Applied Research

Academic Interns
Lead Organizations: Ogden School District
Years Funded: 2021 - 2023
A work-based learning program that placed Ogden School District 11th and 12th grade students as paid academic interns in junior high and elementary schools to provide tutoring support for underserved students, including multilingual learners and first-generation college-bound students. The program served over 1,000 students, delivered nearly 3,000 tutoring sessions, and resulted in measurable improvements in reading and writing, while also strengthening career pathways for participating interns.

Adult High School Diplomas and GED
Lead Organization: Weber State University Community Research Extension, Two Rivers High School, Ogden-Weber Technical College
Years Funded: 2019
A research and planning intervention addressing the high number of Ogden adults without a high school diploma or GED. The project produced a gap analysis and recommendations that directly informed the expansion of adult education pathways, including a new dual diploma and technical certificate model that continues to benefit students across Northern Utah.

Benefit Cliffs Research
Lead Organization: OgdenCAN
Partners: Circles USA, The Sutherland Institute, Weber State University Office of Community Research and Evaluation
Years Funded: 2023 - 2026
An eight-month applied research project examining how public benefit cliffs affect individuals and families in Utah.The study produced a comprehensive report with key findings and state and federal policy recommendations, establishing a foundation for continued statewide research and policy reform focused on upward mobility.

Upward Mobility and Benefit Cliffs Summit
Partners: Weber State University, United Way of Northern Utah, Sutherland Institute,  State and local stakeholders
Years Funded: 2024
A statewide convening that elevated awareness of benefit cliffs as a barrier to upward mobility. The summit shared new research findings, engaged cross-sector leaders, and directly contributed to the formation of a Governor-led workgroup to advance policy solutions.

Cliff Effect Day
Partners: OgdenCAN, Weber State University, Circles USA, OWCAP
OgdenCAN concluded its multi-year benefit cliff research by sponsoring Benefit Cliff Day at the 2025 Circles USA conference held in Ogden City in October 2025. This conference brought Circles USA chapters from across the country to Ogden City. The conference included panel discussions and workshops to continue Cliff Effect work across the country. 

Community Literacy Specialist
Lead Organizations: OgdenCAN, Ogden School District
Years Funded: 2020–2022
A neighborhood-based literacy initiative designed to increase access to books and promote family reading habits. The program installed and maintained Little Neighborhood Libraries, distributed over 15,000 books (including Spanish-language titles), and delivered literacy programs that reached more than 500 families, contributing to increased reading frequency and confidence among parents and caregivers.

Corner Store Network Analysis
Lead Organizations: OgdenCAN, Ogden Food Council, United Way of Northern Utah, Office of Community Research & Evaluation
Years Funded: 2020
A social network analysis examining food distribution barriers faced by corner stores in the East Central Neighborhood. The study identified challenges related to sourcing healthy and culturally appropriate foods and produced actionable recommendations to support future healthy corner store interventions and food system improvements.

Corner Store Organizer
Lead Organizations: OgdenCAN, Ogden Food Council, United way of Northern Utah
Years Funded: 2021–2022
A relationship-building pilot focused on engaging corner store owners and managers to explore opportunities for increasing healthy food options and collaboration. While engagement varied and the pilot concluded early, the effort informed future food system strategies and highlighted the challenges of sustained outreach in this sector.

Food Rescue
Lead Organization: Waste Less Utah
Partners: OgdenCAN, local food donors
Years Funded: 2021–2023
A countywide food rescue program that diverted surplus perishable food from landfills and redistributed it to food-insecure individuals and families, with emphasis on the East Central Neighborhood. Over 22,000 pounds of food were rescued, strengthening food access while reducing waste and supporting local nonprofit partners.

Produce RX
Lead Organization: Utah Department of Health
Partners: OgdenCAN, local clinics, Rancho Markets, Farmers Market Ogden
Years Funded: 2020–2022
A healthy food access program in which healthcare providers prescribed produce vouchers to patients, doubling purchasing power for fruits and vegetables. The initiative improved access to fresh produce for an estimated 300 Ogden families.

Food Ethnography
Lead Organizations: Utah Cancer Action Network & OgdenCAN
Years Funded: 2020–2021
A qualitative research project documenting the food experiences, preferences, and access challenges of East Central Neighborhood residents. Findings were synthesized into a comprehensive report that became the foundational research leading to the creation of the Ogden Food Council.

Food Network Facilitation
Lead Organization: OgdenCAN and the Ogden Food Council
Partners: United Way of Northern Utah, Ogden Food Council members
Years Funded: 2021–2023
Backbone support for the formation and operation of the Ogden Food Council, a cross-sector body focused on improving access to healthy, affordable, and culturally appropriate food. Network facilitation enabled coordination, policy discussions, and the launch of multiple food system interventions that continue under new leadership.

SNAP-Ed Incentives
Lead Organization: USU Extension Create Better Health, Ogden Food Council, OgdenCAN
Years Funded: 2023
A nutrition education and cooking skills class series designed to improve food security and healthy eating behaviors. Participants reported improved budgeting, reduced food waste, and healthier meal planning practices.

Housing Needs Assessment and Advocacy Pilot
Lead Organization: OgdenCAN, Ogden School District, Weber County Intergenerational Poverty Initiative, Ogden-Weber Community Action Partnership
Years Funded: 2019–2025
A pilot housing advocacy initiative providing renters’ rights education, housing search assistance, and tenant counseling. The program filled a critical advocacy gap, supported dozens of households facing complex housing challenges, and contributed to long-term systems changes during the COVID-19 pandemic, including expanded mediation and rent assistance capacity.

Housing Stability Research & Housing Education Series
Lead Organizations: Ogden Weber Community Action Partnership & OgdenCAN Community Leaders Network
Years Funded: 2024-2025
OgdenCAN concluded its multi-year housing research and community engagement, with a housing education series between our Community Leaders Network and in partnership with Ogden-Weber Community Action Partnership (OWCAP), Ogden City Community Development, and Weber Housing Authority. Together these partners hosted a three part Landlord Tenant Education Series through three open houses located at the Eccles Art Center, Youth Futures, and Lester Park.

Interweave Solutions
Lead Organization: OgdenCAN
Partners: Interweave Solutions, Weber State University Community Education Center
Years Funded: 2023
A workforce and entrepreneurship training program supporting low-income residents through self-reliance groups and business education. Participants completed an intensive training series, with graduates launching or expanding small businesses and strengthening economic self-sufficiency.

Financial Stability Pilot
Lead Organization: United Way of Northern Utah and Cottages of Hope
Partners: OgdenCAN, Weber State University Community Research Extension
Years Funded: 2021–2022
A pilot investment supporting expanded financial stability services for East Central Neighborhood residents. Funding enabled Cottages of Hope to broaden access to employment coaching, financial coaching, and supportive services, while United Way of Northern Utah assumed long-term leadership of community-wide financial stability efforts.

SPARC Home: Net Zero Home Construction
Lead Organization: Weber State University SPARC
Partners: OgdenCAN, Weber County Housing Authority
Years Funded: 2019
In 2019, OgdenCAN helped fund the SPARC Home for Sustainable Living, a hands-on demonstration space where anyone can explore practical solutions for sustainable living. The SPARC Home shows real-world ways to save energy, conserve water, and make homes healthier, more efficient, and save on utility costs. Visitors can learn how to take action at home, discover available programs and incentives, and find out how to make upgrades simple, affordable, and impactful. OgdenCAN is excited to partner with the SPARC Home to bring these solutions to East Central. We anticipate a community breakfast with SPARC around these topics in April. 

Noncontingent Home Visits
Lead Organization: Ogden School District
Partners: OgdenCAN, YMCA of Northern Utah, DaVinci Academy
Years Funded: 2020–2021
A pilot relationship-building initiative in which teachers conducted voluntary, non-evaluative home visits to strengthen trust and belonging between schools and families. Despite pandemic disruptions, the program demonstrated promising outcomes in family engagement and student connection.

Rideshare Services for Medical Patients
Lead Organization: Weber-Morgan Health Department
Partners: OgdenCAN, Chronic Care Coalition of Weber County, participating clinics
Years Funded: 2021
A short-term pilot using rideshare services to reduce transportation barriers for low-income patients attending medical appointments. The program supported improved healthcare access and informed future clinic-based transportation strategies.

School-based Health Collaborative
Lead Organization: Midtown Community Health Center
Partners: OgdenCAN, Ogden School District, Voices for Utah Children
Years Funded: 2021–2022
A collaborative planning effort to develop a sustainable school-based health model for Ogden students. The project produced a needs assessment and implementation framework and advanced plans for a hub-and-spoke health and mental health service model aligned with a future community hub.

Summer Reading Program at Mt. Ogden Junior High
Lead Organizations: Mt. Ogden Junior High School, University of Utah Reading Clinic
Years Funded: 2024
A six-week summer literacy intervention providing intensive reading instruction for struggling middle school students. Participants achieved significant reading gains—more than double expected growth—helping prepare students for long-term academic success.

Tutoring / Mentoring / Coaching
Lead Organizations: GEAR UP, United Way of Northern Utah, Ogden School District
Years Funded: 2020–2021
A near-peer tutoring and mentoring program supporting academic recovery and social-emotional readiness for students impacted by COVID-19. The intervention delivered thousands of tutoring hours, enabled credit recovery, and helped students remain on track to graduate.