Executive Director

Courtney Santillan

Email:
Phone: 208-433-8845

Courtney Santillan became the Administrative Director, effective December 6, 2004. Mrs. Santillan 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 are the proud parents of two young boys and are thoroughly enjoying their time as parents.  She continues to be an active volunteer with the Make A Wish Foundation.

Program Director

Bill Elvey

Email:

Phone: 208-433-8845

Development Director

Lacey Sinn

Email:
Phone: 208-433-8845

Lacey Sinn joined the Federation in February, 2006, and has played many different roles at the Federation, from Education & Promotions Coordinator and Youth Coordinator to her most recent job description change as our Development Director. Prior to joining our organization, Ms. Sinn received her Bachelor’s in Technical Communications and spent her final open summer fighting wildland fire with the Idaho City Hotshots.

In Lacey's spare time, she enjoys taking advantage of everything the outdoors has to offer! She is passionate about life and takes pleasure in spending much time with her family and friends. Lacey is currently a member of the Boise Host Lions Club as well as serves as Board President for the Boise Bicycle Project.

 

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

Nicole Gustafson joined the Federation in August, 2006 and has since taken over the Youth Coordinator position where she oversees each of our youth support groups. Nicole is currently a student at Boise State University and is working towards her Bachelor's in Health Education & Promotions. She then plans to continue on to an Occupational Therapy program.

In Nicole's spare time she enjoys staying as active as possible and is always up for a new adventure! She loves the water and spends much time boating, fishing, and jet-skiing. Nicole has also recently begun challenging herself in the arts of cooking and baking! Nicole loves volunteering for community-driven organizations and recently spent time volunteering for a wheelchair sports camp.

Family Support Specialist - Regions I & II

 

Kathryn White

Email:
Phone: 208-659-5209

Family Support Specialist - Region III

 

Stormy Stanek

Email:
Phone: 208-602-8179

Stormy Stanek is a Family Support Specialist in Region III. Stormy is the Bio-Mom of one daughter and has been a foster parent for many years. The children whom have shared her family’s home have come from all walks of life, many who live with a variety of mental health issues. She feels very strongly that all children should be loved and given the best possible advantages available. She knows that families who have children with mental health issues are very special and that they love and care for children that are, at times, a little more challenging. Stormy feels that her job is to offer support and encouragement to these families. She loves helping families ensure that their children are getting use of all the services that they need to help them become successful adults.

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 - Regions V, VI, & VII

Lynne (Hansen) Whiting

Email:

Hi! I'm Lynne 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 continues to struggle with a variety of mental health needs and as a result has been incarcerated much of his life – both as a juvenile and an adult.

 

I have been a volunteer in my community since junior high school, working with developmentally delayed adults for many years and later with youth involved in the Juvenile Justice system. I was an active Court Appointed Special Advocate/Guardian Ad Litem for 11 years. I have served on the Board of Directors for the National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health and the Idaho Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health.  I have been involved with the Children's Mental Health Councils in SE Idaho since 1999, and continue to stay involved through the children’s subcommittee of the R6 Mental Health Board. I was appointed by the Governor and serve on the Executive Committee as the Chair of the Children’s Committee of the Idaho State Planning Council on Mental Health. I am especially honored to have the opportunity to serve families as their collective voice at the local, state, and national level!

My past work has included developing and facilitating a variety of youth programs in Region 7 at HELP, Inc. and Bonneville County Juvenile Probation. I worked at the 3B Juvenile Detention Center for several years as an Idaho P.O.S.T. certified Juvenile Detention Officer. I was a Local Evaluation Specialist through out the Idaho Building on Each Others Strengths Children’s Mental Health Project for Regions 4, 5, 6, & 7. I have co-developed a number of projects and programs, and have been employed by the Idaho Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health, first as the Key Family Contact during the Idaho Building on Each Other’s Strength’s Project and currently as a Family Support Specialist. I now assist families as they navigate the various child serving State and local agencies: Children’s Mental Health, Juvenile Corrections & Probation, and Education. I inform families about their rights and responsibilities, and teach them techniques to effectively advocate for their child.

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.

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.

I’m glad to be a part of this group of incredible people whostrive to serve youth and their families!

Family Support Specialist - Statewide

Lisa Ramirez

Email: