Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQ’s) that have resulted from this referral service.

I AM AN IDAHO WOMAN WHO WANTS TO START HER OWN BUSINESS. HOW DO I START THE PROCESS AND WHAT HELP IS AVAILABLE TO ME?

I AM A SINGLE PARENT, DIVORCED WOMEN, OR DISPLACED HOMEMAKER AND I NEED TRAINING AND HELP TO GET BACK INTO THE WORKFORCE. WHO CAN I CALL?

I AM A VICTIM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. WHAT HELP IS AVAILABLE FOR ME AND MY CHILDREN?

I NEED MEDICAL ASSISTANCE FOR ME AND/OR MY CHILDREN. HOW DO I GET HELP?

I NEED LEGAL ADVICE. HOW DO I GET HELP?

I HAVE A SEXUAL HARASSMENT SITUATION AT WORK. WHAT CAN I DO?

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I AM AN IDAHO WOMAN WHO WANTS TO START HER OWN BUSINESS. HOW DO I START THE PROCESS AND WHAT HELP IS AVAILABLE TO ME?

There are three good sources of information on starting a business in Idaho; The Idaho Small Business Solutions, U.S. Small Business Administration, and the Idaho Small Business Development Center.

The Idaho Small Business Solutions is a website that provides a lot of valuable information for women who are planning to start or expand a business. The website is www.idahobizhelp.org.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is a federal program that provides specific and detailed information on starting a business in Idaho and they offer workshops that help people go through the paperwork process of starting a business. They list their services as financial business management and government procurement assistance programs, surety bond guarantee services, and Minority Business Assistance Program. They offer help to Women under their special interest group help.  The SBA has an office in Boise has a large reference library.
Their website is www.sba.gov/financing/special/women.html.

Small Business Administration:
380 East Parkcenter Blvd, Ste 330
Boise, Idaho 83706
(208) 334-1996
Fax: (208) 334-9353

Idaho Small Business Development Centers in Idaho are located in several places around Idaho. They have information on management consulting, market research, business feasibility and planning seminars, workshops, and entrepreneurial training programs.  Their website is www.idahosbdc.org.

Idaho Small Business Development Centers

Boise State University, College of Business
1910 University Drive
Boise, Idaho 83725
(208) 385-1640
(800) 225-3815
Fax: (208) 385-3877

Idaho State University SBDC
2300 North Yellowstone
Idaho Falls, Idaho 83401
(208) 523-1087
Fax: (208) 523-1049

Lewis-Clark College SBDC
500 8th Ave.
Lewiston, Idaho 83501
(208) 792-2465
(800) 933-5272
Fax: (208) 799-2878

Idaho State University SBDC
1651 Alvin Ricken Drive
Pocatello, Idaho 83201
(208) 232-4921
(800) 232-4921
Fax: (208) 233-0268

North Idaho College SBDC
525 West Clearwater Loop
Post Falls, Idaho 83854
(208) 666-8009

College of Southern Idaho SBDC
PO BOX 1238
Twin Falls, Idaho 83303
(208) 732-6450

META - MicroEnterprise Training &Assistance.  They offer Business Plan Trainin, Counseling and Lending.
Contact information:
META
1607 W. Jefferson Street
Boise, Idaho  83702
(208) 336-5533
Fax: (208) 336-0880
www.metaidaho.org

For legal help contact the Small Business Legal Clinic.  This is sponsored by the University of Idaho College of Law and provides legal aid to businesses that are starting up, growing, redefining, or just looking for ways to expand their bottom line.  Clinic work is done by students under close supervision of a faculty member.  For more information visit www.law.uidaho.edu.

The Idaho Transportation Department is the administrator of the U.S. Idaho Transportation Department Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program (DBE).  This is a program that gives preference to businesses that are owned and controlled by socially disadvantaged individuals.  Women are considered to fall within this designation.  If you are interested you can contact the Idaho Transportation Department at (208) 334-8567 or online at www.itd.idaho.gov.

 

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I AM A SINGLE PARENT, DIVORCED WOMAN, OR DISPLACED HOMEMAKER AND I NEED TRAINING AND HELP TO GET BACK INTO THE WORKFORCE. WHO CAN I CALL?

“Need a new direction?” Funded in cooperation with the State Division of Vocational Education, the CENTERS FOR NEW DIRECTIONS IN IDAHO are a wonderful resource for single parents, homemakers re-entering the workforce, or displaced homemakers. They offer career information, support groups, training and educational information, job-seeking skills and more. Special services are offered for women interested in mechanical and technical occupations and young moms age 21 and younger.

The following are the locations of the Centers for New Directions in Idaho:

North Idaho College
1000 West Garden Avenue
Coeur d’Alene ID 83814
(208) 769-3445

The College of Southern Idaho
315 Falls Ave.
P.O. Box 1238
Twin Falls, ID 83301
(208) 733-9554, ext.2680 or 1-800-680-0274, ext. 2680

Lewis-Clark State College
Reid Centennial Hall
500 8th Ave.
Lewiston, ID 83501
(208) 799-2331 or 1-800-879-0454

Boise State University
1910 University Drive
Boise, ID 83725
(208) 426-4026

Eastern Idaho Technical College
1600 South 2500 East
Idaho Falls, ID 83404
(208) 524-3000, ext. 3318 or 1-800-662-0261

Idaho State University
Campus Box 8380
Pocatello, ID 83209
(208) 282-2454

Idaho Division of Professional and Technical Education
650 West State Street
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0095
(208) 334-3216

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I AM A VICTIM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. WHAT HELP IS AVAILABLE FOR MY CHILDREN AND ME?

In cases of domestic violence, we refer callers to the Idaho Council on Domestic Violence, 1-800-291-0463 or (208) 334-6512. See their home page at www2.state.id.us/crimevictim/index.cfm.

The national domestic violence hotline number is 1-800-799-7233 and the Idaho State Domestic Violence hotline is 1-800-669-3176.  You may call the Idaho 211 Careline by dialing 211 on your phone.

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I NEED MEDICAL ASSISTANCE FOR ME AND/OR MY CHILDREN. HOW DO I GET HELP?

Pick up the phone and dial 211. Idaho 211 Careline is a service that helps you find health related services in your area in the fields of women’s and children’s programs, family planning, prenatal services, infant and child development, parenting and family resources and medical/dental referrals.

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I NEED LEGAL ADVICE. HOW DO I GET HELP?

We send people a copy of our legal handbook, “Idaho Laws, a Guide for Women and Families,” and refer them to the Idaho State Bar Lawyer Referral Service at www.idaho.gov/isb or call (208) 334-4500, the Idaho Volunteer Lawyer’s Program at http://www2.idaho.gov/pub_info/ivlp.htm or call (208) 334-4510, or their local Legal Aid Office: Boise – 345-0106; Caldwell – 454-2591; Coeur d’Alene – 667-9559; Idaho Falls – 524-3660; Lewiston – 743-1556; Pocatello – 233-0079; Twin Falls – 734-7024.  The website for Idaho Legal Aid Services in www.idaholegalaid.org.   For free Interactive Court Forms visit www.idaholegalaid.org or www.courtselfhelp.idaho.gov. 

The full text of our legal handbook is available on this website (go to our home page and click on the "Legal" section).

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I HAVE A SEXUAL HARASSMENT SITUATION AT WORK. WHAT CAN I DO?

Contact the Idaho Human Rights Commission at 334-2873 or toll free at 1-888-249-7025. They have staff available to handle grievances or can give advice as to how to take other action.  Visit their website at www2.idaho.gov/ihrc/.