The Health and Social Services Ombudsman (HSSO) is committed to ensuring the state’s child protection system consistently provides high quality services to every child, family and community in Idaho.

How We Work

Idaho’s Health and Social Services Ombudsman was created to ensure the state’s complex child protection system consistently provides high quality services to every child, family and community in Idaho.

Listen

We listen to people about their experience with and concerns about child protection.

Investigate

We research and investigate concerns reported by any Idahoan about service delivery within the child protection system.

Resolve

We determine the best way to resolve concerns – that might mean bridging communication barriers or resolving conflicts based on misunderstanding.

Identify Trends

We identify trends where the community’s needs have changed and the system hasn’t had the funding, resources or practices to keep up with it. As a result, we make public recommendations for system improvement.

Initiate Change

We convene lawmakers, professionals and other stakeholders to advance legislation and policies that have a lasting, positive impact on children and families.

Health and Social Services
Ombudsman

Trevor Sparrow

Trevor has been a dedicated leader in community service and youth development since 2017, serving as the Director of the Idaho Youth Challenge Academy (IDYCA) in Pierce. Under his leadership, IDYCA has successfully assisted over 2,200 at-risk and dropout youth in earning their high school diplomas or GEDs. Prior to becoming director, he held the role of Deputy Director at IDYCA for two years. Additionally, Sparrow’s career includes roles as a probation and parole officer and a drug and alcohol rehabilitation specialist for the Idaho Department of Correction.

Beyond his work with youth and corrections, Sparrow made significant contributions to his community as the elected mayor of Pierce from 2016 to 2020. He also chaired the Clearwater Economic Development Association’s board of directors, further emphasizing his commitment to local growth and community well-being.

Sparrow’s academic background includes 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 is also certified in Restorative Practices through the International Institute for Restorative Practices and recently earned his Certified Public Manager designation from Idaho’s program.

Outside of his professional achievements, Sparrow is a dedicated family man, married with six children, including one adopted from the foster care system. He and his wife have also served as foster parents, demonstrating their strong commitment to supporting vulnerable children.

Our Staff

Deputy
Ombudsman

Brandon Cabrera

Brandon has worked with youth and the justice system since 2009, where he began his journey helping vulnerable youth at the Buchanan County Academy in Missouri. He simultaneously began his law enforcement career working in Juvenile detention and realized the connections that could be made were a unique opportunity to make a difference in the lives of youth. Soon after starting work at Buchanan County Academy, Brandon attended and subsequently graduated from the University of Missouri West Plains Deputy Sheriff program.

After graduating from the Sheriff’s academy Brandon was hired to work as a law enforcement officer where he remained for the next 13 years. During this time Brandon spent time working in the jail, on road patrol in the community, working hostage negotiations and leading the School Resource Officer program for Buchanan County. Brandon’s primary personal goal during this time was dedicating his service to ensuring the safety of the children in his community. He worked closely with area resources as an advocate for children and passionately pursued child crime prevention and investigation.

Brandon completed his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Arizona State University with a minor in criminal justice and graduated Suma Cum Laude. Realizing the opportunity to learn more about helping others, Brandon subsequently obtained his master’s degree in psychology from Arizona State University as well. Brandon is certified in Crisis Intervention, Hostage Negotiations, Building Safety Plan Evaluation, and Active Shooter Safety Training.

Beyond academic and professional achievements, Brandon is a dedicated father and spouse who loves spending free time with his family. He has spent the last 15 years volunteering with youth soccer as a club and recreational soccer coach and now gets to cheer and support his children from the sidelines as they pursue their goals. While he has never served as a foster parent himself, he has closely supported family members who have and remains a strong advocate for serving vulnerable youth.

Business Analyst

Samuel Montañez

Samuel is a seasoned professional with over 30 years of service in both Federal and State capacities, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to public service and community welfare. Samuel began his career in the military, serving 20 years of active duty with the U.S. Army before retiring in 2013. His military experience laid the foundation for a lifelong dedication to leadership, discipline, and service to others.

Following his retirement from the Army, Samuel transitioned to state service, where he has made significant contributions across various roles. He started his career in the state system as a Juvenile Probation Officer and later served as a Felony Probation and Parole Officer. His commitment to supporting individuals through their rehabilitation continued with his work at the Department of Health and Welfare’s Self-Reliance division.

Samuel then expanded his impact through the State Controller’s Learning and Development and Continuous Improvement programs, where he focused on enhancing organizational efficiency and fostering growth within state departments.

Samuel is highly educated, holding a Master’s in Organizational Leadership from Southern Columbia University. He also earned a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice Administration from the University of Phoenix and Graduate Certificates in Human Resource Management and Project Management from Southern Columbia University. Currently, he is pursuing certification in Data Analytics through the University of Southern California to further enhance his expertise in data-driven decision-making and organizational growth.

On a personal note, Samuel and his wife are deeply committed to their family and community. They have six children and have served as foster parents, providing care and support for children in need. Their dedication to the foster care system led them to adopt three of their children, demonstrating their ongoing commitment to providing a loving and stable environment for children in need.

Samuel Montanez’s career and personal life reflect his core values of leadership, lifelong learning, and a deep devotion to service, whether in the military, in state service, or at home with his family.