Gem Connection Feature Stories

March Health Observances

National Nutrition Month

Celebrate National Nutrition Month by making healthy choices! Learn more about nutrition basics and how to plan balanced meals.

Learn more nutrition tips

Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Stay informed and talk to your doctor about getting screened for colorectal cancer.

Learn more about colorectal health

National Poison Prevention Week

Some simple steps can help keep you and your home safe and prevent poisonings this National Poison Prevention Week.

Learn more about poison prevention

National Kidney Month

Did you know that an estimated 37 million people in the United States have chronic kidney disease?

Learn how you can improve your kidney health

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March EAP Trainings from BPA Health

For Employees and Management:

Understanding Your EAP

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

12:00pm – 12:30pm MST

Register Here!

Healthy Boundaries and Work Life Balance

Tuesday, March 19, 2024

12:00pm – 1:00pm MST

Register Here!

Bonding with Pets- Best (Furry) Friends

Available Starting March 19, 2024.

Login to your EAP at bpahealth.com click “Member Resources” and look for the online seminar tab.

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IDeal College Savings

Since 2001, IDeal has helped tens of thousands of families save for education, whether their dreams include enrolling in a college or university in or outside Idaho, a workforce training program or a qualified apprenticeship. IDeal provides built-in tax advantages, flexible uses, and easy enrollment that can help make education and training attainable for all Idahoans.

The tax benefits of saving through the Idaho 529 program include an Idaho state tax deduction of up to $6,000 for a single filer and $12,000 for a couple filing jointly per year from adjusted gross income. Any Idaho taxpayer who contributes to an IDeal – Idaho 529 can take the state tax deduction. You don’t have to be the account owner to contribute and take the state deduction. It’s a great way for grandparents, other family, or friends to give a meaningful gift to a loved one. In addition, funds invested in Idaho’s 529 program grow tax deferred for both state and federal tax, as long as the funds are used for a qualified education expense.¹

Starting an account is simple. You just need the account owner and beneficiary’s social security numbers. Then, visit idsaves.org, choose an initial contribution amount (as low as $25) and a payment method, and choose an investment option. It’s as simple as that.

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Idaho Transportation Department

What are some interesting facts about ITD?

ITD is appropriated 1,592 employees, and we provide a direct service to the public.  We are the owners and operators of an integrated system of over 12,000 lane miles and 1,800 bridges.  We operate the Division of Motor Vehicles, partnering with over 100 county DMV offices to process more than 3.6 million total transactions each year.

Our Division of Aeronautics supports Idaho’s aviation community by assisting over 60 community airports with grant opportunities and airport planning.  ITD operates and maintains 32 backcountry airstrips, providing safety and education, and leading aviation search and rescue.

The Public Transportation Office leads statewide public grant administration and assists the state’s 49 public transportation providers.

Our agency operates under the direction of the seven-member Idaho Transportation Board.  The governor appoints the board members, who are confirmed by the Idaho Senate.

We celebrate innovation at ITD.  We have an employee-driven innovation program that is celebrating 10 years, in place since 2014.  Our employees vote to select and recognize the best of the best innovations each year.  Our innovative culture is who we are.  Last year, we calculate that ITD employee innovations saved about $12 million dollars.

How is ITD involved in the community, other than infrastructure?

External outreach is one of our five focus areas.  Here are just a few examples of ways we are connecting with our communities:

• ACE Academy is designed to introduce high school students to aviation and space-related careers. As a participant in the ACE program, activities may involve field trips, forums, and a hands-on satellite project.

• We have an Aviation art contest each year and put together a calendar.  First place gets to ride in an airplane and a copy of their artwork signed by Governor Little.

• The Adopt-A-Highway started in 1990.  Volunteer groups commit to pick up trash from the roadside along a two-mile stretch of highway twice per year, deposit it in bags provided by ITD, and department maintenance crews then gather the bagged litter and haul it away.  Over the years, the Adopt-a-Highway program has accounted for millions of dollars in savings that were then redirected to highway construction and needed maintenance to improve highway and bridges.

• Through the Operation Wildflower Program, individuals and groups have the opportunity to volunteer in ITD-approved wildflower planting on certain approved highway sections.

• Our Office of Highway Safety focuses on behavioral safety and does many events out in the community.  They have car seat technicians throughout Idaho to check car seats for anyone who would like to take advantage of this free service.  They also go to schools and community groups to talk about seat belt safety, engaged driving and other important ways to drive safely.  They also do a seat belt demo using a Barbie jeep and eggs to demonstrate the importance of buckling up.  They have a Shift campaign using Stanley the Sasquatch, who invites everyone to drive well, Idaho. 

• SNOW, or “Safely Navigate our Winter,” is an employee-led public outreach program to teach drivers about winter driving and snowplow safety. Employees visit driver’s education classes, schools and more to teach directly to the next generation of drivers. The goal is to prevent crashes between cars and snowplows.

When was ITD founded?

The Idaho Legislature created the State Highway Commission in 1913.  In 1950, the Idaho Department of Highways was reorganized and placed under the direction of a governing board.  The Idaho Department of Highways became the Idaho Transportation Department 50 years ago, in 1974.

What are the services that ITD provides?

Administration: Office of Civil Rights, Office of Communication, Governmental Affairs, Financial Planning, Highway Safety, Procurement, Internal Review, Economics and Research

Aeronautics: 61 community airports; 32 backcountry airstrips; search and rescue

DMV: registrations; plates; titles; driver’s licenses; ID cards; motor carrier services; ports of entry; vehicles dealers; 3.6 million transaction in over 100 county offices

Highways: Asset Management, Central Lab, Public Transportation, Bridge, Environmental Services, Highway Design, Right of Way, Design and Construction, Planning and Scoping, Operations and Maintenance, Data Analytics, Construction and Materials

Enterprise Technology Services and HR

What is the mission, vision, and values?

Mission: Your Safety.  Your Mobility.  Your Economic Opportunity

Vision: Enhancing quality of life through transportation

Five Focus Areas: Employee Safety, Ideal Workplace, Invest with Purpose, External Outreach, Innovation

((See attached document showing how it all works together))

What locations does ITD have? I know you have regional offices and the headquarters, but I wasn’t sure if there were any other you wanted to mention?  

ITD has a HQ in Boise, and is broken down into six districts:

• District 1 is based out of Coeur d’Alene
• District 2 is based out of Lewiston
• District 3 is based out of Boise
• District 4 is based out of Shoshone
• District 5 is based out of Pocatello
• District 6 is based out of Rigby

We also have an Aeronautics building located on the southeast portion of the Boise Airport.  We have more than 700 facilities total throughout the state, including Supply Shops, Maintenance Buildings and Rest Areas.