Governor Brad Little has announced his appointment of Trevor Sparrow as Idaho’s new Health and Social Services Ombudsman, created by Senate Bill 1380 earlier this year.
In his new role, Sparrow will respond to claims related to services provided to children in foster care, protective supervision, or residential treatment facilities in Idaho.
Sparrow has served as director of the Idaho Youth Challenge Academy (IDYCA) in Pierce since 2017. Under his leadership, the IDYCA has helped more than 2,200 at-risk or dropout youth get back on track and earn their high school diploma or GED. He also served as IDYCA deputy director for two years. In addition, he has worked as a probation and parole officer and drug and alcohol rehabilitation specialist for the Idaho Department of Correction.
Sparrow also was elected mayor of Pierce from 2016 to 2020 and has served as chair of the Clearwater Economic Development Association board of directors.
Sparrow earned a master’s degree in addiction counseling from Grand Canyon University, a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice administration from the University of Phoenix, and an associate’s degree in law enforcement from Idaho State University. He also holds a graduate certificate in Restorative Practices from the International Institute for Restorative Practices, and he recently earned his Certified Public Manager designation from Idaho’s program.
