2000 Best Practice Awards
Program and Geographical Winners: Idaho
Best Practice: Statewide Accessibility Standards
Legislation
Idaho Implements a Standardized Statewide
Accessibility Standards Legislation
Boise.
Sponsored by Senators Larry Craig and Mike Crapo, this Best Practice organized
an unprecedented grassroots coalition to undertake the task of developing
consistent statewide accessibility standards for buildings covered under
the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Fair Housing Act. Coalition
members included disability advocates, architects, developers, builders,
business owners, building officials, realtors, and representatives from
the Association of Idaho Cities, the Association of Idaho Counties, the
state legislature and the governor's office. The work of the coalition and
its final outcome a statewide building code with comprehensive accessibility
components will ensure that architects, developers, builders and
owners have an approval and permit process that would provide protection
from accessibility-related fines and litigation. Moreover, the code will
have a significant impact on Idaho residents with disabilities and their
access to commercial structures and residential opportunities. This change
will promote equality at the most basic level the ability to access
businesses for the purposes of working, shopping, recreating and socializing,
and to have accessible housing, regardless of disability.
Contact: Kelly Buckland, Phone: (208) 334-3800
Tracking Number: 347
Winning Category: Geographical
Best Practice: Nez Perce Young Horseman's Club:
Mounted Scholars Program
Nez Perce Young Horseman's Club Helps Students
with Riding as well as Academics
Lapwai.
"What do you get when you cross horses, computers, and a bunch of kids?"The
Nez Perce Young Horseman's Club. The members of the club come from two predominantly
Native American schools on the Nez Perce Reservation. Some members have
a history of low grades and poor attendance; the goal of the program is
to counter that trend. During the year, the students are tutored in math
and English. Math problems are centered on their interest in horses; for
example they calculate the time and distance of a trail ride-and write daily
entries in their required journals. The young horsemen also spend a week
at the University of Idaho shadowing professors and learning about college.
The program culminates each summer with a one-week encampment at the meadows,
where the youth live in traditional Nez Perce housing, elders tell stories
of the old days, and students ride horses on trails once traveled by their
great-great-grandfathers. The program, open to students ages 8-14, was started
by the Chief Joseph Foundation-a non-profit organization. Although students
are tutored in academic and equine skills, the program's most important
role is to help preserve Nez Perce culture.
Contact: Samuel Penney, Phone: (208) 843-3253
Tracking Number: 2303
Winning Category: Geographical
Best Practice: Contracting to Further Accessibility
Design Compliance
Accessible Design Expert Ensures Fair Housing
Compliance
Idaho (Statewide). Through two innovative contracts with William Worn Architects
PC, the Northwest/Alaska Area FHEO Hub has helped the State of Idaho housing
industry improve compliance with Fair Housing Act Accessibility Design requirements.
The Hub provided the assistance through two contracts for services of an
expert on accessible design and adaptability. Under the first contract,
the expert participated with HUD staff in conciliation negotiations on early
attempts at informal resolution of design and construction complaints. Under
the second contract, the expert provided advice on project design to owners
and architects against whom a complaint had not been filed. As part of the
process, the consultant provided guidance on the correction of potential
violations and estimated the costs of retrofitting the properties to bring
them into compliance. All changes resulted in a better relationship between
HUD and owners/architects who had been reluctant to comply with fair housing
requirements.
Contact: William Worn, Phone: (312) 642-5587
Tracking Number: 365
Winning Category: Program (Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity)
Best Practice: Homeward Bound by Neighborhood
Housing Services, Inc.
Boises Homeless Families Become Self-Sufficient
through Homeward Bound
Boise.
Homeward Bound, originally funded by the city of Boise, the Northwest Area
Foundation and other local corporations, is a model comprehensive two-year
transitional housing program for homeless families with children. Homeward
Bound client families are offered a full range of social services including
career development, education, case management and counseling, budgeting
and credit sessions, nutrition, home maintenance, and parenting workshops.
The program uses scattered-site housing, which removes the stigma of living
in a shelter and allows families to become part of a neighborhood and the
community. Since its creation in 1987, Homeward Bound has served hundreds
of families. Eighty-two percent of the families either have jobs or are
in school and move into permanent housing when leaving the program. Most
families leaving Homeward Bound are no longer receiving health and welfare
benefits. Some families even achieve homeownership during their time in
Homeward Bound.
Contact: Susan Rainey, Phone: (208) 343-4065
Tracking Number: 878
Winning Category: Geographical
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