After 5 ½ years of service as our Executive Director, Ruth York is ready to move on to her next chapter in life focusing on mentorship and family. We are incredibly grateful to all of the amazing contributions and positive impact Ruth has made in our state and she will be missed. 

With that said, it is with great pleasure that we announce Brenda Willson as the newly appointed Executive Director of FYIdaho. A native Idahoan and Boise State University graduate, Brenda brings a wealth of knowledge and decades of experience to her role, understanding the unique needs and challenges that our state faces.

With a profound commitment to behavioral health and substance use awareness, Brenda has collaborated with families and stakeholders, fostering positive change and making a difference throughout the continuum of care. Her advocacy at local, national, and global levels has empowered and inspired others, leading to innovative ideas and partnerships that have shaped the landscape of behavioral healthcare management, services, and messaging.

Among her many accomplishments, Brenda was instrumental in helping in the opening of new adolescent inpatient programs and creating integrated rural opportunities for communities beyond the Treasure Valley. As the founder of PINE (Partners in Networking Excellence), a multi-state behavioral health and substance use networking group, Brenda has consistently demonstrated innovation and leadership. She also serves as the Chair on the Region 4 Behavioral Health Board, holds the Healthcare Sector Representative spot for the Meridian Anti-Drug Coalition, and is a member of the Healthcare Advisory Board for the Boise Chamber.

Brenda's passion for FYIdaho is evident in her commitment to creating authentic relationships within our state, with the goal of providing the highest level of care and outcomes for our families, youth, and communities.

Please join us in welcoming Brenda Willson as the Executive Director of FYIdaho, where her leadership and vision will undoubtedly contribute to the continued success of our organization.

Family Programs Manager

Rochelle Bettis is a Certified Family Support Partner for FYIdaho. She has spent over two decades navigating mental health, educational, and social services for children and transitional age youth. She's been a trainer for adoptive parents and a Parent Navigator for families raising children with neurobehavioral conditions.

Rochelle understands the complexities of raising children affected by trauma, serious mental illness, and developmental disability.

In her free time, you'll find Rochelle and her family on the Salmon River.

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Youth Programs Manager

Andrew is a Boise local who was raised in Idaho with deep roots in his community. He attended Boise High School where he was voted as a speaker at his graduation ceremony. He then attended school at Western Washington University. After college, he set out to travel the world for 4 years in hopes of gaining a more well-rounded sense of self and different cultures. He finished with a motorcycle trip around the U.S., visiting 85 cities, with the intention to find his new home city. He landed back in Boise realizing this was his true home after all. 

Andrew is a highly skilled communicator with a talent for leading young people. His experience in leadership & development through mentoring, tutoring, and youth camp leadership has brought him to his new position at FYIdaho. Andrew has a passion for mental health & healing, particularly in youth. He went through his own challenging mental health journey in his 20's and, after persevering through many years, found restoration through a personal combination of therapy & psychiatry, social support & activity, purpose & contribution, and health & routine. Stevenson believes this restoration can also be achieved by others.

Andrew taught as a long-term substitute at Sage International Charter (Speech, Debate, Performing Arts) where he designed and taught curriculums ranging from extensive career projects & entrepreneurship to poetry slams & Ted Talks. He proved a consistent ability to build confidence in students by creating a safe space within his classes. The Special Education Director reported that all of her 7 students had gained noticeable confidence through his classes, and many other students reported his class to be the most impactful class they had ever taken. As a result, Andrew was awarded Freshman Teacher of the Year.

Andrew is excited & honored to channel his passion for mental health restoration into programs at FYIdaho with his beloved team.

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