Domestic poultry, including chickens and turkeys, infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza (also called bird flu) were first detected earlier this month in Idaho, in Gooding, Caribou, and Madison counties. They were likely infected by migrating geese or ducks.

A type of avian influenza, called highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1), started killing domestic poultry and certain species of wild birds in the United States in mid-January.

It’s extremely rare but still possible for this virus to pass from infected birds to humans. Here are some things to keep in mind now that the virus has been confirmed in Idaho.

What is highly pathogenic avian influenza?

Bird flu is the disease caused by infection with avian influenza viruses. These viruses naturally spread among wild aquatic birds worldwide and can infect domestic poultry and other birds and some animals. Some avian influenza viruses do not cause disease in birds; however, highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses cause severe illness in infected birds. 

Can it make humans sick?

Yes, but only rarely.

Although avian influenza viruses usually do not infect people, there have been some cases of human infection. Human infections with bird flu viruses have occurred most often after unprotected contact with infected birds or surfaces contaminated with the virus. Even so, there have been infections where direct contact with infected birds or their environment could not be verified.

Human infections with bird flu viruses can happen when the virus gets into a person’s eyes, nose, or mouth, or is inhaled. This is possible when virus is in the air (in droplets or possibly dust) and a person breathes it in, or when a person touches something that has virus on it then touches their mouth, eyes, or nose. Infected birds shed virus through their saliva, mucous and feces.

If it’s rare, why is it important to know about it?

It is possible that bird flu viruses could mutate and gain the ability to spread easily between people; therefore, monitoring for human infection and person-to-person spread is extremely important for public health.

What are the symptoms of avian influenza in humans?

Some infected people have had no symptoms. When symptoms were present for others, they ranged from mild illness, such as eye redness or mild flu-like upper respiratory symptoms, to severe illness, including fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue, and shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. Some people have developed pneumonia requiring hospitalization. Less common signs and symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, or seizures.

What are the signs of illness in birds?

Signs of highly pathogenic avian influenza in domestic poultry include decreased appetite and activity, difficulty breathing, dark combs and wattles, and unexplained deaths.

If you have a backyard flock that is experiencing a sudden increase in illness and death, contact the Idaho State Department of Agriculture at 208-332-8540.

If you come across a sick or dead bird in the wild, avoid touching it and report your findings to the Idaho Department of Fish and Game through its website: https://idfg.idaho.gov/conservation/wildlife-health.

Learn more:

• Bird flu infections in humans (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention): https://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/avian-in-humans.htm
• About avian influenza (Idaho Department of Fish and Game): https://idfg.idaho.gov/conservation/wildlife-health/avian-influenza

Leslie Tengelsen, PhD, DVM, is the state public health veterinarian in the Division of Public Health. She has worked for the department since 1998 and focuses on zoonotic disease prevention.

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. 

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

No matter what the weather looks like in Idaho’s ever-changing economic climate, the department is committed to providing services to help Idahoans live their best lives. Our resources – employees, money, and physical assets such as buildings – are the lifeblood necessary to accomplish our mission to strengthen the health, safety, and independence of Idahoans.

One of the strategic initiatives the Department of Health and Welfare (DHW) has been working on over the past two years is improving our financial planning and budget oversight activities. The budget preparation work helps the leadership team answer detailed questions from the Legislature each year. Many budget requests are directly related to the work described in the DHW Strategic Plan.

With the legislative session now finished, there are many areas of work the department has now been given the go-ahead to begin or continue. Below are a few of the highlights from the recently approved budget and how they support the work we do.

Strategic Goal 1: Ensure affordable, available healthcare that works

• Access to funds to develop the Healthy Connections Value Care program. This program will reward Medicaid providers for keeping participants healthy while containing medical costs. This program is estimated to save about $30 million for the state.
• Provider rate increases for many services covered under Medicaid mean that healthcare providers can continue to provide Medicaid services at a rate of payment appropriate for today’s economic climate.
• Funding to develop and build a modernized claims and processing data system called a Medicaid Management Information System. The modernized system will help the Medicaid program improve transparency, efficiency, access, and cost reduction strategies.

Strategic Goal 2: Protect children, youth, and vulnerable adults

• An increase in the monthly reimbursement paid to foster families.
• Funds for additional in-home case workers.
• A targeted change in employee compensation for child welfare workers.
• Additional funding for crisis bed staffing at Southwest Idaho Treatment Center (SWITC).
• Targeted change in employee compensation for SWITC employees.

• Funding for community mental health activities based on Idaho Behavioral Health Council recommendations.
• Funding for the 9-8-8 crisis line, which will provide access to emergency behavioral health services to Idahoans experiencing a behavioral health crisis.

• Community behavioral health clinic startup grants for three certified community behavioral health clinics. These clinics will serve anyone in need of care, including people with serious mental illness, serious emotional disturbance, long-term chronic addiction, mild or moderate mental illness, substance use disorders, and complex health profiles.
• Additional funding for the prevention of substance use disorders.
• Funding for children's psychiatric residential treatment grants.

Strategic Goal 3: Help Idahoans become as healthy and self-sufficient as possible

• Funding to support work to address health disparities in communities around the state. This work includes factors such as poverty, unemployment, education, housing, social support, and the physical environment, and access to care.

Strategic Goal 4: Strengthen the public’s trust and confidence in the Department of Health and Welfare

• Funding for software and IT cloud modernization.
• Funding to modernize the background check system to a web-based check system like those used in 14 other states will improve customer service and program efficiency.

The DHW budget development process is a tool used to work with the Legislature by highlighting the high value and quality of work performed by DHW staff, and to encourage their support and partnership. You can stay updated on developments of these projects and more with each year’s new DHW Strategic Plan.

I hope you have a safe and healthy weekend.

Sexually transmitted infections (STI) are passed from one person to another through sexual activity. They can also be passed from one person to another through intimate physical contact.

They don’t always cause symptoms or may only cause mild symptoms, so it is possible to have an infection and not know it. That is why it is important to get tested if you are sexually active. To find STI testing and free services available near you, visit www.findidahotesting.com.

The most reliable way to avoid an STI is to not have sex. If you are sexually active, or thinking of becoming sexually active, it is important that you take some simple steps to protect your health. STIs are preventable. They also can be treated with medication and some can be cured. If you have sex, know how to protect yourself and your sexual partner from STIs.

TALK: Talk openly and honestly with your partner(s) and your healthcare provider about sexual health and STIs.

Talk with your partner(s) BEFORE having sex. Not sure how? Here are some tips to help you start the conversation.

• “I really care about you. I want to make sure we’re both healthy. Let’s get tested before we have sex. That way we can look out for each other.”
• “Many people who have an STI don’t know it. Why take a chance when we can know for sure?”

Make sure your discussion covers several important ways to make sex safer:

• Talk about when you were last tested for STIs and suggest getting tested together.
• If you know you have an STI (like herpes or HIV), tell your partner.
• Agree to only have sex with each other.
• Agree to use condoms the right way every time you have sex.

Talk with your healthcare provider about your sex life as it relates to your health. This helps your healthcare provider understand what STI tests you should be getting and how often.

Here are a few questions you should expect and be prepared to answer honestly:

• Have you been sexually active in the last year?
• In the past 12 months, how many sexual partners have you had?
• What are you doing to protect yourself from STIs?

Not all medical checkups include STI testing, so don’t assume that you’ve been tested unless you discuss it with your provider. If your provider does not discuss sex or STI testing with you, bring it up. Don’t be shy!

Ask your healthcare provider whether certain vaccines, like the hepatitis B vaccine or the HPV (Human Papillomavirus) vaccine are right for you.

TEST: Get tested. It’s the only way to know for sure if you have an STI.

Many STIs don’t cause any symptoms, so you could have one and not know. If you’re having sex, getting tested is one of the most important things you can do to protect your health.

Learn which STI tests CDC recommends for you. Even if you’re pregnant, you can still get an STI.

To find STI testing and free services available near you visit www.findidahotesting.com.  In addition to traditional, in-person visits, other options that may be available include:

• Video or phone appointments with your healthcare provider.
• Urgent care facilities allow walk-in STI testing and treatment appointments.
• At-home collection where you collect your own sample and take or mail it to a lab for testing. (Starting in May, a new at-home collection option will be available to Idaho residents called LetsGetChecked. Visit www.findidahotesting.com to learn more.)

If you’re not comfortable talking with your regular healthcare provider about STIs, find a clinic or local public health district that provides free or low-cost confidential testing.

TREAT: If you test positive for an STI, work with your healthcare provider to get the correct treatment.

Some STIs can be cured with the right medicine, and all STIs are treatable. Make sure your treatment works by doing these things:

• Take all the medication your healthcare provider prescribes, even if you start feeling better or your symptoms go away.
• Don’t share your medication with anyone.
• Avoid having sex again until you and your sex partner(s) have all completed treatment.
• A follow-up STI test may be needed to make sure the treatment worked.
• Your healthcare provider can talk with you about which medications are right for you.

Learn more:

• From DHW: About sexually transmitted diseases: https://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/health-wellness/diseases-conditions/sexually-transmitted-diseases
• From Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/std/

Kimberly Matulonis-Edgar is the Prevention Programs coordinator of the HIV, STD, and Hepatitis Section in the Division of Public Health. Kimberly has worked for the department since 2015 and focuses on educating the public about sexually transmitted infections.

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. 

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.

In Idaho, workers in the child welfare program with the Department of Health and Welfare are focused on protecting and supporting children and families who need help. In the child welfare system, child welfare staff play a critical role by protecting children and youth. The children are dealing with situations that are out of their control, and they need care and understanding.

I asked some of our own child welfare staff what it means to them to protect and support the families and children in Idaho, and below are their responses. (These are comments from real employees, but their identities are protected.)

Region 1 Child Welfare employee:

Raising children takes a village, and many parents within our community do not have the “village” they need to be successful. By working with families that are experiencing generational substance use, abuse, and neglect, we are able to create a change that has a ripple effect in the future as well. We are not just helping the children and parents, but also those that will come after them. It is an honor to work with a vulnerable population and help them become stronger and more empowered.

Region 3 Child Welfare licensing worker:

I chose this work because my parents were foster parents for a couple of years when I first started college. My parents decided to only take in teenagers, and we had two teen boys living in our home at that time. It had its ups and downs, but I saw how much these boys needed structure, stability, and love that my family was able to provide them. They ended up adopting one of them when he was 16 and, he is now 21 and he is a starter for a Division 1 football team. (So cool to see the success story for him!) And, we still have contact with the other one as well, he still calls my mom monthly to talk and keep in touch. I chose this work because I have a personal connection with the foster care system and saw how a good family can make a difference in these kid’s lives.

Region 3 Child Welfare case manager

I chose this work because I enjoy helping others. I love seeing the positive change that families and children make. It means a lot to me to help families and children believe in a brighter future and for me to be a part of that. It’s not always easy. Some families and children don’t realize their full potential or take advantage of the resources/opportunities that are available to them. I continue to do my part and hope that they come to the realization that they are worthy and capable!

Region 6 Child Welfare employee

I think I always knew that I wanted to work as a social worker, just wasn’t sure it was child welfare until a guest speaker talked about it in one of my college classes. I work in child welfare to provide hope for youth and families, to provide them with resources, support, and knowledge at a time when youth and families are most vulnerable. I think the work that is done in child welfare is priceless. The services and support provided to families in need or in crisis is life-changing. We have a great team in Idaho, we do hard things and we do them well, (and) together.

I feel like social work chose me. My mom was a single parent and had to use resources to help provide for our care during some difficult times. Helping professionals were able to connect us with services, and I had positive experiences from people that supported my mom, myself, and my sister. As I got older, I knew I wanted to help people, I just didn't know in what way until I went into social work. Working in child welfare was the perfect fit for me. Helping families and children in the various stages of their life has been rewarding as well as heartbreaking, but the work we do is needed to ensure the health and safety of children and their families. 

I can’t express my appreciation enough for their work, which is difficult and sometimes unappreciated. They are the people who work to protect children, keep families together, and put others first. I am so grateful for their service.

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.

Idahoans are well-known to be dog lovers – many households have more than one dog, and parks and trails are full of our canine buddies. It’s important to keep in mind that even though our pups are outdoor adventure companions and indoor snuggle-buddies, they are still animals that could lash out if they feel threatened.

Injuries from dog bites are increasing in Idaho, especially among children. Visits to Idaho emergency departments by children for dog bite injuries are trending up. Hospitalizations for dog bite injuries are increasing as well, particularly for boys 5 to 17 years old. Most years, there are about 20 people hospitalized for dog bite injuries in Idaho. In 2020, that number more than doubled to 46.

Dog bite injuries can be severe and may cause mental, emotional, and physical trauma. In the past four years, dog bites have caused more than 165 fractures, 40 partial or complete amputations, and 10 detached ear lobes or lips in Idaho. Dog bites carry a risk of bacterial infection, which can be reduced with prompt medical care. A dog infected with rabies virus can transmit the virus before showing signs of rabies, which is fatal without prompt medical care after a bite.

Dog bite injuries requiring an emergency department visit or hospital stay in Idaho are highest in summer. A bite could come from any dog at any time, but during the summer take extra care to protect yourself and your family from bites.

Steps you can take to protect yourself and your family:

• Remember that any dog can bite. At least 1 in 5 dog bites treated in an Idaho emergency department are from a family dog. Any dog can bite, especially if it is scared, injured, or sick. Read a dog's body language and give it space if it seems stressed. Leave a dog alone when it is eating or sleeping. Make sure your dog is vaccinated against rabies.
• Supervise babies and toddlers around dogs – even if it is the family dog. In Idaho, 3 out of 10 dog bite-related hospitalizations were for children 4 years and younger. Some of these bites occurred when the child and dog were alone together, even for just a minute. A bite can happen quickly, so supervise young children around all dogs, all the time. 
• Prevent dog fights to prevent dog bites. Breaking up dog fights leads to more than 100 emergency department visits a year in Idaho. Dog trainers say there is no safe way to break up a dog fight. Prevent dog fights by reading the dogs' body language and, if possible, separate dogs before they start fighting.
• Approach unfamiliar dogs with caution. Every year in Idaho, more than 90 emergency department visits are to treat patients with bites from stray or unfamiliar dogs. Approach any unfamiliar dogs with caution and contact animal control for assistance if needed. If you are bitten by a dog, you can also contact animal control for help getting the dog's vaccination history.
• Seek medical care early and take care of wounds. Delayed medical care leads to about 65 infections each year in Idaho. The puncture wounds from a bite may be deeper than they appear, and prompt and thorough wound care is needed to avoid infection. Dogs vaccinated against the rabies virus can still carry other germs. Your healthcare provider may prescribe antibiotics, rabies post-exposure treatment, and a tetanus vaccine. The recommended treatment will depend on the injury and the vaccination history of you and the dog.

Learn more:

• Tips for children to prevent dog bites from World Health Organization: https://apps.who.int/rabies/resources/educational_material_children/en/index.html
• How to read dog body language from American Veterinary Medical Association: https://www.avma.org/resources/pet-owners/how-read-dog-body-language

• Rabies information from Idaho Department of Health and Welfare: https://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/health-wellness/diseases-conditions/rabies

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. 

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.