Trevor Sparrow outlines priorities as Idaho’s new Health and Social Services ombudsman

Trevor Sparrow, the governor’s nominee to serve as Idaho’s Health and Social Services Ombudsman, told the Senate Health & Welfare Committee he intends to make the new office a data-driven advocate for children and families in the state.

"At its core, the role of the ombudsman is about advocacy, accountability, and understanding," Sparrow said, adding that his office will adopt practices from the United States Ombudsman Association and train staff as professional mediators. Sparrow said the office has identified a reporting system that will allow complaints to be filed online or by phone and will facilitate data collection and reporting to the Legislature and the Department of Health and Welfare.

Sparrow discussed early priorities: building an impartial investigative process, working with local citizen review panels to identify regional patterns and chronic problems, and compiling data to support policy recommendations. He said he had already received complaints in his first month on the job and expected to fill a deputy ombudsman position imminently.

Sen. Wintrow asked Sparrow how he planned to coordinate with citizen review panels and whether statutory revisions might be needed to strengthen their role. Sparrow said the office would collaborate with the panels, compile regional data and review organization and funding for the panels; he described those statutory considerations as a "preliminary forecast." He also told the committee he views the office as an enhancement that will work alongside Health and Welfare leadership.

Sparrow highlighted his background as director of the Youth Challenge Academy and prior experience in probation, parole and substance-counseling work. He said those roles informed his approach to serving vulnerable youth.

The committee did not take a confirmation vote during this session; the chair said Sparrow's confirmation would be voted on at the committee’s next meeting.