IUW Policy Update

Policy Update, June 9, 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).

On My Way Pre-K expansion counties announced

During the 2017 legislative session, the On My Way Pre-K program was expanded to fifteen additional counties through HEA1004. The legislation asked the state to select counties that demonstrated readiness to support the program based on community need, capacity of high-quality providers and community support. On Wednesday, the state announced the fifteen expansion counties that will be joining the five existing counties (Allen, Jackson, Marion, Lake and Vanderburgh) in providing pre-k scholarships to low-income four-year-olds. The new counties include Bartholomew, DeKalb, Delaware, Elkhart, Floyd, Grant, Harrison, Howard, Kosciusko, Madison, Marshall, Monroe, St. Joseph, Tippecanoe and Vigo. These communities are now gearing for implementation which includes securing local contributions of a minimum of 5% of the state's total investment in that county's program.

View Governor Holcomb's press release on the expansion or see more information from the Family and Social Services Administration.

Nominate a volunteer for the Serve Indiana Awards for Excellence

Volunteers throughout Indiana demonstrate the power of giving and caring every day. To recognize these dedicated individuals, Serve Indiana invites you to nominate an outstanding volunteer, organization or business for Serve Indiana's 2017 Awards for Excellence. These awards recognize the outstanding volunteer contributions to causes that include healthcare, neighborhood revitalization, youth and senior activities, the arts, education and more. Awards will be presented in eight categories:

corporate service;
exemplary service learning;
faith-based volunteer;
lifetime achievement;
national service;
volunteer program;
volunteerism; and
youth volunteer.

Learn more about submitting a nomination. Deadline June 26.

Legislative Study Committees

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.

Find and promote summer meal programs near you

The Summer Food Service Program for Children (SFSP) was created to ensure all children receive proper nutrition throughout the year, especially over summer break when the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Program meals are not available. SFSP reimburses organizations that prepare and serve meals to eligible children during the summer and school vacation periods. In 2016, more than 250 Indiana sponsors served nearly three million meals. However, fewer than 20% of all low-income Hoosier children who receive free or reduced lunch during the school year received free meals during the summer months.

Help promote this program by posting this flyer at your organization to help children and families access this valuable service. Look for summer meal programs in your community using the interactive map or search by county.

Hoosiers were helped with VITA and My Free Taxes

Free Tax Preparation through Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly sites have helped thousands of Hoosiers file their taxes for free. Free tax prep sites assist taxpayers with: filing their taxes for free, understanding the implications of not being insured and connecting with other financial stability programs. IRS-certified volunteer tax preparers help low- and middle income earners keep more of their money, including access to the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit. Research and interviews show that most taxpayers invest refunds in the local economy, paying for utility bills, car repairs, rent or groceries. Some taxpayers invest a portion of their refund in savings accounts for home ownership or education. Here are a few results around the state:

United Way of Howard County's 27 volunteers filed 1,788 returns bringing back more than $1.5 million to the local community.
United Way of Greater Lafayette's 55 volunteers filed 2,087 returns bringing back nearly $1.8 million to the local community.
United Way of Jackson County's team helped 259 taxpayers return nearly $250,000, including more than $107,000 in EITC, in state and federal refunds.
United Way of Central Indiana and partners helped 4,452 taxpayers file their returns through their 230 VITA volunteers.

Thank you to the volunteers and staff who helped with the 2017 tax season!

Repeated: 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.

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.