In this issue

2 • SNAPdeliverydateschange

3

The TorchispublishedmonthlybytheStatePersonnelDepartment

andisavailableonlineatwww.in.gov/spd

Submityourstoryideasto:spdcommunications@spd.in.gov

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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

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