INDIANAPOLIS –The Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) will award grant money to non-profit organizations throughout the state that assist veterans with a variety of services.

Solicitation for awards through the Grants for Veterans Services (GVS) is now open through May 15, 2024. Eligible applicants must be a non-profit organization registered with the Indiana Secretary of State. The organizations must use the money to help veterans in any of the following areas:

• Preventing veteran suicide
• Working to eliminate homelessness
• Preventing near-term homelessness
• Provide assistance concerning safe and secure living conditions
• Provide assistance for veterans moving from public housing programs toward home ownership or long-term rental status
• Provide assistance in finding available state and federal resources
• Provide therapeutic services
• Provide on-the-job training and job search assistance

Through the GVS program, the IDVA plans to award grants ranging from $10,000 to $75,000 depending on the volume of eligible applicants, applicants’ needs, and the availability of funding.

"IDVA’s GVS awards have consistently addressed critical veteran needs. Last year, the Indiana legislature added the ability to address veteran suicide prevention with the GVS program. We are looking forward to connecting with more organizations across the state who help veterans every day," said Dennis Wimer, IDVA director.

All applications, procedures, and documentation should follow the Indiana Code, Indiana Administrative Code, and Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs policies. Applications are due by 5 p.m. EST on May 15, 2024, and must be submitted online. The grant period of performance will begin July 1, 2024.

GVS may only be used to provide services to veterans who reside in the state of Indiana, who have served in any branch of the armed forces of the United States or their reserves, or the Indiana National Guard, and has not received a dishonorable discharge as evidenced by a DD-214 or National Guard Bureau (NGB) Form 22.

More information and a link to the application can be found on IDVA’s homepage or by clicking here.

About the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs

The Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) is a state agency dedicated to serving. Its mission is to Support, Serve, and Advocate for the Indiana Veterans Community.  IDVA aims to make Indiana the choice for veterans to Live, Work, and Thrive. For more information about IDVA and its services, visit in.gov/dva.

Upcoming Deadlines

• May 1:  Last day for State Budget Agency to provide the amount of the supplemental Local Income Tax distribution to Department and qualifying counties. (Ind. Code § 6-3.6-9-15) Note: See May 15 and June 1 for more about Supplemental LIT distribution.
• May 1: Last day for township assessors to prepare and deliver to the county assessor a detailed list of the real property listed for taxation in the township (Ind. Code § 6-1.1-5-14)
• May 1: First day of the reassessment of the third group of parcels under the county’s 2022 - 2026 reassessment plan. (Ind. Code § 6-1.1-4-4.2(a)(5)) 
• May 3: Last day for the county auditor to publish a second notice of the 2024 tax rates to be collected in the county for each purpose and the total of the rates in each taxing district. (Ind. Code § 6-1.1-22-4)
• May 10: Last day an appeal (Form 130) and claim for refund may be filed for the Spring, 2021 installment of property taxes. (Ind. Code § 6-1.1-15-12.1(h);
  Ind. Code § 6-1.1-26-1.1) 
• May 10: First installment of 2023-pay-2024 property taxes due. (Ind. Code § 6-1.1-22-9) 
• May 10: Last day for county auditor to publish third notice of the 2024 tax rates to be collected in the county for each purpose and the total of the rates in each taxing district. (Ind. Code § 6-1.1-22-4)

Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita is suing the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) over its frontal assault on the rights of girls and women via a radical rewrite of Title IX rule.

The new rule allows biological men to invade the private sp­­aces of girls and women — such as bathrooms and locker rooms — as part of the Biden administration’s hellbent determination to advance the extreme ideology of the far-left transgender movement.

“We cannot effectively protect women’s rights — or even their physical safety — if we refuse to acknowledge there are in fact two sexes, male and female--and ONLY two sexes,” Attorney General Rokita said. “We cannot function effectively as a republic if we deny the basic facts of creation.”

The six-state lawsuit is being spearheaded alongside Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia, and Virginia.

Enacted in 1972, Title IX helped equalize women’s access to educational facilities and programs by barring discrimination based on sex by federally funded schools. At the same time, because of the enduring physical differences between men and women, Title IX has always allowed the sex-segregated spaces — like bathrooms and locker rooms — that are ubiquitous across the nation. 

The new DOE rule, in the guise of confronting “gender identity discrimination,” essentially abolishes sex-based distinctions in educational activities and programs. It forces Indiana and other states to accept radical gender ideology in our schools.

DOE has adopted the new rule in blatant defiance of Congress’s repeated refusal to extend Title IX’s protections to anything other than sex.

If DOE’s unauthorized rewrite of Title IX is allowed to stand, Indiana schools will have to allow males self-identifying as female — in every grade from preschool through college — to use girls’ and women’s bathrooms and locker rooms, play on girls’ and women’s sports teams, and access other female-only activities and spaces. Otherwise, schools risk losing billions in federal funding.

“Congress intended Title IX to prevent discrimination against girls and women,” Attorney General Rokita said. “The point was to encourage increased participation by girls and women in middle school, high school and college athletics. Now leftists are trying to twist Title IX to codify the very kind of anti-woman prejudice and discrimination this law was originally intended to remedy. With this lawsuit, we intend to stop this travesty.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 22, 2024) - Congresswoman Erin Houchin is thrilled to announce the launch of her brand-new podcast, "The Contender," aimed at providing listeners with candid insights into the world of politics and public service. In each episode, Congresswoman Houchin will engage in thoughtful conversations with influential figures, exploring their journeys, perspectives, and the factors that have shaped their leadership.

In the inaugural episode, Congresswoman Houchin is joined by her longtime friend and colleague, Congressman Larry Buschon (IN-08). Together, they offer listeners a glimpse into their respective political journeys, reflecting on the initial inspirations that propelled them into the political arena.

During the engaging discussion, Congresswoman Houchin and Congressman Buschon share personal insights into their collaborative efforts on dyslexia legislation at both the state and federal levels. Highlighting the significance of bipartisan cooperation, they underscore the importance of working across party lines to address critical issues affecting their constituents and communities.

"I am always looking for new ways to communicate with people," said Congresswoman Houchin. "This is a way for me to reach people directly as we navigate the complexities of policymaking, unveil the stories behind the legislation, and delve into the principles that fuel my commitment to public service.”

Listeners can tune in to “The Contender" on X, Podbean, and Spotify. Stay connected with Congresswoman Houchin on social media at @RepHouchin for updates and announcements.