Grace Dehner
Boise,ID
Summary
Dynamic public service leader with over 11 years of experience driving impactful statewide initiatives. Expertise in harnessing data, fostering collaboration, and implementing innovative solutions to address complex public health challenges. Committed to creating sustainable change and empowering teams to achieve measurable outcomes for diverse populations. Strategic thinker adept at navigating intricate systems and uniting stakeholders to accomplish shared goals and deliver lasting results.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Healthcare Directive Registry Program Specialist
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
10.2024 - Current
- Lead statewide strategy for the Idaho Healthcare Directive Registry; serve as subject matter expert on advance care planning for healthcare providers, legal professionals, and the public.
- Design and implement public education initiatives and training programs (virtual/in-person); manage stakeholder outreach and marketing campaigns.
- Analyze registry performance data, oversee reporting to the Idaho Legislature, and support continuous quality improvement efforts.
- Maintain compliance with Idaho Code §39-4501; manage registrant services, document intake, and account integrity.
- Develop project plans, policies, and vendor contracts; monitor program budgets and ensure alignment with agency goals.
- Provide responsive technical assistance and customer service; represent the division at state-level forums and events.
- Increased program efficiency by streamlining processes and optimizing resource allocation.
Strategy and Innovation Team Health Program Specialist
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
06.2023 - 09.2024
- Co-led the development and implementation of a division-wide policy review process and framework, ensuring an equity-driven approach across all processes.
- Planned and aided in the design of transformative training sessions to enhance understanding and application of internal policies through an equity lens.
- Planned and facilitated a dynamic learning community focused on tackling health and healthcare disparities, fostering knowledge exchange and collaborative action.
- Conceptualized and successfully executed the inaugural statewide conference, focused on improving Idaho's population health and elevating the voices of our disproportionately impacted communities.
- Fostered cross-departmental and multi-sector partnerships to catalyze initiatives aimed at reducing inequities and advancing systemic change.
Health Disparities Program Specialist
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
02.2022 - 06.2023
- Led statewide initiatives to address health disparities and advance health equity in Idaho, aligning with Bureau of Equity and Strategic Partnerships (BESP) goals.
- Managed the non-rural component of the CDC National Initiative to Address COVID-19 Health Disparities OT21-2103 grant, focusing on underserved and high-risk populations.
- Successfully executed and monitored 62 subgrants across two funding cycles (State Fiscal Year 2022 and 2023), totaling over $10,000,000 in funding.
- Developed and implemented grant deliverables, ensuring compliance with federal reporting and program requirements.
- Built and managed relationships with stakeholders, including community organizations and healthcare providers, to drive collaborative health equity solutions.
- Coordinated contract and subgrant processes to fund health equity projects, ensuring successful implementation and progress tracking.
- Identified health system barriers, proposed solutions, and provided technical assistance on CDC Health Equity grant initiatives.
- Led internal Smartsheet initiative to improve department processes and cross-functional collaboration.
- Contributed to taskforce(s) and policy revisions, including Idaho's Health Equity Taskforce and various Equity Learning and Action Networks.
Grant Manager and Fiscal Specialist
Idaho State Department of Education
02.2014 - 03.2022
- Managed and oversaw all special education-related grants and contractual agreements for the State of Idaho, ensuring compliance with federal regulations under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
- Managed over 173 School-age and Preschool local education agencies (LEAs) awards annually – totaling over $60,000,000 in flow-through funding.
- Monitored and audited all Idaho LEAs and sub-recipients to ensure adherence to IDEA requirements, providing guidance on compliance and fiscal management.
- Collected, analyzed, and compiled data for federal qualitative and quantitative reporting, ensuring accurate and timely submission.
- Developed and implemented statewide initiatives and tools to enhance fiscal compliance among sub-recipients, streamlining processes and ensuring effective fund management.
- Collaborated with public officials, business stakeholders, and education leaders to drive state-wide initiatives and support the effective use of federal education funds.
- Lead, Department of Education Grants and Contracts Management Process and Policy Revision
- Co-lead, State-wide Federal Programs Conference Taskforce
- Member, Special Education Policies and Procedures Revision Taskforce
Graduate Student Researcher
Idaho State University
01.2021 - 01.2022
- Conducted a cross-sectional survey to assess public perceptions of nuclear energy across Idaho, examining key areas such as safety, environmental impacts, energy security, economics, and knowledge of the nuclear industry.
- Analyzed demographic and geographical differences in survey responses to understand regional and population-based variations in attitudes toward nuclear energy.
- Identified areas of public concern and risk, providing insights into potential interventions and communication strategies to improve public perception.
- Contributed to the development of manuscripts, publications, and graduate theses based on survey findings, providing actionable data to inform energy policy and public outreach efforts.
Project Manager Second
KaBOOM!
01.2013 - 01.2018
- Led community engagement efforts in high-poverty, low-income areas to design and implement playground and open space projects, enhancing access to play for children.
- Collaborated with city park systems to develop and execute visioning and planning for new recreational spaces.
- Worked with national partners and stakeholders to promote inclusive, active play and ensure that projects met community needs.
- Managed and coordinated volunteers, co-leaders, and supervisors, ensuring smooth project execution and high levels of communication and collaboration.
- Fostered relationships with public officials, business leaders, and community members to advance park and playground build initiatives, ensuring broad support and successful implementation.
Education
Master of Public Health -
Idaho State University
Bachelor of Science - Health Education and Promotion
Boise State University
Skills
- Project management
- Strategic planning
- Quality and process improvement
- Program design and evaluation
- Needs assessments
- Vendor, volunteer, stakeholder management
- Report generation
- Data management
- Grant/contract management
- Community building
- Collaboration and teamwork
- Attention to detail
Accomplishments
Publication: Dehner, G., McBeth,M. K., Moss, R., & vanWoerden, I. (2023). A Zero-Carbon NuclearEnergy Future? Lessons Learned fromPerceptions of Climate Change and NuclearWaste. Energies, 16(4), 2025.https://doi.org/10.3390/en16042025Dehner
Timeline
Healthcare Directive Registry Program Specialist
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
10.2024 - Current
Strategy and Innovation Team Health Program Specialist
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
06.2023 - 09.2024
Health Disparities Program Specialist
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
02.2022 - 06.2023
Graduate Student Researcher
Idaho State University
01.2021 - 01.2022
Grant Manager and Fiscal Specialist
Idaho State Department of Education
02.2014 - 03.2022
Project Manager Second
KaBOOM!
01.2013 - 01.2018
Master of Public Health -
Idaho State University
Bachelor of Science - Health Education and Promotion
Boise State University
Similar Profiles
Alura BlackAlura Black
Social Worker 3, Case Manager at Idaho Department of Health and WelfareSocial Worker 3, Case Manager at Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
Ryan GallivanRyan Gallivan
Program Specialist at Idaho Department Of Health And WelfareProgram Specialist at Idaho Department Of Health And Welfare
Scott MapleScott Maple
Operations Program Manager at Idaho Department Of Health And WelfareOperations Program Manager at Idaho Department Of Health And Welfare
Julie RandolphJulie Randolph
Operations Team Leader at Green AcresOperations Team Leader at Green Acres
Ricky RandolphRicky Randolph
Deli Clerk at Green's DeliDeli Clerk at Green's Deli