Projects
To learn more about the projects IPI has worked on this month please click through the tabs above.
Ben Larsen, Cheong Kim, Emily Pape
The Idaho Department of Insurance has partnered with IPI to conduct an analysis of the Idaho Senior Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) program, research approaches to State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs) in other states, and report findings for consideration by the Idaho Department of Insurance (DOI) to improve the effectiveness of the SHIBA program. The project will analyze the effectiveness of four components of the SHIBA program: community partnerships, volunteer management, marketing and outreach, and operational procedures.
In May, IPI created drafts of the interview protocols and survey instruments. IPI also chose 12 other states to research SHIPs in other states. The IPI team also put together a draft list of evaluation definitions and metrics that will be refined in consultation with DOI.
Matthew May, Ben Larsen, Gabe Osterhout, Cheong Kim, Kyle Peterson
The Idaho Commission for Libraries (ICfL) has partnered with Idaho Policy Institute to create the Digital Access for All Idahoans Plan (DAAI), including conducting two statewide surveys, one of Idaho’s general population and one of Idaho’s Spanish-speaking households.
In May, focus groups were wrapped up with events in Pocatello, Preston, and Boise. The statewide surveys of the general population and Spanish-speaking households were completed and topline results were shared with ICfL and other stakeholders. Much of May was spent working through the qualitative coding of the focus group data.
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.
Ben Larsen, Aisha Kayed, Gabe Osterhout, Matthew May, Vanessa Fry, Ellen Schafer
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare has partnered with IPI to evaluate two health media campaigns that have circulated statewide. The first evaluation will consist of a survey to health clinics across Idaho to measure the reach and effectiveness of the Provider Stigma Reduction Campaign. The second evaluation is a survey of Idaho’s general population to measure the reach and effectiveness of the Fentanyl Awareness Campaign. The evaluations will measure the reach and effectiveness of each campaign, as well as general knowledge about the survey topics.
This month, IRB forms were approved for both surveys and the IPI team programmed the Provider Awareness survey in Qualtrics. Both surveys will begin collecting responses in June.
The Spring 2023 MPA Capstone Showcase was held on May 3 to celebrate the students graduating from the MPA program! Over 50 people attended the showcase either in-person or virtually. This semester’s MPA Capstone students presented the results of their projects conducted for six Service-Learning community partners:
Ben Larsen presented the findings of the 2022 Idaho Eviction Study to the Idaho Asset Building Network (IABN). IABN is a working group of practitioners, providers, researchers, and advocates that work on issues of housing access in Idaho.
Cheong Kim, IPI Research Scholar, published an article, “Contracting Out and the Fiscal Sustainability of Public Services,” in Public Performance and Management Review. This article explains how contracting out can contribute to the fiscal sustainability of public services from a principal-agent perspective. Read the article here: Contracting Out and the Fiscal Sustainability of Public Services.
Matthew May and Ben Larsen presented preliminary results from the focus groups and statewide surveys to the DAAI Steering Committee on May 31, 2023. The Steering Committee had a chance to ask questions about the initial results. The presentation also included a comment period on the draft objectives and metrics that IPI will use to develop the final report to ICfL.
This month, IPI celebrated the graduation of four of our student interns and one of our longtime student employees. We can’t wait to see what they do next.
Melanie graduated with her B.F.A. in Graphic Design. She first joined the team through Boise State’s WorkU program in order to grow both her professional and design skills, and continued to work with IPI for three years as a work study student. She moved on to a summer position with the City of Muncie, Indiana.
Melanie graduated with her B.F.A. in Graphic Design. She first joined the team through Boise State’s WorkU program in order to grow both her professional and design skills, and continued to work with IPI for three years as a work study student. She moved on to a summer position with the City of Muncie, Indiana.
Taylor earned a Master of Public Health. Taylor accepted a position as a Health Equity Specialist at Blue Cross of Idaho.
Taylor earned a Master of Public Health. Taylor accepted a position as a Health Equity Specialist at Blue Cross of Idaho.
Kyle earned his Master of Public Health with an emphasis in Prevention and Intervention Programming.
Kyle earned his Master of Public Health with an emphasis in Prevention and Intervention Programming.
KaraLeigh earned a B.S. in Global Studies and Urban Studies & Community Development and minors in Environmental Students and French. Kara accepted a position with Ada County Highway District.
KaraLeigh earned a B.S. in Global Studies and Urban Studies & Community Development and minors in Environmental Students and French. Kara accepted a position with Ada County Highway District.
Nolan graduated with his B.S. in Political Science with an emphasis in International Relations and Comparative Politics. Nolan is headed to Washington D.C. as a summer intern for Jim Risch on the United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.
Nolan graduated with his B.S. in Political Science with an emphasis in International Relations and Comparative Politics. Nolan is headed to Washington D.C. as a summer intern for Jim Risch on the United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.
“Internet access focus groups to be held May 16 and 17”, Idaho State Journal, May 05, 2023
“Who can even afford to live in Meridian? Families are in overcrowded homes, study shows” Idaho Statesman, May 11, 2023
Vanessa Fry, Ph.D.
Vanessa Fry, Ph.D.
Cheong Kim, Ph.D.
Ben Larsen, Ph.D.
Matthew May, Ph.D.
Cheong Kim, Ph.D.
Ben Larsen, Ph.D.
Matthew May, Ph.D.
McAllister Hall, MA
Lantz McGinnis-Brown, MPA
Gabe Osterhout, MA
Emily Pape, MPP
McAllister Hall, MA
Lantz McGinnis-Brown, MPA
Gabe Osterhout, MA
Emily Pape, MPP
Aisha Kayed
Kyle Peterson
Aisha Kayed
Kyle Peterson
Valerie Hayes
Valerie Hayes
Britney Whiting-Looze
Britney Whiting-Looze
Dalten Fox
Elijah Kuisachor
Dalten Fox
Elijah Kuisachor
Zane Cooper
Kellen McGurkin
Emma Redman
Zane Cooper
Kellen McGurkin
Emma Redman