Notice of Monitor at MHA

Click here to download a PDF version of this announcement.

March 1, 2021

Attention: All Parents and/or Guardians of Any Residents Currently Placed Mountain  Home Academy – Located at 2850 Industrial Way, Mountain Home, Idaho  83647 

The purpose of this announcement is to inform parents and guardians of residents currently  placed at Mountain Home Academy that DRI will be monitoring activities at the facility the week of March 8, 2021 and may in the course of such monitoring have access to the  minor or adult with a legal guardian. 42 C.F.R. 51.42(e).

Disability Rights Idaho (DRI) is Idaho’s designated Protection & Advocacy (P&A) system—part of a nationwide network of agencies that work to protect the legal rights of people with  disabilities. One of our core duties as Idaho P&A system is to conduct periodic monitoring  visits to facilities, which provide care or treatment to individuals with mental illness. 42 U.S.C.  10805; 42 C.F.R. §51.42. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, DRI is using remote monitoring  to exercise our statutory duties and has scheduled to conduct remote monitoring activities at  Mountain Home Academy the week of March 8, 2021.

Under Federal law, the P&A system must have reasonable unaccompanied access to facilities  which may house or render care to individuals with disabilities, including all areas which are  used by residents, accessible to residents, and to programs and their residents at reasonable  times – which, at a minimum, shall include normal working and visiting hours. 42 C.F.R.  §51.42(c). Such residents that the P&A is to have access to during a monitor include adults and  minors who have legal guardians or conservators. 42 C.F.R. §51.42(e).

DRI also has authority to educate individuals with disabilities about their rights and available  P&A services. 42 C.F.R. §51.42(c)(1). Thus, as part of our remote monitoring, DRI intends to  present on and provide materials to educate individuals regarding their rights, services available  from DRI, and other appropriate referrals.

DRI has asked the facility place this notification in the visiting room and with any other  materials provided to parents/guardians of youth placed in this facility.

If any parent or guardian has any questions about this announcement or DRI’s monitoring activities at Mountain Home Academy, please contact Courtney R. Holthus, Director of Legal  and Advocacy Services at DRI at (208) 336-5353, ext. 119 or via email at  courtney@disabilityrightsidaho.org.

BOISE OFFICE

4477 EMERALD, SUITE B-100  BOISE, ID 83706

TOLL FREE: 866-262-3462

WEBSITE: www.disabilityrightsidaho.org  E-MAIL: info@disabilityrightsidaho.org

POCATELLO OFFICE

1246 YELLOWSTONE AVE., STE A-3 POCATELLO, ID 83201

TEL: 208-336-5353 FAX: 208-336-5396