In this issue

2 • BicentennialTorchRelayannounced

3

The TorchispublishedmonthlybytheStatePersonnelDepartment

andisavailableonlineatwww.in.gov/spd

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7 • Freetravelstatusapp• CashforCollege

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January 2015

• Createnewlifehabitsin2015

4• Newhealth&wellnesstoolavailable

Governor Pence appoints new Alcohol and Tobacco Commission Director

• Make2015smokefree

OnDecember3,GovernorPencenamedJudgeDavidCookasDirectoroftheAlcoholandTobaccoCommission.JudgeCookcurrentlyservesontheMarionCountySuperiorCourt7CriminalDivisionandwasappointedtothisrolebytheIndianaSupremeCourtinFebruary2014.

“JudgeDavidCookisawidelyrespectedandreputablelawyerandhasservedthecitizensofIndianapolisformanyyears,”GovernorPencesaid.“IappreciatehiswillingnesstoleadtheAlcoholandTobaccoCommissionandIknowthatwithhisextensiveexperiencehewillcontinuetoserveHoosierswellinthisnewrole.”

PrevioustohisserviceintheMarionCountySuperiorCourt,JudgeCookhasservedasChiefPublicDefenderofMarionCounty,MasterCommissionerintheMarionCountyCircuitCourt,andintheMarionCountyProsecutor’sOffice,alongwithseveralyearspracticinglawatvariousprivatepracticesinIndianapolis.Inaddition,JudgeCookiscurrentlyanAdjunctProfessorofTrialAdvocacyatIndianaUniversitySchoolofLawandhasworkedasanAdjunctProfessoratIndianaUniversity-PurdueUniversityIndianapolis’SchoolofPublicandEnvironmentalAffairs.

HeisaformermemberoftheIndianaPublicDefenderCouncilBoardofDirectorsandacurrentmemberoftheNationalAssociationofCriminalDefenseAttorneys,andhasreceivedmultiplerecognitions,includingtheIndianapolisBarAssociationPresident’sAward,theIndianapolisBarAssociationManager’sAward,theIndianaCommunityCorrectionsBoardofDirector’sAward,andtheIndianaPublicDefenderBoardofDirectorsDistinguishedServiceaward.HehasalsobeenlistedasatoplawyerontheIndianapolisBusinessJournalDistinguishedLawyer’slist(2007)andeighttimesasanIndianaSuperLawyer(everyyearfrom2006-2013).

JudgeCookisagraduateofBallStateUniversity,wherehereceivedhisBachelor’sdegree,andIndianaUniversity–IndianapolisSchoolofLaw,wherehereceivedhisJurisDoctorate.

JudgeCookassumedhisroleonJan.5,sincehiscurrenttermasMarionCountySuperiorCourtJudgeexpired.

The Torch2

Congratulations to the Steps Challenge team and individual winners!

Bicentennial

Bicentennial Torch Relay will highlight state celebrations in 2016OnDecember11,GovernorMikePenceannouncedanewsignatureeventoftheIndianaBicentennialCommission.TheIndianaBicentennialTorchRelaywilltoucheachofIndiana’s92countiesduringthe2,300milejourneyacrossthestate.ThetorchrelaywillbeaninspirationaleventduringamonumentalyearforIndianaandwillconnectpeople,communitiesandregionsduringthesix-weektrekinthefallof2016.

“TheIndianaBicentennialTorchRelaywillgivegenerationsofHoosierstheopportunitytohonorourpastwhilealsolookingwithoptimismtowardsIndiana’sfuture,”saidGovernorPence.“Withthecontinuedingenuity,entrepreneurialspiritandcollectivegoodwillofHoosiers,IknowthelightofIndianawillshinebrightlyforcenturiestocome.”

DevelopedbytheIndianaOfficeofTourismDevelopment(IOTD),therelayispatternedaftertheOlympicTorchRelayandisdesignedtoconnectHoosiersacrossthestateandnationwiththeirhomestateduringthebicentennialyear.Thetorchrelayroute,whichcanbefoundattached,waschartedbyacommitteeofrepresentativesfrommultiplestateagenciesandtheprivatesector;includingthestatedepartmentsoftransportation,naturalresources,statepolice,tourism,communityandruralaffairsandstatearchives.Therouteshowcaseslocationsofnaturalbeauty,localinterestand/orhistoricsignificancetothestate.

TheIndianaBicentennialTorchRelaywillstartinSeptember2016inCorydon,Indiana’sfirststatecapitol,andculminatewithacelebrationinOctoberonthegroundsofthestatehouseinIndianapolis.Accompanyingthetorchwillbeamobilevisitorcenterservingasaninteractivemuseumthathighlights

importantmilestonesduringIndiana’sfirst200years.Amapofthetorchrelayroute(subjecttomodifications)canbefoundhere.

“Atorchisthecenterpieceofourstateflag;representingliberty,enlightenmentandIndiana’sfar-reachinginfluence.TheIndianaBicentennialTorchRelayisaterrificopportunitytocelebrateIndianaachievements,influenceandheritagewhilealsosymbolically‘passingthetorch’tofuturegenerationsofHoosiers,”saidMarkNewman,IOTDexecutivedirector.

ThetorchitselfisbeingdesignedbyengineeringfacultyandstudentsatPurdueUniversity.Thetorchwillbeprimarilytransportedbypeople,passingtheflamefromtorchbearertotorchbearer.TherelaywillalsoemployothermodesofconveyancethataresymbolicofthehistoryandheritageofIndiana,includingwatercraft,farmequipment,aracecar,horseandwagon,antiqueautomobileandothers.TorchbearerswillbeHoosierswhohavebeennominated

bytheirpeersthroughtheIndianaBicentennialTorchRelaywebsite:www.Indiana2016.org/torchrelay.NominationswillbeacceptedbeginninginMarch2015.

“Wearethrilledtoannouncethisinteractiveelementwithinourstate’sbicentennialcelebration,”saidFirstLadyKarenPence,AmbassadorfortheBicentennialCommission.“HoosiersfromeverycountyinIndianawillhavetheopportunitytoshowcasetheirstatepridebychoosinghowthetorchwilltravelthroughtheircounty.Ilookforwardtoseeingtheircreativity.”

Volunteercountycoordinatorswillorganizetorchrelayactivitiesintheirrespectivecounties.WiththeassistanceoftheIndianaOfficeofCommunityandRuralAffairs(OCRA)andtheIndianaBicentennialCommission(IBC),countycoordinatorshavebeenidentifiedinnearlyeverycounty.Additionalvolunteerswillbeneededtoassistwiththepreparationandexecutionofrelay-relatedactivities.HoosiersinterestedinvolunteeringcansignupattheIndianaBicentennialTorchRelaywebsite.

Artwork by Jerry Williams

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Create a new habit for life: new year, fresh start, blank page

Thank you to Indiana Academy Members, Hendricks Regional Hospital Registered Dietitians for this article.

Thestartofanewyearisawonderfulopportunitytotakestockofyourhealthyornot-so-healthyhabits.OnethingeachoneofushasincommonistheNEEDtoMOVE!ThecurrentrecommendationfromtheInstituteofMedicineandtheDepartmentofHealthandHumanServicesis150minutesperweekofmoderatephysicalactivity.Moderatephysicalactivitycanbeactivitieslikebriskwalkingorrunningandmuscle-strengtheningexercises.EvenactivitieslikeYogaandPilatesarehelpfultoincreaseyourbalanceandcorestrengthandarewonderfultoolstogetyoumoving.

Mostofusalreadyknowthebenefitsofregularactivitybutjustincaseyoucan’tremember,herearethe bestreasonstoexerciseregularly:• Improvesyourstresslevel• Improvesyourbloodglucose

control• Lowersyourriskofheartdisease,

stroke,highbloodpressureandhighcholesterollevels

• Lessenstendenciestowardsdepressionandlowmoods

• Improvesmentalfunctionandsenseofwell-being

Theoppositeofregularphysicalactivityisinactivityandinactivityresultsinpoorhealth.

Onethingwecanallcountonisthatallofusneedtogetoutofthechair,offthecouch,offthebedandstartmoving.Evenpeoplrthatexperiencedifficultymovingcanperformchairexercisesthataresafeandenjoyable.

So how do you get started? Beginwithagoalandaplan.Lefttoourowndeviceswealltendtochoose

the“easy”routeandstayonthecouch;butifwehaveagoaltoexercise150minutesperweekourgoalcanbecomeareality.Thisisonly30minutesforfiveoutofsevendays.Planaheadwhenyouexercise.Someofuslikeearlymorningandsomeliketoexerciseintheeveningsinfrontofthetelevision.Someliketowalkwithneighborswhileothersliketoexerciseinsolidarity.

Anecessarycomponentistheadditionoffuntoyourroutine.Ifyourusualactivityisroteandadrudgery,youwon’tsustaintheeffort.Analyzewhatactivitycanyoudothatallowsyoutorelax,treatyourselftosome“me”timeandonlytakes30minutes.

Anothersuggestionistorewardyourselfwhenyouhityourtargets.Maybeyoubuynewmusictoaugmentyourexerciseroutine;oryouandafriendgoseeamovie;orbuyanewexercisemat.Thepointistherewardshouldbeminimalbutonethathelpssustainsyourpursuitofphysicalfitness.

Whenstartingawalkingroutine,

takeitslow.Beginwitha5to10minutewalkwithagoaltoincreaseittoa7-12minutewalkandthena10-15minutewalkuntilyoureachyourgoal.Byinchingupslowlyyouwillbuildupmusclesandconditionyourselfsothatyouarereadyforthenextgoal.

Makingregularphysicalactivityahabitisoneofthebestthingsyoucandoforyourself.NoonecandothisforyoubutYOUareworthit!Thinkaboutyourdailyhabitsandyoushouldbeabletofind30minutesfivedaysaweektosetasideforsomevaluable“me”time.

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Planning ahead can help make your quit smoking resolution a reality

Thanks to the Indiana State Department of Health for this submission.

IfyourNewYear’sresolutionistoquitsmoking,you’reingoodcompany.TherearemoreformersmokersintheUSthantherearecurrentsmokers.Planningaheadcanhelpmakeyourhealthytobaccofreeresolutionareality.Free,confidentialhelpfromtheIndianaTobaccoQuitlineat1-800-QUIT-NOW(1-800-784-8669)oratwww.equitnow.comcanhelpyougetstarted.How Does Smoking Hurt Your Health?Knowingthefactsaboutsmokingcanmakeyoumoredeterminedtostopsmokingthisyear.• Tobaccosmokecontainsadeadly

mixofmorethan7,000chemicalsandchemicalcompounds.Hundredsaretoxicandabout70causecancer.

• Smokingcausesimmediatedamagetothebody.

• Tobaccousecausesanestimated480,000deathseachyear.ItkillsmorepeopleeveryyearthanHIV,illegaldrugs,alcoholabuse,carcrashes,suicidesandmurderscombined.

• Foreverypersonwhodiesfromatobacco-relateddisease,another30peoplelivewithaserioussmoking-relatedillness.

• Peoplewhostopsmokingcangreatlyreducetheirriskfordiseaseandearlydeath.Theyoungeryouarewhenyouquit,thebetteryourchancesofavoidinghealthproblems.

No One Said Quitting Would Be EasyQuittingsmokingcanbechallenging.Mostpeoplemakemultipleattemptsbecausenicotineisaveryaddictivedrug.Butdon’tgiveuptryingjustbecauseyouhaven’tsucceededinthepast.

Thinkaboutyourpastattemptstoquit—whatworkedandwhatdidn’t.Ifonemethoddidn’twork,don’thesitatetotryanothermethod.LearnmoreabouthowthequitcoachesattheIndianaTobaccoQuitlinecanhelp.Thistimemightbetimeyouquitforgood!

Forinspirationlooktosuccessfulquitters.Beatrice,abusymotheroftwoboys,shareherquitstoryinCDC’sTips From Former Smokerscampaign.Smokingseemedcoolatage13,whenshestartedsmokingregularly.Byherthirties,Beatrice’sfamilybeggedhertoquit.CheckoutmoreinspiringquitstoriesfromHoosierslikeBarbaraandPaul.CheckoutBecomeanEXforsupportfromothers.

Prepare Ahead and Change Your Routines• Prepareforthedayyouplantoquit.Thinkaboutyourenvironmentandwhatyouneedtochange.Getridofalltobaccoproducts(andotheritemssuchasashtrays)inyourhome,carandwhereyouwork.

• Don’tletpeoplesmokearoundyou.Askthemnottouseanytobaccoproductnearyou.

• Whenyoufirsttrytoquit,changeyourroutine,evenatwork.Eatbreakfastinadifferentplace.Dosomethingtoreduceyourstress.Trytodistractyourselfwhenyoufeelanurgetosmokeorusetobacco.Talktosomeone,goforawalk,exercise,orreadabook.

Let Others Help YouGetsupportfromotherpeople.Tellyourfamily,friends,andcoworkersthatyouaregoingtoquitandthatyouwanttheirsupport.Studieshaveshownthatyouhaveabetterchanceofbeingsuccessfulifyouhavehelp.

Talk to Your Doctor or Health Care Provider• Talktoyourhealthcareprovider

(e.g.,doctor,dentist,pharmacist,psychologist,orsmokingcessationcoachorcounselor),especiallyifyouwanttoconsiderusingmedications.Medicationscanhelpyoustopsmokingandlessentheurgetosmokeandyoucangetaprescriptionfromyourhealthcareprovider.

• Over-the-counternicotinereplacementtherapies,orNRTs,canhelp.Thesearemedicationsthatcontainnicotinetohelpreduceyourcravingsandwithdrawalsymptomssoyoucanfocusonchangingthebehaviorandhabitsthattriggeryoururgetosmoke.SomeNRTsareavailablewithoutadoctor’sprescription,includingnicotinelozenges,nicotinegumandnicotinepatches.

• Otherprescriptionmedicationsdon’tcontainnicotineandworkindifferentwaystohelpreduceyoururgetosmoke.ThesemedicationsareFDA-approvedandproventobeeffectiveinhelpingsmokerstoquit.

• Quitcounselingcanbecombinedwithover-the-counterorprescriptionmedications.Thiscombinationworksbetterthaneithermethodalone.

Regardlessofhowyoudecidetoquit,it’smostimportanttocommittoquit,makeaplan,andstickwithit.Here’stoatobaccofree2015!

Article adapted from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; provided by the Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Commission at the Indiana State Department of Health.

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A new health and wellness tool is coming soon: Humana VitalityThis information applies to employees enrolled in a medical plan through the State of Indiana and does not apply to conservation officers, excise officers, Indiana State Police plan participants, temporary employees or contractors.

Getreadytoberewardedforactivitiesthatsupportyourhealthandwell-being!TheStateofIndianaisexcitedtoaddanewInvestinYourHealthpartnertoyourwellnessjourney-HumanaVitality.

WearethrilledtoprovideyouwithleadingedgewellnessandhealthmanagementtoolsthroughournewpartnershipwithHumanaVitality.

WithHumanaVitality,youcan:• See Where Your Health Standswithapersonalizedreportaftertakinga

HealthAssessment.• Take Action Toward Well-Beingbysettingwellnessgoals.• Get Healthy, Stay Healthybyparticipatinginrecommendedwellness

activities.• Get Rewardedwithincentivesgiftcards,fitnessdevicesandmore!

AllemployeesandtheirfamiliesenrolledinastatemedicalplanhaveaccesstothisprogrambeginningJanuary 12, 2015.BeonthelookoutforadditionalcommunicationsregardingthisprogramandstartcheckingyourmailforyourHumanaVitalityIDcardanddirectionsonhowtosetupyouraccount.

ForadditionalinformationonotherInvestinYourHealthprograms,visitwww.InvestInYourHealthIndiana.com.

What type of doctor do you need?–First,decidewhetheryouneedaprimarycaredoctor,surgeonorspecialist.Ifyoudon’talreadyhaveadoctor,startbychoosingaprimarycaredoctor.Theycantakecareofanybasicillnessandkeepyouhealthybyprovidingpreventivecare.Theycanalsotellyouwhenyouneedtoseeasurgeonorspecialist.

Decide what you care most about–Rankthefollowingcharacteristicsbasedonhowimportanttheyaretoyou:lowcost,gender,yearsofexperience,thedoctor’seducation,locationofthedoctor’soffice,bedsidemanner,successrateandhelpfulness.Whenmakingyourlist,keepinmindthetypeofdoctoryouarelookingfor–yourprioritiesmaychangedependingonwhetheryouarelookingforaprimarycaredoctororasurgeon.

Identify and narrow down your options with Castlight–Nowthatyou’vethoughtaboutyourpriorities,findtheoptionsinyourareabysearchingonCastlight.Castlight’sdoctorprofilesbringtogethermanydifferentsourcesofdatatogiveyoutheinformationyouneedtofindthedoctorthat’srightforyou.Seeyearsofexperience,educationalbackground,boardcertifications,ratingsandreviewsbyotherpatients,andpersonalizedcostestimatesbasedonwhetherornotyou’vealreadymetyourdeductible.

Catlightcanhelpyoufindthedoctoryouneed.ClickheretolearnmoreaboutCastlight.RegisterforCastlighttoday!

Finding a new doctor can be easy

TheStatePersonnelDepartmentwebsitehasbeenupdatedwith2015Holidaysand2015Benefitsinformation.

• 2015Holidays• Benefitsmainpage

IfyouhavespecificquestionsaboutstatebenefitsnotansweredontheStatePersonnelDepartment’swebsite,calloremailaBenefitsSpecialistinStatePersonnel:

• 232-1167(withinIndianapolis)• Tollfree1-877-248-0007(outsidethe317areacode)• Email:SPDBenefits@spd.in.gov

2015 information is available online

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Celebrating the Bicentennial with Lincoln Squash

Bicentennial Commission

Attend this year’s celebration!

ICRC

WhentheLincolnfamilyleftIndianaforIllinoisin1830,ThomasLincolntradedsomesquashseedswithanIllinoisfarmer.Accordingtofamilylore,theyhavebeengrowingthesquash,oftencalledthecushaw“Lincoln”squash,eversince.ThehistoryofthesquashbecamepopularinIllinoiswhenAbrahamLincolnwaselectedpresidentoftheUnitedStates.IthasrecentlybeenrediscoveredasaheritagecropatLincolnBoyhoodNationalMemorial,Indiana’sfirstnationalparkunitandtheplacewhereLincolngrewupfromagesevento21.

ThroughaBicentennialLegacyProjectthereareplanstohaveelementarystudentslearnaboutthehistoryofthecushaw“Lincoln”squashandgrowthemintheirgardens.

“WewanttohaveeverygardeninSpencerCountygrowingtheLincolnsquashin2016,”saysKendellThompson,SuperintendentatLincolnBoyhoodNationalMemorial.

“OurgoalistoinspireouryouthbyengagingthemintheirheritagebyplantingtheseedsandsharingthestoryofLincolnandhisIndianafamilyfarmwithothers.Thisprojectwillencouragethemtogetoutside,gettheirhandsdirty,andmaybeevenhelpfeedtheirfamily.”

Over10,000seedshavealreadybeencollectedbyNationalMemorialstaff,

communitypartnersandvolunteerswhobegantheirparticipationintheLincolnSquashprojectin2013byplantingandgrowingthesquashandharvestingtheseeds.

ThisprojectwillhelpcelebrateIndiana’sbicentennialin2016andthecentennialoftheNationalParkService.TheIndianaBicentennialCommission’sgoalistohave200legacyprojectsacrossIndianaincelebrationofourstate’s200thbirthday.FormoreinformationaboutIndiana’sbicentennial,visitwww.indiana2016.org

Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial staff, community partners and volunteers began their participation in the Lincoln Squash project in 2013 by planting and growing the squash and harvesting seeds (photo provided).

A “Lincoln” cushaw squash harvest in Spencer County (photo provided).

TheIndianaCivilRightsCommission(ICRC)andDr.MartinLutherKing,Jr.IndianaHolidayCommissioninviteyoutoattendtheStateofIndiana’s24thAnnualDr.MartinLutherKing,Jr.IndianaHolidayCelebrationonThursday,January15,2015attheIndianaStatehouse.Includedinthisyear’sprogramarethepresentationoffourawards.

Theprogram,whichisopentothepublicfornocharge,beginsat12:30p.m.andisexpectedtobringtogethermorethan500students,stateemployees,localandstategovernmentofficials,humanrightsagenciesandIndianaresidentsfromacrossthestatetocelebratethelifeandworkofDr.MartinLutherKing,Jr.Otherhighlightsoftheprograminclude:• Remarksbyamemberofthe

Governor’soffice• Thepresentationoffourawards• Therecognitionoftheseven

schoolsandthemorethan400studentswhoparticipatedintheMLKEducationalYouthSummitattheIndianaStateMuseuminthemorning

• AmusicalperformancebytheGoldenSingersofBroadRippleMagnetHighSchool

• Clickheretoregister.• Clickheretoviewtheprogramflyer.

Formoreinformationaboutthe24thAnnualDr.MartinLutherKing,Jr.IndianaHolidayCelebration,call(317)232-2641.

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Technology

Cash for College runs through March 10

Higher education

State creates free county travel status mobile appTheStateofIndianahascreatedafreemobileapptoprovideHoosierswithcountytravelstatusupdatesandalertsdirectlytotheirmobiledevices.

“Thisnewappwillbeagreaton-the-goresourceforcitizensandvisitorstoIndiana,”saidGovernorMikePence.“ThetraveladvisorymaphasbeenoneofthemostpopularpagesontheStateofIndianawebsite,particularlyduringtimesofinclementweather.Theappwillbeevenmoreconvenient,andwehopemanypeoplewillusethisasaresourcetomakeinformedtraveldecisions.”

Inadditiontoweather,theappwillalsoincludenotificationswithregardtoflooding,hazardousmaterialsspillsandothereventsthatcouldaffecttravel.

Lastwinter,theIndianaDepartmentofHomelandSecurity(IDHS)CountyTravelStatusMapwasthemostvisitedpageonIN.gov,generatingnearly5millionuniquevisitorsbetweenDecember1,2013,andMarch31,2014.

TheIndianaOfficeofTechnologyandIDHScollaboratedontheproject.TheIndianaTravelAdvisoryappisavailabletodownload:• iPhoneintheAppStore• AndroidintheGooglePlayStore.

Featuresinclude:• Abilityforuserstosetalertsforanycountyorcountiestheychoose,uptoeverycountyinthestate.Whenthetravelstatusinaselectedcountyischanged,theuserwillreceiveanalertnotification.

• Weatherconditionsforeach

county.Tappingonacountywilldisplaythetemperatureandaniconwiththecurrentconditions.

• Contactinformationforcountyemergencymanagementagencies,whichareresponsibleforthestatusupdates.

Theappismeanttobeusedaspartofasystemtostayawareofchangingtravelconditions.Othersourcesincludelocalnews,travel,weatherandsocialmediasitesandapps.

IndianaTravelAdvisoryispartoftheIN.govfamilyofapps.Thestatehasdeveloped12differentmobileappstohelpservecitizens,includingtheIN.govapp(AppleandAndroid),whichisahubtoaccessalltheappsfromtheState.

The Indiana Travel Advisory app is meant to help users stay aware of changing travel conditions. Above is screenshot of what the app looks.

TheIndianaCommissionforHigherEducationurgesfamiliesandstudentstoplanandfindsome“CashforCollege”.TheCommission’sannual“CashforCollege”campaignkickedoffinDecemberandcontinuesthroughIndiana’sMarch10financialaidfilingdeadline.

The“CashforCollege”initiativeincludesinformationforstudentsofallages,includingadultlearnersandcollegestudents.Studentsandtheirfamiliescanexploretopicssuchasbasicfinancialliteracyinyoungergrades,theconnectionbetweengoodgradesandcollegefinancialaid,findingscholarships,andfilingtheFAFSA.Thecampaign’s“FAFSAFridays”inFebruarywillwalkstudentsthroughtheprocessoffilingthemostimportantfinancialaidform,theFreeApplicationforFederalStudentAid(FAFSA).

The“CashforCollege”campaignalsogivesthirteenstudentsthechancetowinrealcashforcollege.Onestudentineachgradewillreceive$529inanIndianaCollegeChoice529SavingsPlan,atax-freewaytosaveandpayforeducation.Schoolscanalsocompetefora$1,000granttosupportcollegeandcareerreadinessactivities.VisitCashForCollegeIndiana.orgtolearnmore.