How is Odyssey supporting Vendors within the Empowering Parents program?

Odyssey cares deeply about the success of Idaho families and Idaho small businesses in the Empowering Parents program. Our commitment is evidenced by the thousands of local offerings provided by the more than 300 Idaho small businesses. In order to make sure we are providing the best possible support to vendors, Odyssey has also assigned additional customer support staff to the Vendor Customer Support team. This means that vendors will be able to receive specialized customer support every time they reach out with questions.

What measures has Odyssey taken to address the higher call volume experienced in Idaho within the Empowering Parents program?

Odyssey has experienced a higher than normal call volume in Idaho due to additional funding being distributed through the Empowering Parents program as well as the migration of existing parents to the new Odyssey marketplace. However, customer support continues to function well. Odyssey has maintained an 87% customer satisfaction rate over the lifetime of the Empowering Parents program, which is considered by most industry standards to be excellent. In response to the higher call volumes, we are instituting changes. We have onboarded additional customer support representatives to handle the increased volume. We have also rolled out a new feature whereby callers can receive texts from our support team. This text allows callers to inform us of their issue while also getting access to resources from our Idaho knowledge base.

Will the Empowering Parents Grant Program receive funding for 2024-25 school year?

“With the adoption of a lower revenue forecast by the legislature’s Economic Outlook and Revenue Assessment Committee, the Governor has put forth options to balance the budget.”

How is pricing monitored on the online Marketplace?

Odyssey manages the online Marketplace. If you have any questions about products, services, or vendors, please direct them to their support team. Additionally, Odyssey has issued the following statement regarding pricing on the online Marketplace:

"Odyssey provides technology solutions that facilitate the connection of families to public funding and education services. We take pride in our close partnership with Governor Little and the Idaho State Board of Education to administer the Empowering Parents program, which has successfully distributed tens of millions of dollars to Idahoans statewide over the last two years.

As part of our commitment to supporting this program, we recently launched an updated online Marketplace for Idaho families. To ensure fair pricing, Odyssey, under the direction of the state, thoroughly reviews all vendor offerings before they are made available on the platform. Similar to other online shopping experiences, such as Amazon, some price variation among vendors is expected and is indicative of a competitive e-commerce marketplace.

It's important to note that Odyssey does not set prices for products and services. However, we conduct continuous reviews of items on the marketplace to prevent any attempts at price gouging. Vendors found engaging in price gouging are promptly flagged, and their offerings are removed from the platform."

Why did Odyssey implement a new online Marketplace in 2024?

“Odyssey is thrilled to roll out an updated version of the marketplace to the families of Idaho. As part of our commitment to always put families and students first, we are pleased to present a new design interface — one that elevates the user-experience while continuing to feature all items approved for purchase using Empowering Parents funds. For any questions or concerns, please reach out to help.id@withodyssey.com."

How do I apply?

Odyssey recently updated its system for the 2023-24 application and online Marketplace. If you’re reapplying, you are required to create a new Parent Account.

I am experiencing issues submitting my application and logging into my account. What should I do?

Contact Odyssey directly for assistance with your Empowering Parents Grant Application at help.id@withodyssey.com or call 208-768-8132.

Can I add more than 3 children to my application?

Grant awards per family are capped at three thousand dollars ($3,000)

How can I check the status of my 2023-24 application?

Log into the Odyssey Parent Portal. You will also receive email notifications regarding the verification, denial, or additional information requirements for your application.

I still have money from my 2022-23 grant award will I be able to use that money on the new online Marketplace?

Yes, the remaining funds from your 2022-23 grant award can be used in the new online Marketplace.

Can I combine my grant awards when making a purchase?

Yes, Odyssey is working on allowing the combination of funds within a household for purchases.

Will I be able to make in-store purchases or pick up items in person?

No, the new marketplace only supports shipping with a tracking number, and in-store purchases or pick-ups are not supported.

How do I find other FAQ’s about the Odyssey online Application and Marketplace?

Explore additional frequently asked questions about the Odyssey online Application and Marketplace here.

What is the purpose of the Empowering Parents program?

The Empowering Parents program provides eligible families with grant funds for use towards eligible education services and devices to help students recover from learning loss. Section 33-1030, Idaho Code, defines eligible education expenses. Eligible education expenses and a chart of commonly approved and denied items.

Parents shop through approved vendors in the Empowering Parents online marketplace.

How will this program help students?

As parents and guardians try to help their students recover from 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 is being done to prevent fraud?

All vendors integrated into the Empowering Parents online marketplace platform are pre-approved. Families will be able to use grant funds to acquire materials from the approved vendors. This ensures compliance and transparency, as well as streamlines the processing time for requests. The Empowering Parents platform automates the tracking and reconciliation of all the purchases, so there will be no work required by the parents to submit receipts or expense reports when selecting from these vendors. Eligible families will have their adjusted gross income verified through the Idaho Tax Commission based on their previous year filing. Families may need to provide additional information verifying their eligible student grade if they cannot be verified through Idaho public school records.

Who is eligible for the funds?

ALL Idaho school aged children are eligible regardless of whether they attend a public school, private school or are homeschooled.

Awards will be prioritized based on the parent or guardian’s adjusted gross income, starting with eligible families earning $60,000 per year or less.

Idaho Law (Section 33-1029, Idaho Code) requires income eligibility be based on the parent or guardian’s adjusted gross income verified with the Idaho Tax Commission from the previous year’s filing. While everyone is not required to file an Idaho tax return, only individuals who did file will be eligible for the program. State law does not allow discretion on using anything other than the applicants AGI verified by the Idaho Tax Commission.

How do I determine my income eligibility?

Idaho Law (Section 33-1029, Idaho Code) requires Income eligibility be based on the parent or guardian’s adjust gross income for the prior year as verified by the Idaho Tax Commission. With the awards being distributed in 2023, the prior year is 2022. Income eligibility will be verified using the applicants 2022 Idaho State adjusted gross income from personal (not business) tax returns. We are unable to take income information from prior years or consideration of recent employment status changes. All tax information will be verified with the ID Tax Commissioners office.

How will this work if my child lives in a split household?

No student may be used to determine eligibility in more than one family. Parents may be asked to verify legal custody of the child.

What if I have a new dependent child in my care?

Please submit documentation regarding a new dependent in your care on the application portal. Documentation could include paperwork form Health and Welfare to verify foster children in your care or custody paperwork.

I was awarded a grant last year can I apply this year?

Yes

How will parents or guardians be able to apply for the funds?

Parents and guardians can apply for an award by filling out the application. Once an application has been submitted and eligibility confirmed, the awards will be made. Funds will be deposited electronically into the parent or guardian Empowering Parents account. Families will be provided instructions on how to log into to their Empowering Parents account to access and use the funds.

What will I need to complete my application?

To complete the verification process, parents must present one of the following documents: a US passport, a government-issued State ID, a driver's license, a Military ID, or a Green Card. Additionally, for child verification, parents must provide one of the following options for their children: a birth certificate, a US passport, a government-issued State ID, a 1040 Federal Tax Return, or a driver's license.

What will I need to verify my Adjusted Gross Income?

The parent’s Social Security Number (SSN) will be required. Only individuals who file will be eligible for the program. State law does not allow discretion on using anything other than the applicant’s AGI verified by the Idaho Tax Commission.

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. Additional awards will be made based on individuals with adjusted gross incomes up to $75,000 followed by any remaining funds being awarded to individuals with adjusted gross incomes of $75,000 or above.

What if my application is denied?

If your application has been denied you have 5 days to submit a request for reconsideration to Heather Zeitlin at heather.zeitlin@osbe.idaho.gov. Please include your name, email address, phone number and reason you are requesting your application be reconsidered.

What are Educational Expenses?

Section 33-1030, Idaho Code, defines eligible education expenses. All education expenses are required to be used to support a student’s current class or curriculum needs.

Eligible education expenses and a chart of commonly approved and denied items.

As agreed, in the signed Parent Acknowledgment all funds distributed through the Empowering Parents Grant Program are to be used for eligible education expenses and therefore used to support a student’s current class or curriculum or identified through a student’s individual education plan (IEP) as necessary to facilitate their learning. The use of the funds may be subject to audit by the state of Idaho. If funds are found to have been used for non-eligible expenses, parents will be required to repay the funds, and confirmed misuse of funds will result in the denial of eligibility for future grants.

How do providers of such services as tutoring, therapy, and courses connect to be paid by parents through the Empowering Parents system?

Service providers will be required to complete an online form and register with Odyssey. Once a service provider has been approved, they will receive instructions on how to set up their accounts to receive payments.

Can I get reimbursed for educational expenses purchased outside of the platform?

Reimbursements are not available through this program. All awarded funds must be used in the Empowering Parents online marketplace.

If I receive a grant, how long do I have to spend the funds through Empowering Parents online marketplace?

Applicants receiving Empowering Parents awards will have 24 months to spend the funds through the Empowering Parents platform. Any unspent funds will be returned to the State of Idaho.

What can I buy for my student?

Participating Idaho families can use funds from their Empowering Parents account through the Empowering Parents online marketplace to purchase items.

Eligible education expenses and a chart of commonly approved and denied items..

If you are a vendor and would like to offer your services on the online marketplace, please find more information here.

The 2023/24 application is here.

How is Odyssey supporting Vendors within the Empowering Parents program?

Odyssey cares deeply about the success of Idaho families and Idaho small businesses in the Empowering Parents program. Our commitment is evidenced by the thousands of local offerings provided by the more than 300 Idaho small businesses. In order to make sure we are providing the best possible support to vendors, Odyssey has also assigned additional customer support staff to the Vendor Customer Support team. This means that vendors will be able to receive specialized customer support every time they reach out with questions.