Interstate Connections

Providing Resources, Ideas And In-Depth Discussions On Every Aspect Of Living Life With A Disability.

This newsletter comes out monthly and contains information and resources from Idaho and Eastern Washington. Thank you to Disability Action Center NW for bringing together this information and these resources for the disability community on a monthly basis. 

Interstate_Connections_December_2025_Newsletter

 

 

Interstate_Connections_December_2025_Newsletter

Government Shutdown Impacts SILC Funding

Medicaid Stories 

Medicaid Stories – Impacting the lives of Idahoans with Disabilities

Many Medicaid benefits are optional under the law. For many Idahoans, they’re anything but. 

Please take the time to read this article from Idaho Capital Sun. 

“Kristyn Herbert has a knack for coming up with delicious recipes in her head. But a seizure when she was a 2-day-old infant that left her not breathing for 10 minutes means that she needs someone else to prepare the food in her Meridian apartment. 

Herbert pays for her 24/7 care through Medicaid, but this type of long-term care in her home is considered an optional benefit that states may offer under federal regulations. Herbert has been living under looming uncertainty about whether the service will be taken away after Congress this month passed a federal budget reconciliation bill that is expected to cut Medicaid spending by around $1 trillion over the next decade.”

Written article available.

by Wilson Criscione, Investigate West, Idaho Capital Sun

March 21, 2024

In response to InvestigateWest reporting that uncovered allegations of child abuse and neglect at state-licensed facilities, the Idaho Legislature has commissioned a state watchdog investigation that will examine oversight of Idaho’s youth treatment homes.

Rep. Marco Erickson, R-Idaho Falls, presented the investigation request on Friday, arguing an evaluation was necessary to make sure Idaho is taking care of youth “a lot better than we’ve done,” referencing recent news stories revealing what he called “scary things” that have happened to children in residential treatment facilities licensed by the state. 

Find more information in the article at Idaho Capital Sun.

 

Please take time to listen/watch this from Idaho Reports. Included is the SILC chair, Shiloh Blackburn

“Tens of thousands of Idahoans who are elderly or have disabilities rely on direct care workers to live independently, but there’s a shortage of them. We take a look at the impact of that shortage, and what the state could do to help.”

Written Article and Video Story

Navigating the Future Together

IdahoRID is hosting an event commemorating our humble beginnings in 1973. Our vision is a coming-together to celebrate the heritage, family, connections, and culture of the Deaf Community and ASL interpreters. Where we learn with and from each other, fostering a continued cohesive community of respect, allyship, and forward thinking.

Event Details found here

 

 

The Office of Performance Evaluations will release their 2022 report on the Sustainability of Idaho’s Direct Care Workforce on Thursday, March 16th.

After release, the publication can be found on the OPE’s website.

PARA CREAR UNA GUÍA DE RECURSOS DE SALUD MENTAL
“Hay ayuda a tu alcance” aborda las crecientes preocupaciones de salud mental en Idaho

BOISE, ID – La guía bilingüe (inglés-español) de recursos informativos sobre salud mental “Hay ayuda a tu alcance” está disponible a partir de hoy en el Treasure Valley de Idaho. “Hay ayuda a tu alcance” es una guía creada mediante la colaboración de St. Luke’s Health System y el Consulado de México en Boise. Esta guía informativa está dirigida a las personas que viven en el Treasure Valley, incluye recursos locales y nacionales de salud mental y brinda educación sobre las enfermedades mentales. Además de las listas de recursos locales, proporciona información útil sobre los factores de riesgo de estas enfermedades, señales de advertencia y recursos para la prevención del suicidio, así como apoyo para la salud mental y emocional. “Hay ayuda a tu alcance” se inspira en la guía “Get Help (Obtenga ayuda)” creada por el Centro de St. Luke’s para la Salud de la Comunidad/St. Luke’s Center for Community Health del área de Wood River Valley. (continúa en comunicado de prensa adjunto)

 

ST. LUKE’S AND MEXICAN CONSULATE PARTNER TO CREATE MENTAL HEALTH RESOUCE GUIDE
“Help is Here” addresses the growing mental health concerns across Idaho

BOISE, ID – A bilingual (English-Spanish) informational mental health resource guide is now available in the Treasure Valley. “Help is Here” is a guide created through a partnership between St. Luke’s Health System and the Mexican Consulate of Boise. Intended for those in the Treasure Valley, the informational guide includes local and national mental health resources and provides education to support the understanding of mental illness. In addition to lists of local resources, the guide also provides information about mental illness risk factors, warning signs and suicide prevention, as well as emotional and mental health support. The guide was modeled after the “Get Help” guide created for the St. Luke’s Center for Community Health for the Wood River Valley area.