Educate, advocate, investigate, and litigate to protect and advance the rights of Idahoans with disabilities.
An Idaho where people are empowered, voices are heard, equity is achieved, and differences are celebrated.
Disability Rights Idaho is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors who provides oversight of the Executive Director, strategic planning, maintaining fiduciary responsibility for the successful functioning of the agency, and has ultimate responsibility in setting agency policies and priorities. The Board of Directors guide Disability Rights Idaho’s work. The Board includes people with disabilities, family members, professionals, members of other organizations that are active on related issues, members of under-represented populations, and people from different regions of the state.
Current Board of Directors:
I hold a BA degree in Music (piano) from Lincoln Christian University, an MA in Worship Studies from Lincoln Christian Seminary, and recently completed a doctorate in Worship Studies from the Robert E. Webber Institute of Worship. My dissertation focus was on mentorship. Over the years, I have gained diverse experience by leading worship, directing choirs, managing youth symphony programs, and working in human resources, specializing in leadership development and succession planning. Most recently, I was a professor of music and worship for 11 years.
With a deep passion for inclusive worship spaces, I serve on the Board for Disability Rights Idaho, seeking to educate and advocate for systemic change on behalf of vulnerable community members. I am also a strong advocate for my autistic son, David, working to secure appropriate IEP accommodations to support his educational needs. Outside of my professional life, I enjoy spending time with my husband, Chris, our son, David, and our kitty, Mitzi. While not a coffee drinker, I delight in London Fogs and Matcha Lattes and am excited to be part of the vibrant, passionate community at Disability Rights Idaho.
My name is Jacob Head, I am a self-advocate and I also have cerebral palsy. I currently serve as the Board of Directors Vice-President of Disability Rights Idaho. My personal reasons within the disability community ran all the way back to my childhood, having to deal with my disability my whole life. As such I am motivated to improve the lives of others who have disabilities so that they can have an easier time of it than I had. My current position and responsibilities are a great learning opportunity for me which is very eye opening, and I would encourage others to get involved in their own way. I am in charge of running the governance committee, which oversees the governance rules for the organization. I have served in the Disability Rights Idaho for about 2 years, my links to the disability community as a whole. However, they are varied and extended. I have served in one capacity or another for 15 years and I find it very rewarding. In my free time I enjoy following politics and current events both locally, state, national, and international. I also enjoy LEGOs as well as books, fiction and nonfiction. Other things I like to do are playing board games and video games with my family and traveling to many countries.
My name is Sarah Howk. I am a certified public accountant licensed in the State of Idaho with almost 20 years of accounting experience. My skillset includes auditing, financial reporting, forecasting, technical accounting, and general ledger management. I am the board Treasurer for DRI and my responsibilities include helping to oversee the financials of the Company. I am passionate about giving back to my community and saw a need at DRI that I could fill. When I am not working or donating my time, I enjoy spending time with my family.
My name is Steve Patterson and I am proud to serve on the Board of Directors for Disability Rights Idaho. I have a daughter with Down Syndrome and have been around the disability community for over 30 years and have seen first-hand the challenges and obstacles that people with disabilities face on a daily basis. My daughter is the light of my life and continues to inspire me to this day. She is living a full and semi-independent life thanks to the love of her family and countless others who have supported her along the way. My passion for serving on the DRI Board is to do everything I can to make sure that all people with disabilities have the same opportunity to pursue their dreams and live productive lives. I am retired after a 40 year career working for Carnation Co, Nestle SA, and the JR Simplot Co. and look forward to continuing to help DRI achieve its mission advocating and protecting the rights of all Idahoans with disabilities.
My name is Amy, and I am on the Board of Directors, as well as the Executive Committee, Finance Committee, and the Governance Committee. I moved to Idaho when I was 5 years old and have lived here ever since. In high school, I went to an online school and worked extremely hard to be able to graduate with college credits. I started working with DRI to help the community because I saw firsthand how difficult it was to obtain services in the community. I wouldn’t be where I am now without the Waiver programs. I want to help advocate for people in Idaho, specifically to learn more about the Waiver programs that are available. In my free time, I enjoy baking, woodburning, painting, and taking care of my 5 goats.
I work at Sanctuary and Life Inc. I have the privilege of working with individuals with different abilities.
I serve on the DRI board of Directors and have served on various committees.
My passion is to help others get the services they need and have their voice heard.
Outside of work I enjoy kayaking, traveling, hiking, and crafting. I also love spending time with Family especially the Grandkids. I also love going on adventures in our side by side.
I have dedicated my time to serve on the Disability Rights Board. I professionally work with at-risk youth, mental illness, and our vulnerable populations. I have worked in the Idaho community for 12 years and prior to that Montana providing the same work for 10 years. I believe we can all provide equal opportunities to all individuals and connect cohesively in our communities. I have a family member who experiences difficulties in equal rights and feel it is my mission to help others have a voice. Outside of serving my community, I enjoy spending time outdoors, with family, and engaging in community social events.
My name is Zach and I am a Board Member for DRI. For fun, I like to do Basketball for Special Olympics. I also like to walk my 2 dogs, Luna and Millie, around the neighborhood. I’m originally from California but moved to Idaho in 1996. I have Anxiety and I’m on the Autism Spectrum. I wanted to be a Board Member to help individuals with disabilities to find their voice in the community.
What is the PAIMI Advisory Council?
The Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI) Advisory Council provides independent advice and recommendations to DRI. The PAIMI Advisory Council works jointly with the governing authority in the development of the annual priorities, goals, and objectives and submits a section of DRI’s annual report as required under 42 CFR 51.8. The annual report should include the advisory council’s independent assessment of the PAIMI program administered by DRI. The PAIMI Advisory Council is restricted to activities conducted in support of these purposes in both internal and public-facing settings. The PAIMI Advisory Council must include:
Current PAIMI Advisory Council Members:
Rhiannon James, Chair
Karen Shein, Vice-Chair
Kevin Zielinski, Secretary
Issa Ntakarutimana
Buta Muzuri
Emma Lyda
Sydney Osborne
Brittany Shipley
DRI has eight separate protection and advocacy programs and a ninth program regarding Representative Payees of Social Security beneficiaries.
PAIMI
Authorization: The PAIMI program was first authorized in 1986 with the enactment of the Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness Act.
Mandate: Protect and Advocate for the rights of individuals with mental illness through activities to ensure the enforcement of the Constitution and Federal and State statutes.
Investigate incidents of abuse and neglect of individuals with mental illness if the incidents are reported to the system or if there is probable cause to believe that the incidents occurred.
Administration: US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
PADD
Authorization: The Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 at 42 U.S.C. 15001 et seq. The regulations implementing the Act are published at 45 C.F.R. Parts 1385-1386.
Mandate: To protect and advocate for the legal and human rights of individuals with developmental disabilities.
Administration: US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Community Living (ACL)
PAVA
Authorization: PAVA is authorized in 42 U.S.C. § 15461-62 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002
Mandate: Ensure full participation in the electoral process for individuals with disabilities, including registering to vote, casting a vote and accessing polling places.
Administration: US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Community Living (ACL)
PATBI
Authorization: 42 U.S.C. § 300d-53
Mandate: To provide services to individuals with traumatic brain injury.
Administration: US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Community Living (ACL)
PAAT
Authorization: PAAT is authorized in 29 USC § 3001 in the Assistive Technology Act of 1998 formerly Public Law 105-394.
Mandate: To assist individuals with disabilities and their family members, guardian, advocates, and authorized representatives in accessing technology devices and assistive technology services through case management, legal representation, and self-advocacy training.
Administration: US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Community Living (ACL)
CAP
Authorization: CAP became a formula grant program in 1984.
Mandate: The CAP is mandated to perform three functions:
Advise and inform clients and client applicants of all services and benefits available to them through programs authorized under the RehabilitationAct of 1973, as amended (Act);
Assist and advocate for clients and client applicants in their relationships with programs providing services to them under the Act; and
Inform individuals with disabilities in the State, especially those who traditionally have been unserved or undeserved, of the services available to them under the Act and under Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Administration: US Department of Education (OSERS), Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA)
PAIR
Mandate: To protect the legal and human rights of individuals with disabilities who
Need services that are beyond the scope of services authorized to be provided by the Client Assistance Program (CAP); and
Are ineligible for protection and advocacy programs funded under the PADD and PAIMI programs.
PABSS
Authorization: Section 1150 of the Social Security Act, as added by section 122 of Public Law 106- 170, the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999. The Ticket to Work and Work Incentive Improvement Act which was passed on November 19, 1999 and signed by President Clinton on December 17, 1999.
Mandate: Services provided to disabled beneficiaries pursuant to a payment made under this section may include:
Administration: Social Security Administration
SPSSB – Rep Payee
Authorization: The applicable sections of the Social Security Act concerning monitoring are: Soc. Sec. Act, 205(j)(3)(A), 1631(a)(2)(C), and 205(j)(6), 1631(a)(2)(G)(i).
Mandate: Conduct assigned representative payee reviews and educational visits. The purpose of the review is to verify that the representative payee is using the benefits properly on behalf of the beneficiary and is carrying out the representative payee responsibilities and duties correctly. The purpose of educational visits is to ensure that payees fully understand their duties and responsibilities and are on the right track with respect to recordkeeping, use of benefits, and reporting.
Administration: Social Security Administration
