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Death cap mushrooms rise again in Treasure Valley
Death cap mushrooms (Amanita phalloides), the world’s deadliest mushrooms, have been spotted again in Boise and reported to the Idaho Division of Public Health. These mushrooms closely resemble edible varieties such as paddy-straw mushrooms or puffballs, making them especially dangerous. Ingesting as little as half a cap can kill an adult, and a small bite can be fatal for pets.
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Most poisoning emergencies are unexpected and happen quickly in our homes. A majority of non-fatal poisonings involve children younger than 6. For adults, poisoning is the number one cause of injury death in the United States. This week is National Poison Prevention Week, so it’
DHW is dedicated to making sure children who have experienced abuse or neglect have safe, permanent homes. We are also focused on improving the behavioral health system for Idaho’s young people and the crisis care system for adults with developmental disabilities.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, federal regulators allowed some flexibility in who could be defined as a Personal Care Services (PCS) caregiver. DHW received approval to allow agencies to hire parents of minor children and spouses as paid caregivers. The flexibility, however, was
Every child should grow up happy and healthy in a safe, loving home. Child and Family Services in the Department of Health and Welfare is committed to making sure children in Idaho who are at risk of child abuse, neglect, or abandonment are safe and supported.
Groundwater—water that comes from the ground via wells—is the water most of us drink every day. People also use water for numerous activities including bathing, cooking, recreating, cooling, manufacturing, food production, and medical use
Four new youth crisis centers in Idaho will make it easier and faster for young Idahoans to get help when they’re experiencing a behavioral health crisis.
In December, the Department of Health and Welfare and the Idaho Department of Juvenile Corrections finished awarding grant
Gastrointestinal illness caused by norovirus has been making news the past week, with well-publicized outbreaks in the United Kingdom and New York City, but Idaho is not experiencing more cases than we would expect. We typically see increases in illness due to norovirus
The Department of Health and Welfare (DHW) has begun the re-evaluation process for Medicaid coverage.
The department issued around 30,000 notices on Feb. 1 to Idahoans who may no longer be eligible but have remained enrolled in Medicaid because of Medicaid
When children are not safe in their own homes, they are often placed with a foster family. Some of those children require more care and can’t be placed in a typical foster home. Based on their needs, they require placement with a treatment foster family.
Idaho emergency response and mental health professionals gathered last week for a conference focusing on managing crisis in school settings.
Hosted by DHW’s Division of Behavioral Health Feb. 8 and 9 in Garden City, the Idaho Crisis Con featured keynote presentations about
The Department of Health and Welfare (DHW) is doing a number of things to ensure affordable, available healthcare that works. We’re addressing three main areas: healthcare workforce shortages, improving health outcomes and cost-efficient care, and limiting Medicaid spending