department of Health and Human Services, the state has submitted an amendment to that extension waiver.  The amendment outlines how the state intends to modify the Healthy Indiana Plan to support the health needs of HIP members, including:
  • making the Gateway to Work program mandatory for qualified able-bodied adults;
  • creating income tiers for POWER Account contributions (currently 2% monthly income seeking to replace with 2% income and tiers based on FPL);
  • closing the HIP Employer Link program due to low participation and high administrative burden;
  • allowing refugees to qualify for full coverage for the first eight months upon entering the country; and
  • adding a tobacco use question on the HIP application.
Weigh in on the amendment and how it may impact the clients you serve by submitting public comment to the state before the June 23 deadline. A public hearing is scheduled for June 8 at 1:30pmET at the Indiana State Library.  Comments should be sent to FSSA via mail at 402 West Washington Street, Room W374, Indianapolis, IN 46204, Attention: Natalie Angel or via email.
Health Priority Area Opioid county profiles available
The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) has posted new online profiles that show the rising toll the national opioid epidemic is taking on Indiana's counties.  The profiles, which include data on opioid-related overdoses and infections related to drug use, aim to help communities better monitor trends and plan and evaluate intervention efforts.  The profiles show a nearly 60% increase in non-fatal emergency department visits due to opioid overdoses from 2011 to 2015, while opioid-related deaths increased an average of 3.5% each year. The number of acute hepatitis C cases, which can indicate that injection drug use is occurring, increased by 67%, while soft tissue infections associated with drug use more than doubled in that period.  View the county profiles. 

During the legislative session a number of bills were passed to prevent and combat drug abuse and addiction.  This data will serve as a benchmark for the state when implementing new programs and policies.
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.