Star woman launches consulting firm to guide Idaho families through disability systems

A 27-year veteran of Idaho’s disability support community has launched an independent consulting firm to help Treasure Valley families navigate the fragmented maze of medical, educational and state systems surrounding childhood disability diagnoses.

Kristi Young founded Strong Anchor Consulting, LLC, in Star to fill what she describes as a coordination gap that most families don’t recognize until they’re already lost in the system.

When a child is diagnosed, families can find themselves dealing with schools, pediatricians, therapy providers, Medicaid and state programs that don’t always communicate with one another.

“Your case manager helps with one piece. Your school works on another. Your therapist focuses on something else. But who’s helping you see the whole picture? That’s the gap I sit in,” Young said.

Strong Anchor Consulting works alongside Idaho’s existing network of disability advocates, case managers, parent-support organizations and pediatric specialists rather than replacing them. The firm offers educational guidance only and does not provide legal, clinical or therapeutic services.

Young works with one family at a time, often visiting homes to directly observe a child’s behavior patterns, daily routines or therapy sessions before developing individualized recommendations. Services range from help choosing a school and understanding Individualized Education Programs to navigating Medicaid applications, the Katie Beckett program and disability-specific community resources.

“There’s no job too big or too small,” Young said. “If a parent is stuck on a single sentence in a form, that’s worth my time. If they need a long-term roadmap, that’s also worth my time. The whole point is meeting families exactly where they are.”

Strong Anchor Consulting serves Treasure Valley families in person and offers virtual consultations nationally. Services are available on a fee-for-service basis, ranging from one-time roadmap sessions to ongoing coaching support.

This story was written using artificial intelligence with human oversight.