Every day, across Idaho, social workers are helping people through some of the most challenging moments of their lives.

During National Social Worker Month, I want to take a moment to recognize and thank the social workers who serve our communities with compassion, skill, and unwavering commitment.

At the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, social workers are at the heart of our mission. They support children and families, connect individuals to essential services, and help people navigate systems that can often feel overwhelming. They are problem-solvers, advocates, and trusted partners for Idahoans in need.

What stands out most to me is not just the work social workers do, but how they do it.

They listen. They build relationships. They meet people with dignity and respect. They bring both expertise and empathy to situations that require careful, thoughtful decision-making. And they continue showing up — even when the work is difficult — because they know the difference it can make.

Across our state, social workers are helping individuals move toward stability, independence, and opportunity. They are helping families stay together, helping children find safe and supportive environments, and helping communities grow stronger.

This work matters. And it does not go unnoticed.

To every social worker serving Idaho: thank you. Thank you for your dedication, your professionalism, and your commitment to improving lives. Idaho is stronger because of 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.

When a child’s safety is at risk, there is no room for ambiguity.

That’s why Idaho is strengthening the laws that guide some of the most important decisions we make in child welfare.

At the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, our responsibility is clear: protect children, support families, and ensure our systems are working as intended. This week, two new laws were signed that strengthen Idaho’s child welfare system and reinforce that commitment.

Putting safety first in visitation decisions

Senate Bill 1257 addresses one of the most complex areas in child welfare — visitation between children and their parents.

These decisions are rarely simple. They require balancing family connection with real concerns about safety, often in difficult and evolving circumstances.

This law makes something clear: when there are concerns about a child’s safety, those concerns must come first.

It provides clearer direction to caseworkers and courts, supporting case-by-case decisions based on the specific risks and needs of each situation. That clarity matters. It helps ensure decisions are consistent, thoughtful, and centered on the well-being of the child.

Clarifying rights for youth in foster care

House Bill 724 establishes a bill of rights for youth in foster care.

At its core, this law reinforces something we should never lose sight of — children in foster care are not just part of a system. They are the reason the system exists.

By clearly outlining their rights, this law promotes transparency, strengthens accountability, and helps ensure young people understand what they should expect while in care.

A third measure, Senate bill 1292, also contributes to this work by strengthening safeguards within Idaho’s child welfare system by ensuring foster parents receive appropriate training.  Taken together, these updates reflect a broader effort to provide clearer expectations, stronger protections, and more consistent outcomes for children and families.

Progress takes many forms

Last year, Idaho made significant investments in child welfare services. Those investments continue this year by strengthening the system through policy. 

That matters.

Because improving outcomes for children doesn’t always require new funding. Sometimes it requires clearer expectations, better guidance, and a shared commitment to doing this work well.

Continuing the work

These new laws reflect thoughtful collaboration and a shared commitment to protecting Idaho’s children.

I’m grateful to the legislators, staff, and partners who contributed to this effort — and to the many professionals across our state who carry out this work every day.

We will continue to build on this progress, always with a focus on safety, accountability, and better outcomes for the children and families we serve.

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

Maria is an Idaho foster mom whose decision to foster didn’t come from a place of perfection. It came from experience, reflection, and growth.

As she grew past her challenging childhood, the idea that any child could be without safety, stability, or a place to belong stopped being abstract; it became personal. That quiet conviction is what led her to open her home as a foster parent, determined to be the kind of adult she once needed.

As a child, Maria faced instability and trauma that shaped her early years. Her home life was marked by abuse, violence, and neglect — circumstances no child should have to navigate alone. After her mother died, her father struggled to raise her on his own, and discipline often took the form of fear rather than care.

When things became unsafe at home, a family friend stepped in and did something extraordinary: they became licensed foster parents solely so they could take Maria in. In her new home, Maria experienced something unfamiliar, love and consistency. One memory still stands out decades later:  sitting at a table while her foster mom patiently helped her with homework.

At the time, Maria believed she wasn’t smart and that school simply wasn’t for her. Her foster mom didn’t accept that version of the story. She stayed beside her, encouraging persistence and confidence, and planting seeds Maria wouldn’t recognize until much later.

“It was really hard for me,” Maria said, “because I didn't … I hadn't had anybody sit with me to do my homework before.”

(Follow this link to watch a video about Maria’s experience as a foster mom.)

Those small and steady moments mattered. They showed Maria what care could look like.

Like many youth in care, Maria struggled to trust her newfound stability. She rebelled, ran away, and spent time in group homes that brought their own challenges. Even so, the awareness she carried with her never faded. She understood that many children experience harm not because no one sees it, but because too many people look away.

“There's a kid out there that is being abused,” Maria said, “and adults who are supposed to be adults are watching it happen and just don't care.”

That truth stayed with her and eventually became a call to action.

Today, Maria is a licensed foster parent in Idaho. With the support of her congregation, family, neighbors, and community, she has built a home grounded in safety, patience, and intention. And she understands that fostering isn’t something you do alone.

“Yeah, it's been hard, but I feel like if you are brave enough and humble enough to ask for help, people are more than willing to help,” Maria said.

She’s also learned that caring for others requires caring for yourself, a lesson she wants other foster parents to hear.

“You can't help anybody unless you've helped yourself, and you need to be well enough to be able to help others,” she said.

Maria didn’t step into foster care impulsively. She understands the weight of the decision. She understands the emotional complexity, the uncertainty, and the reality that youth in foster care may test boundaries or reject kindness before they trust it. She knows those challenges are part of the work, not a failure of the child or the caregiver.

And still, she chose yes.

“I'm a strong believer that sometimes you're called to do something and sometimes you do it because you're called to do it,” Maria said. “You feel it in your heart that this is what you're supposed to do.”

Idaho needs foster parents

If you're interested in becoming a foster parent, or helping with occasional respite care, it can be as small as committing to one child for one season of their life. Please call 211 or visit the department’s foster care web page for more information. Your willingness to open your home can make a profound difference in a child's life.

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

This week, foster care advocates, alumni, families, and supporters gathered for Foster Care Awareness Day at the Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 18. Organized by Idaho Voices for Children, the event brought people from across the state to share perspectives with lawmakers and raise awareness about foster care in Idaho. 

Foster Care Awareness Day offers an opportunity for community members to educate legislators and leaders about the challenges and opportunities facing children and families involved in foster care. Attendees shared personal experiences, highlighted needs for additional supports, and underscored the ongoing importance of safe, stable foster homes statewide. 

Events like this help ensure that decisions made at the Statehouse reflect the real-life experiences of children, youth, and caregivers. They provide a chance for advocates to engage directly with policymakers, for neighbors to show support for foster families, and for voices that are often under-represented to be heard.

The event was kicked off when Lt. Gov. Scott Bedke read the Foster Care Awareness Day Proclamation, highlighting that, “it is imperative to bring together Idahoans impacted by foster care, community advocates and partners, and Idaho’s elected officials and agencies to identify priorities moving forward.” 

Subsequent presenters emphasized the importance of trauma-informed practices, the need to focus on prevention, and the impact a community rallying to support children and families can have. Representatives from DHW spoke about the need to recruit foster parents and collaborative efforts with other agencies and organizations throughout Idaho to support foster children and families, including the new Community Builders initiative. 

For more information about future foster care awareness efforts and how you can stay engaged, visit the event page at idahovoices.org. 

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

Last month, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (DHW) launched a comprehensive 360-degree compliance review of all providers participating in the Idaho Child Care Program (ICCP).

This effort reflects my continued focus on program integrity, accountability, and responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars. It also responds to concerns raised nationally about fraud and misuse in child care subsidy programs.

I committed to transparency as this work continues — and today am sharing our latest progress update.

Current Progress

As of last week:

• 276 providers have been visited in person
• 198 total reviews have been completed
• 11 providers have been terminated from the program

In addition, reviews are ongoing statewide through both on-site visits and off-site desk audits.

When providers are found out of compliance with program rules, DHW takes appropriate action. That may include corrective action, payment suspension, program termination, and referral for prosecution when warranted.

What the 360 Review Includes

The review examines compliance with state and federal rules, including:

• Attendance records
• Sign-in and sign-out documentation
• Parent and guardian signatures
• Billing practices
• Policies and procedures
• Alignment between billing and documented child attendance

Off-site reviews include requests for documentation covering multiple months of operations. Providers are given deadlines to respond, and findings are formally communicated.

Most providers are working hard to serve Idaho families appropriately and safely. These reviews are designed to protect children, ensure fairness for compliant providers, and maintain public trust in the program.

Ongoing Weekly Updates

To ensure transparency, DHW has published a dedicated webpage that will be updated every Friday through mid-March while the 360 reviews are underway. This new page will allow providers, families, policymakers, and community members to review updated counts and outcomes.

Strengthening Oversight Going Forward

I also requested additional staff resources from the Idaho Legislature to ensure 100% of ICCP providers can be reviewed annually moving forward. Strengthening oversight capacity helps:

• Detect non-compliance earlier
• Protect public funds
• Support ethical providers
• Ensure children are served safely

Reporting Concerns

If you are aware of potential fraud, waste, or abuse in any DHW program, please report it.

Every referral is reviewed.

DHW will continue sharing updates as this work progresses. Accountability, transparency, and protecting Idaho families remain central to our mission.

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

Beginning Feb. 15, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in Idaho can no longer be used to purchase candy or soda.

This change follows recent legislative action and aligns with similar steps being taken by several other states this year. The goal is to support healthier food choices while continuing to ensure access to nutritious foods for individuals and families who rely on SNAP.

What’s changing

Starting Feb. 15:

• Candy will no longer be an eligible SNAP purchase.
• Soda and other sugar-sweetened soft drinks will no longer be eligible SNAP purchases.

SNAP benefits can still be used to buy a wide range of nutritious foods, including:

• Fruits and vegetables
• Meat, poultry, and fish
• Dairy products
• Bread, cereals, rice, and pasta
• Seeds and plants that produce food

Why this change is being made

The intent of this change is to support improved health outcomes, particularly for children and families.

SNAP is designed to help households access food that supports overall health and well-being. Limiting purchases of items with limited nutritional value—such as candy and soda—reflects a growing focus on nutrition and prevention across public assistance programs nationwide.

Idaho is not alone. Several other states have adopted similar SNAP policy changes in 2025, reflecting a broader national conversation about nutrition, health, and long-term outcomes.

What this means for SNAP customers

Changes to food purchasing rules can raise questions. DHW’s goal is to ensure SNAP customers:

• Have clear, advance notice of changes
• Continue to have access to nutritious and affordable food options
• Can plan ahead for shopping and household needs

Retailers that accept SNAP will update their systems to reflect the new eligibility rules.

Where to find more information

We encourage SNAP customers and community partners to review the latest updates on our SNAP webpage. These pages will continue to be updated with information and resources as needed.

DHW’s commitment

The Department of Health and Welfare remains committed to supporting the health and well-being of Idahoans. SNAP continues to be a critical program that helps families put food on the table, and we will continue working to provide clear information, resources, and support throughout this transition.

If you have questions about SNAP eligibility or benefits, please visit our website or contact your local DHW office.

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

Recent news from other states has highlighted serious cases of fraud and abuse in child care subsidy programs. These stories have raised understandable concerns about how public funds are protected and how children are kept safe.

In Idaho, ensuring program integrity, accountability, and compliance in the Child Care Program is a top priority.

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (DHW) has intensified its efforts to prevent, detect, and address fraud, waste, and abuse — while continuing to support child care providers who serve families responsibly and ethically across the state.

A focus on compliance

DHW has long maintained processes to identify and address fraud across all benefit programs, including child care. In the past, the department has:

• Identified cases of non-compliance and fraud
• Referred cases for prosecution when appropriate
• Recovered misspent funds

However, until recently, existing staffing levels only allowed the department to conduct annual reviews of about 25% of participating child care providers. That level of oversight is not sufficient. We have a responsibility to Idaho taxpayers, families, and children to do better.

A 360-degree review of all providers

In early January, investigative staff were redirected to launch a comprehensive, 360-degree compliance review of all 775 providers participating in Idaho’s Child Care Program.

This effort includes:

• On-site inspections of designated providers, which includes a review of documents
• Off-site audits (also called desk audits) of designated providers
• Review of billing, attendance, and program requirements
• Immediate action when potential fraud or serious non-compliance is identified
• Ten full-time staff conducting these reviews statewide

Progress to date

Reviews began in mid-January and are targeted for completion by mid-March. As of early February:

• 244 on-site visits have been completed; document review is ongoing
• 100 notices have been sent for off-site reviews
• 9 providers have been terminated
• 25 providers are receiving additional scrutiny and may face further action

When providers are found out of compliance, DHW takes appropriate action — up to and including payment suspension, program termination, and referral for prosecution.

Supporting providers who do the right thing

To be clear: most Idaho child care providers are doing the right thing.

They provide safe, reliable care for children and support working families and communities across Idaho. DHW values their dedication and hard work, and this compliance effort is not meant to create unnecessary burden for providers who are following the rules.

Strong oversight protects both families and ethical providers by ensuring a fair, trustworthy system.

Building sustainable oversight

To ensure 100% of providers can be reviewed annually moving forward, DHW has asked the Idaho Legislature for five additional staff positions dedicated to compliance and oversight in the Child Care Program. This investment would allow DHW to:

• Maintain full annual reviews
• Identify issues earlier
• Strengthen public trust
• Protect taxpayer dollars and children

The department looks forward to working with Idaho policymakers to continue strengthening this program.

Ongoing updates and how to report concerns

DHW will continue sharing regular updates on this work to promote transparency and accountability.

If you are aware of potential fraud, waste, or abuse in any DHW program, please report it. Every referral is reviewed.

Together, these efforts help ensure Idaho’s Child Care Program remains safe, responsible, and focused on serving children and families as intended.

• For more information, please read the letter we sent to Idaho lawmakers last week in response to their questions about the Idaho Child Care Program. 

Juliet Charron is director of the Department of Health and Welfare since September 2025. She served as the Idaho Medicaid administrator starting in November 2021 and was promoted to deputy director in June 2024. Prior to her move to Idaho, she held leadership positions with the Texas Medicaid program and the Texas Office of Inspector General.

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

With the snip of oversized scissors and an outpouring of community support, a ribbon fell in late November at Idaho’s newest psychiatric residential treatment facility. The opening of Headwaters Behavioral Health Center in Idaho Falls marked more than a ceremonial milestone; it represented the realization of a multi-year effort to bring intensive mental health care for children and adolescents back to Idaho.

The facility is one of three psychiatric residential treatment facilities, also called PRTFs, established statewide after Gov. Brad Little included $15 million in his 2022 budget to address a longstanding gap in Idaho’s behavioral health system. The funding, approved by the Idaho Legislature that same year, was designed to create inpatient psychiatric services for children and youth that were not previously available in Idaho.

The Department of Health and Welfare awarded grants to three partners capable of serving different regions of the state: Idaho Youth Ranch in southwest Idaho, Northwest Children’s Home in north Idaho, and Jackson House in east Idaho. Jackson House operates the Headwaters Behavioral Health Center. 

During the ribbon-cutting event in November, Jackson House President and CEO Bruce Figuered spoke about the urgent demand for youth mental health services across the state. He noted that Idaho’s youth suicide rate is 46.8%, higher than the national average.

Before the creation of PRTFs in Idaho, approximately 100 children each year were sent out of state to receive this level of care — often far from their families and communities. State leaders and stakeholders identified the lack of in-state inpatient psychiatric treatment as a critical gap in the continuum of care.

“This level of mental healthcare did not exist in Idaho, so these three facilities are filling a critical gap in our continuum of care for children and youth,” said DHW Behavioral Health Administrator Ross Edmunds. “Previously, around 100 kids were getting treatment in other states because we didn’t have these services available in Idaho.”

Headwaters Behavioral Health Center is designed to serve up to 40 adolescents ages 12 to 17. The program emphasizes structure, consistency, and active engagement in treatment.

Headwaters Program Director Lex Fanopoulous said the center’s therapeutic model will incorporate a variety of treatment methods including individual and group therapy, and nursing and medication support. He said treatment plans will be individualized and may include de-prescribing medications when appropriate.

Edmunds emphasized that community involvement was crucial to establishing Idaho’s approach.

After the Legislature approved funding, DHW conducted stakeholder engagement sessions across the state. Participants emphasized patient safety, asked about age limitations and prioritization of Idaho youth, and raised questions about coordination with neighboring states.

With that feedback, an application process involving multiple state agencies led to the selection of the three providers now operating PRTFs in Idaho.

“DHW is confident these strong partnerships will further Idaho’s ability to serve children with complex mental health diagnoses in Idaho,” Edmunds said. “This will also reduce the need for children to leave the state for care we simply didn’t offer.”

With the facilities operated by Idaho Youth Ranch and Northwest Children’s Home already underway, the opening of Headwaters Behavioral Health Center completes the three-facility vision first outlined by the Idaho Behavioral Health Council.

Headwaters Behavioral Health Center began serving youth on Jan. 1.

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

A crisp, clear winter evening welcomed more than 200 Idaho foster, kinship, and adoptive family members to Eagle Island State Park on Jan. 24 for Fostering Family Adventures, an event that paired outdoor fun with connection, learning, and reflection.

After nearly a week of socked-in weather in the Treasure Valley, the skies cleared just in time. As the sun dipped low, golden light spilled across the park, casting long shadows over the snow while children zipped down the sledding hill, laughing and cheering. 

Nearby, families gathered around fire pits, roasting marshmallows, sipping hot chocolate, and warming their hands as the temperature dropped and the stars began to appear.

The evening brought families together for snow tubing, s’mores, hot chocolate, coloring activities, winter-themed history stations tied to America’s 250th anniversary, and the Junior Ranger program led by the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation. 

“Events like this create space for children and caregivers to just be families,” said DHW Family and Community Partnerships Administrator Laura Denner. “When kids feel joy, safety, and belonging, it reinforces why community support for foster and kinship families matters so much.”

The winter setting offered more than recreation. History-focused activities encouraged curiosity and conversation, weaving learning into the evening alongside sled tracks and sticky fingers from marshmallows.

Fostering Family Adventures is a cooperative effort led by the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation and the Department of Health and Welfare, with key financial and logistical support from Idaho Business for the Outdoors. 

Additional partners for the Eagle Island event included Regence BlueShield of Idaho, Cabela’s, the Idaho State Historical Society, Capital City Kiwanis, Gateway Parks & Trails, and other local contributors.

Idaho needs foster parents

Idaho continues to need foster families willing to provide safe, supportive homes for children. Those interested in fostering can learn more by calling 211 or visiting the Department of Health and Welfare’s foster care webpage. Even providing care for one child for one season can make a meaningful difference.

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