On a mission to give, state employees In this issue donate ... · 1,600 nonprofit organizations all over the world. Most of these contributions have been invested in our local communities,

In this issue

2

The Torch is published monthly by the State Personnel Department

and is available online at www.in.gov/spd

Submit your story ideas to: [email protected]

• InFreeFileoffersfreetaxfillings

• DNR annual photo contest

Got a story?

February 2016

9

Upgrade 2017

3Has a Health Assessment beencompletedforeveryfamilymember?

4Self-submitpreventivewellnessvisitforVitalityPoints!

5

Submit your healthy activityphotostoSPD

• OnMyWayPre-Kapplicationsarenowbeing accepted

On a mission to give, state employees donate more than $1.4 millionThe State Employees’ Community Campaign (SECC) is excited to announce that state employees have donated more than $1.4 million tocharitiesacrossthestateandaroundtheworldduringthe2015-2016 campaign. The goal was set at $1.35 million and state employees showed their giving spirit by giving nearly $60,000 more than the original goal. This is more than the SECC has annually raised in its nearly 40 year history.

“I couldn’t be more proud to represent theheartofthe5,985stateemployeeswho were driven to contribute during this year’s campaign, said SECC chairman Brandye Hendrickson. “The impactoftheirgenerositywillbefarreaching.”

For more than 35 years, State Employees have contributed more than $30 million dollars, and have sent those precious dollars to more than 1,600nonprofitorganizationsallovertheworld.Mostofthesecontributionshave been invested in our local communities,improvingthequalityoflifeforourselvesandourneighbors.

This year’s theme “On a Mission to Give”exemplifiesthespiritofstate

employees and the willingness to join together to get big goal accomplished. The campaign was chaired by Hendrickson, Indiana DepartmentofTransportationCommissioner. Hendrickson kicked offthecampaigninearlySeptemberandishappytobeapartofarecord-breaking campaign.

“I want to thank each and every employeewhoparticipatedinthisyear’s campaign,” said State Personnel Director Denny Darrow. “Over the lastfewyears,stateemployeeshaveselflesslyinvestedtheirhard-earneddollarsincharitiesthatwillmaketheirwork stronger and sustainable. This is proofthatStateofIndianaemployeesare among our most generous and take great pride in going above and beyondtomakeadifference.”

Together, almost 6,000 state employeesdonatedatotalof$1,410,872tobenefitmorethan1,700charitableorganizations.Ofthetotalraised,1,796Championsraised

Continued on page 2

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INfreefile offers free online tax filing for HoosiersThisyear,theIndianaDepartmentofRevenuecontinuestoofferqualifiedtaxpayers, including state employees, afreetax-filingservicecalledIndianafreefile(INfreefile).

Ifyouradjusted gross income (AGI) is less than $62,000oryouareeligiblefortheearned income tax credit, you may be eligibletofilefederalandstatetaxesforfreewithINfreefile.

Thisyear,fivevendorsprovideafast,easyandsecurewaytofiletaxeselectronically.VendorsparticipatinginINfreefileincludeTurboTax,TaxACT,1040NOW, H&R Block and OLT Online Taxes. State employees should visit this websitetoseeiftheyqualifybasedonthevendors’options.

Advantagestofilingtaxeselectronically include:• Faster refunds–e-filedreturns

are processed in 12 to 14 days, while a paper return can take up to 12 weeks.

• More secure–fewerpeopleseeyourpersonalinformation.

• Get more or pay less–e-filingsoftwaremaysuggesttoyouunknowncreditsordeductions

• More accurate–e-filedreturnshave a two percent error rate versus20percentforpaperreturns.

Ifyouhavequestionsaboutyour return, please contact the [email protected].

On a mission to give, state employees... (continued)

Submit photos to the annual Historic Preservation Month photo contest

Help celebrate Indiana’s bicentennial by participatingin the DivisionofHistoricPreservationand Archaeology’s (DHPA) Historic PreservationMonth.Takenoticeofthebuilthistoryofourstatebyheadingoutandgettingsomepicturesofyourfavoritespots.Thisisagreatactivityforfamilies!

Takeapicture(orthree)ofyourfavoritehistoricresource—building,bridge,cemetery,landscape--andsenditin.Itdoesn’tmatterwhatitisas long as it is at least 50 years old and in Indiana.

Thebasicrequirementsare:• Imagesmustbe8x10prints,

mountedormattedonorwithawhite11x14matteboard.

• Theregistrationformmustbeattachedtoeachphoto

• Limitofthree(3)photosperperson

Foracompletelistofguidelinesandtheregistrationform,visitwww.in.gov/dnr/historic/3994.htm

PhotosmustbesubmittedbyApril 1, 2016.

Ifyouhaveanyquestions,pleasecontact Amy Borland at [email protected].

$920,516or66%ofthetotalraised.Champions are state employees who pledgeone-halfhour’spayperchecktomaketheircommunityabetterplaceforeveryone.OftheChampions,208wereTorchbearersandraised$378,131or27percentofthetotalraised. Torchbearers are individuals who commit to make a leadership contributionof$1,000ormoretotheSECC.

“The SECC agency coordinators did an incredible job and thrilled me with their enthusiasm,” said Melissa Thomas, SECC Statewide Coordinator. “We couldn’t run this campaign without them and they deserve a lot ofcreditforthissuccess.”

Agencies and coordinators will berecognizedfortheirtoplevelsofgivingduringtheSECCAwardsCeremony on March 23 at the State Library.

Continued from page 1

Artwork by Jerry Williams

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Help & ResourcesThe State Personnel Department isdedicatedtofillourInvestInYour Health website with a variety ofresources,howtoguidesandmoretoassistwithnavigatingHumanaVitalityandqualifyingforthe2017WellnessCDHP.

Look to this box in upcoming editionsforhighlightsofrecentarticlesandlinkstohelpfulwebsites.

Check the Invest In Your Health websiteforupdates,blogposts,fitnesscenterdiscountsandmore.Visit InvestInYourHealthIndiana.comformoreinformation.

InformationabouttheUpgrade2017initiative,includingHumanaVitalityandWellnessCDHPqualification,isavailableatInvestInYourHealthIndiana.com/Upgrade.

Need Help? Check out our Help page withresourceguides,frequentlyaskedquestionsandmore.

Join the HumanaVitality CommunityHumanaVitalityalsohasawebsitespecificallydedicatedtofrequentlyaskedquestionsabouttheprogram, including how to submit information,syncingdevicesand much more! Check it out at community.humanavitality.com

Connect with InvestInYourHealth

Watchthisgreatinformationalvideo!

The State Personnel Department (SPD) is excitedtoannounceastatewidecalloutforhealthyactivityphotosandvideos.Whetherit’sgettingoutsideandbeingactiveinalocalpark or enjoying a wholesome meal, show ushowyouandyourfamilyliveahealthylifestyle.YourphotosmaybeselectedtouseinoneoftheStatePersonnelDepartment’sstatewidecommunicationssuchastheyearlycalendar,newslettersorontheInvestIn Your Health website.

Photo Submission Guidelines:• PhotossubmittedbeforeAugust,

31,2016,willbeconsideredfortheupcoming2017calendar.

• Photomustbeofahigh-resolutionqualityformat.Iftakingphotoswithyour phone, make sure it is set on the highestresolutionsettingortheHighDynamicRange(HDR)settingison.

• Include in your message: your name, agency and when and where the photo was taken. Also include a statement sayingSPDcanuseyournameifthephoto is published.

• Submit photos to [email protected] or sharethemwith@INSPDBenefitsonTwitter.

Video Submission Guidelines:• Videosshouldberecordedusingyour

phone.

• Videosmustbenolongerthan60seconds

• All videos must be recorded in landscapeorhorizontalformat.

• Allvideosmustbefilmedwithsound.• Assistancefromaprofessional

productioncompanyisnotpermitted.• Bysubmittingavideo,families/

individuals give permission to the State Personnel Department to use in programpromotion.

• Videosshouldshowindividualsandfamiliesmakinghealthylifestylechoicesand/orbeingactive.

• Submit videos to [email protected] or sharethemwith@INSPDBenefitsonTwitter.

Bysubmittingaphotoorvideo,youaregrantingpermissiontotheStatePersonnelDepartment to use the photo image in various State Personnel Department andstateagencypublications.Videosand photos may be housed on the State Personnel Department and Invest In Your Health website and shared with other social media channels. There is no deadline to submit these to SPD.

Welookforwardtoviewingyoursubmissions. Also, you can always share your stories about what you’ve done to improve your health at Invest In Your Health too! Send your story!

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Has a Health Assessment been completed for every family member?HaveyouloggedintoHumanaVitalityandtakenthefirststepofcompletingaHealthAssessment?Congratulationsto the more than 8,000 members who have completed the Health Assessment in 2016. These individuals havetakenaquickandeasysteptowardearningSilverStatus.Ifyouhaven’t completed it, mark your calendars to complete it within the next month to stay on track to earn Silver Status early in the year!

TheHumanaVitalityHealthAssessmentisascientifically-basedquestionnairethatcanhelpyouevaluate how healthy you are now, determinefuturehealthrisksanddecide where and how to make improvementsinyourhealthifneeded. Based on your answers, HumanaVitalitycalculatesyourVitalityAge,givesyouaccesstoyourhealth results and sets goals that help you achieve and maintain health and wellness improvements. This assessment takes 20 minutes or less to complete.

Do you carry family medical insurance? For every dependent includedonyourinsurance,followthese guidelines based on your dependent’s age: • Ifthedependentisage18or

older, he/she should create their own separate account.

• Ifthedependentisunder18,youas the subscriber can evaluate yourchild’shealthbycompletingachild’shealthassessmentforeach child. On the subscriber account, scroll over to Get Healthy and click on Health Assessment.

Youcanseetheoptiontobegintheassessmentforeachchildundertheageof18.Earn200pointsforacompleteChildHealthAssessment per child on your health plan.

Help your spouse and adult children register an account and complete the Health Assessment. You as the account holder are able to see a combinedfamilyVitalityPointandVitalityBucktotal.GettingyourfamilyinvolvedisthefastestwaytoreachanEarnedStatusofSilverandhelpmaintainnew,healthierlifestylechanges.

New MembersOnceyoucompletetheregistration,you are prompted to begin the Health Assessmentthefirsttimeyoulogintoyouraccount.CompletingtheHealthAssessmentmovesyoufromBluetoBronzeVitalityStatusandunlockstheHumanaVitalityMall.

EarnextrabonusVitalityPointsforbeing a brand new member! Below is abreakdownoftheVitalityPointsyoucan earn:•Youreceiveafirsttime,lifetimebonusof500bonusVitalityPointsjustforcompletingtheHealthAssessment.

• IfyoucompletetheHealthAssessmentbeforeMarch 30, youearnanadditional250bonuspoints.

• Ifyoucompletetheassessmentand receive all the bonuses, you collectatotalof1,250VitalityPoints.

Returning MembersEarn500VitalityPointsforcompletingthe Health Assessment. The Health Assessment is available to complete anytimethroughouttheyear,butwhynotcompleteitearly?Askyourspouse and adult dependents (age 18orolder)tologinandcompletetheir own Health Assessment as well. Asaspecialbonus,250additionalVitalityPointsareaddedforyouandyour adult dependents who complete assessmentsbeforeMarch 30.

You can also complete the Health Assessment on the mobile app! Downloading the app is easy and can help you complete the Health Assessment on the go. You also receive ten points per month just by logging intoHumanaVitalityfromyourmobileapp.ThefreeHumanaVitalityappisavailableto download at:• iPhone in the App Store• Android in the Google Play

Store

Complete the Health Assessment on the go

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Self-submit information for preventive exams to HumanaVitalityAgreatwaytoearnVitalityPointsisbysubmittinginformationonpreventiveappointmentsyouhavealready completed. One example is your annual wellness visit with your primary care physician.

Vitality CheckIfyouhavesuchavisitplannedforthenearfuture,askthattheVitalityCheckinformationbe collected at that same visit. During your appointment, the measurements included during the exam are the same measurementsusedforaVitalityCheck. Double check with your doctortoensurethisinformationis collected: height, weight, waist circumferenceandbloodtestincluding;total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides andfastingbloodglucose.• Optional:theHbA1ctestisneeded

ifit’spartofyouractivegoaltogetyour blood glucose in healthy range.

Plan to bring this form with you to the exam. Follow these steps to submit this informationtoHumanaVitalityandearnyourVitalityPoints.

Youmustsubmityourformwithin90daysoftheactivitytoearnyourqualifyingVitalityPoints.AcompletedVitalityCheckearnsyou2,000VitalityPointsanduptoanadditional2,000VitalityPointsifyourmeasurementsarewithin a healthy range. Click here to reviewinformationabout2016carryover Vitality Points.

OtherpreventivescreeningsIfyoureceiveotherpreventivescreenings during your annual wellness visit or at a separate appointment, you

canearnVitalityPoints.Examplesofqualifyingpreventiveactivitiesinclude:• Screening pap test or pelvic exam –

female,age18+• Mammogram–female,age40+• Prostateexam–male,age40+• Colorectalscreening–femaleor

male,age50+• Flu shot (includes H1N1 vaccine) –

femaleormale,allages• Dentalexam–femaleormale,all

ages• Visionexam–femaleormale,all

ages

Theseactivescanearnyouupto400VitalityPointsdependingonwhatactivityyoucomplete.Inordertoreceivethepointsforyourpreventiveactivities,youmustsubmitoneofthefollowingwithin90daysoftheactivity:• AcopyoftheExplanationof

Benefitswiththedateofservice• VisitSummary• Receiptdocumentingyourname,

the date and service

Forallhealthcareplansofferedbythestate, most preventiveservices are

covered at 100 percent.

When the appointment is completeandappropriateproofis collected, followthesestepstosubmittheinformationtoHumanaVitality. This process awards members their points in two to three business days.

Please note: You do not earn VitalityPointsforpreventiveactivitiesyoucompletedpriortobecomingaHumanaVitalitymember.

FormoreinformationaboutHumanaVitality,pleasevisitinvestinyourhealthindiana.com/humana

HumanaVitalitycalculatorscanhelp you assess and address risks, probabilitiesandsymptomsforanumberofhealthfactors.Eachcalculatormakessuggestionsforhealthier living based on your answers.

Youcanearn75VitalityPointsforeachcalculator(uptofourperyear) that you complete. This is a quickwaytoearnbigpoints.Toaccess the calculators, log on to HumanaVitalityandscrolloverGetHealthy,clickonHealthandWell-Being and scroll down to More Resources.

Complete up to four Calculators a year

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Learn how to construct your goal of controlling your high blood pressure

Thanks to the Indiana State Department of Health for this submission.

Didyouknowofthe67millionAmerican adults who have high blood pressure, 16 million knowtheyhavetheconditionand are receiving treatment, buttheirbloodpressurestillremainstoohigh?AccordingtotheCentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention(CDC),therearemore than two million heart attacksandstrokeseachyearintheUnitedStates.InIndiana,almostone-thirdofalldeathsare caused by heart disease and stroke.Anestimated13,630Indianaresidentsdiedfromheartdiseaseduring 2013, making it the leading causeofdeathoverall.Additionally,approximately 3,061 Indiana residents diedfromstrokeduringthatsameyear.

It’suptoyoutosuccessfullymanageand control your blood pressure. But itdoesn’thavetobeadauntingtask.You can take small, manageable steps to make blood pressure control your goal.Herearesometipstoshowyouhow.

Engage your health care teamBlood pressure control is a team effort.Engageallofyourhealthcareprofessionals—notjustyourprimarycare physician or cardiologist. Your pharmacist, nurses and other health care specialists can help you control yourhighbloodpressure.Nexttimeyougoinforavisit,makealistofquestionsyouwanttoaskyourhealthcareprofessional.Forexample: What is my blood pressure goal?What are the best ways to reach my goal?• Mentionwhatyou’realready

doing to work toward control, including exercising, changing yourdietortakingmedicationsasprescribed.

• Behonestandrealisticwithyourselfandyourhealthcareteamaboutwhatlifestylechangesyou’re ready and not prepared to make.

• Pick one goal to start working toward. As you achieve success andbuildconfidence,chooseanother goal to tackle.

TakeyourmedicationsfaithfullyYour health care team has put togetheraspecificmedicationschedule to help control your blood pressure.Youmightforgettotakeyour medicine every day, or maybe you’re having trouble dealing with thesideeffects.Rememberthatyourmedicationisimportanttocontrolandmaintain your blood pressure.Herearesometipstohelpyoustickwithyourmedicationplan:• Talk to your doctor about any

medicationsideeffectsyouareexperiencing.Ifnecessary,discussothertreatmentoptions.Neverstop treatment on your own.

• Make a schedule and set up a system to remind you to take

yourmedicationsregularly—useapillboxforeverypill,everyday,oruse smartphone “app” reminders.

• Ifyourinsuranceprovidesmailorder delivery, set it up and requesta90-daysupplyofmedications.

Monitor your blood pressure What’syourbloodpressuregoal?Develop a plan to regularly check your blood pressure, not just at the doctor’soffice,butathomeoratapharmacy. Track your results in a log or diary to monitor your progress.

Make healthy choices• Exercise can be a great way to

help control your blood pressure. Findasafeplacetowalkorbemoreactive.Increasethetimeandintensityofyourphysicalactivityasyouprogress.

• Shopformorefreshfruit,vegetables, and whole grains and fewerpreparedfoodswithhighsodium,cholesterol,saturatedfat,andtransfat.

• Learn to read labels and choose foodslowerinsodium.Loweringyour sodium will lower your blood pressure.

• Quit smoking. There are many tools available to help you. Call1-800-QUIT-NOWorvisitSmokefree.govforhelp

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Thank you to Christy Tunnell, MBA, RD, CD, President of the Indiana Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics for this submission.

Heart disease is the number one killer ofbothmenandwomen,inAmerica.According to the CDC, About 610,000 peopledieofheartdiseaseintheUnitedStates every year–that’s 1 in every 4 deaths.Whilegeneticscanplayarolein whether or not your develop heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking are key risk factors.Severalothermedicalconditionsandlifestylechoicescanalsoputpeopleatahigherriskforheartdiseaseincluding, diabetes, overweight and obesity,poordiet,physicalinactivity,andexcessive alcohol use. So, what is the goodnews?Youhavecontrolofseveraloftheseriskfactors!Takingcontrolofyourlifestyle,bymakingsmall,measurable,andpermanentchangescansignificantlyreduce your risk.

Gettingtherightfoodstoeat,canbeagreatplacetostart.Ifyouhavenevertriedover-haulingyourdiet,startbyadding, not taking away. For example, add1-2cupsoffruitsand/orvegetableswitheverymeal.Freshorfrozenfruitsandvegetablescanbeaddedtocasseroles, soups, smoothies, or you even letabowloffrozenberriesthawonyourdeskforamid-morningsnack.Startyourlunch meal with a salad. Not only will itaddveggiestoyourday,butitwillfillyou up and make you less likely to over eattheotherpartsofyourlunchmeal.At dinner, start with a caprese salad. The tomatoesandbasilwilladdfiberandnutrients to your day, while the delicious mozzarellacheeseaddssomeprotein.

Afteryouhaveaddedfresherfruitsandvegetablestoyourdietforacoupleofweeks,trycuttingoutsomeoftheprocessedfoodsfromyourmeals.Highsodiumcannedsoups,frozenmeals,boxedfoodsandfastfoodcanallhaveincrediblyhighamountsofsodium.High sodium diets have been linked to

high blood pressure or hypertension. Not only does this stress your arteries, but can also cause headaches anddizziness.On days when processed foodsareyouronlyoption,drink plenty ofwatertoallowyourbodytoflushoutsomeofthatexcesssodium.

Plant based diets have been shown to haveamazinghealthbenefits,includingheart health and reduced cancer risk. Does this mean you have to become avegetariantoenjoythesebenefits?Nope,justlooktomakehalfofeachmealfullofwholegrains,fruitsandvegetables.Leanmeatscaneasilybepartofahearthealthydiet,butwatchyourportionsizes.Threeounces,oraboutthesizeandthicknessofawoman’spalmisahealthyservingofmeat.Choosingtheleanestcuts can also help. Bake, broil, roast or grillmeats,sothatyouarenotaddingfatduringcooking.Trysubstitutingbeans,peas,andlentilsformeatacoupleoftimesaweek.Thesehavetheaddedbenefitofextrafiber.

Fiberisthegeneralnameforcertaincarbohydrates,usuallypartsofvegetables, plants and grains that the bodycan’tfullydigest.Whilefiberisn’t broken down and absorbed like nutrients,itstillplaysakeyroleingoodhealth.Therearetwomaintypesoffiber:solubleandinsolublefiber;andyou should try to get both each day. Fiber has been shown to lower the riskofheartdiseaseandplaysaroleincholesterol control.

Contrary to what you may have learned inthepast,fatsareessentialtogreathearthealth.Whenyouusefatsforcooking, choose monounsaturated fats,suchasoliveoilorcanolaoil.Avocadosarealsoagoodsourceofmonounsaturatedfat.Polyunsaturatedfats,suchasthosefoundinnutsandseeds,andomega-3fats(foundinfish)are also healthy choices. Reduce your overallintakeofsaturatedfatsandtransfats(bothofthesearelistedonthefoodlabel).Lastly,chooselow-fatversionsofdairy products to reduce your saturated fatintake.

Committingtosmallchanges,allowsyou to make solid progress toward your goalofhearthealth,withoutbeingtoooverwhelming. Try to integrate these tipsoverthenextsixmonthsandaddafifteenortwentyminutewalkduringlunch (as the weather gets nicer). Your health will improve and your heart will thank you!

Caprese Salad4 medium tomatoes, sliced 1/4cupfreshbasilleaves1/2poundlow-fatmozzarellacheeseBalsamicVinaigrette (store bought or make your own): 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 1 teaspoon ground mustard 1/8teaspoonsalt1/8teaspoonpepper

Directions:Slice the tomatoes and cheese. Arrange the tomatoesonthebottom,cheese next and basil on top.Whiskthevinaigretteingredients;drizzleoversalad. Makes 4 servings.

Eat your way to a healthier heart and lower your risk of heart disease

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Applying for retirement benefits can be as easy as following three stepsApplyingforretirementbenefitswithINPRS can be done in three simple steps.

Step1:AttendaFreeWorkshopIfyou’rewithintwoyearsofretiring,INPRSencouragesyoutosignupforoneofitsfreeretirementbenefitworkshops. They are hosted all around the state. In these workshops, you’ll receive:• Informationtohelpbudgetfor

retirement;• Apersonalbenefitestimate;• Moredetailsontheretirement

process;• Step-by-stepinstructionsforthe

INPRSretirementapplication;• Informationaboutworkingafter

retirement;and• Answerstoyourretirement

questions.• Youcansignupforanupcoming

retirementbenefitworkshophere.

Step2:SetaRetirementDateYour last day at work is NOT your retirementdate.Onceyou’vedecidedwhat your last day at work will be, the retirementdatewillbethefirstdayofthemonthafterthatlastday.

Decidingwhentoretireisaverypersonal decision. INPRS recommends youtakeintoconsiderationwhatsortoflifestyleyouwanttoliveafterretirementandwhattypeofexpenses

you will have (healthcare costs, utilities,food,etc.)Youshouldalsoidentifyadditionalsourcesofincomesuch as savings accounts, Social Securitybenefits,andinterestfromotherinvestments.Talktoafinancialplanner to help determine what you mightneedinretirement.

Step3:FillouttheApplicationUsetheonlineapplication.It’savailable on the INPRS secure website. Theonlineretirementapplicationallowsyoutosubmityourapplicationsoonerthanifdonethroughthemail.Italsoreducesthelikelihoodofapplicationerrors.

Ahardcopyoftheretirementapplicationisavailablehere.It’ssevenpageslongandincludesachecklistofinformationanddocumentsneededinordertocompletetheapplication.Astep-by-stepvideoguideisavailableon the INPRS YouTube channel.

Twokeytipstokeepinmind:• Yourretirementdatecan’tbemorethansixmonthsfromthedateoftheirapplication.

• Onceanapplicationiscompleteand turned into us, no changes maybemade.Yourretirementelectionsarefinal.

Makingthedecisiontoretireisahugemilestoneinaperson’slife.INRPS wants to help you reach that goal.Pleasefeeltocontactthemwithquestionsat(888)286-3544. 

To honor Indiana’s 200th anniversary ofstatehood,theIndianaBicentennialCommission is proud to present a specialmementoofthissingularmoment in our state’s history. Following the traditionoftheCentennial and Sesquicentennialmedals, the Bicentennial Medal was designed by an Indianaartist.Itwasalsomintedandpackaged in boxes made in Indiana.

Thisdesignwaschosenfromnearly100 submissions during the summer of2015.TheIndianaArtsCommissionconductedtheselectionprocess,usingthetalentsofsixindependentjudges.

Accordingtotheartist,DonnaWeaverofSwitzerlandCounty,thedesignisapageillustratingIndiana’sformativehistory(includingthefirstcapitolatCorydon) which seems to be turned back revealing what the state has become;ourindustry,monuments,involvement in medical research, leisureactivityandthefineStateHousein Indianapolis.

“I designed and sculpted coins and medalsfortheUnitedStatesMintinPhiladelphiaforfiveandahalfyears,”Weaversaid.“Ihaveover70designstomycredit.Asampleofmyworkisprobably in your pocket...look at the newnickel.Thatismysculptingwork.”

The medals are made possible by the generoussponsorshipoftheIndianaBankersAssociation.You can order the medal by clicking here.

Commemorative Bicentennial Medal available for purchase

The Torch9

Family applications for August 2016 are now being accepted for On My Way Pre-K in five pilot counties

FSSA

Indiana’sOfficeofEarlyChildhoodandOut-of-SchoolLearning(OECOSL)isnowacceptingapplicationsfromfamiliesinthefivepilotcountieswhomaybeeligibleforgrantsfortheirchildrentoreceivehigh-quality,prekindergarteneducationthroughtheOnMyWayPre-KprogramstartinginAugustof2016.

Families residing in Allen, Jackson, Lake andVanderburghCountiesmustmeetthefollowingeligibilitycriteriatoapply:• Thefamilymusthaveanincome

below127percentofthefederalpoverty level.

• ThechildmustbefouryearsoldbyAugust1,2016,andstartingkindergarteninAugust2017.

In Marion County, the same criteria apply as those listed above. However, theCityofIndianapolisisprovidingadditionalfundinginMarionCountythrough its Indy Preschool Scholarship Program(IndyPSP).Andwhilefamiliescan apply to Indy PSP and On My Way Pre-Kusingasingleapplication,theIndyPSPfundingwilladdeligibilityinMarionCountyforchildrenwhoare3yearsoldandarefromfamilieslivingatorbelow185percentoftheFederalPoverty Level.

Itisimportanttonotethatfirstprioritywillbegiventochildrenfromfamilieslivingatorbelow127percentoftheFederalPovertyLevelforOnMyWayPre-K.

Once a child has received a grant, familiesinallfivecountieswillchoosefrom any of the eligible, enrolled On My Way Pre-K programs. OECOSL hasenrolled225OnMyWayPre-Kprovidersinthefivepilotcounties,andtheapplicationprocessisongoing.In

ordertoqualify,the program must betop-rankedat level 3 or level 4 on Paths to QUALITYorbeaccredited by an approvednationalor regional accreditingbody(Clickherefordetails on provider eligibility).

ApplicationswillbeaccepteduntilMarch25,2016.Ifmorefamiliesqualifythan there are grants available, awards willbemadethrougharandomizedlotteryprocess.ThislotterywillbeheldonoraroundMarch28,2016,andfamilieswillbenotifiediftheyreceiveagrant.

Approvedpre-Kprogramsmaybelocated in a public or private school, licensed child care center, licensed home or registered ministry as long asthatprogrammeetsthequalityrequirementsandisregisteredasanOnMyWayPre-KProvider.Familiesmaychoosefromaprogramthatisfull-dayorpart-day,aswellasfromprogramsthat end with the school year or continuethroughthesummer.Alistofapprovedpre-Kproviderscanbefoundhere.Familieswhoneedhelpfindinganapprovedpre-Kprogramcanalsocall1-800-299-1627forassistancefromanearlylearningreferralspecialist.• To apply in Allen County, click here.• To apply in Jackson County, click

here.• To apply in Lake County, click here.• To apply in Marion County, click

here.• ToapplyinVanderburghCounty,

click here.

More than 2,300 children who will beginkindergarteninAugustof2016arecurrentlyparticipatinginthefirstfullyearofOnMyWayPre-K,whichbegan in Allen, Jackson, Lake, Marion andVanderburghcountiesinAugustofthis2015.Previously,400childrenparticipatedinthefirstcohortoftheprogram,fromJanuarythroughJuneof2015.

OnMyWayPre-KisthenameofIndiana’sfirststate-fundedprekindergarten program, which was approvedasafive-countypilotbytheIndiana General Assembly in 2014. For moreinformation,visitonmywayprek.org.

The Indy Preschool Scholarship Program (IndyPSP)istheCityofIndianapolis’sfirsteverpreschoolprogramthatprovidesfreescholarshipsforchildrenfromlow-incomefamiliestoattendqualitypreschools.IndyPSPispartneringwithOnMyWayPre-KtoexpandaccesstopreschoolforfamiliesinMarionCounty.TheUnitedWayofCentral Indiana will provide program administrationsupportbymanagingtheapplication,outreach,andevaluationprocesses.Visitwww.indypsp.orgformoreinformation.