In this issue
2 • SNAPdeliverydateschange
3
The TorchispublishedmonthlybytheStatePersonnelDepartment
andisavailableonlineatwww.in.gov/spd
Submityourstoryideasto:[email protected]
Follow us on:
5
7 • Bridgenamedprojectofyear
• Survivingdependents
• LosetheWaitscholarships
• ISDHrecivesgrant
Got a story?
January 2014
•Makeyourresolutionstick
• FindinganewDR
4• NewleadershipforISDAandDOR
Office of Energy Development announces process to draft new State energy plan
OnDec.2,theIndianaOfficeofEnergyDevelopmentannouncedthatithasofficiallybeguntheprocessofcraftinganewenergyplanfortheStateofIndiana.
“HereinIndiana,wemakethings,andwegrowthings,”saidGovernorMikePence.“Theseactivitiesrequireenormousamountsofenergy.Inordertomaintainourhistoricadvantageforlowcostofenergy,weneedanew,updatedenergyplan.”
Indiana’scurrentenergyplan,theHomegrownEnergyPlan,waswrittenin2006.Sincethattime,Indiana’scostofelectricityforindustrialcustomershasincreased,causingIndianatoslipfrom5thlowestinthecountryto27thlowest.
Tomaintainreliableandlow-costenergy,GovernorPence’sRoadmapforIndianacalledforthecreationofanew,updatedenergyplanbasedonthreeprinciples:
1.utilizingallofIndiana’senergyresources,
2. improvingoptionsavailabletoenergyconsumers,and
3.commercializingnewenergytechnologies.Theplanwillidentifystrategiesforkeepingenergypricesloweratboththepumpandthelightswitch.
“Wehavebegunengagingabroad,diversegroupofstakeholderswhowillhelpusshapethecharacterofIndiana’senergypolicy,”saidTristanVance,DirectoroftheOfficeofEnergyDevelopmentandChiefEnergyOfficerfortheState.
TheOfficeofEnergyDevelopmentwillcompletetheplanandsubmititsenergypolicyrecommendationstoGovernorPenceinJuneof2014.
GovernorPencealsosaid,“IlookforwardtoreceivingrecommendationsfromtheOfficeofEnergyDevelopmentthisspring,andIamconfidentthatthestrategiesproposedwillhelpensurethatIndianacontinuestobethebestplaceinAmericatostartacompany,growabusiness,andraiseafamily.”
The Torch 2
SNAP (food stamps) benefit delivery dates to change for nearly 1 million food assistance recipients
FSSA
TheIndianaFamilyandSocialServicesAdministration(FSSA)isinformingthemorethan926,000SNAPSupplementalNutritionAssistanceProgramrecipientsinIndianaaboutimportantchangesthatimpactthemstartinginJanuary.ThechangesaretheresultofSenateEnrolledAct(SEA)530,passedbytheIndianaGeneralAssemblyin2013,andchangesthedatesrecipientsreceivetheirmonthlybenefits.Thisbeganthismonth.
Theamountofrecipients’SNAPbenefitsisNOT changing–butthedayonwhichbenefitsareappliedtotheirHoosierWorksEBT(ElectronicBenefitsTransfer)cardsdoeschange.
PaymentdatesforSNAPdependonthefirstletteroftheclient’slastname,andbenefitshavepreviouslybeenmadetoclientsduringthefirst10daysofeachmonth.SEA530dictatesthat,startingin2014,SNAPpaymentsarespreadfromthefifththroughthe23rdofeverymonth,onodddays.
However,tophaseinthechange,inthemonthofJanuary2014only,SNAPclientsreceivehalfoftheirbenefitsontheircurrentdateandtheotherhalfontheirnewdate.
FSSAhasdevelopedawebsitetoexplainthedatechangeatwww.SNAP.IN.gov.Thereisalsoachart(seebelow)showingclients’currentdateandfuturedate,baseduponthefirstletteroftheirlastname.Inaddition,onthewebsite,clientscangainamoreclearpictureofexactlyhowSEA530impactsthemandtheirfamiliesbytypingintheirlastnamestodeterminetheirexactpaymentdates.
Havingdistributiondaysspreadthroughoutthemonthmeansfewershoppersonanyofthosedays,makingshoppingeasierforSNAPclientsand
forallfoodshoppers.Additionally,spreadingdistributiondaysalsoeasestheburdenongrocerystoresandotherfoodsellers,aswell,asthosemerchantswhospreaddemandthroughoutthemonth.
ThischartandtheexamplebelowdemonstratethedistributionofbenefitsforSNAPclientsandthechange:
Here,forexample,aredatesforaclientwiththelastname“Smith:”
• December2013benefits-issuedDecember8,2013
• January2014benefits–halfissuedJanuary8,2014andhalfissuedJanuary19,2014
• February2014benefits–issuedonnewdateofFebruary19,2014
Inadditiontothewebsite,FSSAhasundertakenseveraldifferentcommunicationstoinformSNAPclientsofthisimportantchange.Thoseinclude:• FSSAhasassembledandbeen
sharinginformationwithateamthatincludestheIndianaAssociationofUnitedWays,Indiana211,FeedingIndiana’sHungry(agrouprepresentingfoodpantriesaroundthestate),theIndianaRetailCouncil,theIndianaIndependentGrocersandConvenienceStoresandvariousindividualretailers.
• EachSNAPrecipienthasreceivedatleasttwomailingsannouncingthechange.
• FSSAlaunchedastatewideadvertisingcampaignincludingradioadvertisingaswellasadsonandinsidecitybuses.
• FSSAcreatedtwovideostobeusedaspublicserviceannouncementsandtoraiseawarenessofthisimportantchangeinsocialmedia.
• SNAPclientsreceivedavoicerecordingalertingthemtothischange,viatelephone,sometimebetweenDec.14andDecember16.
TheSupplementalNutritionAssistanceProgram(SNAP)providesfoodassistancetolowandnoincomepeopleandfamilieslivingintheUnitedStates.ItisafederalaidprogramadministeredbytheFoodandNutritionServiceoftheU.S.DepartmentofAgriculture(USDA),however,distributionofbenefitsoccursatthestatelevel.InIndiana,FSSAisresponsibleforensuringfederalregulationsareinitiallyimplementedandconsistentlyappliedineachcounty.Approximately926,000Hoosiersfromapproximately418,000householdsacrossIndiana–ornearlyone-sixthofthepopulationofIndiana–receiveSNAPbenefits
First letter of SNAP
recipient’s last name
A or B
C or D
E, F or G
H or I
J, K or L
M or N
O, P, Q or
RS T, U
or V
W, X, Y or Z
Old deposit date 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th
New deposit date 5th 7th 9th 11th 13th 15th 17th 19th 21st 23rd
The Torch 3
How to make a resolution stick this yearThetimeofyeartomakeresolutionsisuponusagain.Aswesitaroundthetreeinthefirelightandenjoyfriendsandfamily,weknowthatinjustafewshortdaysitwillbetimetowelcomeanewyear.Anewyearcanbefullofnewpossibilitiesforhealth.Ithasbeensaidthat“goodhealthistheultimatewealth”.Usethefollowingtipstohelpmakethisyourwealthiestyearyet!
How long does it take to make a new habit stick, and why does it take that long?Researchshowsthatittakes21daystosolidifyanewhabit.Newneuralpathwaysareactuallyformedduringthistimeperiod.Continuingahabit(orbreakingahabit)for21dayslaysoutanewmentalblueprintfromwhichyoursub-consciouscanoperate.21daysofwalking,21daysofexercising,21daysofmeditation.Whenyoustartanewhabit,startbytellingyourselfthatthisisfor21days,orthreeweeks.Youcandoanythingforthreeweeks,right?
What would you recommend I start with as a new healthy habit?Startsmallandpaceyourself.Ifyouhavenotrunforoveradecade,don’tsetyourselfupforfailurebythinkingyouaregoingtogooutandrunamarathonwithinaweek.Ifyourgoalistorunamarathon,startbywalkinginyourneighborhoodandgraduallyincreasetorunning.Berealistic.Ifyoudrinkfour32ouncesodasperday,trycuttingonesodaouteachweekandreplacingwithahealthy,caloriefreebeveragethatyoulike(i.e.greentea,waterwithlemon,CrystalLight,unsweetenedtea,etc.).
Changingyourhabitsisaboutfindingalifestyleyoucanactuallylivewith.Ifyouaren’trealisticaboutwhatyouarewillingtocommitto,you’llneverbesuccessfulatstickingwithit.
What is the best way to track a new habit?Journalinghasprovenveryeffectiveinhelpingyoulookbackatthethingsyouhavelogged,toseetrendsandcelebratesuccesses.Also,iftherearetriggersforsetbacks,youcannotethatinthejournalandtrytoavoidthosesituationsinthefuture.Journalingalsogivesyouaplacetovisualizeandmakenoteofwhatyourgoalsare.Inthisdayandageofthesmartphone,sometimestheeasiestwaytojournalisrightonyourphone.Ifyouhaveasmartphone,IUHealthhasafantasticappcalledMyHealthyHabits.Youcanusethisapptomakegoalsforyourselfandthentrackyourprogress.Thegoalswillbesetupin21dayincrements,soyoucancelebrateeachtimeyousetanewhabit!
Thanks to the Indiana Dietetic Association for this submission.
Figure out what type of doctor you need –First,decidewhetheryouneedaprimarycaredoctor,surgeonorspecialist.Ifyoudon’talreadyhaveadoctor,startbychoosingaprimarycaredoctor.Theycantakecareofanybasicillnessandkeepyouhealthybyprovidingpreventivecare.Theycanalsotellyouwhenyouneedtoseeasurgeonorspecialist.
Decide what you care most about–Rankthefollowingcharacteristicsbasedonhowimportanttheyaretoyou:lowcost,gender,yearsofexperience,thedoctor’seducation,locationofthedoctor’soffice,bedsidemanner,successrateandhelpfulness.Whenmakingyourlist,keepinmindthetypeofdoctoryouarelookingfor–yourprioritiesmaychangedependingonwhetheryouarelookingforaprimarycaredoctororasurgeon.
Identify and narrow down your options with Castlight–Nowthatyou’vethoughtaboutyourpriorities,findtheoptionsinyourareabysearchingonCastlight.Castlight’sdoctorprofilesbringtogethermanydifferentsourcesofdatatogiveyoutheinformationyouneedtofindthedoctorthat’srightforyou.Seeyearsofexperience,educationalbackground,boardcertifications,ratingsandreviewsbyotherpatients,andpersonalizedcostestimatesbasedonwhetherornotyou’vealreadymetyourdeductible.
ClickheretolearnmoreaboutCastlight.RegisterforCastlighttoday!
Finding a new doctor can be easy
The Torch4
OnDec.5,theIndianaStateDepartmentofHealth(ISDH)announceditisoneof71projectsspanning42statesandWashington,D.C.toreceivetheU.S.DepartmentofAgriculture’s(USDA)FarmtoSchoolProgramgrant.Thisisanefforttoconnectschoolswithlocalfoodproducers.
The$100,000grantwasawardedtoISDHinNovemberandisfor:• Conductstrategicplanningto
expandandbettersupporttheIndianaFarmtoSchoolNetworkefforts.
• Assessschoolfoodserviceinfrastructureandreadinesstoincorporatelocalproductsintoschoolmealprograms.
• Providescholarshipsforsmallfarmersandschoolfoodservicestafftoattendtrainingsthatprovideskillsandinformationthatsupportfarmtoschool.
• Hostmeetandgreeteventstocreatepartnershipsbetweenschoolfoodservicedirectorsandlocalproducers.
ThisgrantusestheHoosierHarvestMarketasatesthubforfacilitatingtheconnectionbetweenfarmersandlocalschoolsystems.
“SupportforFarmtoSchoolhasbeengainingmomentuminIndiana,”saidISDHCommissionerWilliamVanNess,M.D.“Weknewitwasimportanttomeetfarmersandschoolfoodservicedirectorstolearnwhomightbeinterestedinfarmtoschoolactivities.Theresponsehasbeenverypositive.”
InIndiana,231outof294publicschooldistrictscompletedtheUSDAFarmtoSchoolCensusand357,590childreninattendanceareactivelyengagedinFarm-to-Schoolactivities.
Indiana receives USDA grant to increase local foods in school cafeterias
Health
TheUSDAFarmtoSchoolgrantshelpschoolsrespondtothegrowingdemandforlocallysourcedfoodsandincreasemarketopportunitiesforproducersandfoodbusinesses,includingfoodprocessors,manufacturersanddistributors.Grantswillalsobeusedtosupportagricultureandnutritioneducationeffortssuchasschoolgardens,fieldtripstolocalfarmsandcookingclasses.
“Inruralandurbancommunitiesacrossthecountry,farmtoschoolisteachingstudentswherefoodcomesfromandhowitgetstotheirplate,andencouragingthemtomakehealthierfoodchoicesinthecafeteriaandathome,”saidUSDASecretaryTomVilsack.“Farmtoschoolprogramsareaninvestmentinthehealthofournation’schildrenandinthevibrancyofruraleconomies.”
ISDHandtheUSDAarefocusedonimprovingchildhoodnutritionandempoweringfamiliestomakehealthierfoodchoicesbyprovidingscience-basedinformationandadvice,whileexpandingtheavailabilityofhealthyfood.TheUSDA'sFarmtoSchoolProgramispartoftheHealthy,Hunger-FreeKidsActof2010,whichauthorizedtheUSDAtoprovidegrantsandtechnicalassistancetohelpschoolsgainbetteraccesstolocalfoods.
Formoreinformation,visitwww.StateHealth.in.gov.FollowtheIndianaStateDepartmentofHealthonTwitterat@StateHealthINandonFacebook
WGU Indiana challenges Hoosiers to ‘Lose the Wait’
Education
AsHoosiersgearupfor2014andstartsettingtheirNewYear’sresolutions—hittingthegym,startinganewhobby,furtheringtheircareer—WGUIndianaencouragesIndianaresidentsto‘LosetheWait’inpursuitofadegree.Inastatewhere740,000adultshavesomecollege,butnodegree,now’sthetimetogobacktoschoolandcompleteorfurtheryoureducation.
“Indianaisastateofopportunity,particularlywhenitcomestoeducation,”saidGovernorMikePence.“WeencourageallHoosierstoexploretheiroptionsforfurtheringtheireducationandapplaudWGUIndianafortheirnewscholarshipprogram.”
TohelpHoosiersLosetheWait,WGUIndianaislaunchinganewscholarshipprogram.Theuniversitywillaward20‘LosetheWait’scholarshipsworth$2,000each.
Tobeeligibleforthe‘LosetheWait’scholarships,applicantsmusthavesomecollegecreditandpursueabachelor’sormaster’sdegreeinBusiness,IT,EducationorHealthProfessions.ApplicantsmaybeneworreturningstudentstoWGUIndiana.ThescholarshipsdeadlinetoapplyisFebruary28,2014.
TolearnmoreaboutallofWGUIndiana’sdegreeprograms,visitindiana.wgu.edu.FormoreontheLosetheWaitscholarships,clickhere.
The Torch 5
Governor Pence appoints new ISDA Director
New leadership
Lt.GovernorandSecretaryofAgricultureSueEllspermannrecentlyintroducedTed McKinneyasthenewDirectoroftheIndianaStateDepartmentofAgriculture(ISDA).HewasappointedbyGovernorMikePenceeffectiveJanuary7,2014.
“TedMcKinneyisawellrespectedindustryleaderwithdecadesofexperienceinHoosieragriculture,”saidGovernorPence.“AsIndianastrivestogrowandbeinnovativeinagriculture,IamconfidentthatTed’sbackground,knowledgeandpassionfortheindustrywillincreaseIndiana’scompetitivenessandserveHoosierswell.”
Lt.GovernorEllspermannadded,“TedMcKinneyisanoutstandingadditiontoourteam.AswelookforwaystogrowandenhanceIndiana’sagricultureindustrythroughprogramsliketherecentlyannouncedFoodandAgricultureInnovationInitiative,Ted’sbusinessexperienceandlife-longpassionforagriculturewillcontributetothesuccessofthatinitiativeandIndianaagricultureoverall.”
TedMcKinneygrewuponafamilyfarminTiptonCounty,wherehehascontinuinginterests.AftergraduatingwithadegreeinAgriculturalEconomicsfromPurdueUniversitywherehewasnamedOutstandingMaleGraduate,hebeganasuccessfulcareerwithElancoProductsCompany,DowElancoandDowAgroSciences.Mostrecently,hewasDirector,GlobalCorporateAffairsforElanco
AnimalHealth,adivisionofEliLillyandCompany.Inadditiontohisprofessionalcareer,TedhasheldleadershippositionsintheIndianaFFA(formerlyFutureFarmersofAmerica),theIndiana4-HFoundationandthePurdueAgriculturalAlumniTrustFund.Heledtheefforttorecruit
theNationalFFACenterandnationalFFAconventionstoIndianapolis.HehasalsoservedontheStateFairCommissionsince2005,andisChairmanoftheAlphaGammaRhofraternityNationalConvention,scheduledforIndianapolisinlate2014.
Inthecommunity,TedhasbeenontheboardofdirectorsfortheIndianapolisChildren’sMuseum,theGreaterIndianapolisProgressCommittee,WFYIPublicBroadcasting,theLeukemiaSociety,andtheHamiltonSoutheasternSchoolsFoundation.
TedandhiswifeJuliearetheparentsofthreechildren.
Ted McKinney joins Lt. Governor Sue Ellspermann’s (left) team as the ISDA Director starting Jan. 7.
TheIndianaDepartmentofRevenueannouncesValerie Hunt, CPA,MBA,asthedepartment’snewchieffinancialofficer.HunthasservedasdeputycontrollerforthedepartmentsinceJuly2012.
Aschieffinancialofficer,Huntwillleadthedepartment’sfinancedivision,whichincludesaccountingoperationsandreporting,electronicfundstransferandrelatedbankingfunctions,contractsandaccountspayable,internalaudit,andfinancialplanningandanalysis.
“Valeriehasdoneanoutstandingjobofenhancingouraccountingandbudgetingprocessandreporting,”saidCommissionerMikeAlley.“Sheisuniquelyqualifiedtoassumetheroleofchieffinancialofficerforthedepartmentandbuildonourrecentsuccess.”
HuntbringsstrongfinanceandaccountingexperiencetothedepartmenthavingbeenengagedinfinancialmanagementrolesatBrightpoint,RollsRoyceandGuidantCorporation.
HuntisaCPAwithaBSinaccountingandanMBAinfinancefromtheKelleySchoolofBusinessatIndianaUniversity,Bloomington.ShereplacesMikeAshley,whowasappointedchieffinancialofficerbyGovernorMitchDanielsinMay2012.Ashleyisretiredattheendof2013.
New leadership in DOR
The Torch6
FSSA extends Healthy Indiana Plan benefits through April 2014Health coverage
TheIndianaFamilyandSocialServicesAdministration(FSSA)isinformingmorethan10,000currentmembersoftheHealthyIndianaPlan(HIP)thattheirbenefitswillcontinuethroughtheendofApril2014toallowadditionaltimeforthemtoobtainnewhealthcoveragethroughthefederalmarketplaceatwww.healthcare.gov.ManyHIPmembershavefaceddifficultiesinthemarketplaceenrollmentprocess,andthisextensionismeanttocounteranylingeringeffectsofthefederalmarketplace’swell-documentedtechnicalissues.TheHIPmembersimpactedarethosebetween100-200percentofthefederalpovertylevelwhowillnolongerqualifyfortheHealthyIndianaPlanduetolowereligibilitystandardssetforthintheHealthyIndianaPlanwaiverauthorizedbytheCentersforMedicareandMedicaidServices(CMS).ThenewdiscontinuationdatefortheseHIPmembersisApril30,2014.FSSASecretaryDebraMinottrequestedthistemporaryextensioninearlyNovember.Acopyoftherequestcanbefoundhere.
“WehavearesponsibilitytoassistHealthyIndianaPlanenrolleesduringthistransitionperiod,”saidMinott.“ThefactofthematteristhehealthplansHIPmembersweretoldwouldbeavailablestartinginOctoberhaveprovendifficulttoaccessduetothefederalmarketplace’swell-documentedtechnicalissues.ThisextensionprovidesadditionaltimefortheseHoosierstoremainontheirHIPplanswhiletheycompletetheirenrollmentandgaincoveragethroughthemarketplace.”
GovernorMikePenceannouncedinSeptemberthatCMShadagreedtoallowIndianaaone-yearextension
tocontinuetooffertheinnovative,consumer-drivenHealthyIndianaPlanthrough2014.Duringthediscussionsleadinguptotheextension,PenceadministrationofficialsandCMSofficialsmutuallyagreedthat,inordertoavoidduplicationofeffortstocover
individualsover100percentofthefederalpovertylevel,HIPshouldfocusexclusivelyonthoseHoosierswhoarebeneaththisincomethreshold.IndividualsbelowthepovertylinearenoteligibleforpremiumtaxcreditsundertheAffordableCareAct.Thefederalgovernment’spositionwasthatthoseoverthefederalpovertylinecouldbecoveredundernewsubsidizedfederalpoliciesthroughObamacare.Asaresultofthisagreement,approximately20,000morelow-incomeHoosierswillhavehealthcoveragein2014.Indianacurrentlyservesroughly35,000HoosiersthroughHIP.
InearlyNovember,SecretaryMinottexpressedconcernstoCMSaboutthetechnicaldifficultiesHIPmembersmaybefacingintryingtoobtainfederalhealthexchangeplansbyJanuary1.Becauseofthesetechnicalissues,FSSAandCMSagreedtoallowtheseHIPmembersmoretimetotransitiontootherhealthcoverage.ThisagreementisnecessarybecausetheStateofIndianacannotunilaterallychangethetermsofaCMSdemonstrationprojectwaiver.
ThedecisiontoextendHIPbenefitswhilemembersrollontofederalplanscouldcostthestateupto$11million,whichwillbepaidfromtheHealthyIndianaPlantrustfund.“WestillurgetheseHoosierstotakeactionnowtoenrollinahealthplanthatwillcoverthemin2014,”addedMinott.“ThefederalmarketplacewillrequireanapplicationandpaymentlongbeforetheendofApril.Also,theplansavailableonthemarketplaceallhaveannualdeductibleswhichwillstartinJanuary.ItwillhelpHoosiersinthelongruniftheybeginpayingontheirannualmarketplaceplandeductiblessoonerratherthanlater.”FSSAisreachingoutbymailtoalltheHIPmembersexpectedtotransitionoffHIPlettingthemknowaboutthetemporaryextensionandtransitioningtothefederalmarketplace,andisencouragingthemtocalltheHealthyIndianaPlanat1-877-GET-HIP9forhelp.
Artwork by Jerry Williams
The Torch 7
Bridge project named ‘Deal of the Year’INDOT
New information for surviving dependents
Benefits
IfyouhaveFMLquestionsorareusingtheelectronicrequestsystemforthefirsttime,pleasevisittheFamilyMedicalLeavewebsiteatwww.in.gov/spd/2397.htm,orcalltheFMLlineat317-234-7955ortollfreeat1-855-SPD-INHR(1-855-773-4647)andchoosetheFMLoption.
FML Questions?
TheEastEndCrossingoftheOhioRiverBridgesprojecthasbeennamedthenationalDealoftheYearbyTheBondBuyerpublication.TheprestigiousawardwasannouncedatareceptionDec.5withthenation’sseniorbondprofessionalsinNewYorkCity.Thisyear’scompetitiondrewarecordnumberofnominationsfromfinancingsofhospitals,housing,tollroadsandairportsranginginsizefromafewmilliontobillionsofdollars.
“CongratulationstotheIndianaFinanceAuthority,IndianaDepartmentofTransportationandWVBEastEndPartnersforbeingthefirstpublic-privatepartnershipteamtowinthenationalDealoftheYearaward,”saidIndianaGovernorMikePence.“Deliveringworld-classinfrastructureunderbudgetwithanacceleratedconstructionscheduleiswhatmakesIndianaastatethatworks.”
IndianaandKentuckysignedaDevelopmentAgreementinOctober2012thatdividedresponsibilitiesfordesign,constructionandfinancingoftwoOhioRiverbridgesbetweenSouthernIndianaandLouisville.IndianawasresponsibleforprocuringtheEastEndCrossing,whichconnectstheI-265outerbeltwayaroundtheLouisvillemetroandpromoteseconomicdevelopmentinsouthernIndiana.
GovernorPencealsoannouncedthatallthreebondagencies–StandardandPoor’s,Moody’s,andFitchRatings–maintainedIndiana’sAAAcreditratingthatithasheldsinceApril2010.Indianaleverageditsstellarcreditratingtoattractlow-costprivatesectorfinancingusinganavailabilitypaymentformofpublic-privatepartnership(P3).
AvailabilitypaymentP3stransferfromtaxpayerstotheprivatesector
risksofcostoverruns,bothduringconstructionandforoperationsandmaintenanceduringadefinedtimeperiod.Iftheroadisn’tmade“available”tothepublicincompliancewithperformancestandardsinthecontract,therecurring,inflation-adjustedpaymentsarereducedaccordingly.
TheEastEndCrossingP3wasfinancedthroughthesaleofaround$675millionoftax-exemptPrivateActivityBonds(PAB),including$195millionofmilestonePABs,anewsecuritytypethatcanserveasatemplateforotherP3concessions.
Thedeal—thelargestP3PABofferingcompletedtodateintheU.S.municipalmarket—“financedalargeinfrastructureprojectthatfulfilledapublicneed.Itwasinnovative,replicableandtookanimmenseamountofcooperationacrossanumberofsectorstocometofruition,”saidMichaelScarchilli,editorinchiefofThe Bond Buyer,whopresentedtheawardtoIndianaPublicFinanceDirectorKendraYork.
The2013awardsrecognizeddealsthatclosedbetweenOctober2012andSeptember2013.TheIndianaFinanceAuthorityreachedfinancialclosewithWVBEastEndPartners,aconsortiumofWalshInvestorsLLC,VINCIConcessions,andBilfingerProjectInvestments,inMarch2013.Kentuckyplanstosell$747millionoftax-exemptandtaxabledebtthismonthtofunditsportionoftheOhioRiverBridgesProject.
Moreinformationabouttheprojectisavailableatwww.eastendcrossing.com.
Itcanbeoverwhelmingandconfusingattimestonavigatetheprocessofhandlingfinalaffairswhilegrievingthelossofalovedone.Inanattempttoassistemployeesanddependentswiththisprocess,anewpagehasbeencreatedontheBenefitswebsitewithinformationaboutwhatmayneedtobedoneintheeventalossisexperienced.
TheinformationcanbefoundhereorbyclickingtheSurvivingDependentstabontheSPDBenefitswebsite.Pleasetakesometimetoreviewtheinformation.Also,besuretotellyourdependentsand/orbeneficiarieswherethisinformation,andallyourimportantdocuments,arelocatedifneeded.Nowisagoodtimetoreviewyourbeneficiariesonanylifeinsurancepoliciesoraccountsyoumayhave.Thisshouldbedoneperiodicallytoensuretheinformationisaccurateandcurrent.IfyouhavelifeinsurancethroughtheStateemployeebenefitplans,thiscanbedonethroughPeopleSoftself-service.Ifyouhaveanyquestions,pleasefeelfreetocontacttheBenefitsHotlineat317-232-1167or1-877-248-0007orviaemailatSPDBenefits@spd.in.gov.
The Torch8
December 10, 2013: On the eve of Indiana’s 197th birthday, Governor Mike Pence joined Hoosier students in Corydon, the home of Indiana’s first state capital, to detail his 2014 education agenda. For more information on the Governor’s 2014 Roadmap, visit www.in.gov/gov/2680.htm.
SPD launches new trainings for customer service and supervisors/managers
Training
TheStatePersonnelDepartment(SPD)islaunchingseveralnewcatalogsofonlinetrainingtohelpouremployeesdevelopandenhancetheirskills.
Thefirstcatalogoftrainingisavailableonlytomanagersandsupervisors.TheBLRManagerandSupervisorTrainingcatalogistoensuretheyreceivesupervisorytraininginatimely,cost-effectiveandefficientmanner.Thecataloghas32coursesandincludestwocurriculumprograms.CAUTION:Thesecourseswerenotdevelopedspecificallyforstategovernmentsowhilethematerialsillustratesomegeneralemploymentconcepts,theydonotsupersedeanylaws,rules,orpolicies/proceduresdirectlyapplicabletoStateofIndianaemployees,supervisors,andworkplaces.ForState-specifictraining,clickhereforSPD’strainingcatalog.
• The Core Supervisor Training Programisa12coursecurriculumavailabletoenhancetheskillsetmanagersandsupervisorsneedtoworkeffectivelyandefficientlywithinouragencies.Topicsinclude:managingconflict,discipline,discrimination,documentation,firingandhiring,performanceevaluations,privacy,sexualharassmentandviolence.Afteryouhavecompletedthiscourseyoucanprintacertificateofcompletionforyourrecord.Aspecificquickstepguideonhowtoenrollintothisprogramcanbefoundhere.
• Enhanced Supervisor Program Theother20coursesareavailablealacarteorbyregisteringintheEnhancedSupervisorTrainingProgram.Topicsinclude:dealing
withchange,conflictresolution,effectivecommunicationforsupervisors,motivatingemployees,problemsolving,andtimemanagementforsupervisors.Afteryouhavecompletedthiscourseyoucanprintacertificateofcompletionforyourrecord.Aspecificquickstepguideonhowtoenrollintothisprogramcanbefoundhere.
Enrollmentislimitedforeachtypeoftraining,soenrolltodaybyloggingintoPeopleSoftELM.Instructionsonhowtoregisterarepostedaboveoronlineatin.gov/spd/2391.htm.Questionscanbedirectedtospdtraining@spd.in.govandadditionaltraininginformationforstateemployeescanbelocatedatwww.in.gov/spd/2331.htm
Add your personal email to emergency notification listDuetotherecentinclementweatherconditions,GovernorPenceinstructedthatstateofficescloseonMonday,Jan.6.Themediawasnotifiedandmessagesweresentstate-widetoallemployeesthroughemail.Instructionswerealsogiventocontactyourimmediatesupervisorifyouhadquestionsabouttoreportornot.
StatePersonnelreceivedrequeststohavepersonalemailsnotifiedofanyfutureclosingsaswell.Ifyouwishtosignupforthisfeature,visittheSPDhomepageatwww.in.gov/spdandclickthe“Subscribeforemailupdates”iconunderStateEmployeeNews.Enteryourpersonalemailaddressinthepop-upwhenpromptedandyouwillbesubscribedtoourlistwithinGovDelivery.
january 16, 2014 @ 12:30 PMstatehouse rotunda
KINGINDIANA HOLIDAY
celebration
the 23rd Annualdr. martin luther
jrpresented by:
thursday
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