DHW Voice
Latest Post
Why faster kinship placements matter — and how Idaho just took a step forward
When children are removed from their homes for safety reasons, the next best option is often a familiar face — a grandparent, an aunt, or a close family friend, for example. These kinship placements provide children with a sense of stability, reduce trauma, and help preserve connections to family, culture, and community. But historically, even relatives willing to step in have faced
Older Posts
Older Posts
When children are removed from their homes for safety reasons, the next best option is often a familiar face — a grandparent, an aunt, or a close family friend, for
Earlier this summer, the Department of Health and Welfare (DHW) launched a hiring campaign to fill 63 new positions aimed at improving outcomes for children and
As summer arrives in Idaho, so do a series of seasonal health hazards. With the first heat-related deaths of the year already reported this June, and with temps
Over the past year, I’ve pursued a mission of accountability, transparency, fiscal responsibility, and improving the lives of Idaho’s vulnerable children in need.Central to that has been strengthening child welfare—expanding foster care through legislative reforms that
When Jamie told Tyler early in their relationship that she wanted to foster children someday, she meant it. “If he didn’t want that, it wasn’t even an option,” she said. Years later, the couple has fostered more than 20 children—short-term, long-term, and everything in between—
DHW Deputy Director Monty Prow throws one of the opening pitches at Foster Family Night June 6.
Idaho’s foster families were guests of honor
For 12 years, Gene and Sandy tried to have a child. Gene worked as a pastor in Jerome, and she taught special education. They seemed destined to raise children in a
More than 150 foster parents and foster children gathered last Saturday at Bruneau Dunes State Park to launch the second year of the Foster Family Passport Program—a growing partnership between the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (DHW) and Idaho Department of Parks and
As Idahoans, we value our health, our families, our independence, and our communities. With recent measles outbreaks reported in several U.S. states, including Montana
Scott Matlock has serious game—both on the football field and in digital gaming arenas. But it’s his big heart that stood out last week when he used his unique platform as a former Idaho foster youth, rising NFL star, and passionate gamer to inspire local foster kids in
Child welfare is not the responsibility of one agency or one group—it takes all of us. From judges to foster families, attorneys to caseworkers, nonprofit advocates to