EMS for Children

The current Idaho Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) Project has been in existence since October of 1999. It is part of the Bureau of EMS and Preparedness
and is supported by a grant from the Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration, Maternal and Child Health Bureau.

The National EMSC program is designed to reduce child and youth mortality and morbidity sustained due to severe illness or trauma. It aims to ensure state-of-the-art emergency medical care is provided to all children and adolescents and to ensure that pediatric service is well integrated into an emergency medical services system. This requires access to optimal resources and the assurance that the entire spectrum of emergency services, including primary prevention of illness and injury, acute care, and rehabilitation, is provided to children and adolescents as well as adults.

Frequently Asked Questions

For more information about the Idaho EMSC Program, contact the Bureau of EMS and Preparedness at 208-334-4000.

Section Menu

Safe Haven

As of July 1, 2001, the Idaho Safe Haven Act protects abandoned infants. This law is intended to provide a safe alternative for parents who otherwise might abandon their babies.

A safe haven is authorized by law to accept a baby less than 30 days of age, directly from a parent, without indentifying the parent. The parent is not required to provide any information to the safe haven, but may volunteer medical or other information. The parent remains anonymous and will not be prosecuted for child neglect or abandonement.

The law specifically identifies the following safe havens:

Emergency medical personnel, when responding to a 911 call requesting a safe haven;
Licensed physicians and staff working at the physician's office or clinic;
Advanced practice professional nurses, including certified nurse midwives, nurse practitioners, and registered nurse anesthetists;
Licensed physician assistants;
Hospitals licensed in Idaho.

The safe haven will:

Accept the baby from the parent;
Make certain the baby receives necessary medical attention;
Immediately contact law enforcement. Law enforcement will establish emergency protective custody of the baby and contact the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, which will provide an emergency home and prepare and file a Certificate of Live Birth Foundling with the Vital Statistics Unit;
Not ask the parent's name, but may ask the parent if they wish to provide medical or other information about the baby.

More information

Idaho Careline. 2-1-1 or 1-800-926-2588;
Health and Welfare child protection, 208-334-5700;
Read the law here or call the Legislative Services Office, Room 108, State Capitol, Boise, Idaho 83720-0054, 208-334-2475 for copies;
Download the brochure: English