Advancing the Common Good--Public Policy Advocacy
United Way believes government plays a critical role in creating change that can improve people's lives. But government cannot do it alone. Neither can United Way and the rest of the nonprofit sector.
United Way of Marion County must actively engage in public policy advocacy to develop partnerships that include local, state, and federal governments, along with the private and nonprofit sectors.
United Way will be spotlighting a variety of partner agencies to inform you about the issues that they are facing and give you an idea how to actively get involved in the issues that mean the most to you.
ARC Marion By: Troy Strawder, Executive Director
The majority of clients who work with ARC Marion receive most of their support from the Medicaid Waiver. This was established many years ago in an effort to close the horrible institutions of the time and allow people with intellectual disabilities to be served in a community setting. Although the Medicaid-waiver is a federal program, state match is required (38% State and 62% Feds) so the state must find it in their budget before drawing down the federal funds. Our challenge and major issue is getting the support from the state legislature, we are working with rates that were established in 2003 and were inadequate at that time.
We Can't Move Forward Until You Mail It Back
The Census 2010 questionnaires will hit mailboxes in March. It is very important that everyone fills out this questionnaire when it is received. Census data determines the U.S. House of Representatives makeup and allocation of federal funding.
A question for our legislators?
The Census has historically undercounted marginalized populations, specifically people of color and low-income communities, as well as children, especially those under the age of 10. What can you do to help Marion County promote filling out Census questionnaires to these under-counted populations?
