A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) underscores a critical public health reality for Idaho: rabies, while rarely infecting humans,  remains an ongoing threat, and awareness of the risk is very important after any exposure to wildlife. 

Any potential exposure to rabies requires prompt medical evaluation because the disease is almost universally fatal once symptoms appear. In addition, a rapid public health response can assist the healthcare provider in determining the risk, and evaluating whether other people or pets may have been exposed.

Idaho’s investigation of the recent event started when the CDC reported a fatal case of rabies in a kidney transplant recipient in Ohio whose donated organ originated from an Idaho resident. Rabies was not suspected in the donor at the time the organ was recovered, and the infection was recognized only after the transplant recipient developed symptoms several weeks later. 

Once the diagnosis was confirmed, health agencies across multiple states initiated a comprehensive public health investigation to understand the source of infection and identify anyone who might have been exposed.

In Idaho, the Department of Health and Welfare (DHW), in partnership with the local public health district, other states, and CDC, conducted the public health investigation related to the donor. The investigation added key information needed by healthcare providers, and included clarifying the rabies exposure history, coordinating laboratory testing, assessing potential risks to others, and ensuring that appropriate recommendations for were made for anyone else who may have come into contact with the virus.

Interviews with the donor’s family provided important details not known during the initial clinical assessment. Several weeks before the donor became ill, he sustained a scratch during an encounter with an aggressive  a skunk on his rural property. 

Skunks are not a rabies reservoir in Idaho. However, bat-associated rabies variants circulate widely in the state, and bats can transmit the virus to other mammals. Laboratory testing by CDC later confirmed that the virus involved in this case was consistent with the silver-haired bat variant. It is likely that an infected bat had previously exposed the skunk to rabies. 

The resulting response, which included hundreds of exposure risk assessments, shows the importance of early public health consultation when evaluating potential rabies exposures. 

The case also reinforces well-established guidelines for Idahoans: 

• Avoid direct contact with bats or other wildlife exhibiting unusual behavior.
• Seek medical attention promptly after any potential exposure.
• Notify your local public health district after animal contact in which rabies exposure may have occurred. 

Rabies remains preventable with timely intervention. DHW will continue to collaborate with partners statewide and nationally to identify risks, conduct investigations, and protect Idaho communities from this rare but serious disease.

For more information from the CDC about rabies: https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/index.html

Dr. Christine Hahn is the Division of Public Health Medical Director and Idaho State Epidemiologist.

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

Thanksgiving is a time to gather, share a meal, and reflect on what we’re grateful for. As you plan your holiday feast, a few simple food safety steps can help keep your celebration healthy, safe, and stress-free. The Nebraska Regional Poison Center, which serves Nebraska, Idaho, and Wyoming, offers helpful reminders to make sure your Thanksgiving meal is prepared safely from start to finish.

Tips for a safe and delicious Thanksgiving

• Wash your hands.
  Everyone helping in the kitchen should wash their hands with warm, soapy water for at least 20 seconds before and after handling food.
• Keep your turkey refrigerated.
  Store your turkey in its original packaging in the refrigerator until it’s time to cook.
• Thaw the turkey safely.
  Plan ahead—thawing a turkey takes time. Large turkeys may take several days to thaw completely.
  • In the refrigerator: Allow one day for every 4 to 5 pounds.
  • Under cold running water: Keep the turkey in a leak-proof wrapper and change the water every 30 minutes.
• Use a meat thermometer.
  Make sure the turkey reaches an internal temperature of at least 165°F. This is the only reliable way to know it’s fully cooked.
• Store the turkey and stuffing separately.
  After cooking, refrigerate the turkey and stuffing in separate containers to help keep them fresh and safe.
• Handle leftovers the right way.
  Refrigerate leftover turkey within two hours and use it within 3 to 4 days. Stuffing and gravy should be eaten within 1 to 2 days.

Additional safety reminders

• Skip thawing on the counter.
  Thawing at room temperature allows bacteria to grow on the surface while the inside remains frozen.
• Limit time at room temperature.
  Don’t leave a thawed, uncooked turkey out of the refrigerator for more than two hours.
• Cook at a safe temperature.
  Set your oven to at least 325°F to ensure the turkey cooks thoroughly.
• Stay out of the kitchen if you’re sick.
  If you’re feeling unwell or have an eye or nose infection, it’s best to avoid preparing food to keep others safe.
• Refrigerate leftovers quickly.
  Don’t leave food sitting out for more than two hours after serving.
• Avoid refreezing a fully thawed turkey.
  Once a turkey has completely thawed, it should not be refrozen.
• Take care with stuffing.
  If you choose to stuff your turkey, do so lightly. Both the stuffing and turkey must reach 165°F to be safe to eat.

Following these simple steps can help ensure your Thanksgiving meal is both delicious and safe to share. With a little planning and care, you can focus on what matters most—good food, good company, and a holiday filled with gratitude.

Jarryd Samples is a health program manager in the Division of Public Health.

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

Each November, we observe National Adoption Month—a time to honor adoptive families, recognize the resilience of Idaho’s children in foster care, and reaffirm our commitment to finding every child a safe, loving, and permanent home.

Since stepping into my role as director, I have witnessed firsthand the life-changing impact that adoption has on children and families. Every adoption file I sign represents a deeply personal story—one shaped by loss, care, perseverance, and hope. These stories stay with me. They remind me why our work matters and why every child deserves the stability and support that only a permanent family can provide.

In Idaho, when reunification with a child’s parents is not possible, the court may terminate parental rights, and the child becomes available for adoption. Adoption is one of the most important paths to permanency, and for many children in foster care, it marks the beginning of a new chapter filled with belonging, opportunity, and a sense of home.

As a department, we are innovating child welfare in Idaho. Our efforts focus on strengthening families early, preventing children from entering foster care, supporting and expanding our network of foster and adoptive parents, and building partnerships that keep children safe and connected. Adoption remains an essential part of this work—especially for children and teens who, through no fault of their own, cannot return to their families of origin.

Idaho continues to need adoptive families for Idaho’s older youth. Teens in foster care often wait the longest for permanent homes, yet they are remarkable young people with so much to offer. Adoption for older youth can mean having someone to celebrate milestones with, a place to come home to on holidays, and a family that walks with them into adulthood. Those relationships often make all the difference.

National Adoption Month is also an opportunity for all Idahoans to take part. Whether by adopting, fostering, mentoring, volunteering, or simply sharing information, every contribution helps create stronger communities and brighter futures.

To Idaho’s adoptive families: thank you. Your dedication, compassion, and love change lives. You demonstrate every day what it means to show up, stand by a child, and give them a place to belong.

And to those who are considering becoming foster or adoptive parents, I encourage you to learn more. Idaho needs families who are willing to open their hearts and homes. Our team is here to guide you, answer questions, and support you every step of the way.

Every child deserves a family to call their own—and together, we can help make that a reality.

Learn More

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

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

The iconic blue turf at Albertsons Stadium was filled with laughter, cheers, and high-fives Tuesday night as Boise State University student-athletes welcomed foster families for the second annual Fostering Future Broncos event.

Nearly 100 children and their foster families rotated through stations where Bronco student-athletes introduced new skills, encouraged friendly competition, and helped uncover hidden talents.

Football was a clear favorite. Kids learned to throw like a quarterback, block like a lineman, and kick for the extra point — all on the famous BLUE. But the fun didn’t stop there. Student-athletes led activities in soccer, basketball, gymnastics, golf, racing, beach volleyball, and even spontaneous dance circles.

Inside the Hall of Fame, families recharged with pizza and refreshments while kids proudly showed off colorful friendship bracelets they made at a crafting station.

For many foster youth, the night opened the door to brand-new experiences. “He’s never even held a football before,” said one foster mom of her 12-year-old. Moments later, he kicked a blue ball through the uprights. The smile on his face — and hers — said everything.

Every celebration brought cheers: a golf ball sinking into its target, a three-pointer swishing through the net, a soccer shot hitting the goal, a football landing just where it was aimed. Each success came with encouragement from Bronco student-athletes offering fist bumps, high fives, and heartfelt congratulations.

This uplifting event was made possible through a partnership between the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare’s Division of Family and Community Partnerships, Boise State Athletics, BroncoLife, and Freedom Youth Foundation. Together, they created a night of joy, confidence-building, and connection — reminding every child on the field that they are capable, valued, and supported.

“This event gives our kids a chance to try something new, build confidence, and simply be celebrated,” said DHW Director Juliet Charron. “Seeing the joy on their faces, and the support from the student-athletes and our community partners, is a powerful reminder that every child deserves hope, encouragement, and a team cheering them on.”

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 holiday season, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare’s Family and Community Partnerships division is teaming up with Book It Forward! Idaho and Barnes & Noble to bring something truly special to children in foster care: the joy of receiving books chosen just for them.

Books open doors to imagination, comfort, adventure, and belonging.  Every child deserves that experience. With your help, we can make sure foster families across Idaho receive books that feel personal and magical this holiday season.

Foster families are sharing their children’s favorite stories, topics, and reading levels to help create personalized wish lists. That means when someone buys a book from these lists, it’s not just a gift—it’s a gift chosen with the child in mind.

There are several ways Idahoans can take part, whether you shop in-store or online.

1. Nov. 1 – Dec. 15: Barnes & Noble Holiday Book Drive

   Throughout the season, Barnes & Noble customers can donate books for Idaho foster children right at the register. Boise and Twin Falls locations have set out wish list books in baskets and tables around the store, making it easy for patrons to purchase from the lists of foster kids.  Donated books will be collected, sorted, and delivered to families before the holidays.

2. Twin Falls Barnes & Noble Bookfair Event – Saturday, Nov. 8 – Sunday, Nov. 9

   A full day of holiday activities, including:

   • Story time with hands-on children’s activities at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m., and 5 p.m.
   • Book It Forward! Idaho volunteers onsite to share information and help shoppers participate
   • Foster family wish list books available for purchase and donation

   Use voucher code 12920237 for any in-store purchases that day—books, toys, and gifts count! A portion of proceeds will help buy more books for foster children.

3. Boise Barnes & Noble Bookfair Event – Saturday, Nov. 22

   The same fun experience, now in the Treasure Valley, where wish lists for most of the state will be fulfilled.

   • Book It Forward! Idaho tabling at the entrance
   • Story time and activities for kids
   • Foster youth wish list books available for purchase
   • Use voucher code: 12894796 at checkout to support the book drive

4. Online Book Drive – Nov. 22–27

   Even if you can’t visit a store, you can still give a child the gift of reading.

   • Shop online at bn.com/bookfairs using voucher code: 12894796
   • A portion of sales will go toward purchasing books from foster children’s wish lists
   • Books purchased directly from wish lists can be shipped straight to regional DHW offices

   More details and wish list links will be shared as the online drive opens.

5. Invite others to participate

   Share this event with friends, family, and social media contacts. 

   Books are more than objects—they’re experiences.

   • A child who loves dinosaurs gets the next big adventure in their favorite series.
   • A teen who has moved often gets a book that matches their interests—not a generic gift.
   • Siblings can receive stories they enjoy together.
   • Foster parents can build a library of comfort and joy in their home.

   With help from Book It Forward! Idaho, Barnes & Noble, community sponsors, and caring Idahoans, we hope every foster child receives books picked with love.

   Every book donated becomes a gift a child can open, hold, explore, and remember.

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 a Resource Peer Mentor (RPM) in Idaho, Kimberly lends support to foster parents, and she does this because she needed support herself. She and her husband currently have six children in the home: two teen boys (biological), two foster children, one adopted young daughter, and one adopted boy who is now in junior high school.

All of Kimberly’s kids have come with challenges, but one in particular tested her compassion and patience.

“Every case is hard,” she said. “Every case. There's not a perfect easy case. There’s not a perfect easy child.” 

The adopted boy was only supposed to stay in foster care for a night four years ago. It took urgent finessing from case workers and managers to get the boy, then only 7, a home for the night.

(Follow this link to watch a video about Kimberly’s experience.)

The reason for the challenge was because the boy exhibited severe and violent behaviors. With other children in her home, Kimberly was afraid. After considerable deliberation, she and her husband agreed to help for 24 hours.

As an RPM, Kimberly has helped train and support lots of foster families (her current case load is 23), so she was uniquely equipped to handle the incoming challenge.

The plan was, “we would get him that evening, and then we would keep him until sometime mid-morning that morning. We were just buying them a little time” to find him a placement at an in-patient facility.

Kimberly made an escape plan for the other children and watched the baby monitor trained on the boy all night. She barely slept.  The case workers were on call in case his behaviors reached a level that was “scary and overwhelming” to the point the police would need to be involved. The plan was for the police to take him away if he acted out.

“We're talking about a 7-year-old being scary enough to need a police officer to remove him from our home,” Kimberly said. “You're scared of every breath you take. You're scared of everything he says.”

“But he was pretty soft, quiet, excited to play with the toys,” she said. “[Foster] kids hold back for a little bit. That honeymoon phase is real. It’s very, very real.”

The only other option for this youth would be inpatient treatment or a psychiatric hold, but for those to be legitimate options he’d need to act out violently first. It put Kimberly on edge, waiting for an inevitable outburst. But it didn’t happen. 

So they were in an uncomfortable limbo in which the boy was supposed to be removed from her home after exhibiting Big Behavior, but the day passed without incident.

So, he stayed another night, and then he stayed for a week. DHW child welfare staff kept close watch, with twice-weekly meetings and full wraparound support—with the boy’s removal to residential support being the likely end result.

But the longer the boy stayed, the better he did. The family handled the blowouts, disruptions, and behavioral uncertainty. He started third grade along with one-on-one daily tutoring. He also went to therapeutic counseling.

Kimberly spent months advocating for the boy—fighting to get him back in school and into routines while facing daily battles over simple tasks like brushing his teeth. Threats, defiance, and chaos were common, but with support from the Department of Health and Welfare and his counselor, she found tools to persist. Though she could have sought police intervention many times, she refused to give up, knowing he needed a home, not a hospital.

He had grown used to instability and expected to be moved when things got hard, but Kimberly’s steady parenting showed him otherwise. She insisted he be held to the same expectations as any child, while recognizing the pain that shaped his behavior. As DHW looked for a long-term placement, she realized how much she had invested in him—so much that the thought of letting go left her panicked.

“They were never going to measure up and be good enough to raise my child that I loved and I'd worked so hard to protect,” she said.

Kimberly and her husband made the decision to adopt the boy themselves.

“It was by far the hardest thing I've ever done,” she said. “He is still by far the hardest kid I've ever had. He still is the hardest kid we currently have. Some of that stuff's embedded in him for the rest of his life. I talk about it constantly, what being starved looks like on an adult's brain. That's inside of him forever.” 

The boy is still behind his peers academically and emotionally, but he is growing fast. He still has some Big Behaviors, but he isn’t going anywhere. He helps with the other foster kids in the house. He’s part of the family.

Why Should I Foster?

Kimberly’s story is sobering, but it’s also inspiring. She said she and her family are better off for their experience fostering. They’ve been softened by love, expanded by compassion, and steadied by the challenges they’ve faced.

“I’m a better human. I’m a better wife. I’m a better mom,” she said. “My husband and I are better partners.”

One of the biggest messages for those considering fostering is that she would walk her path all over again if given the chance.

“I hope people open their eyes to it and get involved in any way they can,” she said. “Foster kids need help. Kids may come dirty. Kids may come starving. They may come with nothing, or they may come with lots of stuff. There are so many kids that need homes.”

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 211 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.

Families come together in all kinds of ways, and for many Idaho children, that means being cared for by grandparents, aunts and uncles, or family friends who step forward to provide safe and loving homes when parents are unable to do so. These kinship caregivers provide stability, love, and a sense of belonging in times of uncertainty. 

The Department of Health and Welfare’s My Family. My Story. art and expression series celebrates those connections by giving children, youth and caregivers a creative space to share their experiences. Through drawings, poems, essays, and other creative expressions, participants share what family means to them. This may include the challenges they’ve faced, the strength they’ve found in one another, and the long-lasting bonds that define kinship care.

Entries this year encompassed a range of submissions that included stories, essays, drawings, and a hand-made quilt created by a kinship caregiver to provide comfort and warmth. 

One drawing featured a family standing closely together and a short essay that concluded: "I would tell other kids living with relatives that you learn lots of stuff like math, reading, traveling, history, and how much you are loved."

Some of the entries from past years offer a window into what this year also echoed. One grandchild wrote of her grandfather as her “hero in real life,” highlighting how ordinary acts of care carry deep meaning. Another narrated the journey from broken dreams to restored hope. Others drew images of safety, security, and connection. 

At its core, the series seeks to provide a platform for voices that are often overlooked — children growing up with relatives or significant adults, and the caregivers who step into loving, sometimes complex, roles. 

Beyond the artwork itself, DHW ties submissions into broader community events like Idaho Kinship Family Day, where submitted art is displayed in story walks and shared with those who attend.

While each piece is personal, collectively they make a powerful point: kinship care is not just a safety net, but a foundation for resilience and connection. 

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

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. Cooking does not neutralize their toxins.

Symptoms and risks
Poisoning symptoms may appear six to 24 hours after ingestion and include violent vomiting, abdominal pain, and profuse watery diarrhea. After several hours, symptoms may subside, creating a false sense of recovery. Within days, severe complications can develop, including jaundice, liver and kidney failure, coma, and death. Prompt medical treatment is critical to survival and may prevent the need for a liver transplant.

What to do in case of exposure
Never eat a wild mushroom unless it has been identified by an expert. If you or a child has eaten an unidentified mushroom, call the poison center at 800-222-1222, contact your healthcare provider, or go to the emergency room immediately. For pets, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435 or contact a veterinarian. The rule of thumb: when in doubt, throw it out.

Managing mushrooms at home
Death cap mushrooms often grow near imported trees in gardens, parks, and urban settings, and can spread to wild areas. In other regions, they appear in late summer through December, though Idaho’s seasonal risk is unknown. If found in your yard, remove them before mowing by plucking low on the stalk. Wear gloves to avoid soil contaminants, wash hands afterward, and dispose of the mushrooms in the garbage. Do not compost them or place them in wood chip containers. Clean and disinfect garden tools used around affected trees. Spraying will not eliminate the mushrooms toxins.

Tracking and identification
Residents can help monitor the spread by submitting photos to iNaturalist.org. Suspected sightings can also be reported to the Idaho Mushroom Club at info@idahomushroomclub.org. More information is available from the Southern Idaho Mycological Association (https://idahomushroomclub.org ) and the North Idaho Mycological Association at  https://www.facebook.com/IdahoWildMushrooms/ 

Host trees
Death cap mushrooms have a close relationship with certain trees. On the West Coast, death cap mushrooms have been linked to several tree species that also grow in Idaho, including hornbeam, sweet chestnut, filbert, Pacific beaked hazelnut, beech, pines, Douglas fir, Garry oak, English oak, northern red oak, and linden. Keep a look out for death cap mushrooms around older trees of these species, especially if they were imported to Idaho.

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

Although most Idaho residents use city water as their main source for drinking water, nearly 30% of Idaho residents rely on private wells for drinking water. What’s more, private wells are not regulated by any governmental agency. This means it is the well owner’s responsibility to make sure the water is safe to drink.

Some contaminants cannot be tasted, seen or smelled and could cause health problems. The only way to know if it is safe is to have the water regularly tested.

The Idaho Bureau of Laboratories (IBL) provides this service and certifies drinking water laboratories statewide to ensure high quality well water test results are available to protect the health and safety of Idahoans.  

In mid-September 2024, IBL Bureau Chief Dr. Chris Ball and his team wanted to contribute to the department’s wildly important goal of doubling the rate of foster families in a meaningful way. They launched free well water testing for foster families for certified family homes supporting foster children. Since then, they have completed 98 bacteriological tests- and have helped foster families rest easy knowing their drinking water is safe. 

Ball said he’d like to expand the program statewide and especially in rural areas with less access to drinking water labs. However, the biggest challenge is ensuring samples reach the lab within 24 hours of the collection. 

IBL’s contribution to waive fees for foster families shows their dedication to supporting Idaho’s community, especially those who care for vulnerable children. 

Resources for safe drinking water

To help Idahoans determine if their water is safe, IBL teamed up with partners and other state agencies to create an interactive map called Ground Water Quality Near Me. To see test results in your area, enter your address and see if there are elevated levels of contaminants that might be impacting your well water. 

You can also find additional information on a dashboard on the Get Healthy Idaho webpage, which has information regarding regional contaminants, things to test for, testing frequency, and resources for well maintenance that should be done on a well. 

If you have a private well, you may want to get your water tested to protect you and your family’s health. For more details read Drinking Water and Private Wells.

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

The Department of Health and Welfare (DHW) seeks public feedback about how to improve rural healthcare in Idaho through the new Rural Health Transformation Program, created by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

The Rural Health Transformation Program provides $10 billion annually across states for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to transform healthcare in rural communities and ultimately improve patient outcomes. Funds may be used to promote innovation, strategic partnerships, infrastructure development, and workforce investment.

States must apply for funding, and proposals must meet specified criteria.

DHW invites input from rural health care providers, hospitals, clinics, community organizations, payers, workforce entities, universities, Tribal Nations, associations, local governments, and the public to guide Idaho’s application for funding.

Idaho is largely rural, so this is a unique opportunity to make a meaningful difference for our citizens and communities.

Provide your input by Sept. 30 via this online survey.

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