Articles
Governor Daniels' Weekly Wrap-up: 4/8/08
A look at news and events in the Daniels Administration
Volume 2, Issue 76
March 31 - April 6, 2008
Governor presents Sachem to Bill and Gloria Gaither
April 2, 2008- Governor Mitch Daniels last week honored gospel music singing and songwriting pioneers Bill and Gloria Gaither with the 2008 Sachem, the state's highest honor.
The Sachem is given to an individual or individuals in recognition of a lifetime of excellence and moral virtue that has brought credit and honor to
"It's very rare people like Bill and Gloria Gaither who not only achieve great things but do so in a way we can admire and that remind us all to try to be better people, remind us that all conduct is not relative, that all conduct is not equally worthy of our respect and admiration," said Daniels. "For a life of true excellence in achievement and performance and for lives led in ways that every Hoosier ought to want their children to imitate, we recognize them today."
The ceremony included performances by Hoosier recording artist Sandi Patty and Larnelle Harris as well as comments on Hoosier character by Anderson University President Dr. James Edwards.
Bill and Gloria Gaither are most well-known for their significant contributions to the Christian music industry over the past four decades. Their early success in performing and songwriting has grown the Gaither Music Company into an Indiana business that comprises a record company, production studio, retail store and a variety of related entities. Despite careers that have taken them throughout the world with their ministry, the Gaithers have continued to call Indiana home, living and raising three children just miles from the farm where Bill grew up.
"Governor Daniels said we had chosen to stay in
"
At this date the Gaithers have collaborated on more than 700 popular gospel songs, winning eight Grammy Awards and more than two dozen Dove Awards from The Gospel Music Association (GMA). They have earned the title of the GMA's "Songwriter of the Year" eight times. In 2000, Bill and Gloria were named "Songwriters of the Century" by ASCAP (American Society of Composers Authors, Publishers).
Governor commemorates efforts to double number of state caseworkers
Mar. 31, 2008- An effort initiated by Governor Mitch Daniels during his first week in office culminated last week when the final group of 800 additional staff dedicated to protecting children joined the Department of Child Services (DCS). Daniels marked the milestone by participating in a "swearing in" ceremony for the group of 32 new employees.
Daniels directed in January 2005 that the number of child protection workers in the state be doubled by hiring 750 additional caseworkers and 50 more supervisory staff and that training they received be changed and improved. More caseworkers were necessary to lower caseloads and improve the quality and quantity of services for abused and neglected children in
"It's been a top priority getting here today, and you have some of the most important jobs in state government," Daniels told the group. "We'll pause for 30 minutes to recognize accomplishments but then it's on to the next improvement."
Since 2005 when the governor created DCS as a stand-alone cabinet-level department, he has directed that an additional $77 million be spent on child welfare. Increased staffing and actions such as requiring a college degree in social work or a related field, plus mandatory training and mentoring before a caseworker is allowed to do field work and measuring standards of effectiveness, have put a stronger foundation in place for child welfare services.
Governor helps kick off Child Abuse Prevention Month
April 3, 2008- Governor Daniels joined Prevent Child Abuse
Children from the Day Nursery Association of Indianapolis listened as the governor thanked those who dedicate time to protecting children. "To all those who work in a volunteer capacity every day out of the goodness of their hearts in this best of causes, I thank you very much; this month is all about you," said Daniels.
Protecting young Hoosiers has been a key goal of the Daniels administration from day one, but the governor reminded those in attendance that although much progress has been made, Hoosiers must never be satisfied. "As long as a single child is in jeopardy and a single child is harmed, our job will not be done," said Daniels.
Listen to Audio from the Announcement
Governor's schedule for April 8-9
Tuesday, April 8
-Governor Mitch Daniels will join executives from sleep center developer Dormir LLC for an economic development announcement.
9:30 a.m.
-The governor will deliver the keynote address at the BKD/Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly Innovation Luncheon.
11:30 a.m.
Sweetwater Sound
-The governor will join executives from orthopedics developer OrthoPediatrics Corporation for an economic development announcement.
2 p.m.
Wednesday, April 9
-Governor Mitch Daniels will give welcoming remarks at the annual Fire Department Instructors Conference. This year 27,000 firefighters and vendors will visit
9 a.m.
Thursday, April 10
-Governor Mitch Daniels will discuss economic development, transportation and local government reform with
12:30 p.m.
IN THE NEWS:
EDITORIAL: Fewer deaths reflect state commitment to children
April 2, 2008
Our position: State's overhaul of child protection system is proving to be wise investment.
In 2005, about 700 child abuse investigators, most poorly trained and underpaid, carried an average of 50 to 60 cases at a time. Not even the most talented and experienced caseworkers could keep up with the workload; let alone the many beginners hired to investigate accusations of abuse and neglect.
Today, with the addition of 800 new caseworkers, the state is on its way to 20 or fewer cases per worker.
Caseworkers also now receive more extensive training before entering the field, where they make decisions that not only can determine children's safety but also whether families have a future together.
One important result of the state's investment in child protection is the first significant drop in more than a decade in the number of children dying from abuse and neglect. In 2007, the state recorded 36 deaths attributed to abuse or neglect, down from 53 the previous year.
It's a strong indicator that
Reducing the number of deaths has garnered much of the public and media's attention. But the state also is placing much-needed emphasis on abuse prevention and family reunification, steps that can protect the physical and emotional health of thousands of children each year.
The overhaul of children's services in
Adding hundreds of caseworkers was an expensive but necessary move, one that is paying off in ways that can't be fully quantified. How much is saving a child's life worth? What numerical value can be placed on shielding children from beatings that border on torture and neglect that leaves them filthy and malnourished?
Government often gets it wrong. More tax dollars don't always translate into better service.
In this case, however, with children's lives at stake,
EDITORIAL: Sachem Award confirms Gaithers' contributions
Bill and Gloria Gaither have brought happiness to so many, enriching lives through the inspirational music they create.
The
Since Daniels revived the Sachem a few years ago, it has been given to such Hoosier notables as basketball legend John Wooden and former
The Gaithers, who have written and recorded more than 700 songs and have won eight Grammy Awards, have been atop the gospel music industry for decades, and their music has inspired thousands, often lifting people above suffering or revealing to them the beauty of God's grace.
Through it all, the Gaithers have been humble and approachable. They've managed to accomplish something few celebrities do: staying grounded and genuine despite the adoration of multitudes.
And they've chosen to stay home in
Because they're so connected to the community, the Gaithers' successes are the community's successes. So, when it comes down to it, we all get a little piece of that Sachem Award. And we all get at least a little of the benefit of having gospel music icons living among us.
It didn't take the governor's award for us to appreciate everything the Gaithers mean to
State renews efforts to prevent child abuse
April 3, 2008
WTHR-TV
Gov. Mitch Daniels joined Prevent Child Abuse Indiana, community leaders and Channel 13 to put an end to child abuse. Every year, some 20,000 children are abused and neglected in this state, and the Department of Child Services reports that 36 children died in
The governor and others spoke at Thursday's event, which took place at the Statehouse.
One thousand and one pinwheels have been planted on the law in front of the Statehouse as part of the awareness campaign. Each one represents 87 children born in
A group of children marched to the Statehouse carrying a powerful message on behalf of all Hoosier children: "Protect me." The children held signs saying, "Kids can't wait," and similar messages.
Child advocates and survivors of child abuse spoke at the event.
"She had skull fractures and was bleeding behind both eyes," said Michelle, a mother who almost lost her daughter to another woman's rage.
"Katie shook my child several times and either threw her against something. Or hit her in the head," said Michelle.
Vanessa Jones says she spent most of her childhood bracing her father's violent blows even after she reported him to authorities.
"I had three bones broken in my face and my nose," Jones told the group. "I think social services could've done a lot more. They could have investigated. I mean, if I ran away and I have bruises on me and you go to the house and all of a sudden 'Oh, the house seems normal. Oh, we're going to send her back home.' They should have taken more action."
It took a brutal beating two years later to get her out of her abusive home.
"I could've been dead that day," said Jones.
"As long as a single child is in jeopardy and a single child is harmed, our job will not be done," said Gov. Mitch Daniels.
In response, Gov. Daniels has worked to double the number of child protection workers in the state.
"He was very aggressive about asking for additional money so that the case loads could be smaller for our public sector case workers and that has paid off, because any one of us, if we have a more manageable case load are better able to do that work," said Sharon Pierce, Prevent Child Abuse Indiana President & CEO.
Advocates are now challenging all Hoosiers to be guardians, to question new bruises on their own children and others and to find out why a child flinches at a slight noise or raised hand. They say these kids can't wait.
To report child abuse, call 1-800-800-5556.
Kids Can't Wait - Find out how you can help in your community.
Other resources:
Governor's wife urges paying attention to heart health
Gary Post Tribune
April 2, 2008
By: Julie Ault
WESTVILLE -- Cheri Daniels, the wife of Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels, made a stop at Purdue North Central recently as part of her Heart to Heart initiative focusing on women and heart disease.
Daniels is traveling throughout
"It is the number one killer of women, and it's something we need to start paying attention to," Daniels told the crowd of college students and faculty.
"Heart disease doesn't discriminate," she said. "(It doesn't matter) if you're 5-foot-7 and weigh 110 pounds, wealthy or not wealthy.
"And guess what? It doesn't matter if you're Republican or Democrat."
Daniels said that while heart disease is the number one killer of men in this country, 65,000 more women than men will die of heart disease each year.
She also said there are certain changeable factors that can reduce the odds of developing heart disease.
"It's important that you know your number -- your blood pressure and your cholesterol," she said. "We need to reduce our stress. We all have it, and we need to learn to deal with it."
She used her dog, Nigel, as an example of stress in her own life.
"Nigel was a 'surprise' from my husband," she said. "If you think being the governor's wife is stressful, you haven't met Nigel."
The dog has eaten her shoes and destroyed her furniture, she said.
"I had to find a way to deal with the stress, so I started going out and taking a walk. It helped me reduce the stress and helped me lose about 35 pounds," she said.
Courtney Althoff, a PNC student from
"That's something everybody struggles with," Daniels replied. "You've got to pay yourself first. Get up 30 minutes earlier or go after dinner. I promise you, once you pay yourself first you will be addicted to it."
Daniels applauded PNC for becoming a smoke-free campus in November.
"The greatest modifiable factor in preventing heart disease is to stop smoking," she said. "We have a very high smoking rate in
Marne Juestel, a PNC nursing professor, helped in the initiative to make the campus smoke free. She followed up Daniels' talk with a presentation on smoking cessation.
Juestel said the tobacco industry tends to focus on women in the 18- to 24-year-old age group.
"They know if they get them early, they have them as customers for life," she said.
The good news, Juestel said, is that there has never been a better time to quit smoking. Several cessation programs are in place in
"Seventy percent of smokers are ready to quit," she said.
The first lady urged all attendees to pledge to spread the word about preventing heart disease.
Her interest in heart health, she said, started after she lost her mother to heart disease a year before her husband became governor.
"Personal experience can be a great motivator," she said. "I took that opportunity to spread the word, and I think it's starting to work."
Learn more
-- For more information, visit www.hearttoheart.in.gov
-- For smoking cessation information at PNC, visit www.pnc.edu/tobaccofree
