Grants Awarded by the Indiana First Lady’s Charitable Foundation

Indianapolis – First Lady Karen Pence hosted the seventh reception for grant recipients of the Indiana First Lady’s Charitable Foundation at the Governor’s Residence on Tuesday, where she awarded $52,500 to 57 organizations and charities that serve Hoosier families and children across the state.

“When Mike was elected Governor, I was overwhelmed with requests from so many worthy organizations to get involved in their efforts,” said First Lady Karen Pence. “However, it quickly became clear that I couldn’t be at every event, nor could I champion every cause. That is why I, along with a team of dedicated board members, started the Indiana First Lady’s Charitable Foundation as a way to shine a light on the organizations across Indiana who lift up our communities and make our state strong.”

First Lady Karen Pence started the Indiana First Lady’s Charitable Foundation in August of 2013 as a way to recognize organizations and charities across the state. At the inaugural First Lady’s Luncheon held in April 2014, the Foundation awarded its first major grant of $100,000 to the Art Therapy Program at Riley Hospital for Children. The following year’s luncheon recipient, Feeding Indiana’s Hungry, received a grant of $65,000, which supports food banks and food pantries in all 92 counties. Last year, $100,000 was awarded to the Indiana Bicentennial Commission for an interactive “Treasures of the Statehouse” display at the Indiana State Library. Throughout the year, the Foundation will award smaller grants to organizations across the state.

“Whether helping a child develop a love for reading or supporting families in need or encouraging a child to go further in the arts, these organizations are the backbone and the heart of our communities,” said First Lady Karen Pence. “They represent the very best of what it means to be a Hoosier, and we thank them for their service.”

Tuesday’s reception was the seventh reception since her inaugural lunch in April 2014.

First Lady Karen Pence presented a check to each organization ranging from $500 to $1,000 in grant money from the Indiana First Lady’s Charitable Foundation. Representatives from each of the following organizations were on hand to receive their award and recognition:

The Indiana First Lady’s Charitable Foundation is a 501 (c)(3). The First Lady receives no compensation. Donations are tax deductible. Learn more about how to make a donation or request a grant on the Foundation’s website at:www.IndianaFirstLadysCharitableFoundation.org

Indianapolis – Today, the Governor’s Task Force on Drug Enforcement, Treatment, and Prevention endorsed a set of opioid and controlled substance prescribing guidelines for emergency departments as part of a larger strategy to combat prescription drug abuse in Indiana. This endorsement is a result of a prior recommendation of the Task Force and action taken by Governor Mike Pence, who directed the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) to work with stakeholders to create guidelines for acute pain prescribing.

“Our Task Force on Drug Enforcement, Treatment, and Prevention today takes yet another meaningful stride forward in Indiana’s fight against prescription drug abuse as we roll out new guidelines aimed at curbing overprescribed addictive opioids,” said Governor Pence. “While communities across the Hoosier state and the nation work to address a prescription opioid and heroin epidemic, my administration remains vigilant in addressing the scourge of drug abuse that has brought heartbreak for far too many Hoosier families.”

Led by the Indiana Hospital Association (IHA) and the Indiana State Medical Association (ISMA), a coalition of professionals representing the medical community developed these recommendations, which include best practices for prescribing while allowing physicians to exercise their professional judgment. Following this endorsement, ISDH will work with IHA and ISMA to disseminate the guidelines to hospitals and emergency room physicians.

“The national opioid epidemic is largely a product of overprescribing and a longstanding belief that patients should experience no pain,” said State Health Commissioner Jerome Adams, M.D., M.P.H. “These new guidelines will help Indiana physicians treat patients’ pain responsibly and encourage both doctor and patient to explore pain-management options that don’t include addictive opioids.”

To view the guidelines, visit http://www.in.gov/gtfdetp/files/Indiana_ER_Opioid_Prescribing_Guidelines.pdf.

For additional information about the Task Force, including a list of resources, post-meeting recordings, minutes, presentation materials, and upcoming agendas, visit: www.drugtaskforce.in.gov.