Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Center for Public Policy & Administration do?
CPPA is a non-partisan policy center that provides unbiased policy research, program evaluation and outreach along with academic instruction for future and current policy makers and administrators.
What is Public Policy and Policy Analysis?
According to Charles L. Cochran and Eloise F. Malone in Public Policy, Perspectives & Choices (1999), Public Policy is the study of government decisions and actions designed to deal with a matter of public concern. Policy Analysis describes the investigations that produce accurate and useful information for decision makers.
What is the organizational structure of CPPA?
CPPA is a component of the Institute for Public and International Affairs (IPIA), which is housed in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Utah.
How is CPPA funded?
CPPA is supported by the University of Utah, and receives funding from research and technical assistance contracts with public and nonprofit organizations.
How can policy makers and administrators use CPPA?
CPPA provides independent policy research on important state, local and regional issues that is disseminated to policymakers throughout Utah. We also perform commissioned research, program evaluation and organizational analysis on a contractual basis.
How does the State Legislature use CPPA?
CPPA provides a monthly electronic periodical that provides the latest data on topics that are relevant to current legislation. Our Policy Briefs are available to legislators for more in-depth research on current state policy issues. CPPA representatives attend yearly legislative sessions and monthly interim committee meetings to ensure timeliness and effectiveness of current research agendas.
Who are CPPA’s clients?
A small sample of our current clients includes:
- State of Utah, Workforce Services
- Utah City Managers Association
- Utah Municipal Clerks Institute and Academy
- County Auditors, Clerks, Recorders and Treasures
- Utah Attorney General's Office
- Utah Judicial Institute, Administrative Office of the Courts
- Social Security Administration
- Utah Division of Community & Family Health
- Federal Election Assistance Commission
What can CPPA do for the media?
CPPA research and analysis results are available to the media for an unbiased look at the issues that are important to current and future citizens of the western region. Beyond our immediate staff, our vast network of research associates can provide a wide variety of data on issues that are relevant and current to the media and press.
What is in the future for CPPA?
CPPA looks forward to providing:
- Public forums for citizens and policy makers to discuss current issues
- Institute for Performance Management
- Westside Leadership Institute
- Election Research Center