In recognition of  National Child Abuse Prevention Month, I am continuing my blog series on the importance of families and communities working together to prevent child abuse and neglect.

When parents are unable to care for their children, for various reasons, family members and friends often step up and step in to help the children while their parents seek the support they need. These are the kinship families.

Kinship care refers to the care and protection of a child by relatives, stepparents, or other close relationships (also called fictive kin). According to the Annie E. Casey Foundation, across the nation 4 percent of kids – more than 2.65 million children – are in kinship care. In 2020 in Idaho, there were 10,819 grandparents responsible for their grandchildren under 18 years old. This does not count for the thousands of children living with relatives informally. 

Relatives (or fictive kin) are the preferred placement for children who must be removed from their birth parents for safety reasons. Because of their close relationship to the children and the family, they support and maintain the child's family connections and cultural traditions in ways others might not.

So how do the children in kinship care feel about their caregivers? We know thanks to an annual Department of Health and Welfare event called the “My Family. My Story.” art and expression contest for the children and caregivers of kinship families. I want to share a few of those entries from 2021 with you (with minor edits for clarity):

“My new family is amazing. I love them so much. The best thing about them is that they are fun. It was hard at first, but I realized that I do not need to worry. They are amazing.

Haylin, Age 8

“Hi, my  name is Kaycee, and I have a very unique family. My grandma, she makes sure that I have things I want. She believes in me and supports me and what I want to do when I get older. My sisters and brother, they are my world. We might fight sometimes, but I still love them. My grandma, she makes sure that I know that I am beautiful inside and out, and I love her for that.

Kaycee, 11

“I don’t have to wish upon a star because all of my dreams have come true.

Paisley, 8

The stories are both heart-wrenching and heartwarming. I hope you will take the time to read them. It will help you understand what simply having a warm and loving home means to the children in kinship care.

Kinship families, who continue to open their hearts and homes to Idaho children when their parents are unable to do so, have my sincerest appreciation. Idaho is grateful for them.

How to report child abuse, neglect, or abandonment

In Idaho, we receive nearly 23,000 reports of child abuse, neglect, and abandonment each year. To report suspected child abuse, neglect, or abandonment call:

• Statewide: 855-552-KIDS (5437)
• Treasure Valley: 208-334-KIDS (5437)
• 2-1-1 or local law enforcement

I hope you all have a safe and healthy weekend.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently recommended a second booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine for certain people who have a higher risk of getting very sick or even dying from the disease.

Getting the booster dose is a personal decision based on your health and how much risk you are comfortable with. If you have questions about this latest recommendation, you should talk about it with your healthcare provider. Getting the vaccine and boosters, if you’re eligible, is still the best, most reliable way to protect yourself and your loved ones from serious illness from COVID-19 requiring hospitalization and death.

Who is eligible for a second booster based on the latest recommendation?

• If you’re 50 years and older and received an initial COVID-19 booster dose (regardless of which vaccine was used) at least four months ago, you now have the option to receive a second booster dose using an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.
• If you’re 12 years and older, moderately or severely immunocompromised, and previously received any booster dose at least four months ago, you now have the option to receive a second booster dose using an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.
• If you’re 18-49 years of age and received Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine for the primary dose and booster dose, you now have the option to get a second COVID-19 booster dose using an mRNA vaccine.

Why is another booster being recommended now?

Federal health officials want to make sure people who might be at higher risk have the chance to get a second booster before any possible new wave of disease caused by the Omicron BA.2 variant occurs.  The BA.2 variant has been increasing over the past several weeks and now dominates in the United States. There is also evidence of decreasing immunity months after being vaccinated and boosted.  Some people at high risk will be better protected with another booster dose.

When will other age groups be eligible for another booster dose?

The CDC, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and other federal partners continue to evaluate the vaccine and disease data, and are evaluating whether more booster doses may be needed for other groups in the future. On April 6, FDA will gather its independent panel of outside experts to discuss another booster for the broader population. CDC also will participate in this public meeting.

Does this recommendation mean the vaccines aren’t working?

No – the vaccines offer a high level of protection against COVID-19 illness and are still the best, most reliable way to protect yourself and your loved ones from serious illness requiring hospitalization and death.

It's important to realize that while these vaccines are highly effective, it is not yet clear whether a series of three or more vaccine doses will be needed for strong and long-lasting protection, or whether regular boosters will be required for optimal protection until newer vaccines are developed that don't require multiple doses. There are other commonly used vaccines (for example, pertussis, tetanus, and hepatitis B ) that require several shots to ensure full and long-lasting protection, so this is not completely unexpected. 

Does this recommendation change the definition of “up to date” on vaccines?

No, the definition of up to date has not changed. A person is up to date when they have received all recommended doses in their primary series of COVID-19 vaccine, and one booster dose when eligible.

For those eligible to receive a second booster dose now, will they be able to get another one this fall?

The FDA and CDC will continue to discuss the data and need for a booster dose this fall. We anticipate those who choose to get a second booster now may be recommended to receive other doses later this year if they are authorized.

In the meantime, with cases of COVID-19 rising again in some parts of the world — and the possibility that the U.S. will have another uptick in COVID-19 cases in the coming months — this update allows people in specific groups to have the option to increase their protection now. Another booster dose could help restore protection that may have decreased over time, and provide peace of mind for those who want optimal protection as soon as possible.

Dr. Christine Hahn is Idaho’s state epidemiologist and the Division of Public Health’s medical director. She is board certified in infectious disease. She also serves on CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, and since late February 2020, has been focusing almost solely on responding to the coronavirus pandemic.

COVID-19 resources:

• Idaho’s Coronavirus website
• CDC COVID-19 website

Follow the Department of Health and Welfare on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for daily updates and information you can trust.

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

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and it is the perfect time to recognize the importance of families and communities working together to prevent child abuse and neglect. 

Reporting child abuse, neglect or abandonment

In Idaho, the Child Protective Act requires that everyone report suspected child abuse, neglect, or abandonment. This includes doctors, hospitals, residents, therapists, interns, nurses, coroners, school teachers, daycare providers, social workers, relatives, friends, and private citizens. The only exception, in certain situations, for mandatory reporting is for a “duly ordained minister of religion.” Those reporting can remain anonymous if they choose.

Neglect is the most common report made to child protection in Idaho. This occurs when children are not getting the care and protection they need. Overall, neglect means the child: 

• Is young and left alone
• Lives in a house where severe health or safety hazards are present
• Has nothing to eat and appears hungry and underweight

In Idaho statute, the legal definition of "neglected" child can be found at https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/Title16/T16CH16/SECT16-1602/

Child welfare assessment

When there is a report of possible abuse, neglect, or abandonment, an assessment of the child and situation is the first step. The assessment is to determine if the child is safe and to determine if child abuse, neglect, or abandonment did occur.

An assessment includes:

• Interviewing the children and caregivers in the home
• Gathering additional information through interviews with people who know the family and/or who can provide specific information related to the report

When gathering information, the child welfare social worker looks at the following:

• Extent of maltreatment
• Nature of maltreatment
• Adult functioning (Do adults have employment, stable housing, criminal history, substance use disorders, etc. )
• Parenting practices
• Discipline practice
• Child functioning (Is the child at a normal level of development for their age; do they have  medical or mental health issues; are they making educational progress)

After gathering and reviewing this information, DHW child welfare social workers gain a better understanding as to whether any maltreatment is occurring. If the assessment determines there is a concern for the safety of the children, the department will put a safety plan in place. The safety plan could be for “in home” or “out of home” and includes:

• Who should participate in the plan
• Safety threats
• Actions/tasks (including responsibility and frequency) to address those safety threats

A safety plan relies on a full understanding of how threats to children operate in the family and must contain actions that will address those threats. 

As a reminder, social workers have no legal authority to remove a child from a home. That is a decision made by law enforcement officers or the court.

I would like to share an example of how this might work.

There is a child who is diagnosed with diabetes. Through the assessment, the department discovers that the diabetes is not being managed by the parents, which is leading to serious physical health risks and outcomes for the child. In this case, a safety plan might include informal support from extended family and/or friends who come into the home at meal times to make sure the parents are checking the child’s blood sugar, calculating insulin levels correctly, and are administering insulin as needed. The formal piece of the safety plan might include home health care (a nurse in the home at specific times to provide support and training to the parents and  to make sure the steps of care are being implemented correctly). 

The goal is to help the parents get to a position where the family no longer needs assistance to provide a safe home for their child.

Children do best with their families, and that is what we try to achieve. Children thrive when they are safe, nurtured, and loved.

How to report child abuse, neglect, or abandonment

In Idaho, we receive nearly 23,000 reports of child abuse, neglect, and abandonment each year. To report suspected child abuse, neglect, or abandonment call:

• Statewide: 855-552-KIDS (5437)
• Treasure Valley: 208-334-KIDS (5437)
• 2-1-1 or local law enforcement

I hope you all have a safe and healthy weekend.

Making progress toward Strategic Goal 4: Strengthen the public's trust and confidence in the Department of Health and Welfare

Just over two years ago, Idaho had its first reported case of COVID-19. Now, as Idahoans reflect on two years of life during the pandemic, we have changed the ways we interact with each other in our communities. And through these changes – some good, some more challenging – the Department of Health and Welfare (DHW) continues working every day to help Idahoans live their best lives.

The work of DHW staff is transparent to the Idahoans we serve. This has not been by accident. As part of the department’s strategic plan, we have been hard at work on a strategic objective designed to help Idahoans understand the care, compassion, and expertise DHW employees demonstrate daily. Every day, we work to deliver services to Idahoans. Part of this work includes making sure Idahoans know which services are available, and earning their trust that the information we provide is accurate and timely.

This strategic initiative involves sharing information and developing relationships with everyone who has a stake in supporting and building strong Idaho communities. This includes the media, taxpayers, legislators, customers, healthcare providers, community organizations, the DHW board, the Governor’s office, DHW employees, and of course, the Idaho public.

Communications have been designed to reach Idahoans where they prefer to find their information, whether that is through videos, blogs, social media, the department website, or the media. These communications strategies have been designed to demonstrate that the department is fully transparent to those we serve and are accountable to.

This strategic objective includes seven tasks, including:

• The development of training materials that will help DHW employees communicate more effectively with our customers and audiences.
• The development of resources that will help the media find the information they need quickly and efficiently. This includes an online DHW Press Room (coming soon!), where media professionals can access resources they might need, such as:
  • Contact information for the Office of Communications
  • Links to DHW news releases, Facts, Figures, and Trends, our annual report, and other publications
  • Background information and photos of  our leadership team
  • Photos key DHW buildings
  • Links to recorded media briefings
  • Links to COVID-19 dashboards and the coronavirus website
• The development of a strategy to engage community organizations connected to DHW programs or our mission, and to create consistency and support through our messaging.
• Transparency in our work through monthly “Living Strategic Plan” communications, such as this monthly blog series.
• A DHW newsletter strategy to more effectively to communicate DHW news, successes, and updates.

The department’s Office of Communications continues to work with DHW employees to build an internal culture that tells our story as a department: that we are here to help, and we are a source of information that can be trusted.

You can read more about the DHW Strategic Plan on our website.

Children do best with their families. Children thrive when they are safe, nurtured, and loved.

All children deserve to live in a safe, nurturing environment. They deserve to have their needs met – a home, food, clothing, medical care, and education. They deserve a chance to be kids, to feel love, and to grow and learn.

The reality is that sometimes, for various reasons, parents are unable to provide a safe, stable home for their children. If the situation is critical, a court or law enforcement agency may determine that the child needs to come into the state’s care for the child’s safety. As a reminder; only a court or law enforcement may move a child into the state’s care.

When a child comes into the state’s care, our goal is to keep children with their families whenever that can be done safely, or to help the family address safety issues so a child can return home safely.

All those who work in child welfare do so because they deeply care about children. There is no incentive for the state to bring children into the state’s care.

Funding for salaries for all state employees, including social workers, is set by the Idaho Legislature through a budgeting process. No one makes more money when a child comes into care with the state. No one.

When a child can’t be at home with their parents, we are grateful for the foster families that are there in times of need. People choose to be foster parents because they care about children.

Being a foster parent is both a labor of love and a difficult job. They want to be a part of the solution for Idaho children – the bridge to a healthier, more stable family or future for the child. Foster parents open their homes and hearts to children in need, and they foster because they believe every child should be safe and experience love and stability.

When a child comes into care, there is limited funding available (from state and federal appropriations) to make sure the child’s needs are met. Caring for and providing a home for any child has significant costs.

Foster parents receive a monthly reimbursement for room and board to offset the cost of caring for a child in foster care. These rates are based on the age of the child.

Based on an annual review of foster care maintenance rates in 2020, the department proposed an increase to the foster parent reimbursement to the Idaho Legislature. This increase has been approved by the House and Senate.  

As the cost of living has increased significantly, feedback from foster parents has indicated the reimbursements didn’t fully meet the needs of the children and they were paying out of their own pockets to care for them. There have been no increases since 2017 and the increase at that time was minimal. This change in rates would bring Idaho from one of the lowest reimbursing states to around the middle compared to other western and similarly sized states.

Currently, monthly room and board is: 

• $395 for children ages 0-5
• $439 for ages 6-12
• $584 for ages 13-18
• $674 for ages 18-20   

The proposed new rates are:

• $632 for ages 0-5
• $702 for ages 6-12
• $759 for ages 13-18
• $876 for ages 18-20

Even after the increase, the reimbursement won’t cover all expenses, so a foster parent may receive additional funds for clothing, school supplies, and other expenses based on the needs of the child.

We are so grateful for foster parents. They believe, as we do, that each child deserves the best we all can give them.

Currently, Idaho has a critical need for foster families. More information on how to become a foster parent is available on the department’s website. If you’re interested, please call 2-1-1 and a foster care representative will contact you with more information.

I hope you have a safe and healthy weekend.

As COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths are declining in Idaho and the United States, more attention is being focused on what has been called “long COVID,” “post-COVID conditions,” or “long-haul COVID,” among other names.

Long COVID is still being studied, but it has a serious impact on many people, and can occur even after a mild COVID-19 infection.

Here’s what public health and medical professionals know (and what they don’t) about the often serious set of debilitating and lingering symptoms associated with long COVID.

What is long COVID?

Although most people who get infected with COVID-19 get better within weeks of illness, some people experience health issues after they are no longer able to spread the disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These post-COVID conditions, as the CDC calls them, are a wide range of new, returning, or ongoing health problems people can experience four or more weeks after first being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19.

Even people who did not have COVID-19 symptoms in the days or weeks after they were infected can have some of these symptoms, which can range from mild to very severe, and last for weeks, months, or longer.

CDC and other health experts around the world are working to learn more about short- and long-term negative health effects associated with COVID-19, who gets them, and why.

What are the symptoms?

Most studies of long COVID identify fatigue, muscle aches, shortness of breath, and mental health concerns among people with symptoms months after COVID infection. However, there is a lot still being learned about long COVID, and more symptoms and concerns are being identified by doctors and others studying long COVID. According to the CDC, people with post-COVID conditions may report experiencing different combinations of the following symptoms:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Tiredness or fatigue
• Symptoms that get worse after physical or mental activities (also known as post-exertional malaise)
• Difficulty thinking or concentrating (sometimes referred to as “brain fog”)
• Cough
• Chest or stomach pain
• Headache
• Fast-beating or pounding heart (also known as heart palpitations)
• Joint or muscle pain
• Pins-and-needles feeling
• Diarrhea
• Sleep problems
• Fever
• Dizziness on standing (lightheadedness)
• Rash
• Mood changes
• Change in smell or taste
• Changes in menstrual period cycles

How long can long COVID last?

Public health and medical professionals don’t really know at this point. The lingering health issues may resolve in some people in 6-8 weeks, but other people who have long COVID symptoms have been experiencing them for many months. Whether these patients will eventually get better is being evaluated now by doctors and health researchers; we will know more over time about whether these symptoms will resolve in all patients, or if some of them may become permanent.

What is the treatment for long COVID?

Because the symptoms are so varied, treatment is different for everyone. Some clinics are starting to focus on the diagnosis and management of long COVID and usually involve health care providers from multiple specialties who work together to provide the best possible care for the patient.

Do vaccinated people also seem to have long COVID?

Both vaccinated/boosted and unvaccinated people have experienced long COVID. However, studies are showing that vaccination decreases the risk of developing long COVID, even if the vaccinated person does get a COVID infection.

What’s the best way to prevent long COVID?

The best way to prevent post-COVID conditions is to prevent COVID-19 illness. Follow current public health guidelines regarding masking, testing, and social distancing. Getting vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19 is the best way to prevent getting COVID-19 and can also help protect those around you.

Dr. Christine Hahn is Idaho’s state epidemiologist and the Division of Public Health’s medical director. She is board certified in infectious disease and works in the Family Medicine Residency of Idaho’s tuberculosis clinic twice monthly. She also serves on CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, and since late February 2020, has been focusing almost solely on responding to the coronavirus pandemic.

Long COVID resources:

• CDC: Post-COVID conditions
• CDC: Caring for people with post-COVID conditions

COVID-19 resources:

• Idaho’s Coronavirus website
• CDC COVID-19 website

Follow the Department of Health and Welfare on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for daily updates and information you can trust.

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

Given an increased interest in the child welfare system, I would like to share a bit of the process and the role of the Department of Health and Welfare (DHW).

First, I need to be clear that specific child welfare cases are confidential, and we cannot release any details about specific cases. We often would like to be able to say more, but that would violate the rights of the families and children who really need support and assistance, not to mention the stigma that might happen if their personal circumstances were made public.

When it comes to child welfare cases, our highest priority is to keep children with their families whenever that can be done safely, or to help the family address safety issues so a child can return home safely. In particular, there is a growing false narrative that parents should be fearful to seek medical care. Nothing could be further from the truth. Parents should always seek medical care and advice when their children are ill and for regular wellness checkups.

As we have shared with the media, in general, below is how the child welfare process works: 

If someone is concerned about the safety of a child, they can call the department by dialing 211, or 855-552-KIDS (5437) or their local law enforcement. Referrals can come from anyone, but they often come from a healthcare worker, teacher, law enforcement, or other Idaho resident who has concerns about a child's safety. (Just a reminder that everyone in Idaho is a mandated reporter if they have information a child may be the victim of abuse or neglect.)

When a referral is received, it is reviewed, and a determination is made if what was called in meets the priority guidelines for assignment. 

If the referral meets the guidelines for assignment, it is prioritized for a safety assessment based on severity. For those where the perceived danger to the child is high, a social worker and possibly law enforcement will visit the family to check on the child very quickly. Based on that visit and in consultation with the social worker and possibly healthcare workers, law enforcement will make the decision about whether to declare that a child is in imminent danger.

If that decision is made, then law enforcement places the child in the temporary custody of the state (DHW) until a shelter care hearing in court can be held. That hearing will take place in no more than 48 business hours. The judge will hear all the evidence from the family, the social worker, law enforcement and others, and possibly review a safety plan if one is agreed to by the family and will issue a decision about whether the child will be released to the family or will remain in the state's custody because safety issues have not been addressed by the family.

If the child goes back to his or her family with a safety plan, a social worker will be assigned to work with the family on a case plan ordered through the court to address the safety issues that led to their child being placed in care. The social worker will meet with the family on a frequency determined through the safety plan put in place to make sure the terms of the safety plan are being followed and the child is safe.

If the child remains in the state's custody, the department will continue to work with the family until the safety concerns are resolved. The Adoption and Safe Families Act allows for parents to have 12 months to resolve the safety issues. If safety issues can’t be resolved and the child can’t be returned safely to the home at that point, then the department can petition the court for termination of parental rights. We always hope it doesn’t come to that, but it sometimes does, unfortunately.

Bullying, harassment tactics are inappropriate

Currently, there are people protesting in or near our downtown location, and we respect the right for people to protest.

Now, I want to talk about something that is happening that is both personal and troubling to me. That is when protestors target specific people, including our employees. Harassing and bullying specific people is inappropriate and wrong.

Legal processes are in place and DHW must follow them. No amount of harassment will allow us to deviate from the established legal process. And those legal processes are there for the benefit of everyone.

Needing services or information?

Due to a spike in calls from those sharing their thoughts or opinions, our phone lines may be busier than usual. If you need services or information, please continue to call, or visit our website at https://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/

We want to recognize the hard work and commitment of DHW’s social workers

In observation of March as Social Worker Month, DHW recognizes how our own social workers care about Idahoans, work daily to strengthen Idaho families, and want to make a difference in the lives of Idaho’s most vulnerable residents.

Social workers are focused on helping Idahoans meet their needs with a particular focus on those who are vulnerable or living in poverty. As noted in a 2018 Guardian article, “When social workers are active in a community, it tends to have a positive impact on crime rates, health statistics, school attendance, and employment.”

In thousands of ways, social workers help people of every age and background, all across the state. The most well-known aspect of social work is providing direct services to residents. They also help guide people to critical resources and counsel them on life-changing decisions.

Social workers, even when faced with huge obstacles and criticism, work selflessly and compassionately to keep Idaho’s residents safe and secure. The great work our social workers do despite these obstacles is amazing, and I want to thank and recognize them for their hard work and commitment to Idaho.

I hope you have a safe and healthy weekend.

Idaho is working to reduce a concerning increase in overdoses and overdose-related deaths. Fentanyl-related overdose deaths are on a dramatic rise in Idaho.

To help address the impacts of fentanyl, Gov. Brad Little is launching an initiative called Operation Esto Perpetua with the goal of reducing the flow of fentanyl and meth across Idaho. A citizen action group will begin bi-weekly meetings around the state starting this week.

Early data from DHW shows that 44 percent of overdose deaths in Idaho in 2021 involved synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl, as compared to 21 percent in 2020, and 12 percent in 2019.

Between 2015 and 2021, the total number of drug overdose deaths in the U.S. doubled from just under 50,000 per year to almost 100,000 per year. Unintentional poisonings, including drug overdoses, is the leading cause of death in the United States for people up to age 44.

Fentanyl is an extremely potent narcotic that is 50 to 100 times more powerful than morphine. Illicitly manufactured fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is involved in an increasing number of overdose deaths because of its strength and people taking it unknowingly.

Idaho law enforcement agencies have reported that counterfeit pills containing illicitly manufactured fentanyl are widely available to Idahoans through social media. This substance is increasingly being added to counterfeit pills  to make them cheaper and more potent.

Counterfeit pills containing fentanyl are often made to look like prescription opioids such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, and alprazolam, or stimulants such as Adderall. Fentanyl increases the potency of these drugs, which makes them more likely to lead to an overdose.

Learn more

• The only safe medications are ones that come from licensed and accredited medical professionals.
• Know the signs of an opioid overdose. Here are some things to look for:
  • Small, constricted “pinpoint pupils”
  • Falling asleep or losing consciousness
  • Slow, weak, or no breathing
  • Choking or gurgling sounds
  • Limp body
  • Cold and/or clammy skin
  • Discolored skin (especially lips and nails)
• Learn what to do if someone is experiencing an overdose by visiting: https://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/services-programs/behavioral-health/overdose-response.
• Naloxone, also known as Narcan and Kloxxado, is a medication that can reverse an opioid overdose and prevent death. Everyone, including family and friends, can ask for a prescription for naxloxone at their local pharmacy. If you have Medicaid, naloxone is covered.
• Free naloxone is also available by calling or texting the Idaho Harm Reduction Project at 208-991-4574.
• Organizations can request free naloxone kits and training through the Department of Health and Welfare: https://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/services-programs/overdose-response.
• See more drug overdose data through the Idaho drug overdose data dashboard: https://www.gethealthy.dhw.idaho.gov/drug-overdose-dashboard.

Kristen Raese serves as a health program specialist for the Drug Overdose Prevention Program. She has worked for the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare  since 2017. She holds a Master of Public Health degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center. .

Follow the Department of Health and Welfare on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for daily updates and information you can trust.

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 the director of the Department of Health and Welfare, one of the most meaningful things I do is sign legal adoption forms for Idaho foster children. I always do it at the end of the day because it leaves me very emotional. I have read every one of the over 1,000 adoptions that I have signed, and I consider it an important, humbling part of my job.

My role in the adoption is at the end of an often overwhelming and sensitive journey for children. The journey includes social workers, navigators, and other DHW employees as well as external partners such as the court systems. But more importantly, it includes foster, adoptive, and kinship families – who have welcomed children into their homes with open hearts and open arms. (Kinship care refers to family or other close relationships.)

This past week, DHW received an email from a kinship foster family, and I wanted to share a few words from it with you. The family explained their current situation, but mostly, they wanted to thank those who helped them through their kinship care experience.

Here is part of the email:

"The Child and Family Services team really was listening and found a way to let us know they were hearing our voice. The amount of support for the kiddos and for kinship families is truly amazing. I’m not sure I can express enough how much support we’ve had in ensuring our kiddo’s safety, security and specific needs.

Thanks to all of the support we have had throughout this process, our kiddo has had the opportunity to grow and flourish beyond ordinary means."

Why foster care is important

Although with their family is the best place for a child to live, some parents can’t provide a safe home, and because of that, a child could be placed in foster care where they are provided safe, nurturing homes when their birth parents are unable to provide for them. A foster home gives the child an opportunity to develop trust, self-esteem, and the opportunity to learn life skills while their parents work on resolving the safety issues in their home. When a child is placed in foster care, the department makes every attempt to place the child in a kinship foster home.

As a reminder, there are currently thousands of children in Idaho who are living with and being raised by relatives or other close relationships that aren’t in foster care (known as kinship care).

How to become a foster parent

Currently, Idaho has a critical need for foster families so that children will have a safe place to live and go to school while their parents get the help they need. Becoming a foster parent is a big decision, but if  you are called to do so, we are here to help.

Read more about becoming a foster parent:

• DHW Voice Blog: Idaho needs foster families! Can you help?
• DHW website: Child and Family Services and Foster Care

For those who have made the decision to help children through kinship care, foster care, or adoption, I appreciate your calling to love and support Idaho’s children.

I hope you have a safe and healthy weekend.

Getting screened for colorectal cancer is something Idahoans aged 45 and older should consider because it is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths among adults in Idaho. In fact, 3,194 cases of malignant colorectal cancer were diagnosed among Idahoans from 2015-2019, and sadly, a little more than 3 in 10 Idahoans diagnosed with colorectal cancer died from their cancer within 5 years. March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and it’s a good time to talk to your doctor about your screening options. Screening and early detection save lives!

Who should be screened?

It is recommended that everyone should get screened starting at age 45. If you have a family history of colorectal cancer, you should talk to your medical provider about getting screened earlier. All Idaho adults should get into the habit of regular screenings.

Why is screening so important?

As with all cancers, the key is to find it early. Your chances of beating the disease and surviving are better. You don’t have to have a family history of colon cancer to be at risk. Colorectal cancer can begin anywhere in the large intestine as pre-cancerous polyps, with no symptoms.

Is a colonoscopy the only reliable test you can do?

No, there are several different kinds of tests are available and the best test is the one that gets done! You can choose from a variety of screening methods, including those that can be done each year from the comfort of your home. There are advantages and disadvantages for each one, so you should talk to your doctor about which is right for you. It’s also important to know that preventing colon cancer or finding it early doesn’t have to be expensive. Simple, affordable tests are available, and most health insurance plans cover the life-saving, preventative tests.

Who is at risk for colon cancer?

The risk increases for everyone as we get older, and we know there’s an increased risk for people who are 45 or older, who smoke, who don’t get enough physical activity, or who are obese. Alcohol and tobacco use also increase risk. Inflammatory bowel disease (such as Crohn’s disease) also increases a person’s risk for colon cancer.

What can we do to reduce the risk?

Besides getting screened regularly if you are 45 or older, you can keep your colon healthy by eating foods that are high in fiber, drinking lots of water, and exercising daily. 

Additional resources:

• Idaho’s Comprehensive Cancer Control Program: https://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/health-wellness/diseases-conditions/about-comprehensive-cancer-control-program
• CDC’s colorectal (colon) cancer site: https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/colorectal/index.htm
• For cancer survivors: Staying well during COVID-19: https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/survivors/staying-well-during-covid-19.htm

Follow the Department of Health and Welfare on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for daily updates and information you can trust.

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