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Alan Morrison began leading the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) as its director this week, following his appointment by Gov. Mike Braun to lead the agency.

“Growing up, some of my fondest memories include exploring Indiana’s DNR properties. Whether it’s hiking, kayaking, fishing, hunting, or other outdoor pursuits, I’m now making similar memories with my own kids,” Morrison said. “As DNR director, I look forward to traveling the state to hear from Hoosiers about how we can continue expanding opportunities to interact with our natural resources and provide high-quality customer service.”

Morrison moves to the DNR after serving Hoosiers from his west-central Indiana home in the state’s House of Representatives since 2012. In that elected role, he chaired the House Environmental Affairs Committee and was a member of the House Natural Resources Committee.

Morrison also previously worked for the Flint Generals, a minor league hockey team in Flint, Michigan, and for Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute. He attended Slippery Rock University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree, and later attended Indiana State University for his master’s degree, both in sport management.

As DNR director, Morrison leads the team responsible for furthering the department’s mission of protecting, enhancing, preserving, and wisely using Indiana’s natural, cultural, and recreational resources for the benefit of all Hoosiers.

Morrison appointed Dan Bortner to serve as director of Indiana State Parks and Madalynn Conner to serve as DNR chief of staff.

Bortner is the former DNR director and previously served as Indiana State Parks director for 15 years. Conner is a former assistant vice president at Bose Public Affairs Group and earned her law degree from Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law.

The Indiana Council of Community Mental Health Centers (ICCMHC) is excited to share the findings of a new study, conducted by Blue & Co., which showcases the tremendous value and impact that Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs) have on individuals, families, and communities across the state of Indiana.

The study reveals a compelling return on investment (ROI), demonstrating that for every dollar spent on community mental health services, there is a significant and measurable benefit to society. These findings highlight the critical role CMHCs and crisis units play in improving mental health outcomes, reducing emergency room visits, preventing costly hospitalizations, major impact on jails, and supporting individuals in living healthier, more fulfilling lives.

LifeSpring Health Systems is the state designated community mental health center in eleven Southern Indiana counties and a Federally Qualified Health Center. LifeSpring serves more than 14,000 clients annually by providinga comprehensive spectrum of behavioral healthcare services. To learn more, visit LifeSpring’s website at www.lifespringhealthsystems.org.

President and CEO of the local CMHC, LifeSpring Health Systems, Dr. Beth Keeney said, "We have seen locally not only the benefit of having a crisis continuum. When we are brought into a mental health crisis, very often we are able to avoid costly hospitalizations and incarcerations. This ensures people get access to healthcare services at the appropriate level of care when they need it. This also reduces the costs to our community."

The study, which involved a comprehensive analysis of data from CMHCs throughout Indiana, found that these centers are not only essential to mental well-being but also a smart investment in the long-term health of the state’s economy. Key findings from the study include:

• Reduced healthcare costs: Community mental health centers help decrease the need for emergency room visits and inpatient hospitalizations, reducing overall healthcare spending.

• Crisis services vs. Inpatient hospitalization: Community mental health centers - crisis services have had an annualized savings of $80,867,002. This has been accomplished by providing timely, effective mental health interventions, reducing the need for more costly emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and law enforcement involvement. By focusing on community-based care, including mobile crisis units and 988, Indiana has been able to prevent costly institutional care and ensure individuals in crisis receive the appropriate support, ultimately lowering healthcare and criminal justice system expenses.

• Crisis services vs. Jail: Crisis services in Indiana have saved the state an annualized $45 million in jail services by diverting individuals with mental health crises away from jails

LifeSpring Health Systems is the state designated community mental health center in eleven Southern Indianacounties and a Federally Qualified Health Center. LifeSpring serves more than 14,000 clients annually by providinga comprehensive spectrum of behavioral healthcare services. To learn more, visit LifeSpring’s website at www.lifespringhealthsystems.org.

The Indiana Council of Community Mental Health Centers is dedicated to advocating for and supporting the provision of quality mental health and substance use services for all Hoosiers. Comprising of community mental health centers across the state, the Council works collaboratively with government entities and stakeholders to ensure accessible and effective mental health care. For more information please visit www.indianacouncil.org. and into appropriate care. Through programs like mobile crisis units and mental health treatment, individuals in need of mental health services receive timely interventions that prevent arrests and reduce the need for incarceration. This approach not only improves outcomes for those in crisis but also lowers the financial burden on the criminal justice system.

• In 2024, LifeSpring’s Crisis Call Center received 1,258 calls and the Mobile Crisis Team deployed 160 times across the 11 counties served by LifeSpring. 187 individuals utilized the Crisis Receiving Stabilization Services, staying for an average of 14 hours at the unit. In many cases this diverted individuals from unneccesary higher levels of care such as jail or the hospital, conserving important resources.

This study serves as an important reminder of the value of prioritizing mental health and investing in the services that make a real difference in people’s lives.

The Indiana Civil Rights Commission (ICRC) and partners will host the 34th Annual State of Indiana Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Celebration in honor of Dr. King. Speakers will include ICRC Executive Director Gregory L. Wilson, IBE’s President and CEO Alice Watson, President of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Eric Johnson, and Shonna Quick, President of AFSCME Local 725. Six Hoosiers will be acknowledged for their contributions to humanity, including two Indianapolis-area youth.

What: 34th Annual State of Indiana Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Celebration

Who: Indiana Civil Rights Commission (ICRC), the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Indiana Holiday Commission, Indiana Black Expo, Inc., and AFSCME Local 725

When: 1/17/2025 12:00PM-1:30PM

Where: Indiana Statehouse North Atrium

The Indiana Civil Rights Commission (ICRC) and partners will host the Annual State of Indiana Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Wreath Placing Ceremony remembering Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and honoring his legacy of unity. Speakers at the Wreath Placing Ceremony will include ICRC Executive Director Gregory L. Wilson, IBE’s President and CEO Alice Watson, President of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Theotto Lillard, and Shonna Quick, Vice President of AFSCME Local 725.

Following the Wreath Placing Ceremony there will be a commemorative video projected onto the AES building honoring Dr. King’s calls for unity within the community.

What: Annual State of Indiana Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Wreath Placing Ceremony

Who: Indiana Civil Rights Commission (ICRC), the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Indiana Holiday Commission, Indiana Black Expo, Inc., and AFSCME Local 725

When: 1/16/2025 6:00PM-6:45PM

Where: Indiana War Memorial: Soldiers and Sailors Monument – North

About Indiana Civil Rights Commission
The Indiana Civil Rights Commission (ICRC) enforces the civil rights laws of the State of Indiana. We investigate complaints of discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodation, credit, and education. We also educate organizations, companies, landlords, associations, and individuals on their rights and responsibilities under Indiana Civil Rights Laws and the mission to eradicate discrimination.

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Individuals can prevent common injuries and even death by following these snow blower safety guidelines.

Meteorologists are predicting an El Niño weather pattern this winter. What that spells out for particular regions of the country remains to be seen, but when snow hits certain areas hard, cleanup will be necessary.

It is essential for homeowners and business owners to get outdoors promptly to remove snow from walkways for the safety of pedestrians. Shoveling snow can be back-breaking work, particularly when the snow is very wet or compacted. That's why many people have invested (or plan to invest) in snow blowers to make faster work of snow removal. While these tools are quite effective, they require caution and proper technique to help avoid injuries. The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates there are 5,740 hospital emergency room-related injuries associated with snow blowers each year. The organization Safety Now says most injuries associated with snow blowers involve injuries to the hands or fingers, including amputation.

Individuals can prevent common injuries and even death by following these snow blower safety guidelines.

· Read the owner's manual to understand all of the controls and features before use.

· Dress accordingly for the weather, including using sturdy footwear with good traction. Boot or shoe grippers can reduce the risk of slips and falls. Also, avoid loose clothing, as scarves or jackets can become tangled in moving parts of the machine.

· Start the snow blower outside and not in a garage or shed. Gas-powered devices give off carbon monoxide.

· Stay focused on the task at hand, which means using the snow blower only when sober and not under the influence of medications that can cause drowsiness.

· Working at a brisk pace can help prevent the snow blower blades from getting clogged from the snow sticking. Wet, heavy snow is more likely to clog the machine, so it may require more passes to get the job done.

· Clogs can occur, and require extreme caution to dislodge. Always turn off the snow blower and disengage the clutch, says the American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Wait for the impeller blades to stop spinning. Always use a broom handle or a stick to clear compacted snow. Never stick your hand down the chute or around the blades, even if the power switch is off.

· Keep all safety shields and mechanisms in place on the machine.

· Do not leave a snow blower unattended.

· If the snow blower is an electrical version, use an extension cord designed for outdoor use and plug it into an outlet equipped with a ground fault circuit interrupter. Keep the extension cord away from the auger.

Even though snow blowing can be less physically taxing than manually shoveling snow, it still exerts the body. Take frequent breaks to rest. Exercise caution where you toss the snow, and make sure other people, particularly children, are not in the path of snow removal.