In this issue

2 • OnMyWayPre-Kapplications

3

The TorchispublishedmonthlybytheStatePersonnelDepartment

andisavailableonlineatwww.in.gov/spd

Submityourstoryideasto:spdcommunications@spd.in.gov

Follow us on:

5

7 • 2016Holidays• TXTL8Rcontest

Got a story?

April 2015

• VitalityChecksscheduledState-wide

• Joinasportsleague

4• Mentalhealthissuesaffecteveryone

Getting the hang of healthy eating…sort of

• HumanaVitalitywebinars

• SettingaGoal

This is an excerpt of a blog posted at InvestInYourHealthIndiana.com. To read the full post, hit the jump link at the end of the excerpt.

This blog is not intended to be medical advice. Consult your personal medical provider, dietician or other health professional for any advice or care related to your health.

Helloeveryone!It’smysecondpostwhereItellyouIfelloffofthewagonandwentintoafoodcoma.Itwasglorious!Iwassohungryaftereatinghealthyforthreeweeks,Icouldn’tbestopped.Ihitthedrive-thrufortwobreakfastbiscuits,tookdownadozenbonelesswings,ranch,friesandthreeglassesofdietcolaforlunch,snackedoncookiesandenjoyedpizzaandpopcornintheevening.

Justkidding!Icanhappilyreportthattheparagraphyoujustreaddidnotoccursinceyou’velastheardfromme.I’velostafewmorepoundsandI’mstartingtoenjoysomenewfoodsfromthefruitandvegetablegroup.I’vehadacoupleofweakmoments.ChipsandsalsaatMexicanrestaurantshavesuchpower.AlsoIlostafaceoffwithahalfanorderoffriedpickles.Iwould’vetakenthefullorderinthepast,solet’scallthatgrowth.

BeforeIgoon,ImustmentionthattheInvestInYourHealthbloghadmorethan1,000visitsjusttoreadmyfirstpost.Ican’tsaythanksenoughtoallofyouthatread.Andtothosethatleftacomment,Ireallyappreciateyoursupport.It’sasourceofmotivationtoknowthatsomeofyoutooktimeoutofyourbusydaytoreadaboutmyplight.

Read the rest of the post on the Invest In Your Health website_

Blogger’s confession: I’m not healthy

(Read the first post)

Jeff Mullins, the Digital Communications Manager at the Indiana State Personnel Department, started the Fit by Forty blog on the Invest In Your Health website to eat better, lose weight and get more exercise. Follow Jeff’s progress on the blog at InvestInYourHealthIndiana.com/fitbyforty and on the @INSPDBenefits Twitter account.

_

The Torch2

Education

Family applications for August 2015 are now being accepted for On My Way Pre-K in five pilot countiesIndiana’sOfficeofEarlyChildhoodandOut-of-SchoolLearning(OECOSL)isnowacceptingapplicationsfromfamiliesinthefivepilotcountieswhomaybeeligibleforgrantsfortheirchildrentoreceivehigh-quality,

prekindergarteneducationthroughtheOnMyWayPre-KprogramstartinginAugustof2015.

FamiliesresidinginAllen,Jackson,LakeandVanderburghCountiesmustmeetthefollowingeligibilitycriteriatoapply:

• Thefamilymusthaveanincomebelow127percentofthefederalpovertylevel.

• Thechildmustbefour(4)yearsoldbyAugust1,2015,andstartingkindergarteninAugust2016.

InMarionCounty,thesamecriteriaapplyasthoselistedabove.However,theCityofIndianapolisisprovidingadditionalfundinginMarionCountythroughitsIndyPreschoolScholarshipProgram(IndyPSP).AndwhilefamiliescanapplytoIndyPSPandOnMyWayPre-Kusingasingleapplication,theIndyPSPfundingwilladdeligibilityinMarionCountyforchildrenwhoarethreeyearsoldandarefromfamilieslivingatorbelow185percentoftheFederalPovertyLevel.

Itisimportanttonotethatfirstpriorityisgiventochildrenfromfamilieslivingatorbelow127percentoftheFederalPovertyLevelforOnMyWayPre-K.

Once a child has received a grant, families in all five counties will choose from any of the eligible, enrolled On My Way Pre-K programs.OECOSLhasalreadyenrolled128OnMyWayPre-Kprovidersinthefivepilotcounties,andtheapplicationprocessisongoing.Inordertoqualify,theprogrammust

betop-rankedatlevel3orlevel4onPathstoQUALITYorbeaccreditedbyanapprovednationalorregionalaccreditingbody.Clickherefordetailsonprovidereligibility.

ApplicationsareaccepteduntilApril 30, 2015.Ifmorefamiliesqualifythantherearegrantsavailable,awardswillbemadethrougharandomizedlotteryprocess.ThislotterywillbeheldonoraroundMay4,2015,andfamilieswillbenotifiediftheyreceiveagrant.

Approvedpre-Kprogramsmaybelocatedinapublicorprivateschool,licensedchildcarecenter,licensedhomeorregisteredministryaslongasthatprogrammeetsthequalityrequirementsandisregisteredasanOnMyWayPre-KProvider.Familiesmaychoosefromaprogramthatisfull-dayorpart-day,aswellasfromprogramsthatendwiththeschoolyearorcontinuethroughthesummer.Alistofapprovedpre-Kproviderscanbefoundhere.Familieswhoneedhelpfindinganapprovedpre-Kprogramcanalsocall1-800-299-1627forassistancefromanearlylearningreferralspecialist.

• ToapplyinAllenCounty,clickhere.• ToapplyinJacksonCounty,click

here.• ToapplyinLakeCounty,clickhere.• ToapplyinMarionCounty,click

here.• ToapplyinVanderburghCounty,

clickhere.

Morethan400childrenwhowillbeginkindergarteninAugustof2015arecurrentlyparticipatinginthefirstphase

ofOnMyWayPre-K,whichbeganinAllen,Lake,MarionandVanderburghcountiesinJanuaryofthisyear.

On My Way Pre-K isthenameofIndiana’sfirststate-fundedprekindergartenprogram,whichwasapprovedasafive-countypilotbytheIndianaGeneralAssemblyin2014.InadditiontoAllen,Lake,MarionandVanderburghCounties,whicharemakingalimitedprogramavailableforabout400childrenbeginninginJanuary,JacksonCountywilljointheothersandbefully-operationalbythefallof2015.Thepilotprogramisexpectedtoultimatelyservemorethan2,000studentsinthefivecounties.Formoreinformation,visitwww.onmywayprek.org.

The Indy Preschool Scholarship Program(IndyPSP)istheCityofIndianapolis’sfirsteverpreschoolprogramthatprovidesfreescholarshipsforchildrenfromlow-incomefamiliestoattendqualitypreschools.IndyPSPispartneringwithOnMyWayPre-KtoexpandaccesstopreschoolforfamiliesinMarionCounty.TheUnitedWayofCentralIndianawillprovideprogramadministrationsupportbymanagingtheapplication,outreach,andevaluationprocesses.Visitwww.indypsp.orgformoreinformation.

The Torch3

Vitality Checks are scheduled at state facilities

Join a sports league this summer

HumanaVitality is available to employees, and their covered dependents, enrolled in a medical plan offered through the State Personnel Department.

CompleteaVitalityCheckatoneofthemanyfreescreeningeventshappeningaroundthestateandearnaminimumof2,000andupto4,000VitalityPoints.

StatePersonnelhasbegunschedulingchecksatstatefacilitiesthroughoutIndiana.Atthesescreeningevents,thereisnochargetoemployees,ortheircovereddependentsover18,withamedicalplanofferedthroughtheStatePersonnelDepartment.Someeventsareopenonlytoemployeesatthelocationduetosecurityconcerns.Sitesareclassifiedas“Open”or“Closed”ontheeventschedule.Moredateslocationsarebeingaddedsocheckbackformoreupdates.

• ClickheretoviewtheVitalityCheckstateschedule

IfaVitalityCheckeventisatyourlocation,youareallowedupto30minutespaidtimetocompletethecheckduringtheevent.Anyadditionaltimeincurredisyourresponsibility.Pleaseseeksupervisorapprovalinadvanceofschedulingascreening.

IfaVitalityCheckeventisnotscheduledforyouroffice,youmayvisitoneoftheopeneventsinyourareaorvisityourdoctor,theLittleClinic(selectKrogerlocations),selectWalgreensPharmaciesorHealthcareClinicsorConcentraMedicalCenterstocompleteyourVitalityCheck.EachlocationrequiresyoutobringacopyoftherespectiveformandyourHumanaIDcardtothevisit.IfyoudonothaveaHumanaIDcard,pleasetheHumanaCustomerCarelinetogettheinformationyouneedforthevisit.Youcanreachthemat1-800-708-1105.

Ifyouhaveanissuescreatinganaccount,pleasecontacttheBenefitshotlineat(317)232-1167ortoll-freeat(877)248-0007.

How do I set up an appointment if my location is listed as “closed”?

Ifalocationisdesignatedasaclosedlocation,youcannotusetheonlineschedulingtooltomakeanappointment.Apaperprocesshasbeeninstitutedfortheselocations.ContactyourhumanresourcesdepartmentformoreinformationonhowtosetupaVitalityCheck.

Joiningasportsleagueisagreatwaytohavefun,meetnewpeopleand,bestofall,tostayactive.Participateinasportyou’vealwayslovedortryanewone—andearnVitalityPointsinHumanaVitality.

Choosethesportthatyouenjoymost.Itgivesyouthemostbenefitsbecauseyouplaymoreoften,withmorepassion,anditgivesyoumoresatisfaction.Whenyou’rereadyforachange,tryingnewsportscantakeyourfitnesstothenextlevel.

Selectasportbelowtojoinandearnpoints:• Baseball• Basketball• Dance• Football:flag,touch,orother• Golf• Racquetball• Running:crosscountry,orother• Soccer• Softball• Squash• Swimteam• Tennis:singleordouble• UltimateFrisbee• Volleyball• Toviewthefulllistofsportteams,

clickhere.

Completed a season of league sports?Eachsportsleague,withaminimumofeightgamesormatches,qualifiesasasingleactivity.Justsendusproofofyourparticipation,likeacopyofthesportsscheduleorcertificateofleagueparticipation,within90daysoftheleague’scompletiondatetoearnVitalityPoints.YourleagueschedulemustoccurduringyoureffectivedatesDownloadandfaxsportsleaguesformhere.

The Torch 4

Setting a goal in HumanaVitality®

Learn how to use HumanaVitality in a free webinar

RegisterwithHumanaVitalitytoday!Click heretobeginyourjourney.

HumanaVitality is available to employees, and their covered dependents, enrolled in a medical plan offered through the State Personnel Department.

AftertakingyourHealthAssessmentand/orcompletingyourVitalityCheck,goalsandpersonalizedactivitiesarerecommendedbyHumanaVitality.AgoalisarecommendedactivitythatawardsyoupointsandbringsyougetclosertoattainingSilverStatus.Forexample,ifyouhaveagoalsetto“Keepreducingyourweight,”HumanaVitalitymayrecommendthatyoucompletethe“HealthyWeightConversation”orthe“IsYourWeightIncreasingYourHealthRisks?”interactivehealthtool.Youareawardedpointsforcompletingtheserecommendedactivities,ontopofthepointsyouareawardedforcompletingyoursetgoal!

Toseetheserecommendedgoalsandactivities,hoverover“GetHealthy”onyourdashboard/homepageandthenclickon“MyGoals.”Thistakesyoutoyourgoals’page,whereyoucansee“RecommendedGoals”andsetthesegoalsifyouchoosetodoso.Beforesettingagoal,youmaywant

HaveyouregisteredforHumanaVitalityyet?Areyouhavingtroubleunderstandinghowtoeffectivelynavigatetheportal?CoreyNelson,theState’sHumanaVitalityrepresentativeishostingseveralgreatlearningopportunitiesthatcanhelpstateemployeesandadultdependentsunderstandhowtoregisterforandbecomemorefamiliarwithhowtouseHumanaVitality.These45minutewebinarsessionsinclude:• Registering• TakingyourHealth

Assessment• Earningpoints• Settinggoals• Registeringanapproved

activitydevice• AttainingSilverStatus

Webinardatesinclude:• April9and21• May7and19• June9and25• Click here for information

and links to register for these webinars.

Allwebinarsbeginatnoon.Clickthelinkabovetofindthewebinarofyourchoiceandregistertoday!BlockatimeonyourcalendarandtakeadvantageofoneoftheseopportunitiestogainadeeperunderstandingoftheHumanaVitalityprogram!

toknowwhatallitrequirestobesuccessfulincompletingagoal.Inordertodothis,clickonthegoal(inblueletters).Youarethenableseeamorein-depthsummaryofthegoal.Ifyouwanttosetaspecificgoal,fromthegoalspage,click“Setthisgoal.”Afterdoingso,thegoalyousetisnowbelistedunder“Mysetgoals.”Onceagoalisset,HumanaVitalityalsostartadailycountdownforthegoal’stimeline.Thisisthetimeyouhavetocompleteagoal.

IfyouarelookingformoreopportunitiestohelpyoubecomesuccessfulwithcompletingagoalandpotentiallyearnmoreVitalityPointsyouclickononeofyoursetgoals,whichtakesyoutoa“Goalsummary.”Fromthispage,youwillonceagaingetanin-depthlookatwhythegoalwasrecommendedandwhatyoucandotocompletethegoal.Ifyoucontinuetoscrolldownonthispage,youseeyour“PersonalizedActivities.”TheseactivitiesareotheropportunitieswithinHumanaVitalityforyoutoearnpoints.Ifyouclickononeoftheseactivities,ittakesyoutothescreenyouneedtocompletetheactivity.

The Torch5

Mental health issues has an affect on all Hoosiers and employers

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

Mentalhealthdisordersaffecteveryaspectofaperson–thoughts,feelings,moods,theabilitytorelatetoothers,anddaytodayfunctions.TheCentersforDiseaseControlandPreventionreportthatapproximately26percentofAmericanadultsaged18oroldersufferfromadiagnosablementaldisorderinagivenyear.1InIndiana,thattranslatestoapproximately1.3millionpeople–enoughtofillLucasOilStadiummorethan19times.2Mentalhealthdisordershaveatremendousimpactonthestate.

Mentalhealthdisordersincludeillnessessuchasmajordepression,bipolardisorder,obsessivecompulsivedisorderandpost-traumaticstressdisorder.Theseconditionsarechronicanddisabling.Thesecanaffectanyoneatanytime,regardlessofage,income,race/ethnicity,genderorculture.1Thosewhosufferfrommentalhealthdisordersalsosufferfromotherhealthproblems,includingchronicdiseasesuchascardiovasculardisease,diabetes,obesity,asthma,arthritisandcancer.1Forexample,depressionisfoundtoco-occurin17percentofcardiovascularcases,27percentofdiabetespatients,andmorethan40percentofcancerpatients.1Theresultofpoorhealthbehaviors,suchastobaccouseandobesity,maybeoutwarddisplaysofmorethanjustillphysicalhealth–theyalsomayindicatepoormentalhealth.Forexample,42percentofpeoplediagnosedasobesealsohavebeendiagnosedwithpoormentalhealth,and36percentofpeoplewhosmokehavementalillnesses.

Toaddresstheimpactofchronicdiseaseandmentalhealthonthestate,theIndianaStateDepartmentofHealthandtheDivisionofMentalHealthand

Addictionareworkingtointegrateprimarycareandbehavioralhealth.Thetwoagenciesarepartneringwithstakeholderstodefineamodelthatworksforbothmedicalandbehavioralcare.Thegoalistobeginusingthismodelwithsafetynetprovidersfederallyqualifiedhealthcenters,ruralhealthclinicsandcommunitymentalhealthcenters.Itisatremendousundertaking,butitiscriticaltothestate’soverallhealth.

MentalhealthandchronicdiseasealsoimpactIndianaemployers.Thecoststotreatchronicdiseasesandmentalhealthdisordersareasignificantportionofthenationalhealthexpenditures.AccordingtoKaiserFamilyFoundation,therehasbeena97percentincreaseinpremiumsforemployer-sponsoredhealthcoveragesince2002.However,thereareother,significantcostsforemployersduetountreatedchronicdiseasesandmentalhealthdisorders,suchasmissedworkanddecreasedworkproductivity.1

Moreandmore,employersareimplementingstrategiestohelptreatchronicdiseaseandmentalhealthdisorders,ortohelpmodifyriskfactors.Forstateemployees,avarietyofprogramsexistincluding:

EmployeeAssistanceProgram.Thisfree,confidentialserviceofferedthroughAnthemisavailabletoallemployees,regardlessofwhetherornottheycarrythestate-providedinsurance.Moreinformationcanbefoundatwww.in.gov/spd/2466.htm.

InvestInYourHealth.Thestate'swellnessprogramhasseveraloptionstoinformemployeesaboutprogramsthathelppromotehealth.Moreinformationcanbefoundatinvestinyourhealthindiana.com

QuitNowIndiana.Thisevidence-based,freetobaccocessationprogramisavailabletoallIndianaresidents.Moreinformationcanbefoundatquitnowindiana.com.

InShapeIndiana.Thiswebsiteprovidestipsonhealthydietsandphysicalactivity.MoreinformationcanbefoundatINShapeIndiana.org.

Chronicdiseasesandmentalhealthdisordersaretreatable.It’simportantthat,asastate,webegintoreducethestigmaassociatedwithpoorphysicalandmentalhealth,andlookforwaystohelpHoosiersreducemodifiableriskfactorsandrecognizewhenitistimetoseektreatment.

Resources1. Centers for Disease control and Prevention. Mental Health and Chronic Diseases, Issue Brief No. 2. 2. United States Census Bureau. State and County Quick Facts.

The Torch 6

Smart eating for a sharper mindThank you to Natalie Buchs MS, Registered Dietitian for this article.

Healthy foods that fight stress

Justasweshouldeatwelltokeepourhearts,skinandotherorgansflourishing,wealsomustnourishourbrains.Followthetipsbelowtoenjoythebenefitsofahealthybrain–enhancedproductivity,alertness,creativityandmood.

• Eat more healthy fats.Greatsourcesincludesalmon,herring,sardinesandanchovies,aswellasgrass-fedmeatsandeggs,flaxseedsandwalnuts.Aimtohaveafattyfishatleasttwiceperweek.Incorporateflaxintoyourroutinewiththerecipebelow.

• Get enough protein.Ahealthybrainrequiresasteadycreationofneurotransmittersthatarebuiltbytheaminoacidsthatcomefromtheproteininourdiets.Choosehighqualityproteinsuchasleanmeats,eggs,dairy,beansandlegumes.Agoodruletoliveby-alwaysincludeproteinatbreakfast.

• Avoid sugar highs.Thebrainneedscontinuousfuelbutyourbestbetisaslowandsteadysupply.Peaksandvalleysarecausedbysimplesugarsfoundinsweets,pastries,sweetenedbeverages,sweetenedcereals,whitebreadandpastaandgranolabars.Sticktocomplexcarbohydratesfoundinveggies,wholegrainsandfiber-richfruits.

• Buffer stress with B and C vitamins.Asteadystreamofcortisolandotherstresshormonesthatresultsfromlife’sstressorscanweakenthebrain.VitaminsCandBworktogethertoprotectthebrain.VitaminB3isespeciallyimportantandcanbefoundintuna,chicken,peanuts,greenpeas,potatoes,cantaloupe,sunflowerseedsandbrownrice.

Brain Boost Breakfast Pudding¼cupflaxseedmeal¼cupwater1egg¼cupfreshorfrozenblueberries2tablespoonschoppedwalnuts

Directions:Mixflax,eggandwaterinamicrowave-safebowl.

Microwaveonhighfor45seconds.Movethecookedpartofthepuddingtowardsthecenterofthebowlandaddberriesand

walnuts.Microwavefor45-60seconds.ALongertimeisrequiredifusingfrozenberries.Stirandenjoy!

Resources:Food for Brain Health by Michael Roizen, MD. Brian foods: the effects of nutrients on brain function by Fernando Gomez-Pinilla. Nature Reviews of Neuroscience. Feed Your Brain – Go Fish! By Wendy Marcason, RD, LDN. Memory Boosting Foods by Marisa Moore MBA, RDN, LD.

Eatingwhenwe’restressedisabadhabitthatmanyofusshare.Whileit’sacceptabletoindulgeourselvesonceinawhile,reachingforacandybarorthattuboficecreameverytimewefeelbadwillonlyleadustotrouble.Loweryourstresslevelswithsnacksthatwon’tleaveyoufeelingguiltytomorrow:

• Blueberries:packedwithantioxidantsandvitaminC,makingthemmightystress-busters.Whenwe’restressed,ourbodiesneedvitaminCandantioxidantstohelprepairandprotectcells

• Nuts:Packedwithmagnesiumtokeepcortisollevelslow.

• Asparagus:Boostsmoodenhancingfolicacid.

• Avocado:Richinstress-relievingBvitamins.

• Milk:Highinprotein,whichlowersbloodpressure,andpotassium,whichcanhelpwithmusclespasmstriggeredbytenseness.

• Hotcocoaortea:Raisesbodytemperature,leavingusfeelingcomforted,andtriggeringasimilarresponseinthebrain.

Findmoreideasforstress-snackingclick here.

Reference: Tanya Zuckerbrot, “Eat to Beat Stress: 10 Foods that Reduce Anxiety,”Men’s Fitness, accessed February 2015,

The Torch7

A new definition of spouse is available for FMLA leave

Benefits

On Feb. 9, Governor Mike Pence announced eight winning school and business partnerships in the second round of Innovative Career and Technical Training grants, which will help to make available to Indiana high school students new work-based learning opportunities in advanced robotics, agriculture and precision machining technologies.

File your taxes for free with INfreefile

Taxes

TheU.S.DepartmentofLaborhasissuedaFinalRuleredefiningtheterm“spouse”asitpertainstofamily-medicalleave.Whatchanged?Anemployee’sspouseforFMLApurposeswasdefinedbythelawofthestatewheretheemployeeresided.Thechangemeansthatwhetherapersonisaspousewillnowbedeterminedbythelawofthestatewherethecoupleenteredintothemarriageratherthanthelawofthestatewheretheemployeeresides.Therefore,ifacouple’smarriagewaslegalinthestateorcountryinwhichthemarriagewascelebrated,thenthosespousesnowmeetthedefinitionforcoverageundertheFMLA.Thedefinitioncoversonlylegalmarriages,itdoesnotcovercoupleswhoarecohabitatingnorthosewithcivildomesticpartnerarrangements.

Thenewdefinitionis:Spousemeansahusbandorwife.Forpurposesofthisdefinition,husbandorwifereferstotheotherpersonwithwhomanindividualenteredintomarriageasdefinedorrecognizedunderstatelawforpurposesofmarriageintheStateinwhichthemarriagewasenteredintoor,inthecaseofamarriageenteredintooutsideofanyState,ifthemarriageisvalidintheplacewhereenteredintoandcouldhavebeenenteredintoinatleastoneState.Thisdefinitionincludesanindividualinasame-sexorcommonlawmarriagethateither:(1)WasenteredintoinaStatethatrecognizessuchmarriages;or(2)IfenteredintooutsideofanyState,isvalidintheplacewhereenteredintoandcouldhavebeenenteredintoinatleastoneState.

Informationaboutfamily-medicalleaveislocatedatwww.in.gov/spd/2397.htm.YoumayalsocalltheFMLLineat317.234.7955or1.855.SPD.INHR(1.855.773.4647).

TheApril 15 deadlinetofileyourtaxesisfastapproaching.Ifyou’vewaitedtofile,there’snoneedtopanic.TheDepartmentofRevenueoffersanumberofresourcestohelpHoosiertaxpayers,includingstateemployees,breatheasighofreliefthistaxseason.

NearlytwomillionHoosiertaxpayersqualifytofiletheirfederalANDstatetaxesonlineforfreewithIndianafreefile(INfreefile).Ifyouradjustedgrossincome(AGI)was$60,000orlessin2014,youmayqualify.ClickheretocompareINfreefilevendoroffersandgetstartedonyourtaxreturntoday!

Morethan80percentofHoosiertaxpayersfileelectronically,andforgoodreason!Electronically-filedreturnsofferbetteraccuracyandfasterrefunds.They’remoresecurethanpaperreturnsaswell.

Andspeakingofsecurity,thedepartmentcontinuestoworkhardtoprotectHoosieridentitieswiththeIdentityProtectionProgram.Lastyear,theIdentityProtectionProgramhelpedstop$88millioninattemptedfraudulentreturns.Fortipsonprotectingyouridentitythistaxseason,visittheStopIDTheftwebpageatwww.in.gov/dor/4794.htm.

Ifyouhavequestionsaboutyourtaxreturn,pleasecontactthedepartmentat317-232-2240oremailindividualtaxassistance@dor.in.gov.IfyouhaveaquestionspecifictoINfreefile,pleaseemailFreeFile@dor.IN.gov.

IndianaCapitolPoliceismakingachangethisspringtothepatchwornontheiruniformstobemorerecognizabletostateemployeesandvisitorsattheIndianaGovernmentCenter.

Currently,CapitolPolicewearadarkblueversionoftheIndianaStatePolicepatch.Startingsoon,they’llwearapatch(picturedatright)withthesamedarkbluecolor,butwithgoldstitchingthatreading“IndianaCapitolPolice”.Italsoincludesthe100yearanniversarydatesstitchedbelowtheIndianaGovernmentCenterpicture.

ThepatchwasdesignedbyCapitolPoliceLieutenant Donnie Wheaton andselectedbySuperintendentDougCarterfromanumberofseveraldesignssubmitted.

Capitol Police now wear a new, custom patch

The Torch 8

FebruaryandMarcharededicatedtohonoringAfricanAmericanandWomen’shistory.NotonlywasMadamCJWalkerthewealthiestAfricanAmericanwomanofhertime,shewasacivicleaderwhostoodbesideBookerT.WashingtonandW.E.BDuBoisintheirpursuitofsocialjustice.MadamCJWalker’slegacycontinuestoempowerandinspireyoungpeopletobecomebusinessownersandcelebrateculturaldiversityandheritage.

TheWalkerTheatreworkstopreservethetraditionofIndianaAvenue’shistoryofAfricanAmericanculturalartsandthelegacyofMadamCJWalker.Quotedassaying,“Igotmystartbygivingmyselfastart,”Walkerservedasaninspirationtootherwomenofhertime.Shewasfrequentlyaskedtospeakonissuessuchasbusinessandpolitics.ThegovernmentrecruitedWalkertoencourageAfricanAmericanstosupporttheeffortsofWorldWarI.SimultaneouslyWalkerwasanadvocateofblacksoldierswhofaceddiscriminationandwasreferredtoasa“Negrosubversive,”oragitator.

WalkerspokeonmanyissuesaffectingAfricanAmericans,butfocusedhereffortsonmakinglynchingafederalcrime.WalkerusedhermillionstosupportorganizationssuchastheNAACP,theNationalAssociationofWomen,YMCA,YWCAandcontributedtopreservingFredrickDouglass’WashingtonD.C.home.Walkerdidn’thaveiteasyonherwaytobecomingthenation’sfirstself-madefemalemillionaire.ShewasbornSarahBreedlovetoformerslavesinLouisianain1827andorphanedbytheageofseven.TheyoungwomanworkedasamaidwithhersisterinMississippiuntilshemarriedherfirst

Bicentennial Commission

Indiana Bicentennial Commission celebrates Women’s History Month

husband,MosesMcWilliams,attheageof14.ThreeyearslaterthecouplehadtheirdaughterA’Lelia,whowouldbethewoman’sonlydaughter.

In1905,BreedlovemovedtoDenverandfoundabusinesstomanufactureandmarketherownhairtreatmentformula,WonderfulHairGrower.Breedloveassumedanewprofessionalname,thenamesheismostwidelyknownas,MadamCJWalker.In1912,Walkeralsobegantosellherbeautyproductsdoor-to-doorwithhertrainedMadamCJWalkerHairCulturistagents.WalkerwasnotsatisfiedmakingmoneyforherselfandworkedtoprovideemploymentforhundredsofAfricanAmericanwomen.

WalkerrelocatedtoIndianapolis,Indianaasherbusinessexpanded.AtthetimeIndianapoliswasthelargestinlandshippinghubinthenation.In1927,theheadquartersandmanufacturingplantofMadameCJWalkerHairCareandBeautyProductswasbuiltinIndianapolis.ThisbuildingisnowknownastheWalkerTheatreandstillhasmostofitsoriginalarchitecture.

TheWalkerTheatreisafour-storybrickbuildingthatsitsonthecornerofIndianaAve.andDr.MartinLutherKingBlvd.inIndianapolis.Itisnowahistoricvenuefordiverseperformances.TheMadameWalkerTheatreCenterisanonprofitorganizationdedicatedtoupholdingWalker’smissionofsocialjustice,entrepreneurshipandempoweringyouth.

GovernorPencehasdesignatedAprilas“IndianaSafeDiggingMonth”andissuedaproclamationinhonorofthenationaldesignationthroughtheCommonGroundAlliance,inconjunctionwiththeIndianaUtilityRegulatoryCommission.SpringinIndianahasmanyHoosiersplanningoutdoorprojects.Bothhomeownersandprofessionalexcavatorsshouldknowthat,inIndiana,it’sthelawtocall811twoworkingdaysbeforeanydiggingproject.Thecallisfree,andcanbemadeatanytimeofdayornight-sevendaysaweek.Onceacallto811hasbeenplaced,utilitylocaterswillvisityourpropertytoidentifyburiedutilitylineswithcoloredflags,indicatingwhattypeoffacilitiesarenearby.Onceyou’rereadytobeginyourdiggingproject,makesuretoalwayssafelydigaroundtheutilitymarks,notonthem.Someutilitylinesmaybeburiedatashallowdepth,andanaccidentalhittoalinecouldresultininconvenientoutagesorinjury.Ifyourworkisplannedinapublicrightofway,contacttheappropriatestateorlocalagencytoobtainapermitpriortostartingyourproject.Remember,eachtimeyouplanaprojectthatrequiresyoutodig,call811twofullworkingdaysbeforeyoubegin.It’sthelaw.Withalittleplanningandacallto811,it’seasytoincorporatesafediggingintoyourspringtimeprojects.

Be safe when you dig this summer

The Torch9

Indianahighschoolandcollegestudentshaveachoice:Usetheirsmartphonesbehindthewheelandmakeatragicmistake,orengagetheirsocialmediafollowersto“DriveNow.TXTL8R.”andearna$5,000scholarship.

Lt.GovernorSueEllspermann,theIndianaBureauofMotorVehicles,IndianaCriminalJusticeInstitute,IndianaDepartmentofLabor,IndianaDepartmentofTransportationandIndianaStatePoliceareagainpartneringtoaward$5,000scholarshipstostudentswhocomposethemostcreativeandviralsocialmediapostsonTwitter,InstagramandVine.

Contest RulesStudentsmayregistertheirpublicTwitteraccountsthroughApril10andreadcontestrulesatwww.txtl8r.in.gov.EntriesmustbepostedduringApril,

Earn a scholarship

TXT L8R’ social media contest offers $5,000 scholarships

Artwork by Jerry Williams

The Great Lakes Caring Hospice Essential Piece Award was presented to the Social Work Department of the Indiana Veteran’s Home on March 26, 2015. The Indiana Veterans’ Home was the only 2015 skilled nursing facility recipient in the Lafayette area. The award is based on the facility’s awareness of the residents’ needs for services, supporting those services, and excellence in communication.

whichisDistractedDrivingAwarenessMonth,andusethehashtag#TXTL8RIN.Keepingone’shandsonthewheelandeyesontheroadisnotjustasafedrivingpractice–it’sthelaw.Socialmediapoststhatarecomposedwhiledrivingaredisqualified.

Highschoolandcollegeentrieswillbeawardedseparately,anduptothreestudentsmayworktogetheronthesamesocialmediaaccount.Thestatewilldeposit$5,000intotheCollegeChoice529savingsplansforthewinnersoffivecategories:1. Twitter–mosttweets/retweets/

favorites2.Vine–mostlikes3.Vine–mostcreative4. Instagram–mostlikes5. Instagram–mostcreative

Indiana Veteran’s home wins award

State holidays

The 2016 holidays are availableThefollowingisalistofthe2016stateholidaysandthedatesonwhichtheyareobserved:

New Year’s Day:Friday,Jan.1Martin Luther King, Jr. Day:Monday,Jan.18Good Friday:Friday,March25Primary Election Day:Tuesday,May3Memorial Day:Monday,May30Independence Day:Monday,July4Labor Day: Monday, September5Columbus Day: Monday, October10General Election Day:Tuesday,Nov.8Veterans Day: Friday,Nov.11Thanksgiving Day:Thursday,Nov.24Lincoln’s Birthday: Friday, Nov.25Washington’s Birthday:Friday,Dec.23Christmas Day:Sunday,Dec.25**Christmas Day: Monday, Dec.26** Operations regularly scheduled Monday – Friday.** Operations regularly scheduled on Saturday/Sunday.

• Clickheretodownloadacopy

CASTLIGHT

As part of your State of Indiana health benefits you now haveaccess to Castlight! With Castlight you can:

YOUR NEW PERSONALIZEDRESOURCE FOR HEALTHCARE

1 2 3

Compare your options Track your pastmedical spending

Get more from yourmedical plan

Access Castlight:• Visitwww.Mycastlight.com/soi

• Call 888-920-1264 to speak with aCastlight Guide

Download the mobile app:• Scan the QR code

• Visit mycastlight.com/mobile