Senior Program Officer, Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health

Jackie Yarbrough is a Senior Program Officer for the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health. She leads the nonprofit organization’s statewide work in education with goals to remove barriers to education and address root causes that impact health by engaging with schools, organizations, and communities.

Jackie, who is passionate about health, collaboration, and community building, has been in her role since 2021. Since then, she’s played an integral role in the expansion of Community Schools in Idaho and was named Community School Champion of the Year in 2025 by the Idaho Coalition for Community Schools. Jackie has helped more than 25 school districts launch or expand early education programs and has supported more than 35 Career Technical Education programs for health professions to help address healthcare workforce shortages in Idaho.

Jackie is a member of the Idaho Behavioral Health Council’s Prevention Workgroup and serves on the board of directors of the Idaho Association of Free and Charitable Clinics. She champions youth behavioral health work and initiatives across the state.

Jackie is a Licensed Social Worker with more than 30 years of experience dedicated to serving others and advocating for the rights and needs of underserved people and communities in the nonprofit, healthcare, social service, and education sectors. Before joining the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health, Jackie was an operations director at a free mobile health clinic during the COVID pandemic. Prior to this, she worked at The Idaho Foodbank for 12 years leading community partnerships, nutrition programs and health initiatives. She started her social work career in child protection services, then transitioned to the Pocatello School District where she worked with at-risk children and families for 10 years before moving to Boise to join The Idaho Foodbank team.

She’s earned two degrees from Idaho State University — a Master of Public Administration degree focused in nonprofit program management and development and a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work.

Jackie was born and raised in rural Idaho. She enjoys spending time with her partner, Chris, and bonus kiddo, Austin, as well as listening to live music and being outdoors.