Who We Are
APPRISE is a nonprofit research institute dedicated to collecting and analyzing data and information to assess and improve public programs. Our current research includes work for federal and state governments, agencies, utility companies, and nonprofit organizations.
APPRISE conducts a wide variety of research activities to provide program administrators and stakeholders with a comprehensive understanding of program design, operations, and impact. This research leads to informed recommendations for program improvement.
What We Do
APPRISE research focuses on programs that provide bill payment assistance, energy education, and energy efficiency services to low-income households; and programs that provide incentives for undertaking energy efficiency projects to residential, commercial, and industrial utility customers. The goals of bill payment assistance programs are to improve energy affordability and reduce the problems that are associated with high energy bills. The goals of usage reduction programs are to increase knowledge of energy-saving behaviors, improve energy practices, improve the energy efficiency of the home, reduce energy usage, and improve customer health and safety. The goals of other residential, commercial, and industrial energy programs are to reduce energy usage and transform the market for energy efficient products.
APPRISE News
February 24, 2012
During the month of January, APPRISE participated in the MIT Student/Alumni Externship Program. This program connects current students to alumni in workplaces worldwide during MIT's Independent Activities Period (IAP). The students who participate in this program gain experience, network, and learn new skills.
Jackie Berger, the President of APPRISE and a MIT alumnus, was asked to write a blog for the MIT Alumni website documenting her experience with the program.
Click on the links below to read the blog entry.
IAP Externships: Introduction to the Field of Energy Program Evaluation
January 27, 2012
An article was printed in the New York Times regarding a study that APPRISE conducted for the National Energy Assistance Directors' Association (NEADA). This study characterized the LIHEAP population for 2011 and documented the challenges that these households face in addition to their energy bills, including unemployment, lack of health insurance, and medical issues. The article focuses on a follow-up survey that documented the veteran status of LIHEAP-recipient households.
Some of the key findings noted in the article are as follows:
“Over the last four years, the survey found, the number of low-income households with at least one military veteran receiving federal energy assistance rose by about 1.1 million households, to 1.78 million. Veterans now make up 20 percent of all recipients of the aid, up from 12 percent four years ago”
“Within the pool of veterans who received help, 12 percent served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Around seven percent are on active duty.”
Click on the link below to read the whole article.
October 6, 2011
The Princeternship Program is a career exploration program that offers Princeton undergraduates the unique opportunity to start investigating a career field of interest and make professional connections by spending time with alumni in their workplaces. APPRISE participated in the Princeternship Program in 2010 and 2011.
Read our 2011 participants’ blogs about their experiences at APPRISE:
