Treasure Valley foster families converged on Lucky Peak State Park last Sunday to take advantage of a new program offered jointly by the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation and Department of Health and Welfare (DHW). In all, more than 100 people gathered in the park to learn about camping, boating safety, fire safety, fishing, and a lot more.

This was the first of a planned series of events for foster families that will take place statewide in the coming year. Called Outdoor FUNdamentals, the next will be hosted at a different state park later this fall. Please stay tuned for details.

Earlier this summer, Idaho Parks and Rec and DHW joined forces to give all Idaho foster families free access to Idaho’s state parks via the Idaho State Park Foster Family Passport. The new program is an extension of that initiative.

There was a palpable sense of community and camaraderie at Lucky Peak State Park on Sunday that was made more festive with contributions by Regence BlueShield of Idaho, Idaho Business for the Outdoors, CLIF Bar, Scheels, and a number of other agencies and vendors like the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Idaho Youth Conservation Corps.

In addition to outdoor-focused educational experiences and materials, the event included free food, a raffle, and prizes. 

The event also highlighted the 10 Outdoor Essentials that all adventurers should come prepared with before they venture into the outdoors, including water, snacks, sunscreen, and more. 

Additionally, foster families who attended were able to check out the Idaho State Parks Experience Idaho Loaner Backpacks, which are available at nearly every Idaho state park. The Experience Idaho Backpacks are free and filled with outdoor gear like binoculars, identification guides, and aquatic nets. 

The new Outdoor FUNdamentals program is just one of many new focused goals DHW has pledged to help recruit, retain, and help foster families get the help and assistance they need. 

The department has waived all adoption fees through the department, simplified licensure of foster homes, and released a Foster Parent Bill of Rights.

It has also reorganized its child welfare leadership team and program structure, worked with Gov. Brad Little to expand paid parental leave for new foster parents, and sponsored screenings of the film, “Sound of Hope,” which chronicles the true story about 22 families who adopted 77 kids from the foster system.

And it has partnered with Idaho Parks and Rec to roll out the Idaho State Park Foster Family Passport. If you have questions about the passport program, please visit the attached FAQ. 

Celebrate Kinship Day this weekend!

Idaho Kinship Family Day will be celebrated this Saturday, Sept. 21, at outdoor parks in Boise, Idaho Falls and Coeur d’ Alene. The events will include food, games, prizes, and activities for families to participate in together, as well as information and resources about kinship care.

Events in all three cities are from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and specific locations are as follows:

• Boise - Kristen Armstrong Municipal Park Shelter, 500 S. Walnut St.
• Coeur d’Alene - Borah Elementary, 632 E. Borah Ave.
• Idaho Falls - South Capital Park, 270 S. Capital Ave.

Activities and events are linked to supporting relatives and kin who are caring for children and promoting resources that support the health, safety, and stability of children and families. The activities also support services that help prevent children from entering formal foster care so they can stay with their kin.  For more information and to RSVP for the celebration, please visit Idaho Kinship Family Day Celebration.

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