New state ombudsman describes role overseeing foster-care complaints, asks for staff pay increases to recruit hires

Trevor Sparrow, the state’s newly appointed ombudsman for Health and Social Services, told the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on Jan. 15 that his office will receive complaints and investigate allegations involving Idaho’s foster care system and other residential placements for children.

Sparrow, who told the committee he was appointed Nov. 27 and previously served eight years as director of the Idaho Youth Challenge Academy, said the office can accept complaints from parents, foster parents, providers and other involved parties and may conduct investigations, make recommendations to state agencies and perform broader reviews that could lead to legislative recommendations.…