Administrative Director

Courtney Lester

Email:
Phone: 208-433-8845

Courtney Lester became the Administrative Director, effective December 6, 2004. Mrs. Lester has a Master's in Public Administration, specializing in Health Services, and a Bachelor's in Social Work. She has volunteered extensively to help the mentally ill and the disabled. She has also done considerable research on children's mental health.

Courtney is responsible for supervison and direction of the planning, operations, and programs of the organization. She supervises the staff, evaluates program implementation, and prepares and submits annual budgets. She represents the Federation on the Governor's Council for Children's Mental Health, the State Mental Health Planning Council, and various other board and committees.

In her spare time she enjoys hiking, fly fishing, golf, snowboarding, and reading. Courtney and her husband welcomed a baby boy in May of 2006 and they are enjoying time as new parents.  She continues to be an active volunteer with the Make A Wish Foundation.

Development Director

Lacey Sinn

Email:
Phone: 208-433-8845

Administrative Assistant

Cindy Shotton

Email:
Phone: 208-433-8845

Cindy Shotton joined the Federation in May, 2005, as our administrative assistant. She spent the previous ten years working in law enforcement support.  Prior to that, Cindy was a teacher’s aide in a high school special education resource room for 6 years, assisting students who had a myriad of learning disabilities and behavioral difficulties.

Professional and life experiences have given Cindy a well-rounded perspective into the issues of children’s mental health.  A major source of insight comes from over 25 years with her husband, Phil, who has taught special education students in a variety of residential and public school settings for 34 years. 

The Shottons faced all the anxiety, turmoil, disruption and despair that families of children with mental health problems live, day in and day out.  Their son, now in his 20’s, was misdiagnosed at age 12 with a mental health disorder and was inappropriately medicated for nearly a year.  Cindy has compassion born of personal understanding for any child and their family dealing with mental health challenges.

Youth Coordinator

Nicole Gustafson

Email:
Phone: 208-433-8845

 

Family Support Specialist Region I

 

OPEN

Family Support Specialist Region II

 

OPEN

Family Support Specialist Region III

Barbara Hill

Email:
Phone: (208) 949-0649

Barbara Hill represents the Idaho Federation of Families as the Region 3 Family Support Specialist.  She is the mother of two teenage sons, both of whom suffer from mental health disorders.  Her heart is full of love and compassion for families struggling with a child’s mental illness.  Her own experience accessing resources for assistance has made her an invaluable asset to the families in Region 3.  She has assisted numerous families in working closely with the Department of Health and Welfare, as well as Juvenile Corrections.   She is an integral part of wraparound teams in her region.  She has found her voice and is a tremendous advocate in the children’s mental health arena.

 

 

Family Support Specialist Region IV

Cyndi Blue

Email:
Phone: (208) 703-4971

Cyndi Blue is a Family Support Specialist working in Region four. She is the single mother of four remarkable children, three of whom are disabled. Besides working for the Federation, she is a full-time student and was recently a research intern for the Idaho Legislature. She has a thorough understanding of the programs available through the school system. Support systems have played an important part in Cyndi's life, and she eagerly communicates their value to the families with which she works. 

 

Family Support Specialist Region V

Sue Brown

Email:
Phone: 208-734-2303

 

 

 

 

 

 

Key Family Contact/Family Support Specialist Region VI

Lynne (Hansen) Whiting

 

Email: lynne@idahofederation.org

As a Key Family Contact, Lynne oversees the Family Support Specialists around the state; works with the Regional Councils; develops and participates in trainings for families and providers; and serves as a liaison with other agencies in Idaho and beyond. She is a core member on the Building on Each Others Strengths team.

Hi! I'm Lynne (Hansen) Whiting. I was born and raised in SE Idaho and have chosen to remain there. I was a single mom for many years and have two amazing adult children, one who struggles with a variety of mental health needs.

I have been a volunteer in my community since high school, working with developmentally delayed adults for many years and later with youth involved in the Juvenile Justice system. I have been involved with the Children's Mental Health Councils in SE Idaho since 1999. I have also been an active CASA volunteer for the past 11 years. My work has included developing and facilitating a variety of youth programs in Region 7 and I am an Idaho P.O.S.T. certified Juvenile Detention Officer. I have been blessed to have work that allows me to help families, whether as a parent aide, a juvenile detention officer, or as a family advocate. Currently, I am a Local Evaluation Specialist with the Idaho Building on Each Others Strengths CMH project, and am also a director of the National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health.  I am especially honored to have the opportunity to serve families through the Federation at both the state and national level!

I enjoy all seasons and the outdoors - I love to travel and explore with my husband, Larry, camp in a tent summer AND winter, hike, fish, and hunt. I enjoy gardening and taking care of my home. The neighborhood kids and kitties like to come to sit on my front porch and visit while I work on my many different handiwork projects.

 

Family Support Specialist Region VII

Dee Mares

Email:
Phone: 208-390-3015

Dee Mares represents the Idaho Federation of Families as the Region 7 Family Support Specialist.  She is the mother of three children and, as a foster parent, has cared for over 200 children. One of her children has multiple mental health diagnoses, which began at the age of two.  The family is currently fostering 4 children, all with multiple serious emotional disorders. 

Dee loves working with families and children and being an advocate for them in the mental health field.  As a Family Support Specialist she is excited to be able to use her own experience to help others.