News and Announcements

FAMILIES SETTLE CLAIMS AGAINST STATE OF IDAHO FOR PERVASIVE ABUSE

By DRI

P R E S S R E L E A S E FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 18, 2023 FAMILIES SETTLE CLAIMS AGAINST STATE OF IDAHO FOR PERVASIVE ABUSE AND NEGLECT OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AT SOUTHWEST IDAHO TREATMENT CENTER Settlement includes $1.2M payment, unlimited access to treatment center, corrective plans and reports Boise, Idaho – After a lengthy lawsuit, six families have settled their federal court claims against the state of Idaho for abuse, neglect and maltreatment of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who resided at the Southwest Idaho Treatment Center. Approved by the federal court in Boise, … Continue reading FAMILIES SETTLE CLAIMS AGAINST STATE OF IDAHO FOR PERVASIVE ABUSE

What is Happening with the New Budget Tool

By DRI

What is happening with the new budget tool? (Read this info on the web.) Download a PDF version of this post. Last month, we had a court hearing about the SIS-A (the “Supports Intensity Scale – Adult”). The SIS-A is a new assessment that Idaho Medicaid wanted to use. Idaho Medicaid wanted to replace the SIB-R and Inventory of Individual Needs with the SIS-A. At the court hearing, Idaho Medicaid argued that adults with developmental disabilities and their families and advocates should not be allowed to see the SIS-A manual. The manual that explains how the SIS-A assessment works. We … Continue reading What is Happening with the New Budget Tool

Notice to Any and All Parents/Guardians of State Hospital West Patients

By DRI

Click here to download a PDF version of this notice. This notice is to inform you that DisAbility Rights Idaho (DRI) is planning to visit State Hospital West in July of 2023. The purpose of our visit to your facility is to conduct a monitor which includes 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. 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 … Continue reading Notice to Any and All Parents/Guardians of State Hospital West Patients

Idaho Gives May 1-4, 2023

By DRI

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 … Continue reading Idaho Gives May 1-4, 2023

THRIVE RESOURCE FAIR

By DRI

THRIVE RESOURCE FAIR November 12, 12–3:00 p.m. | FREE | All Ages Tomlinson South Meridian YMCA Welcome to THRIVE! Please join us for a Resource Fair and a chance to explore the THRIVE Center. Staff will be on-site to tour the facility and discuss THRIVE programs/activities. Community providers will have booths providing information. This is agreat time to check out the facility for FREEto both non-members and members and learn about the many perks in the Treasure Valley. All ages and abilities are welcome! Please register each individual in attendance. All individuals 18+ must bring a government-issued photo ID for … Continue reading THRIVE RESOURCE FAIR

Parents Opportunity to Impact Policy

By DRI

  Idaho Voices for Children is conducting research into Idaho’s Behavioral Health System, and they want to hear directly from families that have experience interacting with this system. With wait times of up to one year to see a children’s behavioral health specialist, service backlogs, and provider shortages, families across the state are facing multiple barriers when trying to seek the care that their children need.   Your valuable input and experience can help us solve this challenge.   We are conducting focus group sessions with parents who’s children frequently interact with the behavioral health system to ask parents about … Continue reading Parents Opportunity to Impact Policy

Proposed Work Goals and Priorities for Fiscal Year 2023

By DRI

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 … Continue reading Proposed Work Goals and Priorities for Fiscal Year 2023