Idaho Mental Health Advocates Will Receive State Award

Laura Scuri and Ric Boyce are set to receive the Kathie Garrett Impact Award at a gala on October 9.

Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Mental Health

Gouache-painted illustration of two empty armchairs in a sunlit room, representing professional support and advocacy in the mental health sector. — Laura Scuri and Ric Boyce will receive the Kathie Garrett Impact Award on October 9 for their successful advocacy regarding Idaho mental health funding. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Laura Scuri and Ric Boyce will be honored by the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Idaho on October 9 for their advocacy. Their efforts were instrumental in securing the restoration of critical mental health funding by the Idaho Legislature.

Why it matters

The award recognizes the pair for their success in reversing budget cuts to mental health services following the deaths of four patients. Their direct engagement with lawmakers helped restore essential support programs previously impacted by funding reductions.

Four patients died after the state cut funding for the mobile treatment service provided by Magellan. This mortality figure occurred following the reduction in resources that the Idaho Legislature subsequently restored.

The players

Laura Scuri

She is a mental health clinic owner in Idaho who successfully advocated for restored state funding.

Ric Boyce

He operates a mental health clinic in Chubbuck and worked alongside Scuri to inform legislators on service gaps.

Brad Little

The Governor of Idaho who signed the legislation to restore funding for Assertive Community Treatment.

National Alliance on Mental Illness of Idaho

This nonprofit organization is responsible for presenting the Kathie Garrett Impact Award to recognize mental health advocates.

The details

Scuri and Boyce, both owners of Idaho mental health clinics, successfully lobbied the legislature by building personal relationships with lawmakers. They provided consistent data and education outside of formal committee hearings to push for the reinstatement of the Assertive Community Treatment program.

Late 2025: The state cut funding to the service provider Magellan.
2026 Legislative Session: The Idaho Legislature restored funding for essential programs.
October 9, 2026: Scuri and Boyce will receive their awards at a gala in Boise.

The Big Picture

The restoration of the Assertive Community Treatment program follows a pattern of intensive lobbying seen in other state health policy reversals. This legislative action marks a reversal of previous funding policies regarding the state's specific mental health infrastructure.

The restoration of the Assertive Community Treatment program ensures continued access to critical services for individuals with severe mental illness. Residents in need of peer support services will have more stable resources available following the legislative reversal of budget cuts.

The takeaway

The successful advocacy efforts by Scuri and Boyce highlight how direct communication with lawmakers can yield significant changes to health funding. Citizens interested in policy reform can effectively influence outcomes by sharing data-driven experiences with their elected representatives.