Indiana Community Action Network E-newsletter

June 2021


family at state park 

thank-you note from CAPWI customerCAPWI encourages family connections, active lifestyles with state parks passes 

Community Action Program, Inc. of Western Indiana (CAPWI) recognizes that the people it serves are exhausted and weary after a year of COVID-19 and COVID-related restrictions.

It also recognizes that exercise and being outdoors have the power to alleviate the stress and the pressure of the past year.

In order to help promote overall good health and the relief of COVID-related stress, CAPWI has provided 2,000 state-park family passes to families with children who have received one of its services. The passes allow free entrance into any state park within the state for the calendar year.

It is a thoughtful way to keep our youth busy and active and is a great way for families to bond and enjoy each other.

The pass was included inside a packet that also included a letter of greeting, recreation guide, and information about the COVID vaccine and healthcare coverage.

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CAPWI continues to impact community through annual scholarship program 

2021 winner is Kristan Ward

Recent Parke Heritage High School graduate Kristan Ward has been named the 2021 recipient of Community Action Program, Inc. of Western Indiana’s Joan E. Cline Memorial Scholarship.

Kristan lives in Rockville with her father, Tristan Ward. She plans to attend Indiana University on a pre-medical track. Throughout her high school career, she participated in varsity track and varsity dance and was a member of the National Honor Society, student council and academic team. In her spare time, she has volunteered at Mossy Oak Conservation Day and Rockville Elementary STEM Day, has assisted with planning prom and Veterans Day programs, and enjoys recycling. Kristan demonstrates integrity, courage and productivity in the community.

The Joan E. Cline Memorial Scholarship is awarded to one graduating senior who lives within CAPWI’s six-county service area (Benton, Fountain, Montgomery, Parke, Vermillion and Warren). It includes $1,000 per year for each year the recipient attends higher education, up to a maximum of four years. Named in memory of the former executive director, who served CAPWI until her passing in December 2004, Joan dedicated her life to helping families and individuals become self-sufficient. CAPWI continues Joan’s work in helping outstanding students attain their educational and career goals through the awarding of the annual scholarship.

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Indy 500 Healthcare Heroes 2021

Indianapolis 500 race highlighted health care heroes, including one of Pace’s  

Rebecca Skiver, PA, health care hero honored at Indy 500 in 2021The Indianapolis Motor Speedway honored Healthcare Heroes during the 105th running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 30. Before the race, 105 healthcare workers were recognized on the track, as representatives of the thousands of healthcare workers that work tirelessly to keep all Hoosiers safe and healthy.

Rebecca Skiver, physician assistant for Health Connection of Pace Community Action Agency, was one of the healthcare workers represented. Rebecca (shown at right) has served clients in the Wabash Valley for 20 years.

Last October, she was asked to share why she has chosen healthcare, and specifically, physician assistance, as a profession. She responded, in part: “I knew that I wanted to practice medicine in an underserved area and provide medical care to anyone – independent of their financial status.…Every day, I have the opportunity for problem-solving new situations that are presented, while improving the healthcare and well-being of individuals in my community.”

Pace and Indiana Community Action Association thank Rebecca and all of the network’s healthcare heroes for their selfless service, throughout the pandemic and always.

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IIWF new policy analyst Andy Nielsen

Welcome new Institute senior policy analyst, Andy Nielsen!  

The Indiana Institute for Working Families welcomes Andy Nielsen as its new senior policy analyst.

Andy (shown above) studied economics at Indiana University and worked for PNC Bank before jumping into the policy world and never looking back. He has been a financial coach on the near Eastside of Indianapolis, a legislative assistant for U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen, a policy adviser for former Rhode Island Governor and current Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and a policy analyst for the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee.

His Top 5 CliftonStrengths are Analytical, Relator, Responsibility, Significance and Focus. He likes running, black coffee, and talking about tax policy.

For the Institute, he covers consumer protections, taxes, budget, unemployment insurance and housing issues.

Lauryn Hill, Indiana Institute for Working Families internAlso: Thanks, congratulations and good luck to Lauryn Hill, IIWF intern

Lauryn Hill (shown at right) joined the IIWF team in late 2020 to assist with a needs-assessment project, in which she consolidated and studied unemployment insurance and Census data. During the legislative session, she spent time at the Indiana Statehouse, switching between virtual floor sessions and committee hearings, scheduling meetings with legislators and taking copious notes. The IIWF team says it could not have done the last year without her!

Check out the blog Lauryn wrote about unemployment insurance


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Public Notice: Individuals in five counties can join the waiting list for Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program beginning July 26

Lincoln Hills Development Corporation (LHDC) will open the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Waiting List for Crawford, Gibson, Spencer, Vanderburgh* and Warrick counties beginning July 26. The application portal will be available from Monday, July 26, at 8 a.m. Central Daylight Time/9 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time until Friday, July 30, 2021, at 5 p.m. CDT/6 p.m. EDT.

The Section 8 HCV program is available to income-eligible individuals and families and exists to assist with rent payments to provide decent, affordable, sanitary and safe housing for people with low incomes. The Section 8 HCF program is not emergency housing assistance, and waiting times for assistance could exceed 24 months. 

For details on how applicant preference is determined, links (by county) to join the waitlist and more details, please view the public notice from LHDC

The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program is offered through Lincoln Hills Development Corporation on behalf of the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authortity (IHCDA) and is funded by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.

*Those living within the city limits of Evansville in Vanderburgh County are not eligible.

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