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Home- And Community-Based Services Stabilization Grant Now Open 

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The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration is pleased to announce that the Home- and Community-Based Services Stabilization Grant, as described in our HCBS Enhanced Federal Medical Assistance Percentage Spend Plan, are now open.

HCBS providers can visit the Indiana HCBS Enhanced FMAP Spend Plan webpage to obtain more information and access resources including an informational video, FAQ, provider bulletin and attestation form. Topics covered in those resources include general background on the grants, eligible provider groups, process and timing expectations, grant methodology and required provider attestations.

General information

  • Background: As identified in the IN FSSA HCBS Spend Plan, the HCBS Stabilization Grant has been made available by FSSA to support providers and frontline staff affected by the public health emergency.
  • Purpose: The purpose of the grant is both to retroactively address COVID-19-related expenses and challenges and to recognize the important work of frontline staff, including costs related to compensation and benefits, COVID-19 testing, personal protective equipment, and other COVID-19 related expenses, to allow providers to stabilize their operations.
  • Eligibility: Currently active HCBS Medicaid providers who were also active during the COVID-19 public health emergency. This is defined as HCBS Medicaid providers who (1) submitted a claims expenditure in CY2021 and (2) submitted a claims expenditure in CY2019, CY2020, and/or CY2021.
  • Attestation process and timing: Interested qualifying providers must submit a signed attestation form by Feb. 10, 2022, to be considered. FSSA will also establish an early deadline of Jan. 25, 2022, and attestation forms submitted before then will be reviewed and paid out early.

For more information, please see the informational video and FAQ. Please direct any questions and/or feedback to hcbs.spendplan@fssa.in.gov.

2022 Otters Season Ticket Packs On Sale Now

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Season ticket packages are on sale now for the 2022 season at Historic Bosse Field with the Evansville Otters.

Full season and half season ticket packages are on sale starting at $105. Full and half season tickets are available in VIP, Premium Field Box and General Admission seating areas. Premium Field Box and VIP tickets include in-seat wait service.

For a full season, fans can enjoy all 2022 Otters’ home games at Bosse Field with savings of up to 25 percent off single game pricing.

Half season tickets offer fans an opportunity to enjoy savings on half of the regular season home games.

Flex 20 ticket plans are also available now for the 2022 season. Flex 20 vouchers may be used at any 2022 home game. Flex 20 vouchers can be used in any increment and at any game to best fit your schedule. The Otters are also offering a Flex 10 ticket plan. Flex packages are on sale for General Admission seating and start at $50.

For more information and pricing details, go to evansvilleotters.com/season-tickets. You can purchase ticket packages in-person at the Otters box office or over the phone by calling (812) 435-8686.

There’s no place like Bosse Field, so do not wait and get your season ticket packages now!

Group and single game tickets will go on-sale in the Spring.

The Evansville Otters are the 2006 and 2016 Frontier League champions.

The Otters play all home games at historic Bosse Field, located at 23 Don Mattingly Way in Evansville, Ind. Stay up-to-date with the Evansville Otters by visiting evansvilleotters.com, or follow the Otters on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

For more information, visit evansvilleotters.com or call (812) 435-8686.

 

This Week at USI – January 10, 2022

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Here is more information on upcoming events and recent news on the USI campus:

Friday, January 7 through Sunday, January 23

Welcome Back Weeks 2022

Welcome Back Weeks offer exciting activities and events designed to welcome new and returning students to campus, help students meet one another and jump-start the Spring Semester at USI. All students are invited to attend activities during Welcome Back Weeks.

Read more

11 a.m. Thursday, January 13

USI Board of Trustees to meet in regular session 

The University of Southern Indiana Board of Trustees will meet in regular session at 11 a.m. Thursday, January 13, in the Great Hall of the Griffin Center. Documents and agendas for the meeting can be found on the Trustees page of the USI website.

11 a.m. Monday, January 17

Texas A&M University Associate Professor to keynote 2022 USI Martin Luther King, Jr. memorial celebration

 The University of Southern Indiana will host a virtual presentation, “Hope for the Future,” by Dr. Gwendolyn Webb, Texas A&M University Associate Professor, honoring the memory and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at 11 a.m. Monday, January 17 via Zoom. The presentation is free and will be available to the public for viewing and participation.

Read more

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Released Wednesday, January 6

USI offers new online MBA concentration in Marketing

The University of Southern Indiana is excited to announce it is expanding its existing Master of Business Administration online programs to include a new concentration in Marketing.

Read more

STUDENT EVENTS

A collection of events on campus and in the community sponsored by USI student organizations can be found on the USI events calendar by clicking here.

Evansville Monster Jam® Arena Championship Series East Tickets On-Sale Now

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 The most family-friendly, action-packed motorsport in the world races into Ford Center on April 23-24, 2022 

EVANSVILLE, IN (January 11, 2022) – This. Is. Monster Jam™! The most action-packed motorsports experience for families in the world today returns to Evansville for an adrenaline-charged weekend at Ford Center on Saturday, April 23 and Sunday, April 24, 2022. Monster Jam®, celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, features world-class athletes locked in intense competitions of speed and skill. Tickets are available on www.ticketmaster.com with Monster Jam Preferred Customers able to purchase advance tickets starting today, January 11, before tickets go on-sale to the general public on January 18. Fans can still sign up for free to become a Monster Jam Preferred Customer and get exclusive access to the pre-sale offer code. 

The Monster Jam Pit Party will be held in Evansville on Saturday and Sunday. At the Monster Jam Pit Party, fans can see the massive trucks up close, meet their favorite drivers and crews, take pictures and enjoy other family-friendly fun. This unique experience is the only place that allows people to get up close access to the Monster Jam teams and get an insider’s look at how these trucks are built to stand up to the competition. 

Evansville fans will witness heated rivalries, high-flying stunts and fierce head-to-head battles for the Event Championship. Engineered to perfection, the 12,000-pound Monster Jam trucks push all limits in Freestyle, Skills, Donuts and Racing competitions. The Arena Series East Champion will receive a highly coveted automatic bid to the prestigious Monster Jam World Finals® to compete for the title of World Champion. The 2022 Monster Jam World Finals will be held in Orlando on May 21 and 22. 

The Arena Championship Series East features eight skilled athletes fighting for the championship while putting on a spectacle, constantly innovating and always entertaining. The black and green wrecking machine, the legendary Grave Digger®, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, will be competing, driver TBA. Armando Castro gets behind the wheel of El Toro Loco®, while Brianna Mahon in Whiplash® and fan-favorite Coty Saucier returning in DragonTM, look to lock in the championship. 

Monster Jam drivers are trained, world-class male and female athletes who have mastered not only the physical strength and mental stamina needed to compete, but the vital dexterity to control 12,000- pound machines capable of doing backflips, vertical two-wheel skills and racing at speeds up to 70 miles-per-hour to produce jaw-dropping, live motorsports action seen around the world. 

WHEN: 

Saturday, April 22, 2022: 

1:00pm & 7:00pm 

Pit Party* 10:30am – 12:00pm 

*Must purchase 1pm event ticket plus Pit Pass 

Sunday, April 23, 2022: 

2:00pm 

Pit Party* 11:30am – 1:00pm 

*Must purchase 2pm event ticket plus Pit Pass 

WHERE: Ford Center | 1 SE Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard 

TRUCK LINEUP: Grave Digger® driven by TBA; Dragon™ driven by Coty Saucier; Whiplash® driven by Brianna Mahon; El Toro Loco® driven by Armando Castro; Stone Crusher driven by Chad Tingler; Hooked driven by TBA; 2 trucks/drivers TBA 

**Truck and driver line-up subject to change 

TICKETS: 

Tickets will be available for purchase online at ticketmaster.com 

Visit MonsterJam.com for more detailed information on the event and wellness policies. 

For more info about a Monster Jam event near you, follow Monster Jam on our social media channels: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok. Subscribe to the Monster Jam YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/MonsterJam 

 

The Latest Edition of the Indiana State Police Road Show

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Indiana – Catch the latest edition of the “Indiana State Police Road Show” radio program on the Indiana State Police YouTube Channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu5Bg1KjBd7H1GxgkuV3YJA

This weeks show features Sergeant Rob Lambert and Sergeant Dave Henderson from the Jasper District. Together they give us an insight into the Jasper District and what it’s like to work in a rural Indiana State Police District.

The radio program was titled “Signal-10” in the early 1960’s when it was first started by two troopers in northern Indiana. The name was later changed to the “Indiana State Police Road Show” and is the longest continuously aired state police public service program in Indiana.

Radio stations across Indiana and the nation are invited to download and air for FREE this public service program sponsored by the Indiana State Police Alliance and Cops for Kids, a subsidiary of the Indiana State Police Alliance.

Genealogy Virtual Event

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Genealogy Virtual Event

Exploring the Ancestry Library Edition Database

This is a VIRTUAL program hosted by Willard Public Library and the Tri-State Genealogical Society.

FamilySearch.org is a free website offering access to millions of records for genealogical research. This class will provide an overview of the kinds of records available and how to find them.

If you would like to attend this program, please email
volson@willard.lib.in.us or president.tsgs@gmail.com to request the Zoom Meeting information.

Presented by:
Robin McDonough has been a staff member in the History & Genealogy Department at the St. Louis County Library for over 5 years. Prior to that, she was a high school history and geography teacher. She holds BS and MS degrees in education. Robin has been researching her family’s genealogy for almost 20 years.

This program is a joint presentation of Willard Library and the Tri-State Genealogical Society.

Aces travel to Peoria for Wednesday contest at Bradley

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Tip is set for 7 p.m.

 EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Looking to get back on the winning track, the University of Evansville men’s basketball team returns to the road on Wednesday evening for a 7 p.m. game against Bradley inside Carver Arena.  ESPN+ and the Purple Aces Radio Network will have the coverage.

Season Update

– The MVC recently announced make-up dates for games that have been postponed

– On Jan. 21, UE travels to Illinois State for a 6 p.m. game before ISU returns the trip two days later in a 1 p.m. game at the Ford Center

– Evansville will play Indiana State in Terre Haute on Feb. 8 before the Sycamores come to Evansville on the 10th

 

Last Time Out

– Another one came down to the wire on Saturday with Drake defeating the Purple Aces by a 60-59 final inside the Ford Center

– Trailing by as many as nine points in the second half, UE stormed back and had a chance to win at the buzzer before two shots came up short

– Jawaun Newton had one his top games of the season, totaling 21 points on 8-of-11 shooting along with tying for the top rebound tally in the game with nine

– Shamar Givance recorded 18 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals

 

Clamping Down

– Through six homes games, the UE defense has shined, allowing the opposition to score an average of just 56.33 points per game…just one opponent has scored over 60 points at the Ford Center this season with UCF finishing with 75 on Nov. 20

– In eight road/neutral site games, the opposition has averaged 74.25 PPG

 

Taking Care of the Ball

– One of the things that has kept the Aces in each contest over the recent stretch has been the ability to take care of the ball

– The last seven games have seen UE turn the ball over just 57 times – an average of 8.1 per game…that tally is lower than the national leader in that statistic

– Evansville has finished with single digit turnovers in five of the last seven games and has not turned it over more than 11 times during that span

– That is a huge disparity from the first seven outings where UE committed 99 turnovers, an average of 14.1 per game

 

Another 20-point Performance

– For the second time this season and first since his 30-point game against Rice, Jawaun Newton finished with 21 points against Drake

– His season average is 14.3 PPG, but over the last nine games, he has recorded 16.4

– Newton continues to rack up the rebounds a the top level of his career, pacing the squad with 5.9 per game; that average is even higher over the last seven games with his mark standing at 7.0

Making the Adjustment

– As his freshman season has moved along, Blake Sisley has looked more and more comfortable at the next level

– After scoring a total of three points in his first six games, Sisley has averaged 6.5 points in the last four outings

– His top game saw him hit 5 out of 6 attempts on his way to 12 points versus Tennessee Tech

– Sisley has earned more playing time as the season has moved along, culminating in his top total of 24:33 against Drake

 

Scouting the Opponent

– A 78-71 overtime loss at Loyola on Saturday saw Bradley fall to 7-9 on the season and 1-3 through four MVC contests

– The Braves defeated UNI in the conference opener in December by a 71-69 final, but have fallen in three close games since the New Year

– Terry Roberts has leads the Braves in points, assist and steals

– His average of 15.3 PPG is 7th in the Valley while he ranks third with 4.2 assists per game and second with his average of 1.7 steals

– Rienk Mast is Bradley’s top rebounder, hauling in 7.8 per contest

– His average is second in the league

Debate Persists On Parental Input, Classroom Materials In Indiana Schools

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Debate Persists On Parental Input, Classroom Materials In Indiana Schools

INDIANAPOLIS—In an ongoing debate about parental control and discussions about race in schools, the House heard five hours of testimony Monday on House Bill 1134, which is nearly identical to Senate Bill 167, discussed last week.

The House Education Committee heard testimony on HB 1134 on Jan. 10. Like the Senate version of the bill, it would create a curricular materials advisory committee, options for parents to opt children in or out of classes and activities, require the posting of classroom materials online, and prohibit the teaching of certain concepts that are considered by the bill to be divisive.

Both versions of the bill include eight concepts that deal with the sex, race, ethnicity, religion, color, national origin, or political affiliation of students and how they are dealt with and referenced in the classroom.

The House version of the bill was authored by Rep. Anthony Cook, R-Cicero, who was a teacher and administrator for 42 years.

“It provides a duty of the school and its employees to remain impartial in teaching curriculum or conducting educational activities, ensures that students are free to express their own beliefs and viewpoints concerning curriculum materials and educational activities without discrimination, and allows for in a reasonable time, place and manner,” Cook said. “And very importantly, ensures against any confusion by explicitly stating that this may not be construed to discourage the teaching of historical injustices.”

Unlike the Senate version of the bill, the House version establishes a complaint process for teachers that can lead to license revocation. The Senate version encourages civil suits against school districts rather than individual teachers.

Concerned Parents

Parents arrived at the Statehouse Monday morning expressing concerns about materials shared in classrooms encouraging teachers to teach students about anti-racism.

Kyle Taylor, a Westfield parent previously included in a WRTV story about books on gender identity, testified in favor of the legislation. Taylor said the Indiana Department of Education is training educators to teach students how to be anti-racist.

“So you do not support the idea of teaching members of what appears to be a majority how they might need to be sensitive?” said Rep. Ed DeLaney, D-Indianapolis.

Taylor said he did not think there was a need to train students on how to treat others.

Dawn Lang, a Fishers’ parent, said she was concerned with teachers giving social and emotional instruction.

“I want to specify that I’m very concerned with putting teachers in the role of therapists. So we’ll be talking about social-emotional learning,” Lang said. “There’s a lot of touchy, feely great fundamental things about it, but at the end of the day, we are now shifting teachers into the role of a therapist.”

Social-Emotional Learning

According to CASEL.org, social-emotional learning involves self-awareness, self-management, responsible decision-making, relationship skills, and social awareness.

Sandy Washburn, a research scholar at Indiana University, said HB 1134, “would unnecessarily hamper access to instruction in social-emotional skill building when students need it most.”

“It does not address any of those concepts,” Cook said. “[Critical race theory], [social-emotional learning], any of that in the bill as it says. It talks about … promoting behaviors or slanted things from the teacher’s pulpit.”

Washburn also thought many become teachers to help students with “developing personal awareness” and becoming citizens, and the bill may deter people from pursuing the profession. Justin Ohlemiller, executive director of Stand for Children Indiana, agreed that the bill could worsen the teacher shortage in the state.

Rep. Chuck Goodrich, R-Noblesville, said teachers have testified in other education committees that they don’t have time to teach academics because they have to focus on other concepts such as SEL, suggesting the bill could actually help the shortage.

An Additional Burden On Teachers

Teachers opposing the bill came forward with many of the same concerns that were shared during the hours-long hearing on SB 167. The bill would add new burdens for educators and create fear when teaching certain topics, and the broad language could limit materials, they said.

Christianne Bebe, an elementary school teacher from Brownsburg, said HB 1134, by allowing parents to opt children out of materials or activities, would encourage parents to opt out without talking with the teacher. She said sitting down and discussing the issue usually alleviates parents’ concerns.

Bebe believes the bill would lead to parents opting their children out of classes and lessons without a good understanding and force teachers to come up with alternate ways of learning for students. Students that opt-out will still need an education, which is an issue for her because she can’t be in two places at once, she said.

“Asking me to be able to facilitate a lesson with these kids while at the same time providing an equivalent level of instruction with one or two students who have opted out, I’m not sure logistically what that looks like,” Bebe said.

She also expressed concern that teachers would not be able to share all materials with the curricular materials advisory committee or curricular portal on top of the duties teachers already have. As an elementary school teacher, she teaches multiple subjects and uses over 70 materials a week.

Cook said as a former teacher, he understands some of her concerns and added that the bill was still going through modification.

The bill language currently prohibits materials that include or promote any of the eight concepts labeled as divisive. Bebe said the use of the word “include” in the bill language could prevent teachers from using materials that discuss difficult topics. Bebe said the words of Osama Bin Laden would be an important part of teaching about the Sept. 11, 2001 attack, but under the bill she would not be able to cite them.

​​”I would personally not promote those things in my classroom, but I include them in various resources that I use all the time because otherwise, that’s how we do teach,” Bebe said.

Ohlemiller agreed on behalf of Stand for Children, saying these materials and ideas are necessary for teaching history.

The committee will amend and vote on the bill Wednesday at 8:30 a.m.

FOOTNOTE: Taylor Wooten and Jack Sells are reporters for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.

Today’s Vanderburgh County Board Of Commissioners Agenda

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Vanderburgh County Board of Commissioners Meeting Agenda

 AGENDA 

1. Call to Order 

2. Attendance 

3. Pledge of Allegiance 

    1. 4. Action Items A. Health Department 1. COVID-19 Update 
    2. 2. 2022 WIC Grant Agreement 
    3. 3. 2022 Safety PIN Grant Agreement 
    4. 4. Community Health Care Worker Contract – Savannah Patterson 
    5. 5. First Reading of Ordinance CO.01-22-022 – Amendment to Tuberculosis Clinic Fees 
    6. B. Election of Officers 
    7. C. County Board Appointments 
    8. D. EWSU – Weaver Rd Waterline Project Consent 
    9. E. Old Courthouse Lease Renewal for Steven Wham dba Wham Counseling, LLC 
    10. F. Road Closure Requests 1. USI’s Run Into Madness 7k – 03/26/2022 1. Schutte Rd and part of Broadway Ave 
    11. 2. USI’s Spring Into Fitness 10k – 04/09/2022 1. Broadway Ave and Nurrenbern Rd 
    12. G. 2022 Purdue Cooperative Extension Service Agreement 
    13. H. County Engineer Department 1. Green River Road Notice of Termination 
    14. 2. CenterPoint Easement – Middle Mt. Vernon Rd & Glenwood Dr 
    15. 5. Department Head Reports 
    16. 6. New Business 
    17. 7. Old Business 
    18. 8. Consent Items A. Approval of December 14th and 28th Commission Meeting Minutes 
    19. B. Employment Changes 
    20. C. Claims Voucher Reports 1. 12/13/2021-12/17/2021 
    21. 2. 12/20/2021-12/24/2021 
    22. 3. 12/27/2021-12/31/2021 
    23. 4. 01/03/2022-01/07/2022 
    24. D. County Treasurer’s Office 1. Monthly Report: November 2021 

Drainage Board Immediatey Following 

    1. 2. Surplus Request 
    2. 3. Inkeepers Tax Report 
    3. E. Sheriff’s Office Surplus Request 
    4. F. Surveyor’s Travel Request 
    5. G. Request for Appropriation – American Rescue Plan Fund for Record Archival Scanning 
    6. H. County Engineer Department 1. Report & Claims 
    7. 2. U.S. 41 Expansion T.I.F. Pay Request #79 for $2,494.24 

9. Public Comment 

10. Adjournment 

Deadline Approaching To Apply For Gov. Holcomb’s Fellowship Program

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INDIANAPOLIS – Governor Eric J. Holcomb announced today that the deadline to apply to the 2022-2023 Governor’s Fellowship is approaching.

The Governor’s Fellowship is highly selective and provides a unique experience in Indiana state government by placing fellows in various state agencies on a rotating basis throughout the year.

“Our Governor’s fellows are such a valuable piece to our team,” Gov. Holcomb said. “The wide range of assistance they provide over the course of their fellowship is key to serving Hoosiers in a timely and thorough manner.”

The program is open to college graduates who receive their bachelor’s degrees in either summer or fall of 2021 or spring of 2022. Fellows are paid, full-time employees who participate in the day-to-day activities of state government.

Many Governor’s fellow participants have gone on to successful careers in both the public and private sectors — with some serving at the highest levels of local, state and federal government.

The application and submission guidelines can be found online by clicking here. To be eligible for consideration, the application and all supporting materials must be postmarked or submitted via email by January 28, 2022.

If you have questions about the fellowship, contact Emily Clancy at the Governor’s Office at eclancy@gov.in.gov.