INDIANAPOLIS – Gov. Eric J. Holcomb today signed HEA 1344, which reaffirms and continues the state’s efforts to assist East Chicago families who were negatively affected by lead contamination. The bill was authored by state Rep. Earl Harris, Jr. (D-East Chicago) and sponsored by state Sens. Lonnie Randolph (D-East Chicago) and Ed Charbonneau (R-Valparaiso). It received unanimous support by both chambers of the General Assembly.

“I’m proud of the all-hands-on-deck approach we’ve seen among local, state and federal officials to provide support and assistance to East Chicago residents,” Gov. Holcomb said. “I sign this bill without any hesitation and stand with our partners to continue efforts to meet the needs of these residents.”

Yesterday, Gov. Eric Holcomb joined federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt, Indiana Congressional delegates, East Chicago Mayor Anthony Copeland, Sen. Randolph, Rep. Harris, East Chicago officials and community leaders. Administrator Pruitt toured the site and was briefed on effort to-date as well as the work that remains to help affected residents. It was the administrator’s first visit to a Superfund site since taking on his new role as EPA chief

HEA 1344 designates contaminated neighborhoods as “areas of special concern” and directs state agencies to continue working with local and federal partners to relocate residents and remove or remediate contaminated soil in the area. Specifically, the act:

• Encourages the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) to assist the EPA in sampling, excavating and removing contaminated soil
• Requires the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) to provide assistance to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for resident relocation
• Requires the state to collect from the EPA reasonable costs incurred by state agencies in providing assistance
• Requires IDEM to conduct water testing to determine if East Chicago is in compliance with national drinking water standards

This bill goes into effect immediately. Read the full text of HEA 1344 here.

Stay up to date on the state’s ongoing efforts with local and federal partners to assist Hoosiers in the USS Lead Superfund Site by visiting the following website: www.HealthyEastChicago.com

State Rep. Holli Sullivan’s (R-Evansville) legislation expanding Indiana’s pre-K pilot program from five to 20 counties could soon become law.

House Enrolled Act 1004 would expand On My Way Pre-K, the state’s pre-K pilot program that was established in 2014 and currently serves nearly 2,300 students in five counties including Allen, Lake, Marion, Jackson and Vanderburgh. Under this proposal, up to 15 additional counties could be added, potentially quadrupling the amount of low-income families who could benefit from the program. Sullivan, who co-authored the proposal, said only high-quality programs and providers in the new counties would be eligible to participate.

“Data shows low-income children often start kindergarten academically behind their peers,” Sullivan said. “This plan places a priority on rural communities where studies have revealed a need for high quality pre-K options. The bill also incorporates online, in-home learning programs.”

Eligibility requirements, including income thresholds, would apply to those wanting to participate. If programs are at capacity in the five original counties, the Family and Social Services Administration could raise the income eligibility to 185 percent of the federal poverty level to reach more low-income families. Sullivan said priority would be given to children who are most in need and to more rural counties.

“Providing more high-quality early education opportunities to these very young, at-risk students truly benefits all Hoosiers,” Sullivan said. “This plan will give students a strong foundation and helps them achieve their full potential.”

House Enrolled Act 1004 now proceeds to the governor for consideration as a new law. Visit iga.in.gov to learn more about this legislation.

First Security Bank’s ability to serve business clients with treasury management tools continues to grow with the hiring of Logan Hillyard as Vice President – Treasury Management.  Hillyard will work with existing and new clients in the bank’s Kentucky and Indiana markets to provide cash flow management tools, accounts receivable and payable solutions, and other interest-bearing deposit account options for business customers.

Hillyard comes to First Security Bank with more than 15 years of experience in the financial services industry including positions as Assistant Vice President- Cash Management, Vice President- Treasury Management and Financial Advisor. He is a graduate of Murray State University with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Political Science, a Master’s of Public Administration Degree in Public Administration and a Master’s of Science Degree in Management of Technology.  Hillyard most recently worked as the Vice President – Treasury Management Officer at PNC Bank, where he managed more than 100 client relationships.

“Adding Logan to the commercial banking team at First Security Bank is an important step in our relationship banking strategy. His experience, his passion and his desire to help businesses grow, coupled with our commercial lending team, will be invaluable to our clients,” said Scott Powell, Executive Vice President – Chief Credit Officer.

First Security Bank is a $600 million asset bank with 11 banking centers. With more than 140 employees, in its four markets and corporate office, First Security Bank has differentiated itself from larger competitors with its focus on relationship banking and the ability to make credit and other business decisions locally.

44News Picks Up Several Indiana SPJ Awards

Friday night was a good night for us here at 44News. Our team picked up several awards from the Indiana Society of Professional Journalists in Indianapolis. Amanda Decker and Buckley Tunison took first place for Best Feature Story – beating…

Carlos Caballero of Newburgh, Indiana, has received the 2017 Trustees Distinguished Merit Award, which recognizes outstanding achievement not only in the student’s major, but also in the liberal arts and sciences that form the core curriculum. Each college at USI nominates one student for the honor, which includes a $2,000 award.

Caballero, a four-year member of the Honors Program, will receive his bachelor’s degree in Health Services at the College of Nursing and Health Professions Spring Commencement ceremony on April 29, and is currently enrolled in USI’s Master of Health Administration (MHA) 4+1 program. At USI, Caballero has been an ambassador for Academic Skills, an anatomy and physiology tutor and a Spanish tutor.

As a graduate assistant, Caballero has worked closely with Dr. Katie Ehlman and the Positive Approach® to Dementia Care in Southwest Indiana program, a collaboration between the USI and Teepa Snow’s Positive Approach® to Care (PAC) funded by the Indiana State Department of Health. As a certified PAC trainer, Caballero is helping with education, research and data analysis to improve dementia caregiving in skilled nursing facilities around region.

“Carlos is dedicated to learning and making a difference in healthcare,” said Dr. Ann White, dean of the College of Nursing and Health Professions. “I greatly appreciate the university recognizing his efforts. He is a leader among students and respected by both faculty and his classmates.”

After completing the MHA program, which he expects to complete in Spring 2018, he plans to pursue a career in business operations and quality performance improvement and innovation in healthcare, with a long-term goal of becoming a hospital president.