Submitted
As Hoosier lawmakers and their constituents prepare for the 2022 meeting of the Indiana General Assembly, United Way of Central Indiana has announced its policy priorities for the session.
As Central Indiana’s largest network of human service organizations, United Way will lead, support, and collaborate on advocacy efforts that promote upward mobility and accelerate financial stability for individuals and families living in and near poverty.
Murtlow
“Creating systems change through public policy is crucial to addressing the root causes of financial instability and poverty,” said United Way President and CEO Ann D. Murtlow. “We are proud to partner with individuals and organizations across the state to positively influence legislation that helps every person, child and family reach their full potential. Our policy agenda reflects the issues on which we believe United Way is best positioned to affect change. We invite all who want to work toward a brighter future to join us – because our power is multiplied when we raise our voices together.”
In 2022 and beyond, United Way will advocate for policies that aim to meet the needs of the whole family all at once. This Two-Generation (2Gen) Approach to poverty alleviation seeks to simultaneously address the education and employment needs of parents and guardians, the development needs of children and the economic assets, health, well-being, and social capital of the family.
What’s more, United Way’s policy agenda focuses on efforts that serve those living in poverty – Hoosier households below the federal poverty level (FPL) – as well as individuals and families living near poverty, which United Way describes as Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, Employed (ALICE). ALICE households are those living paycheck to paycheck, with earnings above the FPL but below what is necessary to afford basic needs or build any savings for emergencies. In the 2020 ALICE report, there were 612,414 ALICE households and 328,752 households in poverty in Indiana. In United Way’s seven-county service area in Central Indiana, there were more than 220,000 ALICE and poverty households.
United Way’s work in the next legislative session will prioritize three issues:
- Early childhood education: Through its leadership of the Early Education Works Coalition, United Way will advocate for the strategic implementation of incoming federal dollars to enhance the quality and accessibility of Indiana’s early childhood education system. The coalition will also continue to call for the increased affordability, capacity, and types of high-quality care to meet the needs of Indiana families.
- Housing: In collaboration with the Hoosier Housing Needs Coalition and Prosperity Indiana, United Way will advocate for the strategic implementation of potential federal dollars in the Build Back Better Act to increase the supply of and access to quality affordable housing.
- Mental health: In collaboration with mental health advocacy organizations across the state, United Way will promote policies that adequately fund and grant equal access to mental health services, including programs and services to provide early identification and treatment for children.
To complement these three issue areas, United Way will support its advocacy partners in the areas of transportation, food access, postsecondary and employment pathways, and physical health. Priority policies were selected with the input of community-based organizations with a focus on driving equitable education, health, and economic outcomes in Central Indiana.
Valentine
“We look forward to working with Governor Holcomb’s administration, the Indiana General Assembly and our advocacy partners across the state to improve the lives of Hoosiers in our seven-county service area and beyond,” said United Way Vice President of Government Relations Anne Valentine. “Together, we can help our children get off to a good start, support our parents and guardians on their path to employment and financial stability and strengthen the health and well-being of entire families and communities. We invite all Hoosiers to make their voices heard by becoming an advocate at UWCI.org/advocate.”