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June 7, 2022

To: Any and All Legal Guardians of Residents of Intermountain Hospital

RE: DisAbility Rights Idaho – Monitoring Visit to Intermountain Hospital

Dear Guardian:

DRI is Idaho’s Protection and Advocacy System (P&A). Each state’s P & A is part of a federally mandated system with the authority and obligation to protect and advocate for the human and legal rights of individuals with developmental disabilities, mental illness and/or other disabilities. Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (PADD), 42 U.S.C. § 15001, et seq.; Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness Act (PAIMI), 42 U.S.C. §10801; and, Protection and Advocacy for Individual Rights (PAIR), 20 U.S.C. §794e. Since our establishment in 1977, we have visited facilities/service providers across the state to monitor the rights and safety of individuals with disabilities, as well as to provide information to individuals with disabilities about our organization.

DRI has scheduled to conduct monitoring activities at Intermountain Hospital on July 14 and 15, 2022. DRI also has authority to educate individuals with disabilities about their rights and available P&A services. Thus, as part of our monitoring, DRI intends to speak with participants and staff in order to educate participants regarding their rights as well as provide information on services available from DRI and other appropriate referrals. We will also be observing the general atmosphere and environment of the facility to monitor for compliance regarding safety and clients’ rights.

If you should have any questions or concerns about this, please feel free to contact us at 1-866-
262-3462.

Respectfully,
Christine Meeuwsen
Attorney, Adult Unit

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Click here to download a PDF version of this announcement

May 24, 2022

To: Any and All Legal Guardians of Residents of Cottonwood Creek Behavioral Hospital

RE: DisAbility Rights Idaho – Monitoring Visit to Cottonwood Creek Behavioral Hospital
Dear Guardian:

DRI is Idaho’s Protection and Advocacy System (P&A). Each state’s P & A is part of a federally mandated system with the authority and obligation to protect and advocate for the human and legal rights of individuals with developmental disabilities, mental illness and/or other disabilities. Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (PADD), 42 U.S.C. § 15001, et seq.; Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness Act (PAIMI), 42 U.S.C. §10801; and, Protection and Advocacy for Individual Rights (PAIR), 20 U.S.C. §794e. Since our establishment in 1977, we have visited facilities/service providers across the state to monitor the rights and safety of individuals with disabilities, as well as to provide information to individuals with disabilities about our organization.

DRI has scheduled to conduct monitoring activities at Cottonwood Creek Behavioral Hospital from July 11th to July 13th, 2022. DRI also has authority to educate individuals with disabilities about their rights and available P&A services. Thus, as part of our monitoring, DRI intends to speak with participants and staff in order to educate participants regarding their rights as well as provide information on services available from DRI and other appropriate referrals. We will also be observing the general atmosphere and environment of the facility to monitor for compliance regarding safety and clients’ rights.

If you should have any questions or concerns about this, please feel free to contact us at 1-866-262-3462.
Respectfully,

Joseph A. Earnest, Esq.
Attorney – Adult Unit

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To: Any and All Legal Guardians of Residents of Southwest Idaho Treatment Center (SWITC)

RE: DisAbility Rights Idaho – Monitoring Visit to SWITC

Dear Guardian:
DRI is Idaho’s Protection and Advocacy System (P&A). Each state’s P & A is part of a federally mandated system with the authority and obligation to protect and advocate for the human and legal rights of individuals with developmental disabilities, mental illness and/or other disabilities. Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (PADD), 42 U.S.C. § 15001, et seq.; Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness Act (PAIMI), 42 U.S.C. §10801; and, Protection and Advocacy for Individual Rights (PAIR), 20 U.S.C. §794e. Since our establishment in 1977, we have visited facilities/service providers across the state to monitor the rights and safety of individuals with disabilities, as well as to provide information to individuals with disabilities about our organization.

Pursuant to the authority above, DRI staff will visiting SWITC the week of May 4th and 5th, 2022. Our visit to the facility is for monitoring purposes, which simply means that we will be visiting the facility, speaking with residents and staff, and observing the general atmosphere and environment of the facility to monitor for compliance regarding safety and clients’ rights. If you should have any questions or concerns about this, please feel free to contact us at 1-866-262-3462.

Respectfully,

Kathryn Durrant
Attorney, Adult Unit

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Click here to download a PDF version of this flyer

Please help us spread the word about this free training for Idaho lawyers. CLE credit will be provided for those who attend in-person. For those who cannot travel to Boise, a virtual link will be provided so that you can tune into the training, but we apologize that logistical challenges have prevented us from providing CLE credit to virtual attendees. Please feel free to share this announcement, we have a wonderful line up of speakers and all Idaho lawyers are welcome to join whether in-person or virtually.

Fearless Lawyering for Children
In-Person CLE Training for Idaho Lawyers
University of Idaho College of Law
501 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702
June 24, 2022
12:30—5:00 p.m.

To register to attend this program in-person, visit:

https://cvent.me/KRaN8W

To register to attend this program virtually, visit:

https://form.jotform.com/221156393625052

12:30—1:15 p.m. Youth panel or speaker: The difference a lawyer can make
1:15—2:30 p.m. When even adequate feels out of reach – Providing Zealous Advocacy to Our
Clients when the Demand for Legal Representation is Greater than the Resources

Lawyers can make a critical difference in juvenile justice and child welfare cases. This session will discuss how to ensure access to justice and zealous advocacy for each client whether you work within an organization or as a solo practitioner. Building rapport with child and youth clients and addressing burnout will be discussed as well as concrete information about how lawyers can provide excellent representation given the demands of a busy practice.

Speakers:
Casey Trupin, Raikes Foundation, Seattle, WA (moderator)

Wade Hyder, Senior Deputy Public Defender, Twin Falls County, Idaho

Franchesca Hamilton-Acker, Managing Attorney/Unit Leader, Child(ren) In Need of Care Unit, Acadiana Legal Service Corporation, Lafayette, LA

Stacy Pittman, Pittman Law, Coeur d’Alene, ID

2:30—2:45 p.m. Break
2:45—4:00 p.m. Keeping our Kids Connected to their Families, Communities and Schools

Knowing that a child’s connection to family, community and school is critical, how can lawyers best ensure that their clients in both the child welfare and juvenile justice system remain connected? This panel will address the important role that lawyers can play in addressing the lack of foster homes and placements; ensuring that our clients obtain an appropriate education; and keeping our clients connected to their families.

Speakers:
Judge Brent Pattison, District Associate Judge, Des Moines, Iowa

Kraig A. Smikel, Attorney – Youth Unit, DisAbility Rights Idaho, Boise, Idaho

Jessalyn Hopkin, Deputy Public Defender, Bannock County Public Defender’s Office, Pocatello, ID

4:00—5:00 p.m. One size does not fit all – getting the right services for your client

Advocating for and securing services for clients can be a challenge. Panelists will discuss how to identify the services that will meet the needs of your client, explore the current services in Idaho, and discuss what to do when needed services do not exist. Special attention will be paid to advocacy within rural areas, mental health needs, LGBTQ+ youth, transition-aged youth, and children who are involved in both the child welfare and juvenile justice systems.

Speakers:
Gabriella McDonald, Texas Appleseed, Austin, TX (moderator)

Abre’ Conner, Law Foundation of Silicon Valley

Terry Scraggins, LSW (he/they), MSW Student, Nampa, ID

To register to attend this program in-person, visit:

https://cvent.me/KRaN8W

To register to attend this program virtually, visit:

https://form.jotform.com/221156393625052

Thank you to the University of Idaho College of Law for providing space for this training.

Click here to download a PDF version of this flyer

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March 11, 2022

To: Any and All Parents/Guardians of Summit Youth Academy

Re: DisAbility Rights Idaho Monitor Visit

Dear Parent/Guardian:
This letter is to inform you that DisAbility Rights Idaho (“DRI”) is planning to visit Summit Youth Academy Residential Treatment Center on the dates of March 28, 2022 through April 1, 2022. Our visit to the facility is for monitoring purposes, which simply means that we will be speaking with residents and staff, and observing the general atmosphere and environment of the facility to monitor for compliance regarding safety and clients’ rights.

DRI is Idaho’s Protection and Advocacy System (“P&A”). Each state’s P & A is part of a federally mandated system with the authority and obligation to protect and advocate for the human and legal rights of individuals with developmental disabilities, mental illness, and/or other disabilities. Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (PADD), 42 U.S.C. § 15001, et seq.; Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness Act (PAIMI), 42 U.S.C. §10801; and, Protection and Advocacy for Individual Rights (PAIR), 20 U.S.C. §794e. Since our establishment in 1977, we have visited facilities/service providers across the state to monitor the rights and safety of individuals with disabilities, as well as to provide information to individuals with disabilities about our organization.

As part of our authority, DRI is entitled to access individuals with disabilities as well as all areas of the facility used by or accessible to those individuals.1 We are allowed “unaccompanied access” to all service providers and individuals with disabilities at reasonable times, which includes at a minimum normal working hours and visiting hours.2 This access includes “the opportunity to meet and communicate privately with such individuals regularly, both formally and informally, by telephone, mail, and in person.”3 DRI is permitted to meet with individuals with disabilities to provide information and training on, and referral to, programs that address the needs of individuals with disabilities, including the P & A system.4 We are also permitted to access the facility/service provider for the purpose of monitoring compliance with respect to the rights and safety of individuals with disabilities receiving services.5

If, in the course of the monitor visit, a resident raises questions or concerns that may only be properly addressed by a review of their facility records, DRI staff will ensure the resident’s parents/guardians sign a Consent for Release form.

If you have any questions or comments about this activity, please contact DRI at (208) 336-5353.

1 42 U.S.C. § 10805(a)(3); 42 U.S.C. § 15043(a)(2)(H); 42 C.F.R. § 51.42(c); 45 C.F.R. § 1326.27(a).
2 42 C.F.R. § 51.42(c); 45 C.F.R. § 1326.27(c).
3 42 C.F.R. § 51.42(c); 45 C.F.R. § 1326.27(d).
4 42 C.F.R. § 51.42(c)(1); 45 C.F.R. § 1326.27(c)(2)(i)
5 42 C.F.R.§ 51.42(c)(2); 45 C.F.R. § 1326.27 (c)(2)(ii).

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