As I prepare to move on to a federal role for which I’m nominated, I want to express my gratitude to Idaho’s foster, kinship, and adoptive families—and to share my full confidence in the future of the Department of Health and Welfare (DHW).

Gov. Brad Little has named Juliet Charron as the next director of DHW, and I can’t think of a better person to lead the agency forward. Juliet has been serving as DHW’s deputy director over Medicaid and Behavioral Health, where she has overseen services that reach more than 350,000 Idahoans. She brings a combination of policy expertise, operational strength, fiscal acumen, and compassion for the people we serve. 

Her leadership at DHW has already delivered meaningful improvements in care coordination, contract oversight, stakeholder transparency, and tribal partnerships. With a background in Medicaid leadership roles in Texas and experience in both government and community-based health systems, she understands how to manage complexity—and how to stay focused on outcomes. Juliet leads with a commitment to doing right by Idahoans.

I’ve worked closely with Juliet during a year of focused effort and rewarding progress. Since stepping into this role in June 2024, I’ve focused primarily on one goal: improving outcomes for Idaho’s children and families. That goal united teams across the agency and sparked real change in our effort to double the rate of Idaho foster families.

Together, we’ve:

•    Eliminated adoption-related fees for relatives and kin.
•    Expanded support for foster families, including paid leave for state employees who foster.
•    Launched new tools like support lines, newsletters, the Fostering Family Adventures parks program, and alliances with other state agencies and community partners.
•    Worked with the Legislature and Gov. Little to secure a $23 million investment to hire 63 new staff and expand in-home support services.
•    Opened the Payette Assessment and Care Center, ending the use of short-term rentals for children in crisis.
•    Created the Continuum of Care Bureau and strengthened coordination with courts to improve placements.

Our goal to double the number of licensed foster homes by July 2026 is a big lift—but we’re well on our way. Looking forward to the coming year, DHW is already charting a course to:

•    Increase foster parent reimbursement rates.
•    Strengthen prevention to keep families safely together.
•    Implement new kin-specific licensing and extended care reforms.
•    Expand tech tools to improve communication and decision-making.
•    Host a fall conference with the courts focused on prevention and advancing timely permanency.

I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together—and even more confident in what’s to come under Juliet’s leadership. With her depth of experience, strong values, and focus on making a difference, Juliet is ready to lead DHW into its next chapter.

To every family who has opened their home and heart to a child in need: thank you. Your impact is lasting, and it has been an honor to serve alongside you.

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is dedicated to strengthening the health, safety, and independence of Idahoans. Learn more at healthandwelfare.idaho.gov.