January 26, 2021
BOISE, Idaho
2020 By The Numbers
In 2020, Access Idaho became an “Indispensable and Essential” service to state & local entities across Idaho. As offices shut down or limited access due to COVID-19, we provided everything needed to operate citizen-friendly digital services. Our flexible, long-term contract, that any state or local government can use, proved extremely valuable in streamlining the procurement process and delivering services immediately when citizens shifted from in-person to online overnight.
By the end of 2020, we were collaborating with
Agency Website Conversions
The staff at Access Idaho were quick to help in the fight against COVID-19, pulling together web sites critical for public communication on practically a moment's notice. They shifted priorities to deliver effective online resources to help the public understand the severity of the disease and our response to it. Thank you to the folks at Access Idaho for the important role they continue to play in getting us through the pandemic. |
App Engine
In 2020, it was essential to rapidly launch a new automated business process to reduce or replace paper forms arriving by mail, fax and walk-in traffic. Access Idaho responded with App Engine, a form-builder that is PCI compliant. It allowed agencies to replace paper forms (PDF, Word docs, coffee-stained paper on your desk, etc.) and convert to an online/electronic process at no cost.
- Administration, Department of Masks Gloves Supplies Customer Registration (appengine.egov.com/apps/id/mgs)
- Bean Commission Bean School
- Career & Technical Education Program Registration
- Children's Trust Fund, Health & Welfare Event Registration
- Environmental Quality, Department of Permit Training
- Health and Welfare, Department of New Born Screening Kits (appengine.egov.com/apps/id/idhw/newborn)
- Meridian, City of License Renewal (appengine.egov.com/apps/id/meridian/alcohol)
- STEM Event Registration
COVID Creates a Need for Innovative Solutions
With government offices closed or with limited hours due to COVID-19, Idaho residents preferring to pay for local or state government services with cash have been left without many options. In the past Access Idaho would direct unbanked citizens to purchase a prepaid debit card, but growing calls and emails on this topic triggered us to explore a new idea for the state.
In 2020, we approached First Data (now Fiserv), our credit card processor who offers a service called CheckFreePay. This is a bill payment solution for consumers who prefer to pay their bills in person at a retail location. In Idaho, this service is located at Walmart, Fred Meyer, Smiths (Magic Valley) and Short Stop Grocery (Pocatello & Idaho Falls).
The concept is that these retail locations are open on weekends and have extended hours, well beyond state agencies’ hours. This service allows citizens and noncitizens who lack accounts at formal financial institutions, or who have limited bank access, to pay in cash. The retailer then sends the payment to Access Idaho for distribution to an Idaho state or local government account.
Example user experience:
- An Idaho resident prints off a voucher/receipt or saves a QR code on the phone for the intended payment.
- The user takes the voucher/receipt or QR code to Walmart or Fred Meyer customer service counter.
- The store employee inputs the voucher/receipt or scans the QR code for the service information.
- The Access Idaho application interface will identify the correct account and post the cash depot to an agency's service.
- Access Idaho simply moves the funds from store to the proper state or local account as if it was a CC or E-check payment.
Let us know if we can help you with new and innovative ideas like this.
Open for Business and Taking Calls
In following Governor Little's guidelines, the Access Idaho staff is working remotely until further notice. However, thanks to technology, we remain fully functional to continue supporting citizens inquiries, customer services issues (billing, refund requests, password resets, etc.) along with you and your staff.We Create Solutions
All services listed above are provided at no cost to you under the Access Idaho contract, the administrator of Idaho's official Web portal (Idaho.gov) and provider of electronic government solutions for the state. The manager for the portal is NIC Idaho, a subsidiary of NIC.Jeff Walker,
General Manager
208-332-0102
jeff@accessidaho.org
We Create Solutions
Questions about any of the solutions we listed above or want to start working with us? Please contact us.