When Lori lined up her adopted foster children for the Main Street Mile in their Idaho hometown last summer, the kids weren’t thrilled. They ran anyway. This year, before she could even bring it up, they asked when the race was—because they wanted to do it again.

(Follow this link to watch a video featuring Lori’s story and advice about self-care for foster parents.)

For Lori, those small wins matter. Strong of heart but often tested, she has adopted five children from foster care, many with developmental or behavioral needs. Life at home is full—chickens, dogs, cats, schoolwork, and therapies. The demands are constant, and Lori knows firsthand that when parents don’t take care of themselves, the strain can overwhelm even the strongest intentions.

She has lived that reality. Her first marriage ended under the stress of foster parenting, but Lori stayed committed to her children. Back in Idaho, she and her second husband decided to foster again—welcoming three brothers and later adopting them.

“Sometimes they'd say some very personal things, but it's not all about you when you're doing foster care,” Lori said. “Even though it's your life, it's a lot about those kids and the things that they've struggled with.”

That perspective has shaped how Lori balances caregiving with self-care. She studies medical specialties while working toward a bachelor’s degree, homeschools her children, and manages speech, occupational, and behavioral therapy appointments. She also makes space for things that bring renewal—hunting, fishing, searching for huckleberries, and celebrating moments of progress, like her daughter learning to define her own identity.

“She’d take on anyone’s emotions,” Lori said. “Now she is starting to gain, ‘this is who I want to be’ versus taking on other people.”

Self-care for Lori doesn’t always mean time away. Sometimes it means being present in new experiences—camping together, trying a first swim, or introducing a new food. These moments strengthen both her children and herself.

The challenges remain—estrangement from her first adopted daughter, trauma recovery, disrupted sleep—but Lori has no regrets.

“You don’t know until you try it,” she said. “It may not be good for you, but there are so many kids who need the love and affection. This isn’t easy, but your life becomes way more meaningful when you help other people.”

To her children, Lori means everything. She is their mom.

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 I prepare to move on to a federal role for which I’m nominated, I want to express my gratitude to Idaho’s foster, kinship, and adoptive families—and to share my full confidence in the future of the Department of Health and Welfare (DHW).

Gov. Brad Little has named Juliet Charron as the next director of DHW, and I can’t think of a better person to lead the agency forward. Juliet has been serving as DHW’s deputy director over Medicaid and Behavioral Health, where she has overseen services that reach more than 350,000 Idahoans. She brings a combination of policy expertise, operational strength, fiscal acumen, and compassion for the people we serve. 

Her leadership at DHW has already delivered meaningful improvements in care coordination, contract oversight, stakeholder transparency, and tribal partnerships. With a background in Medicaid leadership roles in Texas and experience in both government and community-based health systems, she understands how to manage complexity—and how to stay focused on outcomes. Juliet leads with a commitment to doing right by Idahoans.

I’ve worked closely with Juliet during a year of focused effort and rewarding progress. Since stepping into this role in June 2024, I’ve focused primarily on one goal: improving outcomes for Idaho’s children and families. That goal united teams across the agency and sparked real change in our effort to double the rate of Idaho foster families.

Together, we’ve:

•    Eliminated adoption-related fees for relatives and kin.
•    Expanded support for foster families, including paid leave for state employees who foster.
•    Launched new tools like support lines, newsletters, the Fostering Family Adventures parks program, and alliances with other state agencies and community partners.
•    Worked with the Legislature and Gov. Little to secure a $23 million investment to hire 63 new staff and expand in-home support services.
•    Opened the Payette Assessment and Care Center, ending the use of short-term rentals for children in crisis.
•    Created the Continuum of Care Bureau and strengthened coordination with courts to improve placements.

Our goal to double the number of licensed foster homes by July 2026 is a big lift—but we’re well on our way. Looking forward to the coming year, DHW is already charting a course to:

•    Increase foster parent reimbursement rates.
•    Strengthen prevention to keep families safely together.
•    Implement new kin-specific licensing and extended care reforms.
•    Expand tech tools to improve communication and decision-making.
•    Host a fall conference with the courts focused on prevention and advancing timely permanency.

I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together—and even more confident in what’s to come under Juliet’s leadership. With her depth of experience, strong values, and focus on making a difference, Juliet is ready to lead DHW into its next chapter.

To every family who has opened their home and heart to a child in need: thank you. Your impact is lasting, and it has been an honor to serve alongside 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. 

Never leave children in cars, especially during the summer. As summer temperatures rise across Idaho, it’s critical to remember that life-threatening heat-related dangers don’t require triple-digit temperatures. In fact, when it comes to parked cars, even an 80-degree day can quickly become life-threatening—especially for children. 

Every year, dozens of children in the U.S. die from being left in hot cars—either intentionally for a short errand or unintentionally when a caregiver forgets they’re in the back seat.

The interior temperature of a vehicle can increase by nearly 20 degrees in just 10 minutes, a potentially deadly situation even during a seemingly mild day in the 80s. Cracking windows or parking in the shade doesn’t prevent the rapid rise in temperature. On an 85-degree day, the inside of a car can surpass 100 degrees in minutes—putting young children and pets at serious risk.

Even cooler days aren’t safe. In some cases, cars have reached over 110 degrees in less than an hour, even when it’s just 70 degrees outside. 

Children are especially vulnerable because their bodies heat up three to five times faster than adults. When a child’s core body temperature reaches 104°F, heatstroke sets in. At 107°F, the child may die. These medical emergencies can occur in as little as 15 minutes.

To prevent tragedy:

• Never leave a child or pet alone in a car—not even for a moment.
• Always check the back seat before locking your vehicle.
• Lock unattended cars to prevent children from climbing in and becoming trapped.
• Use a reminder, such as placing a phone or purse in the back seat.
• Ask daycare providers to call immediately if a child hasn’t arrived as expected.

With Idaho temperatures expected to hover in the 80s and 90s over the next few weeks, do not leave children and pets in the car for any reason. 

More info from the Centers for disease Control and Prevention: 

• Infants and children and heat
• Heat and pets
• Protect yourself from the dangers of extreme heat

Dr. Kathryn Turner is deputy state epidemiologist 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.

The Idaho Child Support program is celebrating a major milestone: 50 years of service to families across the state. 

Launched in 1975 as part of the federally funded Child Support Enforcement program, today’s Child Support Services (CSS) program plays a vital role in helping families thrive. Through a federal-state partnership, the program works to ensure that noncustodial parents contribute to the financial support of their children. This not only strengthens families, but also helps reduce the need for public assistance.

Since October 2024, Idaho’s Child Support program has collected more than $102 million in monthly support payments, helping more than 80,000 families. Many of these payments are made reliably each month by parents who are committed to supporting their children. 

When needed, collections may also result from enforcement actions, including income withholding from wages or unemployment benefits, intercepting tax refunds, suspending licenses, reporting to credit agencies, and placing liens.

Idaho’s Child Support program is also receiving national recognition. Among all states, Idaho ranks fourth overall in federal incentive performance. These rankings are based on key outcomes including:

• Establishing support orders
• Establishing paternity
• Collecting current monthly support
• Collecting overdue payments (arrears)
• Cost effectiveness of services provided

Out of the five performance categories, Idaho ranks second nationally for cost effectiveness, collecting $9.46 in support payments for every $1 spent on the program.

These achievements reflect the dedication of Idaho’s Child Support Services team, whose efforts make a meaningful difference for families and children across the state.

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

For Anne, fostering isn’t about numbers—it’s about growth. Still, the numbers tell part of the story: 18 years, 29 youth, four adoptions, and a home that rarely stands still. 

From infants straight out of the hospital to teens leaving juvenile detention, Anne has welcomed them all. Most stayed a year or more. Some still return to visit. But what matters most to her is not how long they stayed, but whether they found hope, calm, and the possibility of something better.

(Watch a video about Anne’s journey as a foster parent here.)

Anne didn’t grow up in Idaho. As a transplant, she wanted to connect with her new community. That’s when she saw a 211 CareLine ad that read, “You don’t have to be perfect to be a perfect parent.” The message struck a chord. She talked it over with her husband—they had two young kids at the time—and soon, they were welcoming new guests into their home.

‘Progress isn’t always perfection’

Anne admits now that she started with the wrong idea. She thought she could love the kids enough to take away their pain. But she learned quickly that love doesn’t cure trauma, and “progress isn’t always perfection.”

Over time, her understanding of her role shifted. She said her job wasn’t to make sure the child was perfectly healed, but to open new neural pathways, to help them feel calm, to help them feel peace.

That kind of healing starts with consistency—and sometimes, with an apology. Many of the youth in her care had never had an adult say sorry. Anne made that part of her example, showing them what stability, responsibility, and grace look like.

With every placement, she asks herself: “Did I give this child everything I could to help them look for something better, to help them aspire for something higher, to help them know that this is what consistency looks like, this is what stability looks like?”

Perfection, she now believes, is simpler than she once thought: it’s being present. Not fixing, but building. Building routines. Building trust. Building love.

Building something that lasts

Anne and her husband have adopted four Idaho youths and currently have two in their care. Some former foster children still drop by—one visits several times a week.

She also supports other families. Earlier this year, when a large sibling group had to be split, Anne worked with fellow foster parents Gene and Sandy Kissinger to keep the siblings connected. They coordinated visits, shared updates, and prioritized the children’s relationships with each other. That kind of teamwork, Anne said, is how healing begins.

“These kids just need someone who is engaged and cares about them and their whole family,” she said. “If I can’t love their parents, how can I love them?”

Anne knows she won’t see every child grow up—but she’s confident the time they spend with her sets the stage for growth down the road. With every moment of stability, every apology, every second of calm, she is building something that lasts.

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

Eastern Idaho has reached a milestone worth celebrating. As of June 30, Idaho’s Region 7—which covers eight counties in central and eastern Idaho—became the first of Idaho’s seven regions to surpass the goal of having 1.5 foster families for every foster child. 

Since then, the region has continued to meet that mark, holding steady above 1.5.

This is more than a statistic. It reflects the commitment of the people of eastern Idaho, including foster parents who open their homes, child welfare professionals, community partners, and DHW staff working behind the scenes.

Gov. Brad Little and DHW Director Alex Adams have both championed the need for more foster families throughout the past year. With strong support from the Idaho Legislature, Idaho secured a historic $23.2 million investment to strengthen prevention services, expand staff, extend foster care to age 23, and improve support for kinship care and foster families.

Statewide, the numbers are moving in the right direction. One year ago, Idaho had just 0.75 foster families per foster child. This week, that number has climbed to 0.95 — a testament to the dedication of families and professionals across Idaho.

Region 1, which includes North Idaho, is also making tremendous progress, currently at 1.32 foster families per foster child. The momentum statewide is real — and growing.

But there’s still work to do. While reaching 1.5 is a milestone, it’s not a finish line. It’s a signal that the vision is within reach: a system where every child who needs foster care can stay close to their community and receive the care and stability they deserve.

To the residents of eastern Idaho — thank you. Your efforts are inspiring the rest of the state and changing lives in the process. And to those across Idaho — with continued collaboration, compassion, and commitment, we can all help Idaho reach the goal, one foster family at a time.

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.

Monty Prow is deputy director of the Division of Child, Youth, and Family Services at DHW.

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 children are removed from their homes for safety reasons, the next best option is often a familiar face — a grandparent, an aunt, or a close family friend, for example. These kinship placements provide children with a sense of stability, reduce trauma, and help preserve connections to family, culture, and community. But historically, even relatives willing to step in have faced lengthy licensing and approval processes that delay placement.

That’s starting to change in Idaho.

Effective July 1, new rules enacted by the Department of Health and Welfare (DHW) create a separate path for kinship licensure. This change comes in response to House Bill 245, which passed during the 2025 legislative session with bipartisan support, mirroring the national model being used around the country.

This marks a meaningful shift. 

Under the new rule, eligible kin can follow a separate and expedited licensing path. Instead of completing the full foster care licensing process, they undergo a standard background check and an abbreviated caregiver assessment focused solely on their ability to meet the child’s needs — and how the Department can support them. It’s a faster, more focused process that still protects child safety.

This isn’t just compassionate — it’s strategic. Research shows that children placed with kin experience fewer disruptions, are less likely to re-enter foster care, and often have better long-term outcomes. Supporting kin also means supporting families in crisis during some of their most vulnerable moments.

Together, these changes reflect Idaho’s growing commitment to making the foster care system more responsive, flexible, and centered on what’s best for children.

Monty Prow is deputy director of the Division of Child, Youth, and Family Services at DHW.

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

Earlier this summer, the Department of Health and Welfare (DHW) launched a hiring campaign to fill 63 new positions aimed at improving outcomes for children and families across the state. 

While some of the new roles strengthen traditional response services, many are designed with a different goal in mind—keeping families together before a crisis ever occurs.

More than 40 of those new positions have already been filled, but there’s still time to be part of the department’s shift toward more prevention-focused child welfare work. DHW is continuing to recruit passionate, community-minded professionals who want to make a difference.

If you’re ready to help keep families strong and connected, explore the remaining openings and apply today.

These new prevention-focused roles will help identify families at risk and offer the support they need to stay stable, connected, and safe. That might mean helping a parent find mental health services, connecting a caregiver with housing assistance, or working alongside schools to ensure a child’s needs are met at home and in the classroom.

This approach isn’t just compassionate—it’s strategic. Research shows that prevention services can reduce the need for foster care placements, shorten the length of time children remain in care, and improve long-term outcomes for families. It’s also more cost-effective in the long run, reducing the burden on an already strained system.

That’s why Gov. Brad Little and Idaho Legislature invested $23 million into this effort, and why the Department of Health and Welfare launched its statewide hiring campaign to bring the strategy to life. 

The new positions include family services workers, community resource workers, and prevention coordinators—roles that will be embedded in communities across the state. These professionals will work closely with schools, clinics, and nonprofit partners to build a safety net around families in need.

This shift toward prevention represents a culture change within the child welfare system—one that prioritizes early help over late-stage intervention. It’s about seeing the signs, stepping in with support, and empowering families.

To learn more about these new roles or apply, visit: https://statecareers.idaho.gov/search/human-services/jobs?q=dhw. 

Jean Fisher is Division Administrator for Youth Safety and Permanency at the Department of Health and Welfare. 

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 summer arrives in Idaho, so do a series of seasonal health hazards. With the first heat-related deaths of the year already reported this June, and with temps forecasted to be in the upper 90s and possibly 100s this week, it’s a critical time to talk about how to stay safe in rising temperatures, around water, and during wildfire season.

Heat-related illness: know the warning signs

Heatstroke is the most serious heat-related illness. It can develop quickly, especially in high temperatures with little shade or hydration. Symptoms include a high body temperature, confusion, dizziness, red or hot skin, and fainting. This is a medical emergency—call 911, move the person to a cooler place, and cool them with wet cloths or a cold bath.

Heat exhaustion may come first, with signs like fatigue, muscle cramps, nausea, and clammy skin. Resting in a cool place, drinking water, and using cold cloths can help.

To stay safe in the heat:

• Drink water often—don’t wait until you’re thirsty.
• Avoid outdoor activity during the hottest part of the day.
• Wear lightweight clothing, sunscreen, and a wide-brimmed hat.
• Take frequent breaks in the shade or indoors.

Harmful algal blooms: hidden water hazards

Summer also brings peak conditions for cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (cyanoHABs), also known as blue-green algae. Cyanobacteria are naturally found in water but can produce dangerous toxins under the right conditions—especially warm, still water.

Swallowing or swimming in affected water can cause stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and skin or eye irritation. Pets, livestock, and wildlife are particularly vulnerable because they’re more likely to swim in or drink contaminated water. If your pet is exposed, wash them immediately with clean water and soap, and contact a veterinarian.

Watch for water that looks or smells suspicious. Blooms may resemble pea soup, spilled paint, green mats, or foamy scum, and may have a foul odor. Follow these tips to protect yourself and your pets:

• Visit the Idaho Recreational Water web page for more information and sign up for email updates.
• Check the Recreational Water Health Advisories Map before visiting lakes or reservoirs.
• View current cyanobacteria sampling results from the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality.

When in doubt, stay out—and keep pets and livestock out, too. Never drink or cook with water that could contain a bloom—boiling or filtering won’t remove the toxins.

To report a suspected bloom, call (866) 671-5385 or email algae@deq.idaho.gov.

Be ready for wildfire smoke

As wildfire season begins, air quality can quickly worsen due to drifting smoke. Even healthy people can experience symptoms like coughing and shortness of breath. On smoky days, limit time outdoors, avoid vigorous activity, and check for current smoke information: https://idsmoke.blogspot.com/. 

A safe summer starts with awareness

Idaho summers are a great time to enjoy a variety of outdoor activities. With some preparation and smart choices, we can reduce our risk and protect our families, pets, and communities from preventable summer health threats.

Dr. Kathryn Turner is deputy state epidemiologist 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.