Empowering Parents
Empowering Parents program.
Idaho parents and guardians are facing many challenges as they try to help their students recover from learning loss caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Grant support is available to help Idaho students from kindergarten through grade 12 whose education has been disrupted by the pandemic.
The Empowering Parents program provides resources to help parents improve their students’ learning.
Eligible Families
Receive a credit for $1,000 per child up to $3,000 per family to be used in the Empowering Parents online marketplace. Once the account is created and eligibility verified, monies are deposited into the awardees account and are available to be spent over a 24 month period.
Eligible purchases include computers and technology, internet access, instructional materials, tutoring services, and educational services and therapies through approved vendors in the Empowering Parents online marketplace.
Eligibility Requirements
This is a program available for people who meet the following:
- Resident of Idaho
- Submitted an individual tax return for calendar year 2021, or were exempt from filing and filed a form 40
- Have children in grades k-12 living in Idaho
Frequently Asked Questions
How will this program help students?
COVID-19 disrupted student learning across the state. As parents and guardians try to help their students recover from this learning loss, Idaho students need access to additional supports necessary to meet their individual learning needs. Empowering Parents allows families to purchase the educational resources most likely to help their children succeed academically.
How much will eligible families receive?
Each eligible family will have access to $1,000 per eligible student, with a maximum award of $3,000 per family.
What can I buy for my student?
Participating Idaho families can use funds from their Empowering Parents account through the Empowering Parents online marketplace (Odyssey) to purchase:
- Educational materials, software, applications, curriculum, and other educational products
- Computer hardware, internets access, and technological devices or services that are used
to meet a participant's education needs - Fees for national standardized assessments, examinations for college, industry
certifications, and advanced placement - Therapies, including occupational, behavioral, physical, speech-language, and audiology
- Educational programs
How will parents or guardians be able to apply for the funds?
Parents and guardians can apply for an award by clicking the link below (Apply Now) and filling out the application through the Odyssey website. Once an application has been submitted and eligibility confirmed the awards will be made.
When will I know if I'm approved?
Awards will be announced in three waves, with families with adjusted gross incomes of $60,000 or less being funded first. The first award notices to families will be made within 30 days of a completed application. This will be followed by individuals with adjusted gross incomes of up to $75,000. The final wave will be issued to individuals with adjusted gross incomes of $75,000.
