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From DHW Director Dave Jeppesen: Reflecting on lessons learned in times of crisis
Working at the Department of Health and Welfare (DHW) has been the highest honor of my career, and it’s also been the most challenging job I’ve ever had. That’s in part due to the dynamic range of daily tasks that come up. With eight divisions and 3,000 staff, we maintain countless systems to foster accountability and plan for the future, but almost every week at DHW is a reminder that you can’t plan for everything. Staying nimble is part of the job.
It is in these times when
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Thirty-three years ago this week, on July 26, 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law. This historic civil rights law protects the rights of people with disabilities.
The ADA prohibits discrimination based on disability in employment,
Caring for a person living with memory loss or dementia is a journey that can last many years. It’s not usually a straight path, as each person with a mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s, or another type of dementia may progress differently and in their own time
In June, I resumed my summer tradition of traveling to various locations in Idaho to visit DHW’s incredible staff. This is my favorite part of my job, and I’m consistently awed by the talent, dedication, and compassion exhibited by the people who choose to work here
Historical mine sites and ghost towns provide a unique recreational opportunity to explore a fascinating part of Idaho’s heritage. The buildings and structures are historical artifacts, and many are privately owned. Awareness of potential health and safety risks at these sites
I am pleased to announce the completion of DHW’s new five-year Strategic Plan, a living document that DHW leadership updates each year on the cusp of the new state fiscal year, which renewed July 1.
This year we’re rolling out a new goal to focus on recruiting
As temperatures increase, so does the likelihood of a cyanobacterial harmful algal bloom (cyanoHAB). CyanoHABs are caused by cyanobacteria, and the toxins they produce are harmful to humans, pets, livestock, and wildlife. CyanoHABs can change and increase rapidly if conditions
During the pandemic, federal law required that states continue Medicaid coverage for all members. Exceptions could be made if they died, moved out of state, or asked to be removed. As a result, 153,857 Idahoans were enrolled in Medicaid despite eligibility not being confirmed
The Ada County Weed, Pest, and Mosquito Abatement agency reported the first 2023 detection of West Nile virus (WNV) in samples of mosquitoes found in the Ada County city of Meridian on June 14 and 15. Mosquito abatement personnel were sent to the area to initiate control
Idahoans gathered in Nampa on Wednesday, June 14, to celebrate a multi-phase, multi-tiered project that is improving the system of care at the Southwest Idaho Treatment Center, a state-run facility for people with developmental disabilities.
Called SWITC, the
Wildfire smoke contains a mixture of air pollutants that are unhealthy for anyone to breathe but are especially dangerous for people in sensitive groups such as children, older adults, pregnant women, and people with heart or respiratory conditions. It is important for every
Idaho’s Infant Toddler Program is not well known, but the work it does for children ages birth to 3 years who have developmental delays or disabilities is life-changing.
Children who take part in early childhood education programs such as the Infant Toddler