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Julie joined the Idaho CDHD in 1993 as the Interdisciplinary Training Coordinator. From the outset, she threw herself into grant writing, helping the Center secure funding to develop substantial projects. This included work with the Idaho Council for Developmental Disabilities to create a family support project that drafted legislation to allow families to apply for respite care funding through the Department of Health and Welfare.
“It was such a pleasure to work with Julie… We jointly developed a presentation that demonstrated the mission and purpose of the network in addition to collaborating on grant applications, program implementation, research, training and advocacy – giving a voice to Idahoans with developmental disabilities and their families. And beyond our official roles, I consider Julie a good friend… She has been an exceptional leader,” said Marilyn Sword, former Director for the Idaho Council for Developmental Disabilities.
Julie officially became the Director of the CDHD in 1997-98. She developed a vision for the Center that focused on developing useful, collaborative, evidence-based, data-driven strategies that put Idaho’s disability community at the forefront of our work.
“I worked with Julie for over 30 years,” said former CDHD Associate Director Robin Greenfield. “I could not have asked for a better colleague. She believed in the mission of the Center and, as a result, has had a huge impact on children and adults with disabilities both in Idaho and around the country.”
Some of her most substantial successes focused on programs for early childhood, autism supports in schools, behavior analysis and Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports. She helped launch the Idaho SESTA project. She developed a master's degree program for the Bureau of Indian Affairs and an Early Childhood Blended Certificate. She also worked with the University of Idaho to develop two postgraduate programs with an emphasis on ASD.
“It has been a great privilege getting to work alongside Julie these past two years. Julie is a thoughtful and visionary leader who cares deeply about improving the lives of people with disabilities. Through her steadfast leadership, the CDHD has become a formidable force for good in the state. I am grateful for Julie’s wisdom and willingness to help me learn along the way. She will be deeply missed by all of us who know and love her as a colleague and as a friend,” said Dean Brooke Blevins, College of Education, Health and Human Sciences.
In addition to her role as the Director of the CDHD, Julie served on the AUCD board of directors from 2007-14. She received the AUCD’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021 – an honor recognizing exceptional leadership, advocacy, research and a lifetime commitment to the disability community.
There is no doubt that her legacy of work has had a positive and lasting impact on the Center and those we serve.
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