The C.A.S.H. campaign promotes greater use of this important tax credit that provides up to $4,716 per family as well as other tax credits that put money directly into the hands of low income, working people and ultimately impacts the entire region economically. The 2008 campaign included a greater focus on preventing the use of high interest refund anticipation loans (RAL’s). In addition, Partners for Prosperity has explored new avenues with our partners to expand financial education and the financial capacity of those who have low-incomes. Partners for Prosperity continues to partner with the State American Association of Retired Persons, the Internal Revenue Service and other organizations to promote no-cost tax preparation sites and services for low income people. For the combined tax years of 2005 and 2006, Partners for Prosperity helped save low-income tax filers over $972,000 in tax preparation fees and worked to increase EITC utilization in eastern Idaho by over $1 million.

Video Ad Campaign
EITC Policy Brief
EITC Employer Guide

This program teaches young people about saving money, acquiring assets and investing for the future. In addition, students learn about careers in the financial industry by forming a board of directors, writing bylaws and operating the bank. Students open actual interest bearing savings accounts for the school year. The program is currently in 3 area schools with future schools set to participate in the program. Already, children have saved over $3,000 through this program.

This Initiative focuses on expansion of early childhood programs and services as a preventive approach to poverty reduction. Programs include quality childcare, strengthening families, and public awareness. Rural outreach is made possible by the use of the On Wheels Learning Mobiles, where over 150 children currently receive quality preschool services in communities with limited access. Over 3,000 literacy kits have been distributed this year to low income families, particularly in rural areas, providing a strong base for literacy within the home. Finally, Partners for Prosperity has begun to explore policy issues impacting early childhood education across the region and statewide.

The Adult Education & Workforce Development effort brings regional partners together to identify barriers and gaps in education services. The focus of the Working Group is to create a strategic plan for adult education services that will increase the capacity of low-income adults through education and job readiness skills that lead to job attainment paying better than a minimum wage. Partners for Prosperity recently partnered with a homeless shelter in Idaho Falls to create a unique community based program where GED services and testing are provided on-site. This has led to a dramatic increase in low-income individuals signing up for the classes and obtaining their GED diploma. In addition, Partners for Prosperity has worked with the Fort Hall community to help establish a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program on the Reservation. Both of these programs provide unique, community-specific solutions for adults to enhance their education and technical skills, leading to fulfilling employment and higher wages.

The Math, Science & Technology Initiative promotes more effective K-12 education in order to help our young people pursue careers in the science/tech fields—typically careers that pay more than a living wage while at the same time providing a skilled regional workforce. Partners for Prosperity partners with the National Energy Foundation, Idaho Tech Prep and other programs to ensure that the initiative does not become an “unfunded mandate” for local school districts.

RWIT was created to increase the prosperity of the eastern Idaho region through education, industry involvement, and economic and workforce development. RWIT serves as a facilitator for the networking of regional stakeholders, assisting in the alignment of available resources, supporting the individual missions of its members, and serving as a catalyst for the innovative opportunities which can shape our future. RWIT is developing a “strategic plan” or “blueprint” to guide our efforts in promoting the growth of businesses, individuals, and the community while helping eastern Idaho become more competitive regionally, nationally, and globally.

RWIT WEBSITE

ESTEC is an innovative partnership with the Idaho National Laboratory and Idaho State University: College of Technology, to deliver Energy Technician Training that meets a workforce shortage and provides opportunities for high paying jobs. Currently, ESTEC provides the only training in the nation related to instrumentation and automation in the energy sector. Partners for Prosperity and its partners have worked to bring this program to low-income and minority populations who are traditionally under-represented in this field. With millions of dollars leveraged, the ESTEC program is poised for long-term success.

The Latino Community Economic Development effort focuses on assisting low-income Latino community members in entrepreneurial training and technical support. Through the support of Partners for Prosperity, a grass roots group of Latino community members have formally established the Latino Economic And Development Center (LEAD) to assist Latino community members in small business training and technical assistance. In addition, we have partnered with Southeast Idaho Council of Governments to administer a micro-loan program for Latino business owners. The micro-loan fund provides access to capital for many current and aspiring Latino entrepreneurs. Future efforts include looking at building a Mercado, which would serve as a business cooperative for Latino-based businesses in providing goods, services and food to the regional community with an authentic Latino flavor.

LEAD WEBSITE
LEAD Information Packet

This program provides a matched savings account and financial training for low income people to purchase a house, start a small business or pursue post-secondary education. Partners for Prosperity partners with local Community Action Partnership agencies, the United Way and others to help make this program available.

Our May festival helps to promote our regional diversity and creates awareness about poverty and its consequences. We encourage eastern Idahoans to get to know their neighbors by sharing food, enjoying entertainment and learning about the organizations and resources across the region. This fun and exciting event is attended by thousands of people at the eastern Idaho state fairgrounds each year.

Transportation, or a lack of transportation, seems to be a significant barrier to overcoming poverty. We have currently joined forces with regional partners to study the transportation issue and develop a plan to address common concerns. Partners for Prosperity has the opportunity the partner with the Yellowstone Business Partnership on a grant to conduct a transportation study for the tri-state area around Yellowstone Park, including the 16 county region served by Partners for Prosperity.