Indiana Senate Bill 1 Update
The House Ways and Means Committee heard SB 1 on behavioral health matters. One of the bill’s authors, Sen. Crider, and the House sponsor, Rep. Vermilion, introduced the bill and answered the Committee’s questions. The bill provides that:
- FSSA may apply to the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services for a Medicaid state plan amendment, a waiver, or an amendment to an existing waiver to require reimbursement for eligible certified community behavioral health clinic services; or to participate in the expansion of a community mental health services demonstration program.
- DMHA to establish/maintain a toll-free help line which provides support and resource referrals to individuals.
- The Indiana Behavioral Health commission is established and defines its membership.
- The “9-8-8 crisis hotline center” is called the “9-8-8 crisis response center”.
There was much discussion about possible funding sources including the cigarette tax, alcohol tax, or a $1 fee added to phone bills, but the bill was not amended to include a funding plan. The bill passed 24 – 0.
Read the bill at: https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2023/bills/senate/1
United Way partners with Bright by Text to support families in South-Central Indiana
Parents and caregivers in South-Central Indiana now have free and easy access to child development information, local resources, expert tips, and games at their fingertips. United Way of Monroe County is teaming up with Bright by Text, a national parent texting program, to send free messages to caregivers of children from prenatal to age 8.
Available in English and Spanish, messages are customized to a child’s age and include info about activities, brain development, games, and local resources, plus research-based content to support early development, literacy, language, health, and safety. Bright by Text helps parents and caregivers make the most out of time with their children by illustrating fun and easy activities, providing positive parenting tips and resources, and video content to guide a child’s development.
To sign up, parents and caregivers with children under 8 can text the word SCIKIDS to 274448. They will receive 2 to 4 text messages per week, and each message includes a link to a landing page with more detail, short modeling videos, and links to related resources. While there is absolutely no cost to enroll, data and message rates may apply depending on the phone provider service plan.
Visit www.monroeunitedway.org/brightbytext for more information.
Monroe Lake Gatehouses at Paynetown and Fairfax open for the season
The entrance gatehouses at Paynetown and Fairfax SRAs began operating for the 2023 season at the beginning of April. Entrance fees at these SRAs will be charged Friday-Sunday through the rest of April and then switch to daily operations at the beginning of May. Entrance fees at $7 per vehicle with Indiana license plates ($9 per vehicle with out-of-state plates). Indiana State Park Annual Entrance Permits are also available for purchase at both gates, as are motorized and non-motorized boat permits.
Bloomington, District Troopers receive awards
Master Trooper Eric Nash and Trooper Clay McBride received awards for their efforts in traffic and criminal enforcement and public service at the 2023 Indiana State Police Awards Ceremony held on Wednesday, April 19. Superintendent Doug Carter presented Master Trooper Nash with the 2022 Trooper of the District Award for Bloomington District. Assigned to Greene County, Master Trooper Nash attended the 58th Recruit Class, culminating with his graduation in 1999. He has served as a Trooper for 23 years. Master Trooper Nash is a graduate of North Knox High School and Vincennes University receiving two associate degrees. He is a U.S. Army veteran. The award was presented to Master Trooper Nash for his efforts in criminal and traffic enforcement and public service.
Superintendent Carter presented Trooper McBride the Indiana State Police’s Top Drunk Driving Arrest Award for Bloomington District. Assigned to Monroe County, Trooper McBride started his Indiana State Police career as a dispatcher and then attended the 78th Recruit Class, culminating with his graduation in 2018. He has served as a Trooper for five years. The award was presented to Trooper McBride for his 2022 OWI Enforcement efforts.
Indiana Governor’s Art Awards
To recognize outstanding achievement and contributions to arts and creativity in Indiana, the Office of the Governor with the Indiana Arts Commission (IAC) present the Governor’s Arts Awards, the highest honor the state gives in the arts. These awards honor those who maximize their roles as innovators, supporters and advocates to grow arts and creativity on the state or national level.
The nominations for the 2023 Governor’s Arts Awards are open now and will close on May 4, 2023, 11:59 p.m. ET. In addition to the nominations, the Indiana Arts Commission is seeking an artist or artist team to submit qualifications for the creation of seven custom works of art for the 2023 Indiana Governor’s Arts Awards, and is also seeking qualifications from independent filmmakers, videographers, or production companies interested in filming and producing a short film commemorating the 2023 Indiana Governor’s Arts Awards.
Learn more about the awards and the requests for qualification.
This Week in Hoosier History
1859 – Paul Dreiser was born in Terre Haute. He became a songwriter and changed his last name to “Dresser” to distinguish himself from his novelist brother, Theodore. Paul Dresser’s most famous work is “On the Banks of the Wabash Far Away,” the state song of Indiana.
Follow us on Facebook
For more local news . . . Check out our archived episodes of What’s Happenin’ and Talkin’ Sports with Nick Jenkinson