As we near the holiday season, some veterans may be struggling to make ends meet and provide for their families, but hope and help is available.
Through the Operation Holiday Program, veterans and their families can receive $300 per dependent child in the household and $200 per household toward a holiday meal.
To apply before the Dec. 30 deadline, visit in.gov/dva or call 317-232-3910.
Indiana’s Military Family Relief Fund provides emergency grants throughout the year to veterans, their widows and military families struggling to pay for certain necessities, like food, utilities, medical expenses and transportation needs. Applications and more information can be found here.
During this season of giving, consider donating to the Military Family Relief Fund. Together, we can help support our veterans in need. To donate today, visit in.gov/dva.
November is National Adoption Month, and a great opportunity to learn about the more than 1,500 children in foster care in need of an adoptive family.
For a public agency adoption, Hoosiers can utilize the Indiana Adoption Program and connect to waiting children. Online at IndianaAdoptionProgram.org, prospective families can learn more about adoption timelines, costs, requirements for placement, and the children themselves, like nine-year old Josiah from Delaware County who loves football, basketball and running. Or Abigail, a 12 year old from Warrick County, who is a dog and horse enthusiast, and who would love to ride a unicorn.
When starting the journey of growing a family, several important steps in the process help ensure a good fit. This includes trainings, home studies and a recommendation. Among the last steps is filing a petition to open a case in court to finalize the adoption. Because this last step can take longer in certain counties facing increased judicial workloads, delaying children from joining their loving homes, the Legislature passed a law in 2021 allowing Hoosier families to file petitions to adopt in counties outside of where they live in order to speed up the process.
To further support adoptions, legislators recently increased the state’s adoption tax credit from $1,000 to $2,500 per child, and established a new $3,000 dependent exemption for adopted children under the age of 19, or under the age of 24 if a full-time student.
With these efforts, Indiana can continue to be among the top states in the nation for the adoption of children from foster care. Every child deserves to live in a safe and loving home, and Indiana House Republicans are committed to supporting families and adoptions. We thank the families who have opened their hearts and homes, and encourage others to learn more about the adoption process and Indiana’s waiting children at IndianaAdoptionProgram.Org
To help communities tackle Hoosiers’ most critical challenges, $50 million in state grant funding is available to help tackle a wide range of challenges like smoking, lead exposure and food insecurity, and chronic issues like asthma and cancer.
The Health Issues and Challenges Grant, which passed last year with bipartisan support, is available to local and statewide providers, such as nonprofits, local health departments and schools. No community is the same, and the funding can be used to address significant and unique health problems facing local Hoosiers.
The deadline to apply for the second round of grants is Nov. 18. Award notices will be sent out early next year.
Around the House 