Advocacy 101: How to Advocate for Change in Indiana Lisa Travis, ICHHI September 14, 2005

State Fiscal Conditions States continue to deal with large budget deficits Many states have cut state spending and reduced eligibility for programs States continue to face immediate and long- term revenue shortages

Source: Center on Budget and Policy Priorities

How Does Indiana Compare to Other States? Indiana is rated as having a significant risk of a structural deficit Indiana’s percent of sales subject to sales tax has declined Indiana’s income tax has a flat rate Indiana reduced its personal income tax

Indiana Overview Indiana is a donor state, we pay more in federal taxes than we receive in federal funding Indiana ranks 44 th nationally for its low child care eligibility levels Indiana meets only one of the benchmarks for food security, simplified food stamp application process for families Source: Center for the Study of Social Policy

Indiana Overview Indiana’s cash assistance benefits are low and the state ranks 41 st nationally Indiana’s eligibility for health care for parents is set at 29 percent of poverty, ranking Indiana 48 th Indiana continues to face a state budget deficit Source: Center for the Study of Social Policy

State Budget Overview Many areas of the state budget were flat-lined or received state budget cuts. Medicaid funding is funded at 5%. This is below the projected 10 percent increase needed to maintain the existing program. Higher education, tuition support, property tax relief and select social services and veterans are proposed received modest increases.

Revenues

Appropriations

How Can Indiana Help Its Citizens That Are Most In Need? Indiana MUST reprioritize state spending Indiana needs to increase state revenues Having families take full advantage of federally-funded assistance programs. Outreach and education about these programs is needed. Federally-funded assistance programs have a positive economic impact.

Case Example: Medicaid Federal-state health care entitlement program. Funded jointly by federal and state governments though an open-ended funding stream known as the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP). Children may be eligible up to 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Pregnant women may be eligible up to 150 percent of poverty. Adults may be eligible up to 25 percent of the FPL.

Medicaid: Impact Largest program providing medical and health-related services to low-income Americans including children, parents, seniors and persons with disabilities. Provides preventative and critical health care for over 800,000 low-income Hoosiers.

Medicaid: What You Can Do Educate yourself on Medicaid issues by signing up for ICHHI action alerts and the Networker. Contact state and federal delegates and advocate for the preservation of Medicaid funding.

There Is Hope! "Hope has two beautiful daughters. Their names are anger and courage; anger at the way things are, and courage to see that they do not remain the way they are." - St. Augustine

Invest In Hoosiers campaign

What Is Invest In Hoosiers? Invest in Hoosiers is a statewide advocacy campaign that addresses national, state, and local legislation, budgets, and policies that impact low- income workers and their families. The campaign was co-founded by the Indiana Institute for Working Families and the Indiana Coalition for Human Services. Approximately sixty state and local organizations and coalitions have joined the campaign over the past three months.

Invest In Hoosiers Endorsing Organizations AARP Indiana AFSCME, Council 62 A.L.S.C. Clemente Center The Arc of Indiana Arc of Northwest Indiana, Inc. Campaign for Hoosier Families Carmelite Home for Girls Children’s Bureau Inc. Community Action of Northeast Indiana Community Education Department, Riley Hospital for Children Community Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Indiana Covering Kids and Families of Indiana Family Service Council of Indiana Fort Wayne Women’s Bureau Gary Community Improvement Association, Education and Community Development Gary Neighborhood Services, Inc. Goodwill Industries of Michiana Haven House Services, Inc. Health, Access, and Privacy Alliance IARCCA, An Association of Children and Family Services I.B.E.W. Local 21 Indiana Association for Child Care Resource and Referral Indiana Association for Homes and Hospice Care Indiana Association of Area Agencies on Aging Indiana Association of United Ways Indiana Coalition for Human Services Indiana Coalition on Housing and Homeless Issues (ICHHI) Indiana Community Action Association Indiana Institute for Working Families, ICHHI Indianapolis Jewish Community Relations Council Lafayette Urban Ministry, Campaign for Hoosier Families Lake Area United Way Lake County Integrated Services Delivery Board Mental Health Association in Indiana Mental Health Association in Lake County National Association of Social Workers, Indiana Chapter Northwest Indiana Quality of Life Council Park Center Planned Parenthood of Indiana Prevent Child Abuse Indiana Race Relations Council of Northwest Indiana Robertson Child Development Center Salvation Army Harbor Light Scott County Partnership Serenity House of Gary, Inc. Shalom Community Center South Central Community Action Program St. Joseph County Project, Labor Community Coalition St. Jude House 21st Century Scholars, Western Lake-Newton Region Vincent House YWCA of Gary

Invest In Hoosiers Campaign Message The foundation for Indiana’s successful economic recovery rests on the State’s investments in ALL Hoosiers through adequate funding of education, training programs, health and human services. Only through these investments can we create a stronger State and brighter future for all Indiana citizens.

Invest In Hoosiers Campaign Objectives Prevent further budget cuts to education, training programs, health and human services in the state budget. Invest in human capital as part of the State’s economic development plan through adequate funding of education, training programs, health and human services. Leverage more federal dollars where able and prudent.

How Does The Campaign Address These Issues? Statewide Partnerships Media Campaign Letter Writing Campaign Sending out Action Alerts Meetings with Legislators Educational Forums Technical Assistance

How Can I Get Involved With The Campaign? Become a part of a growing statewide grassroots movement. Add your organization to the list of others that are participating in the campaign. Join the Invest In Hoosiers list-serve to receive up-to-date materials and information on federal and state legislation and policies.

How Can I Get Involved With The Campaign? Let us know what issues are important to you and the community where you live. Help us organize and address issues important to working families through a proactive agenda for the 2006 General Assembly.

You Are The Expert Many of you know the benefits of these programs and how valuable they are. Many legislators do not realize the impact that cuts to these programs will have on working families. Speak out against budget cuts. You know more than you think.

Advocacy Wrap-Up EDUCATE yourself on the budget and legislative process. CONNECT with other organizations that are working on policy issues, including the budget, and utilize their expertise. ANALYZE the connection between funding and legislative changes and their impact on your agency’s ability to carry out its work. TAKE ACTION by making phone calls to legislators, writing letters and connecting examples of what’s going on in your agency with your policy advocacy.

For More Information On The Budget Process Visit: Indiana Fiscal Policy Institute Indiana State Budget Agency Indiana General Assembly

For More Information Or To Join the Campaign Contact: Lisa Travis Indiana Institute for Working Families 324 W. Morris St., Suite 202 Indianapolis, IN (317)