Idaho Parents Unlimited

07/27/2025

🤝Advocates and community members alike participate in the Hands Around the Capitol event, which honors the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

07/27/2025

https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/celebration-35-years-americans-disabilities-act/277-46b5c526-34b5-4b20-a0e5-94a77c9460e7

The Hands Around the Capitol ceremony is back and running after a 10-year hiatus to honor the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

07/25/2025

🌟 Introducing: Fun Fact Friday with IPUL! 🌟
We’re kicking off a brand-new series that brings you bite-sized brilliance every Friday! 🎉
🧠 Follow along every Friday for more amazing, empowering, and sometimes surprising facts that highlight disability history, education, advocacy, and more.
Fun Fact Friday
Here’s a brain-boosting surprise:
Just 45 minutes of creative activity can significantly lower stress hormones in the body—no matter your skill level!

DID YOU KNOW?
IPUL has a Work of Art Workshop

For more information or to register
follow this link:
👉 https://ipulidaho.org/arts/woa/

[Image; The image features a bold "Fun Fact Friday" heading above a cheerful, smiling emoji pointing upward, with the Idaho Parents Unlimited (IPUL) logo in the top left. A bright yellow banner shares a surprising mental health fact about how creative activities reduce stress, followed by promotional text about IPUL’s Work of Art workshop and a registration link.]

07/23/2025

The End of the FPCS Program in Idaho:

The Family Personal Care Services (FPCS) program, utilized during the COVID-19 pandemic, allowed parents and spouses to be paid caregivers for their loved ones with disabilities. This temporary flexibility was a lifeline for many Idaho families navigating service gaps and workforce shortages. However, as you may have heard, the Department of Health and Welfare (DHW) announced that this program officially ended on July 15, 2025. With its conclusion, Idaho has reverted to its pre-pandemic policy that does not allow legally responsible family members, such as parents of minor children or spouses, to be reimbursed for providing care under Medicaid.

State’s Rationale and Governor’s Response:

According to DHW, the decision was based on concerns about the program’s increasing costs and reported instances of suspected fraud, waste, and abuse. Governor Brad Little supported the department’s position, stating that the program was always meant to be temporary and that DHW lacks the legal authority to extend it further without action from the Idaho Legislature. In his response to family advocates, Governor Little encouraged families to contact their legislators to advocate for changes to Idaho law if they want this type of support to continue. Meanwhile, families are being directed to explore alternative caregiving options, such as hiring other family members (not parents or spouses), friends, or community members as direct care workers through existing Medicaid provider agencies. However, Idaho is also experiencing a direct care workforce shortage.

Next Steps for Families:

Families impacted by the FPCS program ending are encouraged to connect with the DHW’s Bureau of Long-Term Care for updated provider directories and to explore available agencies that may offer caregiver services. While FPCS has ended, personal care services have not, but the loss of this support has left many families in a bind and scrambling to replace essential care roles previously filled by parents or spouses. Those who wish to advocate for program changes or a permanent solution can reach out to their Idaho legislators using tools provided by the state: Who’s My Legislator. https://legislature.idaho.gov/legislators/whosmylegislator/ While the state encourages families to “go back to what they were doing before the pandemic,” many families state that simply isn’t possible.

If you want more information on this issue as well as other Medicaid systems and services, or if you would like to talk to one of our program staff who are also navigating these systems, reach out to us at IPUL. You can find us on our website at ipulidaho.org, or by calling us at 208-342-5884.

Further Reading:

Bureau of Long Term Care: https://shorturl.at/gFCny

KTVB article by Abby Davis: https://shorturl.at/R1XZV

CBS2 News by CBS2 News staff: https://shorturl.at/Mvfj8

Facebook Group - Idaho Keep Parents & Spouses As Paid Caregivers For Those With Disabilities: https://shorturl.at/WMIe1

Enter street address followed by zip code (i.e., 700 W. Jefferson, 83420), and click Find. You may also click on the map to determine who the State Senator and House Representatives are for that location, or contact your county clerk for official legislative district information.

07/22/2025

Timeline Tuesday
Today we're rolling back the clock to explore the powerful history of Parent Training and Information Centers (PTIs) — and why they matter more than ever! Over the next few weeks follow along with us through the decades to see the evolution of PTI's.

Top Left (Logo):
IDAHO PARENTS UNLIMITED Inc.
Engage • Educate • Bridge • Lead

Top Right (Header):
The Beginning of PTI’s
1975
The Birth of Special Education Rights

Main Body:
The Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EHA), P.L. 94-142, is passed, guaranteeing Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) for children with disabilities.
➡️ Parents were finally recognized as key partners in their child’s education.

[Image; colorful retro-themed graphic from IPUL highlights the beginning of Parent Training and Information Centers (PTIs) in 1975, marking the passage of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EHA). It emphasizes how this landmark law guaranteed Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) for children with disabilities and officially recognized parents as key partners in their child’s education].

07/19/2025

[Image Blue background with green and white text boxes throughout;
IPUL logo; Idaho Parents Unlimited;
Work of Art Summer 2025;
Employment skills training for students 14 - 21 with disabilities;
Learn skills for your future at this hands on workshop series on The Art of Design;
*Please contact Heather@ipulidaho.org with program questions;
Dates; July 28 & 30 ~ 6:00 - 8:30 pm
August 2 ~11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
August 4 & 6 ~ 6:00 - 8:30 pm
August 9 ~ 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Reception:
Wednesday August 13 ~ 7:00 PM
All 6 Sessions must be attended;
Supply Fee $100;
Location; Idaho Parents Unlimited; 4619 W. Emerald St., Ste. E
Boise, ID 83706;
To Register: https://ipulidaho.org/woa;
Scholarships maybe available; For more information, email parents@ipulidaho.org]

07/18/2025

https://mailchi.mp/cdhd.uidaho.edu/idaho-competitive-integrated-employment-center-may-newsletter-8347101?e=42f0139c12

At the Idaho Competitive Integrated Employment (ICIE) Center, we believe that real progress happens when people and programs come together. Whether it's sharing resources, coordinating services, or building new tools—strong partnerships make the difference.

07/16/2025

WORK OF ART 2025
Youth will learn pre-employment skills

Please plan to attend all 6 sessions.

Dates
July 28th - 30th 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
August 2nd 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
August 4th - 6th 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
August 9th 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Reception:
Wednesday August 13th 7:00 PM

*Please contact Heather@ipulidaho.org with program questions.

4619 W Emerald St., STE E Boise ID 83706
ipulidaho.org

To Register: https://ipulidaho.org/woa/

Ages 14-21 for youth with disabilities
(Scholarships may be available. For more information, email parents@ipulidaho.org).

[ Image; A colorful promotional flyer for IPUL’s 2025 "Work of Art" program, featuring dates, registration details, and photos of youth creating various art projects. It highlights that the program teaches pre-employment skills to youth with disabilities ages 14–21 and includes a $100 art supply fee]

07/15/2025

ADA MILESTONES
A TIME LINE OF PROGRESS
Celebrating Equal Rights for People with Disabilities

JULY 26, 1990

THE ADA IS SIGNED INTO LAW
President George H. Bush signs the Americans with Disabilities Act.

1991

ACCESSIBILITY REFULATIONS BEGIN
Buildings, public places and employers start implementing accessibility standards.

1992

TRANSIT ACCESSIBILITY
Buses, subways, and other public transportation adapt for Equal Rights.

2008

ADA AMENDMENTS ACT
Strengthens protections by expanding the definition of "disability".

TODAY

ONGOING PROGRESS
ADA ensures access to education, work, healthcare, technology and public life.

CELEBRATING 35 YEARS OF PROGRESS AT HANDS AROUND THE CAPITOL JULY 25TH.
ipulidaho.org
See comment below for more information on Hands Around the Capitol.

Logo of Idaho Parents Unlimited, Inc. with tagline: Engage • Educate • Bridge • Lead
[Image; A timeline highlighting key milestones in the progress of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), from its signing in 1990 to ongoing efforts ensuring access to education, work, healthcare, and public life. It celebrates 35 years of ADA achievements and promotes the "Hands Around the Capitol" event on July 25th]

07/15/2025

🔊 New Podcast Episode Alert!🎧✨

In this episode Melissa and Allison break down the first two critical steps in the special education process, referral and evaluation. Whether you're a parent just beginning to navigate your child’s learning differences or a caregiver seeking clarity, this episode offers a parent-friendly guide to:

1.)How to initiate a referral for special education services
2.)Who can make a referral and what happens next
3.) The timelines schools must follow
4.) What to expect during a formal evaluation
5.) Tips for advocating effectively during these early stages

🎧 Add us on your favorite podcast platform or listen here:
https://rss.com/podcasts/unlimited-parenting-ipul


[Image description: Graphic for the "Unlimited Parenting Podcast", highlighting "10 Steps of Special Education - Part 1." The image features a smartphone displaying a colorful path labeled with steps 1 through 4 and a "You Are Here" marker, alongside contact information and episode details (Season 3, Episode 14).]

07/11/2025

Workplace Accommodations: You’ve Got the Right Tools!

Examples of Workplace Accommodations:
✅ Written or visual instructions
✅ Extra time to learn tasks
✅ Quiet space for breaks
✅ A job coach or support person
✅ Modified schedule or duties

🎯 Asking for support isn’t giving up.
It’s gearing up for success.
💬 You don’t need to share every detail—just what helps you shine at work.

🧠 Know your power.
💬 Need help figuring out what supports might work for you? Let’s talk!

Learn more here https://loom.ly/27A8XVI