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Proposed Work Goals and Priorities for Fiscal Year 2023

DisAbility Rights Idaho Needs Your Help!

Please see the below link labeled “DRI FY2023 SGP Handout” to DisAbility Rights Idaho’s (DRI) proposed work goals and priorities for fiscal year 2023 to begin on October 1, 2022.  As these are proposed work priorities, we are looking to you for an opinion on whether we have captured the issues currently affecting Idahoans with disabilities. To provide your comment, please click the below link labeled “Survey”. The link will take you to a Google form which has 6 questions. If you would like a hard copy of this survey, please call our office at (208) 336-5353, and a survey will be mailed to you. We appreciate your time and effort to help us achieve our mission.  Thank you!

DRI FY2023 SGP Handout

Survey

Notice of Monitoring Visit – Intermountain Hospital

Click here to download a PDF version of this announcement

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

Click here to download a PDF version of this announcement

Children’s Residential Treatment Facilities – Youth Rights

Youth MOVE Idaho and Disability Rights Idaho have collaborated to create a series of videos to inform youth about their rights to access mental health care. In this video, Madeline, the Youth Programs Coordinator for Youth MOVE Idaho, discusses with Kayla, an attorney from Disability Rights Idaho who is in the youth unit, issues related to Children’s Residential Treatment Facilities (CRTFs).
Specifically they discuss:
1. What is a CRTF?
2. What are the different levels of youth mental health care?
3. Are youth sometimes sent to unsafe or ineffective CRTFs?
4. What are a minor’s rights while in CRTFs?
5. How can a youth report abuse or a rights violation that happens in a CRTF?
6. Resources available for reporting a CRTF for a violation of youth rights or for recovering from such an event.

Monitoring Visit to Cottonwood Creek Behavioral Hospital

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

Click here to download a PDF version of this announcement

Election Day Monitoring

DisAbility Rights Idaho Needs Your Help!

Election Day Monitoring
Each election season, DisAbility Rights Idaho monitors polling places
throughout the state to ensure that they are accessible to all Idahoans.
However, the geographical diversity of our state makes it difficult to
monitor every polling location.

How you can Help
We have created a digital survey that lets you assess your polling place for accessibility issues when you go to vote!

Click this link:

Polling Place Survey

and you will be taken directly to the survey! Once completed, it will
automatically be sent to us.

We will also be operating our Voting Hotline on election day:

1 (866) 262-3462

Thank you for your help, and happy voting!

Monitoring Visit to Southwest Idaho Treatment Center

Click here to download a PDF version of this notice

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

Click here to download a PDF version of this notice

Idaho Gives May 2-5, 2022

Idaho Gives May 2-5, 2022

Hello!
Have you dreamed of making history? Of course, we all have. And now we have a chance to be a part of your community’s day of giving – an opportunity to unite our community around causes in which we truly believe and help nonprofit organizations connect to the larger community.

We need your help! Please join our campaign and help us reach our goal of $20,000.

We need you to tell your friends and family members about the important work we do and ask them to join us in helping to make a difference.

Get ready to give! On May 2nd – 5th, visit idahogives.org and make a donation to DisAbility Rights Idaho and/or to any of the great participating nonprofit organizations in your community. All giving will end at 11:59PM on May 5, so make sure to get your gift in on time!

Questions? If you have any questions or would like more information, let us know. 208- 336-5353. Thank you in advance for your generosity to our organization!
https://www.idahogives.org/organizations/disability-rights-idaho
#idahogives

Fearless Lawyering for Children

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

2022 primary Election Information

2022 Primary Elections information
Information about the 2022 primary Elections

Click here to download a PDF containing 2022 Primary Election information.

DisAbility Rights Idaho (DRI) is a private, non-profit organization that is designated as Idaho’s Protection and Advocacy System. Funding authorized by the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) allows DRI to ensure that voters with disabilities have the opportunity to participate in every step of the electoral process.

Inside This Issue
Page 2 – Voting Options & Deadlines
Page 3 – Voting Rights
Page 4- Addressing Barriers
Voter Hotline Information
Transportation Resources
Page 5 – COVID-19 Safety Tips
DRI Contact Information

DRI ELECTION DAY HOTLINE: 1-866-262-3462

Click here to download a PDF containing 2022 Primary Election information.

fair housing month

April is Fair Housing Month

Why fair housing matters

Fair housing builds stronger communities by ensuring everyone has the right to choose where they live without discrimination or harassment. By raising awareness of fair housing rights, we can build a stronger Idaho.

We all have the right to live where we choose and can afford. This affects our access to education, employment, health care, clean air and water, healthy food and recreation.

Fair housing supports economic opportunity, safety, health, productivity, independence and dignity.

DISCRIMINATION HURTS EVERYONE.

If you experience discrimination because of your color, race, religion, sex, national origin, family status or disability, speak up.

To learn more about fair housing protections in Idaho visit: idahohousing.com/fair-housing

CALL 2-1-1 TO REPORT A POSSIBLE VIOLATION.

Click here to download a poster celebrating Fair Housing Month