Piece of the PI: Newsletter
A monthly publication for the members of Prosperity Indiana
December 2021
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Executive Director's Letter
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 I just left my two-year-old’s Christmas program.
Where she looked adorable. She was prepped for the role – the daycare director even told me right before she went on stage that she had done really well during rehearsals.
But when the time came, my child – who looked the part and technically knew everything she needed to know to sing and dance well – mostly just stood still on the stage, kind of dazed and kind of weepy. Stuck.
There was one thing she needed in that moment that she couldn’t access when she was expected to perform, and it was me. Mommy. And her dad. She needed her people up there with her.
And I was there – rooting her on – for sure. But she needed me-needed me, if you know what I mean.
She needed me to hold her hand or give her hugs or wipe her tears – providing something in closer proximity than I could do as an audience member. And something more clearly communicating empathy, walking through the experience with her, rather than watching from the sidelines.
If she could have had that, I have no doubt she could have really shined.
And in a lot of ways, that’s really what the resources that Prosperity Indiana aims to provide are all about. Getting in the trenches. Coming alongside you. Knowing you have what it takes to get it done, if you just have your people there – holding your hand, at times – and the additional resources you need to do what you, in many ways, were destined to do.
And that’s exactly why we responded when the state put out an RFP to develop a network to deliver a variety of housing stability services: 1) To get closer to the work and more intentional about making sure the right resources get to those who need them and are ready to do the work – they just need the funding and the support and the connections to get it done – because we believe in our members and your ability to do great things with the right resources AND
2) To intentionally put ourselves in the hard spot of ensuring we more directly address the challenges of getting millions of dollars – out the door – to the Hoosier families who need the resources so desperately BECAUSE 3) We recognize that addressing housing stability in and of itself does not solve family stability issues long-term. Instead, we want to – with our partners at INCAA and our members as part of the network – see this new program walk alongside families to move them past their various barriers to mobility by shoring up their household’s stability, even beyond the short-term housing crisis, to put them on the path to true success. Their destiny.
Will you join us?
Many have already raised their hand and said yes, when we were still in the proposal development stage. Well, now, we’ve (in collaboration with INCAA) been selected – as of today – by IHCDA to deliver. So, if you haven’t already expressed interest in being a provider, please complete this survey. And then, for those who’ve raised their hands, we’ll be assembling an advisory committee to make sure we build out the network and our processes and our impact in a way that will make us all proud.
And if you’re not in a position to join the network, we trust you’ll be nearby, watching and rooting us on – strengthening our communities in your very own way. And for that, we thank you as well! As always, thank you for being a Piece of the PI Network.
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Jessica Love
Executive Director
P.S. Speaking of resources...we would love to have you help us celebrate our 35th anniversary this year by making a year-end contribution to PI.
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We REAP prosperity by providing Resources, Engagement, Advocacy, and Programs that support our members' work! |
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Changed4Good, Consulting, and Feedback
We Have Been Changed4Good
Through 15 virtual conversations, PI impacted our members’ and the community economic development field’s ability to emerge from the pandemic and plan for 2022 within an equity framework. Thank you to the more than 525 participants in our calls! If you missed a conversation, recordings are easily accessible and free to download from the PI COVID-19 Hub. And a special thanks to First Financial Bank for their financial support of PI’s work to apply adaptive and technical solutions to the challenges of building an equitable economy throughout Indiana.
Looking for a consultant for your next strategic plan?
PI is excited to help shape and execute community engagement strategies for the City of Evansville's HOME ARP Allocation Plan. It is always a privilege to support our member's work! Please let us know how we can support you by contacting Marie Beason.
What Keeps You Up at Night?
All resources PI provides for our members are built upon member input. If you would like to share your thoughts on how PI can improve your work, please contact Marie Beason to join our Programs and Resources Committee, so you can reduce stress and get a good night’s sleep!
COVID-19 Hub
Share the wealth! Have a resource or tool you could share with your peers? We'll add it to the hub! If you're willing to share COVID-19 or other policies, plans, best practices, or funding opportunities with peers, please share it here. |
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Member Shout Outs and Summit
CareSource is a Champion Member!
Prosperity Indiana is proud to welcome CareSource as our first Champion level member! Having worked closely in 2019 with CareSource Foundation on the Empower Indiana Grant Challenge, we are excited our relationship is continuing to the next level! Stay tuned for more news here! |
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Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson Announcing Nominees for Prosperity Indiana’s 2022 Annual Awards!
Top community development leaders and programs across Indiana have been nominated for the prestigious Prosperity Indiana Awards. PI received a record number of nominations this year and is thankful to the Awards Committee for their input. Winners have not been named and will be announced at the annual Prosperity Indiana Summit on February 17, 2022. Read the press release and view the list of nominees here. |
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Board Slate Nominees A warm welcome to Prosperity Indiana's newest board members and returning directors approved by our voting membership. Check out their bios here. New 2021 Leader Members!
PI is thrilled to welcome Lutheran Social Services of Indiana as a Leader member in 2022! We extend a very sincere thank you to our 2021 Leader members:
Save the Date for PI's Annual Member Meeting
Prosperity Indiana's Annual Member Meeting is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. ET, January 21, 2022.
Send Your Events, Career Opportunities, & Other Highlights
We want to share our members' events and career opportunities. Both are highlighted in the monthly newsletter and career opportunities are additionally posted on our website. Send your event or job posting information to Michaela Wischmeier.
Join Private Facebook Group for Members Only
This discussion forum is yours to collaborate and connect with other members, ask questions of PI staff, and share your events and happenings. To join the group, click here. |
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2022 Policy Agenda & Statehouse Day
PI has released our 2022 Policy Agenda for the upcoming legislative session. Subscribe to email updates for the latest news and register to attend Statehouse Day with us on January 19, 2022.
OCC Issues Final Rule to Rescind 2020 CRA Rule
The U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has listened to Prosperity Indiana members' feedback and has issued a new 'Final Rule to Rescind its 2020 Community Reinvestment Act Rule'! Read the news release here. COVID-19 Housing Resources
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The CDC’s Eviction Moratorium has been overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court and is no longer valid as of August 26, 2021. Tenants are NOT protected from eviction due to nonpayment of rent at this time.
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For a complete list of and links to the state's various emergency rental assistance programs, visit the Housing4Hoosiers COVID-19 Assistance & Resources page.
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The Indiana Legal Services Tenant Help Desk hotline is available every Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for the remainder of 2021. For more information, view the flyer.
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The Indy Affordable Modification Program (IndyAMP) allows Marion County homeowners negatively affected by COVID-19 to refinance mortgage debt at a below-market interest rate for up to 30 years. IndyAMP allows owners to remain in their homes, become current with their mortgages, and lower their monthly payments.
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COVID-19 Resources for Homeowners provides information for FHA-insured mortgages on the foreclosure moratorium and how to apply for mortgage forbearance.
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Community Loan Center (CLC)
Congratulations to Flourish Northwest Indiana of Northwest Indiana Community Action (NWICA) on receiving a lending license to launch a CLC program!
Prosperity Indiana is the Indiana statewide coordinator for the Community Loan Center (CLC), an affordable small-dollar loan program that serves as a payday-lending alternative. The CLC program allows local lenders to make online loans directly to employees of participating employers. Borrowers apply for a CLC loan online, the loan is deposited in the borrower's bank account, and borrowers then repay their loans each payday through payroll deduction. Twenty-three counties in Indiana are currently served by an Indiana-based CLC lender.
If you would like to see this program available in your community, please reach out to us.
View more information here. |
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Sponsor Piece of the PI is sponsored by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis (FHLBI). |
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Indiana Foreclosure Prevention Network (IFPN)
Homeowners in the state of Indiana who have signed up to be notified about IHCDA’s Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) are eligible to receive free foreclosure prevention counseling through the Indiana Foreclosure Prevention Network (IFPN). HUD-certified housing counselors are reaching out to these homeowners by phone and email to discuss their mortgage delinquencies.
During these initial counseling sessions, housing counselors will provide homeowners with information about HAF and confirm they are still interested in applying for assistance. The same housing counselors will also be available to assist these homeowners when IHCDA begins accepting applications. In addition to HAF, counselors may also discuss other options for assistance that are available. IHCDA and IFPN will never charge a fee for these services. A list of participating agencies can be found HERE. |
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Housing Choice Voucher Waitlist Open
The Housing Choice Voucher Program provides housing assistance in the form of a rental subsidy payment to private landlords on behalf of low-income individuals, families, seniors, and persons with disabilities for housing units they have chosen in the private rental market.
The Community Action Program of Western Indiana, Inc. (COWI) has opened the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Waiting List, and will accept online only applications for the following counties:
The application portal will remain open until 5 p.m. ET on Friday, December 31, 2021. |
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Indiana Emergency Rental Assistance (IERA) – Landlords Can Help Get Paid Quicker
The number one reason for slow moving rental assistance applications is simple: tenants do not know the name of their landlord. A tenant may list their favorite office staff member or the name of the complex as their landlord. If the name entered by the tenant is not the name of the landlord provided on the W-9, the application will be slowed, as our team members work to match the application to one of our 15,000 existing vendors or create a new vendor.
To help, provide tenants who are behind on rent or struggling to stay current with a full and complete electronic copy of their lease and the legal name of the landlord as it appears in the vendor portal. This will provide tenants with two items that will expediate the processing of their application. The quicker the IERA program can associate a landlord with a file, the quicker they can contact for information concerning a specific tenant. Helping tenants provide the correct information, helps the IERA program process and pay files faster. |
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Governor's Public Health Commission On August 18, 2021, Governor Eric J. Holcomb established by executive order the Governor's Public Health Review Commission (GPHC) to study Indiana's public health system. The Governor’s Public Health Commission will be co-chaired by former state Sen. Luke Kenley and Dr. Judy Monroe. State Health Commissioner Kris Box is appointed the Commission’s secretary. Congresswoman Susan Brooks, who formerly represented the Fifth Congressional District, serves as a non-voting citizen advisor.
The Governor's Public Health Commission is actively seeking input from the public. Public comment can be submitted electronically through the online form.
Additionally, in early 2022, the GPHC intends to conduct several listening tours across the state to hear from communities on ways we can promote, protect, and improve the health and safety of all Hoosiers. Find more information on the Engagement Plan and Listening Tours here. |
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Funding Opportunity to Advance Equitable Building Decarbonization
The Midwest Building Decarbonization Coalition believes that transition must center equity and economic inclusion. If you're ready to help ensure a just transition with shared prosperity, please join this growing Coalition. Participation stipends ranging from $3,000-$8,000 are available to support organizations who may not otherwise be able to fully participate. To jump start projects in your area, the Coalition is also offering Empowerment Grants. Ranging from $35,000-$50,000, these grants are for energizing your local work in equitable building decarbonization. The Coalition hope these will a) help build the base of the coalition in each state; and b) develop critical capabilities to generate continually increasing returns to equity in the building decarbonization movement. Learn more and apply here. |
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Member News & Publications |
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COVID-19 & How to Stay Healthy |
Prosperity Indiana's Response
Prosperity Indiana team members are beginning to return to the office to work, but we are not yet open to the public. Staff will be rotating days that they are present in the office. While most team members continue to work remotely at this time, we have compiled the following information about our return to work plan.
Our re-opening plan includes:
The best way to reach us during this time is via email. Here is a link to contact information for full-time staff.
Prosperity Indiana is here to support you through this difficult time. If you have specific suggestions for webinars, FB live chats, or other resources for us to share related to COVID-19 or other topics, please reach out to our team. Please stay healthy and take the necessary measures to protect yourself and those around you. We will be sure to inform you of any further updates as needed. |
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Support Prosperity Indiana while youshop with AmazonSmile!
Shopping on Amazon.com? Switch to our AmazonSmile page, and Amazon will donate a percentage of your purchase to Prosperity Indiana! |
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If you have a success story, an upcoming event, or a job opening, please let us know! Prosperity Indiana is seeking guest bloggers and success stories from our membership to broadcast across the network. We want to highlight our greatest asset, our members!
Send your stories to Michaela Wischmeier here.
Visit our blog for more of the latest community economic development news in Indiana. |
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Prosperity Indiana 1099 N. Meridian Street, Suite 170, Indianapolis, IN 46204 (317) 222-1221 This email was sent to {Contact_Email}. If you no longer wish to receive email from Prosperity Indiana, click here. |
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