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 voluntarily extend care to age 23, supporting and strengthening kinship care, and accelerating permanency timelines. We launched the Office of Faith Initiatives, simplified licensing, and eliminated short term rentals as foster placements—while growing licensed foster homes at a record pace.

Idaho has also seen a notable improvement in foster parent recruitment and retention in recent years. The number of foster parents ending their licenses has declined year-over-year since 2023.  Meanwhile, we already had 66 more foster families sign up so far in fiscal year 2025 than our previous high in fiscal year 2024.  

These improved recruitment and retention numbers signal progress in keeping foster families engaged and supported in their role of helping keep Idaho families together. And taken together, we now have 95 families to care for every 100 foster kids, up from 74 families last June.

The Legislature’s historic $23.2 million investment and addition of 63 new staff singled a major leap forward in prevention and home-based care.

I oversee a wide range of programs that touch every corner of our state and every stage of life.

But few responsibilities have brought me as much personal fulfillment as signing the official documents that finalize a child’s adoption.

Recently, I signed my 250th adoption—each one represents a child’s permanent connection to a loving family and a hopeful future. These are not just names on paper. They are lives transformed, futures rewritten, and families made whole. Every signature is a moment of trust and joy—a quiet but powerful confirmation that a child has found a safe and nurturing place in the world.

Moments like these are a reminder of what we’re all working toward: stability, love, and opportunity for every child in Idaho. They also reflect the tireless commitment of our social workers, case managers, legal teams, foster parents, and most importantly, the adoptive families who open their hearts and homes, giving a chance to a child in need of a loving home.

Behind each of these 250 adoptions are stories of resilience and healing. Many children in foster care have experienced hardship, yet they demonstrate incredible strength and hope. It’s their courage, along with the dedication of those who care for them, that is deeply humbling.

Signing these adoptions is a great honor that affirms the purpose of our work and belief that every child deserves not only a safe home, but a family that celebrates and cherishes them.

To all the families who have welcomed a child through adoption—you are heroes in every sense. Thank you for showing what love, commitment, and community truly mean. Here's to the next 250 lives changed for the better.

Below are more resources for people seeking additional information about adoption in Idaho:

•    Information about adoption through foster care: https://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/services-programs/children-families-older-adults/child-and-family-services-and-foster-care/about-3

•    Private adoption information: https://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/services-programs/children-families/child-and-family-services-and-foster-care/private-adoption

•    Adoption and guardianship assistance: https://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/services-programs/children-families/child-and-family-services-and-foster-care/adoption-and

Photo caption: DHW Director Alex J. Adams signing adoption #250 on June 20th. 

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

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—and their journey together as foster parents has been filled with challenges and joy. (Follow this link to view a video version of their story.)

They are a family that thrives outdoors—camping, biking, road-tripping, and cramming as many as six kids into their camper at a time. At home, they’re raising three children of their own, with the oldest away at college. They foster with open arms, welcoming kids into both their routines and their hearts.

At first, Tyler thought their path of fostering would lead to adoption. But they quickly discovered a deeper calling: reunifying foster kids with their biological parents. 

“We quickly learned our priority is to get kids back to bio parents,” he said. That shift wasn’t instant for Tyler. It took time, and it took witnessing the process firsthand. “It was well into our second placement before I bought in,” he said. “It took time to adapt to that and change my mind about how I see everything.”

The emotional toll is real. “There have been times Jamie has said, ‘I’m done,’” Tyler admitted. “And I’m like, ‘Oh no.’” 

But in those moments, they lean on each other. 

“It’s not just about dragging each other through—it’s helping to lift each other back up,” Tyler said. That partnership, they say, is essential. So is communication. Before taking any placement, they talk it through. “If one of us second guesses it, we don’t take it,” Tyler said.

Even the joy comes with cost. Watching children reunite with their families is bittersweet. 

“Sometimes they get more care than our own kids,” Tyler said with a hint of humor and honesty. “But when it’s good, it’s rewarding.” 

They’ve cried when children leave, even those who stayed just a few days. But they treat every child the same— “whether they’re with me for a day, a week, or a year,” Jamie said. “I still love on them just like they’re my own.”

One of their most transformative experiences was their first placement, when they still thought they were fostering to adopt. As they got to know the parents—a couple battling substance abuse—their perspective shifted. 

“Watching them change, physically and emotionally, was humbling,” Jamie said. “To be the one raising their children while they worked so hard—that was a privilege.”

Tyler found meaning in watching their own children learn from these experiences, too. 

“It’s good to see how our kids welcome them and grow from it,” he said. And their own family has grown in empathy and awareness. 

It’s not always easy. Some losses leave them needing time to reset, even months. But they take that space when needed. “You’ve got to take your self-care into consideration,” Tyler said. And when they’re ready, they open their home again.

To anyone considering fostering, their message is clear: do it. Try respite. Try a short-term placement. Just try. “Whether it’s short or long term, we keep our same path,” Tyler said. “We treat them just like we do our own kids.”

Because for Jamie and Tyler, being a foster parent isn’t about being a savior. It’s about being steady. Being kind. Being there. And maybe getting to see a family heal—and knowing you were part of making that possible.

Idaho needs foster parents

If you’ve ever considered fostering, know that your willingness to offer a home—even for one child for one season—can change a child’s life forever. For more information, call 2-1-1 or visit the Department of Health and Welfare’s foster care page. You could be the difference that turns a story of struggle into one of hope and belonging.

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

Idaho’s foster families were guests of honor at Memorial Stadium on June 6 for Foster Family Night — an event that brought community partners together to celebrate the strength, compassion, and impact of foster care in Idaho.

Hundreds of Idahoans, including many foster families, filled the stands as the Boise Hawks faced off against the Ogden Raptors in Garden City. While the final score (an 8–6 Hawks loss) mattered to some, the night’s true victory was in the show of unity and appreciation for the families who open their hearts and homes to children in need.

The event was made possible by a coalition of partners — the Hawks, Department of Health and Welfare, Foster and Hart, Freedom Youth Foundation, and Project Filter — all of whom played a role in making the evening memorable. Their presence was felt in digital billboards around the stadium and through announcer shoutouts that highlighted their dedication to improving the lives of Idaho’s children and families.

More important still, Foster Family Night was just one example of the broader, statewide collaboration required to support foster youth. Across Idaho, nonprofits, state agencies, local communities, health providers, mentors, educators, lawmakers, business owners, and volunteers all play a role in building a system that helps children and families thrive. It’s a shared responsibility — and a shared opportunity.

Events like Foster Family Night are a reminder that meaningful change doesn’t come from a single group or effort. It comes from all of us — working together and showing up for kids and families when it matters most.

Raising a child, especially one in foster care, takes a village, and in Idaho that village is strong.

Monty Prow is Deputy Director over Child, Youth, and Family Services at DHW. 

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 loving, stable home, but it didn’t happen. They grew frustrated and burdened with all that love and no child to give it to. They prayed on it.

“Some people know why they're on the planet,” Gene said. “My wife is on the planet to be a mom.”

It’s said that God works in mysterious ways, and tests us to see if we can unlearn our own intentions, rip up our own plans, and discover a life that gives. (Follow this link to watch a video version of Gene and Sandy's story.)

They dared not wait for biology, and society provided. They adopted two babies from families they knew, and then when a mother in their church learned that her children might be removed from her home, Gene and Sandy chose to become foster parents.

“We were licensed one day and had two boys the next day,” Sandy said. “One of them was autistic, and the other boy was angry.”

Part of the reason Sandy said she wanted to wait to have her own children before fostering, is because she couldn’t let them go. To welcome a child and say farewell, it’s difficult. They knew that they’d want to keep every youth who entered their home.

Those first two boys? Gene and Sandy adopted them. They were the first of six boys they’d adopt out of foster care. That angry boy is now 26 years old. He is a successful welder and owns his own home.  

“We had very serious talks with him before we would agree to adopt him and his brother,” Sandy said. “And he told us one day, ‘mom and dad, you saved my life. If I had not come to your home, I don't know where I would be today.’”

Two of those youth are diagnosed with low-functioning autism spectrum disorder, and another with Asperger’s Syndrome. As a special ed educator, Sandy was uniquely positioned to help them, but she hopes that other parents who are less experienced will take the time, study the disorders, and open their homes to special needs youth.

At one point they had 10 children in their home, with their adopted children, foster children—and their miracle baby. After years of trying, they conceived, and Sandy gave birth to a little girl.

“I saw [Sandy] light up with these first two babies, and then we had a biological child, and they brought such joy and passion out of her. I wanted to help her in that kind of ministry.”

The little girl fit right in with this big mixed family with meager means living in an old church. If they wanted more, they were quiet about it.

“We had a lot of children in our home with different needs, different abilities, and different personalities,” Sandy said.

Those differences included behavioral health concerns and developmental disabilities. At school, the autistic youth was being put in an extended resource inclusion room and left there. Sandy felt like they could do better.

“I had to advocate for that child,” Sandy said. “Those are things that you have to do as a foster parent when you receive these children. They have a special need, not only just trauma, but some of them do have special needs as far as autism, ADHD, other things that they have to deal with.”

Gene is not a special ed professional. He’s a pastor, custodian, salesman, and a philosopher of sorts. He was short on experience with special needs youth, but he went the distance by caring, mentoring, and fathering a series of boys and girls who didn’t have father figures.

“Adoption and even foster care were an answer to our prayers in a profound way,” Gene said. “When we were fostering, if we could have taken them all in, we would have. There were times, though, that we had to say no just because we didn’t have enough space.”

But if they could, they helped. They helped children flourish, or just rest. They had youth who would run away and others who’d never let them go. They learned “a process of developing yourself” as Gene put it.

They never had to develop alone. The Department of Health and Welfare caseworkers, counselors and staff lent incredible support. They knew how to find resources for the children, helped with evaluations and medical care

“You have a network behind you, a team of people,” Gene said. “Each child had their individual unique needs, and we had a whole network of people we could turn to, and they were very responsive at helping us to be able to navigate some of those challenges.” They are now grandparents, with a house filled by the sounds of children.

Idaho needs foster parents

If you’ve ever considered fostering, know that your willingness to offer a home—even for one child for one season—can change a child’s life forever. For more information, call 2-1-1 or visit the Department of Health and Welfare’s foster care page. You could be the difference that turns a story of struggle into one of hope and belonging.

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

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 Recreation (IDPR). 

The strong turnout reflected both the success of last year’s pilot and the excitement around this year’s expanded offerings. With free annual access to Idaho state parks, the Passport Program gives foster families a chance to spend quality time outdoors, explore nature, and build memories together.

Saturday’s event brought together an incredible team of contributors and supporters. Key partners like Regence BlueShield of Idaho, Idaho Business for the Outdoors (IBO), and new sponsors such as the Capital City Kiwanis Club, Charles Schwab Boise Branch, Idaho Botanical Garden, and Micron helped make the day a success. Their time, donations, and volunteer efforts helped make sure families felt welcomed.

Highlights included hiking the park’s famous 470-foot dune, fishing with Idaho Department of Fish and Game, learning how to set up a campsite, and participating in hands-on STEM activities. Families explored educational booths, visited the park’s planetarium, viewed the sun and moon through telescopes, and joined the Idaho State Park Junior Ranger program—led by mascot Scout and IDPR staff.

More than 100 volunteers greeted families with gift bags, raffle prizes, and smiles. For some kids, it was their very first visit to an Idaho state park—a meaningful milestone in a safe, supportive setting.

This growing initiative builds on the foundation laid by the Idaho Legislature’s and Gov. Brad Little’s $23 million investment in child welfare this year, aiming to provide foster families with not just resources—but community, connection, and positive experiences.

More Fostering Family Adventures are planned across Idaho this summer, so stay tuned. We’re just getting started!

Idaho needs foster parents

If you’ve ever considered fostering, know that your willingness to offer a home—even for one child for one season—can change a child’s life forever. For more information, call 2-1-1 or visit the Department of Health and Welfare’s foster care page. You could be the difference that turns a story of struggle into one of hope and belonging.

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

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, it's a good time to consider how we can stay informed and prepared.

Understanding measles

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by a virus. It spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes and can linger in the air for up to two hours. Symptoms typically appear seven to 14 days after exposure and include high fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a distinctive rash. While many recover without problems, measles can lead to serious complications, especially in very young children and people with weakened immune systems.

Before we had a vaccine, almost all people got measles at some point in their lifetimes. In Idaho, over 1,000 cases were reported most years in the 1950s. 

The introduction and widespread use of vaccination began in the 1960s. The measles vaccine is highly effective, and for most people, two childhood doses of vaccine is all they will ever need to protect themselves against measles for their lifetime. 

Reported cases of measles have dropped dramatically since the 1960s, and in most recent years, no cases are reported in the state. 

While widespread vaccination was very successful at eliminating measles in the U.S., international travelers continue to reintroduce the virus, which has spread among mostly unvaccinated communities. This highlights the important role of continued vaccination to protect people and communities from the disease.

In 2024, cases of measles began to increase in the U.S.. So far in 2025, there have already been more cases than in all of 2024, with an especially large number of cases being reported in Texas and New Mexico. While no cases have been reported yet in Idaho, the summer travel season is beginning, and I am concerned that we will see cases in the state.

Staying informed and prepared

Here are some steps you can take to stay informed about measles:

• Know the signs: Familiarize yourself with the symptoms of measles to recognize it early.
• Check your records: Review your and your family's immunization records to understand your health history.
• Consult healthcare providers: If you have concerns or questions about measles or your health, reach out to your healthcare provider for personalized advice.
• Stay updated: Follow reputable sources like the CDC, the American Academy of Pediatrics and your local public health district for the latest information about any measles in your area and other health topics.

Community health

Being informed helps protect not just ourselves but also our communities. By understanding measles and how it spreads, we can make choices that contribute to the well-being of those around us.

Q&A: Common questions about measles

How serious is measles?

Measles can be serious, especially for young children and individuals with compromised immune systems. Complications can include pneumonia, encephalitis (brain swelling), and, in rare cases, death.

How does measles spread?

Measles spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus can remain in the air for up to two hours, making it highly contagious.

What should I do if I think I've been exposed to measles?

If you believe you've been exposed to measles, contact your healthcare provider immediately. They can guide you on the next steps, which may include monitoring for symptoms or receiving post-exposure prophylaxis.

How can I protect myself and my family from measles?

Staying informed about measles, understanding how it spreads, and consulting with healthcare providers about your health history are key steps in protecting yourself and your family.

Historically, vaccination has played a crucial role in preventing measles, eliminating it from circulating in the U.S. by the early 2000s. However, cases have jumped in 2024 and increased even further in 2025. Vaccination remains the surest way to prevent the disease.

Where can I find more information about measles?

Reliable information is available through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at www.cdc.gov/measles and the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare at www.healthandwelfare.idaho.gov. 

Dr. Christine Hahn is Idaho’s state epidemiologist and the Division of Public Health’s medical director. 

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

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 downtown Boise. 

Student athletes with Boise State Esports hosted an event at their downtown arena Thursday, April 17, where dozens of youth in foster care and their families were able to tour the world-class gaming facility, meet Matlock, and play videogames with him and members of Boise State’s varsity Esports team. 

“Now that I’m in the league, I want to use my platform to help people who were in my shoes,” he said. “It’s really cool to be able to do that now.”

Throughout the day, Matlock offered high fives and fist bumps, signed autographs on everything from t-shirts to footballs, and played family-friendly games like ‘Fall Guys” with foster youth. He even squared off against Boise State’s varsity squad in a few competitive rounds of League of Legends.

He also gave a heartfelt and fun 30-minute interview on Boise State’s Twitch feed, sharing insights about being raised in foster care, playing football for Boise State, and, of course, his passion for gaming.

Matlock, who grew up in foster care in Idaho, started playing football in high school and quickly discovered that his 6-foot, 4-inch frame, innate skill, and dogged work ethic were suited to sports, and the gridiron in particular. He went on to play for the Boise State Broncos and, since 2023 the Los Angeles Chargers where he’s become one of the NFL’s only players working on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball.

During his interview with Boise State Esports host Jacob Palmer, Matlock shared personal stories about growing up in foster care, advice for youth in the system today, football memories from the blue turf, and his favorite gaming moments—mixing humor with heartfelt reflections.

In a poignant moment, Palmer asked Matlock what advice he had for foster youth who were there in the room with him.

“There’s always light at the end of the tunnel no matter how dark it may seem,” Matlock said. “There was always light for me that I saw at the end of the tunnel. I just stayed the course and focused on the things that matter right now which was growing up, being a kid, going to school, making friends.

“I had a lot of people helping me, keeping me on the right track and the right path, so definitely this (being in foster care) is not the end all, be all.”

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

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 faith leaders, every person who touches the child welfare system plays a role in shaping better outcomes for Idaho’s children and families.

That spirit of shared responsibility was on display at the Children and Families Institute Conference in Boise on April 17, where more than 300 attorneys, judges, advocates, nonprofit representatives, and Department of Health and Welfare (DHW) staff gathered to collaborate on how best to support vulnerable families. The conference was put on by the Administrative Office of the Courts.

DHW leaders kicked off the two-day event with a panel presentation and discussion about the department’s efforts to double the rate of foster families in Idaho—a goal that relies on strong partnerships across systems.

“It takes all of us,” said DHW Deputy Director Monty Prow. “Everybody in this room who’s worked with these issues knows that there’s usually not just one piece of the system. It takes guardian ad litems, DHW staff at all levels, certainly members of the court, and advocates along the way—to support where we’re trying to head in order to be leaders and innovators in this space.”

Highlights from DHW’s panel included:

Prow also spoke about the department’s goal of improving child welfare including the reorganization of child welfare services from one division into two smaller divisions: Youth Safety and Permanency, which handles traditional child welfare work, and Family and Community Partnerships, a new DHW division that’s harnessing the power of community to support foster families.

Youth Safety and Permanency Deputy Administrator Wendy Seagraves gave a status update about the department’s work. The rate of foster homes in Idaho has increased from 0.74 in June 2024 to 0.94 now. The number of kids in congregate care in the same timeframe has reduced from 240 to 180 kids. The department has stopped using short-term rentals, and it’s reduced the number of out-of-state placements by nearly 50%.

Legislative and Regulatory Affairs Chief Jared Larsen reported on 2025 legislative and regulatory changes impacting foster families, emphasizing that these changes allow the courts more latitude to consider what’s in the best interest of children.

Family and Community Partnerships Administrator Laura Denner reiterated the importance of partnerships and the inclusion of foster families into events. She highlighted several upcoming events and developing partnerships.

Director of Faith Based Initiatives Sage Dixon said his office is focused on reaching out to the faith community to help recruit  foster parents, treatment foster families, and to provide additional support for existing foster and adoptive families.

The impacts of these innovations and milestones show that when people and groups work together, they produce better outcomes for a bright future for Idaho’s families.

The DHW panelists offered a special thanks to the courts for inviting the department to be a part of the day’s training. DHW looks forward to continued collaboration to improve the lives of Idaho’s youth and families.

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

Kate is an Idaho foster mom who encourages Idahoans to consider how they might support children in care. As a foster mom, adoptive mom, and biological mom, she’s experienced parenting from a variety of perspectives.

“If your fear is that you’ll get too attached, you are the perfect person to foster,” she said.

(Watch a video version of Kate’s story here.)

In addition, Kate has experienced the foster care system from different perspectives. As a volunteer with CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), she helps represent children in the court system. No matter the setting, she said she shows up as an advocate for kids—offering consistency, stability, and compassion during a chaotic time in their lives.

And she stressed that she works hard to empathize with biological parents whose children land in her care. “I think every single human person is searching to feel connected and to feel loved,” Kate said. “[The parents] need just as much love and support as the kids do.”

Kate and her husband have welcomed foster children with a range of needs into their family, including teens and youth with developmental disabilities or mental illness. She said their home is often a place of firsts: the first consistent meals, the first time a child is encouraged to go to therapy, the first time a young person begins to understand what stability can feel like.

One teen in their care had spent years bouncing in and out of foster homes, unsure of what love or permanence felt like.

“It was really hard for her to realize what stability looked like,” Kate said. “She would fight against love because it felt so uncomfortable for her. It took a while. Going to therapy was so good for her. We just would not stop showing her love. We loved her where she was at, that day. She slowly began to accept us.”

Today, the same teen is learning to love herself. Though her journey is sometimes still challenging, Kate said it’s clear that she’s healing. She’s learning to think in new ways — to see herself and her future differently.

“The way she thinks now has completely changed,” Kate said. “She’s been able to heal and think rationally. It’s amazing to watch her healing.”

Kate knows not everyone can foster — and that’s okay. But she wants more people to know there are still countless ways to help.

They can donate clothing, baby gear, or gift cards to organizations that support youth in foster care. They can volunteer with CASA. They can offer moral support to families who are fostering or reunifying with their children. Kate noted that when youth are returned to their birth families, those families are often rebuilding from the ground up and need community support.

While each family’s story is different, the needs across the state are real and growing, and Kate believes there’s a place in the foster care community for everyone — even those who want to help in small or quiet ways.

Idaho needs foster parents

If you’ve ever considered fostering, know that your willingness to offer a home—even for one child for one season—can change a child’s life forever. For more information, call 2-1-1 or visit the Department of Health and Welfare’s foster care page. You could be the difference that turns a story of struggle into one of hope and belonging.

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

We were honored today to have Gov. Brad Little join us at the Department of Health and Welfare to mark a major milestone for Idaho’s children and families: signing of a child welfare budget that adds $23.2 million in new funding and 63 additional staff to build capacity where it’s needed.

As the governor pointed out, this historic investment is the largest of its kind in state history, and it reflects our shared belief that every Idaho child deserves a safe, stable, and loving home.

Last June the governor issued the Promoting Families and Protecting Children executive order and set a vision for how we care for vulnerable children and support the families who raise them. Since then, we’ve worked to translate that vision into action—reducing barriers for foster parents, increasing the number of available foster homes, and expanding partnerships with community organizations across Idaho.

This new budget strengthens that momentum, adding:

• Prevention specialists who can work with families early—before a crisis escalates.
• More clinical staff to provide timely, compassionate care for children in the system.
• Greater support for kinship placements and treatment foster homes, so children can remain in family-like settings even in difficult circumstances.
• Expanded efforts to bring Idaho kids currently placed out of state back home.

This investment isn’t just about systems and services. It’s about making good on Idaho’s promise to children—that we will listen, protect, and support them. And it’s about recognizing the incredible work of foster parents, child welfare professionals, community partners, and everyday Idahoans who open their hearts and homes to children in need.

We know the work isn’t finished, but with this budget, we’re turning the page. We’re investing in solutions that prioritize stability, healing, and long-term well-being—solutions that reflect the Idaho way: community-driven, family-centered, and focused on what’s best for kids.

To everyone who helped get us here—Gov. Little, the Legislature, foster families, community partners, social workers, all of DHW’s divisions and staff—thank you. Let’s keep going.

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