Public Policy and Advocacy
2011-2012 Public Policy Priorities(
260 KB, Updated 01-06-11)
Upcoming Third House Meetings ( 148 KB, Updated 02-03-12)
Bill Tracking List ( 258 KB, Updated 02-02-12)
Indiana’s United Ways believe that long-term meaningful impact is achieved in communities when quality programs are combined with public policy and advocacy work. Indiana Association of United Ways’ (IaUW) Public Policy Program:
- Is non-partisan and non-ideological and supports sound policy principles;
- Blends research, recommendations, and representation;
- Seeks practical, long-term solutions to human needs;
- Uses its convening power to craft compromise policies, balancing the needs of various constituencies; and
- Supports national United Way initiatives while creating a state-level focus on administrative and legislative advocacy.
Fact Sheets, Bill Summaries, and Testimony
Policy makers often ask where “United Way” stands on particular issues under consideration. As appropriate, we provide policy makers and stakeholders examples of research, fact sheets, bill summaries, or testimony. Check back often for updates. By request, IaUW has included its key messages (coming soon) for communication at Third House sessions or in e-mail.
- 2-1-1: IaUW advocates for state funding for 2-1-1 to fulfill the promise of the public private partnership. 2-1-1 remains the only public-benefit N11 that does not receive public funding. 2-1-1 is a common sense approach to providing human service information and access to services. The State and Federal governments have too many duplicative referral databases, 1-800 numbers,and marginally or ineffective outreach programs and services. Investing in 2-1-1 means getting more for the taxpayer--investing in an effective, standards-based program with a positive return on investment.
- Education: IaUW supports a range of policies that help children and youth reach their potential. Many United Ways invest and support early care and education initiatives. As one of its highest priorities, IaUW supports standardization of health and safety requirements for all child care facilities, especially those that accept CCDF (child care development fund) vouchers. Quality childcare and early education have lasting impacts on school readiness, literacy, and high school graduation.
Early Education Handout( 146 KB) – Education Interim Study Committee, 9-29-11
IaUW Testimony in Support of SB268( 143 KB) - Early Learning Advisory Committee
- Income/Financial Stability: IaUW supports programs and policies that help people become financially stable and independent through asset-building activities such as Earned Income Tax Credit, Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit, financial counseling, matched savings accounts, etc. Regarding possible state and federal budget cuts to vital programs, Indiana's United Ways understand the challenges of making difficult choices to meet increased needs with flat or declining revenues. IaUW encourages policymakers to find creative ways to protect and support vulnerable individuals and low-wage workers.
IaUW Testimony in Opposition to SB344 ( 143 KB) - a bill that would sunset a range of tax credits that help vulnerable populations such as Earned Income Tax Credit
- Health: Indiana's United Ways support programs and policies that improve people's health, including those that increase access to affordable, quality health care and that increase participation in healthy behaviors and decrease participation in risky behavior.
- Charitable Sector: Indiana's United Ways support legislation and policies that help ensure a strong charitable sector. We generally support policies that promote: charitable contributions; ethical fundraising; volunteerism; rights of speech and association; and public information and accountability. More specifically, IaUW believes that tax treatment provides the foundation of the relationship between the nonprofit and government sectors (property and sales tax exemption, tax deductibility for charitable contributions and certain tax credits). IaUW is concerned about various efforts to alter the nature of the government-nonprofit relationship.
IaUW Testimony in Opposition to SB344 ( 143 KB) - a bill that would sunset a range of tax credits that promote charitable giving such as NAP credits
