April 2024

McAllister Hall

This month marked the end of the Bluum Communities of Excellence Charter School Program grant evaluation. Bluum received $17.1 million in grant funds in 2018, the grant was increased to $22.5 million in 2019. In the five year grant period, Bluum distributed these funds to 28 charter schools across the state with the goal to increase the number of quality charter school seats in the state, especially for economically disadvantaged and rural students. 

At the end of the grant period a little over half of subgrantee schools served similar rates of non-white, Hispanic, and economically disadvantaged students compared to the statewide average while almost all subgrantee schools served similar rates of special education students compared to the statewide average.

The grant aimed to increase enrollment at high-quality charter schools that have higher rates of proficiency on both ELA and math compared to the statewide average. About half of subgrantee schools met this benchmark in the final year of the grant period. Some schools have exceptional rates of students reaching proficiency across subgroups while a few schools have similar rates of proficiency compared to the state average. Only a few schools perform below the state average.

The grant was ultimately successful in increasing the number of charter school seats across the state, including in rural areas. Though the grant funding period is over, the impact of the grant funds will likely continue for many years.

Alive at 25 Young Driver Education Program Evaluation

Matthew May, Lantz McGinnis-Brown, Cheong Kim, Maria Onaindia

IPI continued its work on the Alive at 25 Program Evaluation for the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD). IPI researchers completed a mapping process in conjunction with ITD representatives to determine data availability and needs as the project continues. IPI’s team identified data availability in other states, reviewed existing driver safety surveys to inform development of its own protocol, began cleaning and analyzing program participation data and Idaho traffic citation data, and prepared a survey instrument to be distributed to program participants. Next steps include the finalization of that survey instrument and the development of a survey/interview protocol for program instructors

New Path Year 5 Evaluation

Vanessa Fry, Lantz McGinnis-Brown, McAllister Hall, Kristi Spalding, Patty Chelini

IPI is currently working on the Year 5 Evaluation of New Path Community Housing. In April, the qualitative data team worked to collect data from community partners involved in the building of New Path through a survey. The survey asked about the communication between partners, the lessons learned in creating New Path, and the impact of the New Path on those involved in the project. The team also collected data from staff who work on-site at New Path through focus groups and interviews. Employees were asked about life at New Path, services provided, and any changes made or needed.

HUD Eviction Protection Grant Program

Ben Larsen, Lantz McGinnis-Brown, McAllister Hall, Vanessa Fry

IPI does data management for the HUD Eviction Protection Grant Program in partnership with Idaho Legal Aid Services and other partners across Idaho, Montana, and Utah. The program provides low-income households with free eviction legal services and representation. In April, IPI cleaned and compiled the Year 3 Quarter 1 data to be submitted to HUD.

Spring 2024 MPA Capstone Showcase

This semester’s Masters of Public Administration Capstone students presented the results of their projects conducted for seven service-learning community partners:

City of Victor – Historical Site Strategic Planning

The City of Victor is reconsidering use of the historic train depot that is a landmark of the community. Students provided technical assistance to help Victor create a strategic plan for the site including goals, measurable objectives, and strategies for community feedback. 

Living Independence Network Corporation (LINC) – Models of Independent Living

LINC is trying to differentiate themselves and other independent living centers that serve people with disabilities from institutionalized care facilities. Students conducted a nationwide survey of Centers for Independent Living in order to learn how folks across the USA are addressing this issue.

Our Path Home (OPH) – Impacts From Loss of Public Spaces

OPH needs to understand the potential socio-economic impacts of the loss of public spaces on those experiencing homelessness. Students conducted a case study of the Cooper Court neighborhood in Boise to get a sense of how services will be impacted by privatization of the area. 

City of Boise – Goathead Mitigation Strategic Planning

The City of Boise Parks and Recreation needed assistance with the long-term planning of Goathead mitigation. Students provided technical assistance to help Boise create a strategic plan that brings together stakeholders and established measurable goals for ongoing success. 

BSU Transportation and Parking/Office of Sustainability – Transportation Mode Shift

Boise State is hoping to better understand why campus community members choose their mode of transportation and what incentives shift to options that lower carbon emissions. Students conducted a focus group of faculty, staff, and students to get to know the reasons why people choose their mode of transportation and stories about using alternate modes of transportation to campus. 

City of Boise – Zoning Code Qualitative Research Pilot

The City of Boise is evaluating the new zoning ordinance adopted in 2023. Students conducted pilot interviews with recent applicants to better understand the strengths and barriers of the new application process. 

Idaho Hunger Relief Task Force (IHRTF) – Food Security Policy Best Practices

IHRTF has established a statewide research agenda for 2024-25 that will better understand gaps in food assistance programming and foster greater collaboration between stakeholders. Students conducted case studies of Idaho and several surrounding states to learn about best practices in food security policy across the Western USA.

CUPSO Annual Conference Presentation

Director Vanessa Fry presented in a panel at the annual conference for the Consortium of University Public Service Organizations (CUPSO). The panel focused on housing and homelessness challenges and solutions in states across the country. Vanessa spoke specifically on the work IPI has done surrounding this in Idaho.

CUPSO Annual Conference Poster Session

McAllister Hall presented a poster at the CUPSO conference. The poster outlined the unique ways in which IPI engages students at the institute.

Poster Presentation at Idaho Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Annual Meeting

Ben Larsen participated in a poster presentation at the IAND conference in Moscow, Idaho. This was a collaboration with professors from Idaho State University’s Nutrition and Dietetics Department, as well as The Idaho Foodbank. The presentation was titled “Leveraging the White House National Strategy on Hunger and participatory research theory to establish a statewide food security research agenda.”

SHIBA Program Evaluation

Ben Larsen, Cheong Kim, and Emily Pape presented the results of the Senior Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) Program Effectiveness Study with SHIBA staff in the Idaho Department of Insurance. Details were provided about data collection methods including surveys with volunteer Medicare Counselors and past SHIBA beneficiaries, as well as interviews with SHIBA staff, community partners, and staff from programs in other states. IPI also reviewed the best practices identified in the final evaluation report.

IPI Director named President of CUPSO

Idaho Policy Institute Director, Vanessa Fry, has been named President of the Consortium of University Public Service Organization, also known as CUPSO. Organized in 1979, CUPSO supports university-based public service institutes in their efforts to assist state and local governments on a range of contemporary issues and challenges. CUPSO facilitates networking, information exchange, and collaboration among its member institutions.

“ADUs boom under Boise’s new zoning code; Pilot to incentivize affordable rents fails” Boise Dev, April 03, 2024

“City Of Boise and Leap Housing Seek Applications For Next Phase of Tiny Home Pilot, Adding RVs” City of Boise, April 03, 2024

“Organizers in Idaho Are Readying for an Abortion Rights Ballot Initiative” truthout, April 19, 2024