2021 Monthly Updates and 2021 By the Numbers
Idaho Policy Institute’s Update reports provide a summary of the organization’s activities and achievements on a monthly basis.
2021 By the Numbers
Idaho Policy Institute (IPI) By the Numbers 2021 describes numerical accomplishments of IPI in 2021. The IPI team consisted of 1 interim director, 7 researchers, 3 graduate assistants, 1 work-study student, 4 interns, and 2 administrators. IPI completed 14 projects, 11 sponsored by 9 different organizations and 3 unsponsored. The projects covered topics such as housing (4), education (3), arts (1), environment (2), workforce development (1), and community surveys (3). Sponsored projects brought in an estimated $188,500. Additionally, IPI published 8 interactive dashboards and helped the MPA capstone classes complete 11 of their own projects.
IPI engaged with the community by participating in 22 presentations or panel discussions and distributing 9 surveys, collecting a total of 5,066 responses. IPI was also mentioned in the press 33 times and published 9 articles.
Looking forward to 2022, IPI has 20 projects in progress, 15 sponsored by 14 different sponsors.
Click here to download a printable PDF of the 2021 By the NumbersNovember 2021
With the holiday this month IPI reached out to those in the community with acts of kindness.
Project updates include:
- Distribution of the 2021 City Go Annual Awareness Survey,
- Approval of the Educational Programming Attitudinal Awareness Survey
- Final report of the analysis for Idaho Literacy Intervention Program Evaluation
- Webcams for STEM learning are being researched through a partnership of Boise State and the Peregrine Fund quantifying the learning potential of the webcams
- Learning about stakeholder perceptions of the Teton River Recreation Management Policy
- Survey was distributed to waste water and public drinking water system operators to assess infrastructure needs
Matthew May, Vanessa Fry and Cheong Kim published “Responses of Municipal Governments to the Covid-19 Pandemic.” Matthew May also published on the Hatch Act. Saleh Ahmed, Vanessa Fry and Elizabeth Eklund were published in the Blue Review discussing changes the pandemic has brought. Aisha Kayed shone in the staff spotlight.
October 2021
The pandemic requires many pivots in the way we used to work. This month IPI continues learning to be creative to overcome challenges.
The issue also updates several projects including:
- City of Boise Vision Zero
- Connected Canyon County
- Covid-19 Travel Behavior Study
- Division of Motor Vehicles Service Delivery Analysis
- Educational Programming Attitudinal Awareness Survey
- Idaho Literacy Intervention Program Evaluation
- Idaho Outdoor Recreation Survey
- Wastewater and Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey
Student Involvement: MPA Capstone Students Working with Oregon DEQ: Eric Duncan and Michelle Pancoast are working with Oregon DEQ to help analyze water pollutant discharge.
Staff Development: Adobe Max Conference: Melanie Hernandez and McAllister Hall attended Adobe Max Conference and gained insights on technology and artistic techniques.
Month in Review: Coffee with CUPSO Facilitation.
September 2021
IPI looks at the impact they have and the balance of sponsored and non-sponsored projects. They ask if the institute can keep scaled with the growing city. In 2020 there were 7 projects and in 2021 there were 17 projects, of which many were new sponsors. A survey will be completed to see the impact IPI’s projects are having.
The issue spotlights the Communities of Excellence Charter School Program project. IPI was chosen as the third party evaluator with three questions leading their analysis. This months issue details some of the findings from the second year of evaluation.
The issue also updates several projects including:
- CASC Streamflow Data Survey
- Connected Canyon County
- Covid-19 Travel Behavior Study
- Division of Motor Vehicles Service Delivery Analysis
The Women in Leadership Conference welcomed Vanessa Fry who spoke on the process of applying the concepts of pragmatic inquiry.
August 2021
IPI reflects on milestones reached and project impacts. One in particular was New Path Community housing which helped to save community resources.
The project spotlight highlights Permanent Supportive Housing Comparative Analysis. This project regarding low income housing and key findings are shared with readers.
The issue also updates several projects including:
- Connected Canyon
- Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Service Delivery Model
- Idaho OUtdoor Recreation Survey
- Rural Industry Cluster Needs Assessment
Matthew May gave a presentation to Community Planning Association of Southwest Idaho. The group included mayors, councilpersons and commissioners of local governments. The presentation was regarding the Annual Statewide and Treasure Valley Surveys.
July 2021
IPI is getting ready for students to come back to campus. They are also launching a series of new projects as others come to an end. Research on housing with emphasis on New Path Housing stirred up quite a bit of media attention. More research on this topic is anticipated.
IPI is also working with Idaho Department of Welfare to evaluate the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. This project includes housing aspects as well.
The issue also updates several projects including:
- Emergency Shelter Research
- Division of Motor Vehicles Service Delivery Model
- Permanent Supportive Housing Comparative Analysis
- Rural Industry Cluster Needs Assessment
More on housing, this month IPI members participated in a panel discussion about addressing and preventing homelessness. The panel was organized by Insight Information.
June 2021
Although it is summer the IPI team is still getting things done. Some projects are coming to a close while others are just beginning. Learning and growth were the subject matter for weekly IPI meetings and a note-taking workshop was undertaken.
The Master of Environmental Management Workforce Analysis project is underway. IPI is collecting data on both the peer program websites and job postings. Key findings are outlined in the issue to give readers a glimpse of the analysis.
The issue also updates several projects including:
- Second Annual Evaluation of New Path Community Housing
- Engaging Idaho’s Out-of-School Youth
- Idaho Transportation Department DMV Service Delivery
- Rural Industry Clusters Needs Assessment
- IPI Beginning Work with Idaho Supreme Court
- Permanent Supportive Housing Comparative Analysis
May 2021
The core IPI team continues to work despite summer vacation. One project that came to a close was the Cluster Needs Assessment Project which helped show was the education and career plans of high school graduates in two areas of the state were. IPI also saw a location move to the Environmental Research Building.
This month’s issue included a project spotlight on Lincoln County Community Health EMS cost-benefit analysis. The cost benefit looks at best, middle and worst case scenarios. An infographic was also created to show takeaways and how this cost benefit helps different stakeholders.
The issue also updates several projects including:
- Municipal Covid-19 Responses by Government Manuscript
- Rural Industry Clusters Needs Assessment
- Out of School Youth Needs Assessment
- Treatment and Transitions Program Evaluation
April 2021
Students in the capstone classes worked on competing several projects. A few members of the IPI team are leaving at the end of the semester to pursue other opportunities and continue education. A first time assessment to help gauge needs of 16-24 year olds is being worked on throughout the summer.
The issue’s project spotlight shines light on creativity in the West Central Mountains with key findings sharing that the creative community in the area is already strong. However, those surveyed were divided on where to find information on creatives.
The issue also updates several projects including:
- Master of Environmental Management Workforce Analysis
- New Path Community Housing Evaluation
- Out of School Youth Needs Assessment
- Permanent Supportive Housing Comparative Analysis
March 2021
IPI announced their first National Science Foundation grant. Several projects wrapped up including one analyzing evictions. This was a second annual assessment. IPI also has done beneficial work with Idaho rural areas being assessed for needs in dairy and dairy processing industries.
This month’s project spotlight is 2020 Idaho Evictions. This is a second annual study of statewide eviction filings.
The issue also updates several projects including:
- Idaho Transportation Department DMV Service Delivery
- Industry Cluster Needs Assessment
- Master of Environmental Management Workforce Analysis
- Oregon Nonprofit Compensation and Benefits Survey
Young adults between the ages of 16-24 and who are neither in school or working are considered out of school youth. This population is being assessed to determine what they are looking for in a workforce program.
February 2021
A proposal to analyze the state’s Department of Motor vehicles was submitted to the Idaho Transportation Department. Despite the short months and the remote work due to Covid-19 the team still continues to be very productive.
The issue also updates several projects including:
- 2020 Idaho Eviction Study
- City Go Annual Awareness Survey
- Covid-19 Data For Governor’s Office
- Master of Environmental Management Workforce Analysis
- West Central Mountains Regional Creative District Pilot
IPI shines a spotlight on the four student workers on the team. Each is highlighted in a short bio to showcase their educational endeavors.
January 2021
Key findings of the Sixth Annual Idaho Public Policy Survey are provided in this month’s issue. Changes for IPI include new elected officials in the Idaho State Capitol and continued changes to the way we work during the pandemic. IPI performed a survey on Idahoan’s opinions on Covid-19.
The issue also updates several projects including:
- Lincoln County EMS Cost Benefit Analysis
- West Central Mountains Creative District
- Master of Environmental Management (MEM) Needs Assessment
- Covid-19 Reporting
The project spotlight for this month’s issue was the Annual Statewide Survey. This was the sixth annual survey and surveyed 1,000 adults on various topics. The key findings are highlighted and the survey was presented to elected officials at the Idaho Capitol.
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