Treasure Valley foster families converged on Lucky Peak State Park last Sunday to take advantage of a new program offered jointly by the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation and Department of Health and Welfare (DHW). In all, more than 100 people gathered in the park to learn about camping, boating safety, fire safety, fishing, and a lot more.

This was the first of a planned series of events for foster families that will take place statewide in the coming year. Called Outdoor FUNdamentals, the next will be hosted at a different state park later this fall. Please stay tuned for details.

Earlier this summer, Idaho Parks and Rec and DHW joined forces to give all Idaho foster families free access to Idaho’s state parks via the Idaho State Park Foster Family Passport. The new program is an extension of that initiative.

There was a palpable sense of community and camaraderie at Lucky Peak State Park on Sunday that was made more festive with contributions by Regence BlueShield of Idaho, Idaho Business for the Outdoors, CLIF Bar, Scheels, and a number of other agencies and vendors like the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Idaho Youth Conservation Corps.

In addition to outdoor-focused educational experiences and materials, the event included free food, a raffle, and prizes. 

The event also highlighted the 10 Outdoor Essentials that all adventurers should come prepared with before they venture into the outdoors, including water, snacks, sunscreen, and more. 

Additionally, foster families who attended were able to check out the Idaho State Parks Experience Idaho Loaner Backpacks, which are available at nearly every Idaho state park. The Experience Idaho Backpacks are free and filled with outdoor gear like binoculars, identification guides, and aquatic nets. 

The new Outdoor FUNdamentals program is just one of many new focused goals DHW has pledged to help recruit, retain, and help foster families get the help and assistance they need. 

The department has waived all adoption fees through the department, simplified licensure of foster homes, and released a Foster Parent Bill of Rights.

It has also reorganized its child welfare leadership team and program structure, worked with Gov. Brad Little to expand paid parental leave for new foster parents, and sponsored screenings of the film, “Sound of Hope,” which chronicles the true story about 22 families who adopted 77 kids from the foster system.

And it has partnered with Idaho Parks and Rec to roll out the Idaho State Park Foster Family Passport. If you have questions about the passport program, please visit the attached FAQ. 

Celebrate Kinship Day this weekend!

Idaho Kinship Family Day will be celebrated this Saturday, Sept. 21, at outdoor parks in Boise, Idaho Falls and Coeur d’ Alene. The events will include food, games, prizes, and activities for families to participate in together, as well as information and resources about kinship care.

Events in all three cities are from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and specific locations are as follows:

• Boise - Kristen Armstrong Municipal Park Shelter, 500 S. Walnut St.
• Coeur d’Alene - Borah Elementary, 632 E. Borah Ave.
• Idaho Falls - South Capital Park, 270 S. Capital Ave.

Activities and events are linked to supporting relatives and kin who are caring for children and promoting resources that support the health, safety, and stability of children and families. The activities also support services that help prevent children from entering formal foster care so they can stay with their kin.  For more information and to RSVP for the celebration, please visit Idaho Kinship Family Day Celebration.

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

The Department of Health and Welfare is chalk full of unsung heroes who work tirelessly behind the scenes to improve the lives of others they will never meet. One of those heroic groups is our child welfare workers, who protect vulnerable children, support families, and foster safe, nurturing environments.

The second full week of September each year is Child Welfare Worker Appreciation Week, which we’re honoring this year Sept. 8 to 14. This is an opportunity for all of us at DHW to pause and celebrate the dedication, compassion, and resilience of our child welfare workers—especially right now while we collectively pursue the goal of doubling the rate of resource families in Idaho.

DHW is pursuing that goal in a variety of ways. We’ve reorganized our child welfare leadership team and program structure to create more oversight and support. We’ve waived adoption fees through the department, simplified licensure of foster homes, and released a Foster Parent Bill of Rights.

We also worked with Gov. Brad Little to expand paid parental leave for new foster parents. And we cosponsored screenings of “Sound of Hope,” a movie that chronicles 22 families from a rural church who adopted 77 kids from the foster system.

But the unquestionable backbone of our work to care for children and families in need is our child welfare workers. From the complex nature of family dynamics to the emotional weight of their responsibilities, they show incredible commitment and compassion to Idaho’s most vulnerable.

After meeting and working with many of DHW’s child welfare professionals, I can confidently say that this isn’t work, but a calling, and Idahoans are better served thanks to their passion and compassion. Every day, child welfare workers step into the most difficult situations with grace, patience, and determination to ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive.

In 2023 alone, child welfare workers at DHW impacted the lives of countless children and families. Their ability to balance the needs of children with the unique circumstances of each family ensures that every case receives the individual attention it deserves.

Moreover, the emotional support and professional guidance provided to foster parents and families enables them to be successful in their own journeys, which ultimately helps shape brighter futures for children in their care.

As we celebrate Child Welfare Worker Appreciation Week, let’s not forget that child welfare workers are at the core of DHW’s mission.

Thank you to all our child welfare workers for your compassion, perseverance, and commitment to the children and families we serve. You are the heartbeat of our organization.

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

Currently in Idaho there are seven bodies of water with active health advisories because of cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (cyanoHABs). However, there may be other blooms that have not been identified, and people should exercise caution to avoid getting sick or exposing their pets or livestock.

CyanoHABs or just “harmful algal blooms (HABs),” occur most often during the summer months and into early winter, when there is a lot of sunlight, and water is warm, stagnant, and full of chemicals (nutrients) that blooms thrive in. Blooms often produce toxins, called cyanotoxins, which can be dangerous for humans, animals, and the environment. 

How sick can I get if exposed to a bloom?

The most common health effects from contact with harmful algal blooms are irritated skin and eyes. Other, more serious symptoms can include:

• Difficulty breathing
• Stomach pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Numbness and tingling in lips, fingers, and toes

If you experience mild irritation, rinse the area with clean water immediately. If you experience severe symptoms, seek medical attention as soon as possible.

How can I tell if my animal is sick from a bloom?

Pets and livestock that come across harmful algal blooms can get very sick and die within hours to days after swallowing water with cyanotoxins in it. Signs in animals include: 

• Weakness
• Staggering
• Foaming at the mouth
• Difficulty breathing
• Convulsions and seizures

Pets, wildlife, and livestock can be impacted much more than people because they intentionally drink from water where cyanoHABs tend to occur. Additionally, cyanobacteria and their toxins can become trapped in an animal’s fur while swimming and then swallowed afterward when they clean themselves. 

If you suspect your pet has been in contact with a bloom, rinse them with clean, fresh water immediately. If they show signs of illness, call a veterinarian. In severe cases, animals can die very quickly after they have been exposed to harmful blooms. 

Click here for more information about animal safety.

What do blooms look like?

• Blooms can be blue, bright green, brown, or red. 
• They might look like paint streaks across the surface of the water or have the appearance of pea soup, foam, scum, or mats on the surface of lakes and ponds. 
• You might see dead fish or other animals washed up on the shore of the body of water.
• Blooms also occur as mats clinging to rocks and debris at the bottom of water, where they are more difficult to see. In these cases, the water can appear clean and clear. 

Is it safe to eat fish from a lake with a bloom?

If you choose to fish in water with a bloom, prevent exposure by wearing gloves or waders, and washing your hands thoroughly with clean water after handling fish. Information about the risk of eating fish from affected waters is limited. However, fish fillets are less likely to have toxins compared to other parts of the fish. If you decide to eat fish from affected water, before cooking:

• Remove the skin, organs, and fatty deposits from the fish.
• Avoid cutting into organs while you’re cleaning the fish.
• Rinse the fillets with clean water.

Click here for more information.

How can people avoid a bloom?

• Check active advisories by visiting the Idaho Recreational Water Health Advisories website.
• Look for signs posted around recreation sites.
• If the water matches the description of cyanoHABs listed above, or looks different than expected, do not enter or allow your children, pets, or livestock to go in or near the water. When in doubt, stay out. That goes for your pets, too!
• Avoid water sports in areas with a cyanoHAB. Swallowing water is not the only way it can make you sick. Contact with skin, or breathing in water particles, such as while waterskiing or tubing, can also lead to illness.
• When recreating, bring fresh drinking water. Do not use untreated water for drinking, bathing, cleaning, or cooking for you and your pets. Boiling contaminated water will not remove the toxins and can cause more toxin to be released.

Resources:

• Recreational Water Health Advisories
• Information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Report and view HABs near you
• Idaho Fish Consumption Advisories
• DHW Cyanobacterial Harmful Algal Bloom FAQ

Will Reynolds is a health program specialist in the Bureau of Environmental Health and Communicable Disease, Division of Public Health, 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.
 

Kinship care refers to a heartfelt act where relatives and significant adults in children’s lives step up to take on the role of parents when a child’s biological parents are unable to care for them. 

This September DHW is hosting celebrations to commemorate Idaho’s kinship care families during National Kinship Care Month. 

My Family. My Story. entries due by Aug. 30

My Family. My Story is an annual art and expression series that seeks to raise awareness of the unique needs of caregivers, children, and youth in kinship families, as well as to help them feel connected to others in similar circumstances.

Artworks or expressions will be accepted through Aug. 30 and can include drawings, paintings, poetry, and more. The series is open to caregivers, children, and youth in kinship care (or who have previously been in kinship care), as well as to professionals that work alongside kinship families. 

My Family. My Story. entries are recognized and celebrated at each Idaho Kinship Family Day, as well as published online. For more information or to submit entries, please visit: https://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/my-family-my-story. 

Idaho Kinship Family Day slated for Sept. 21

Idaho Kinship Family Day will be celebrated Sept. 21 at outdoor parks in Boise, Idaho Falls and Coeur d’ Alene. The events will include food, games, prizes, and activities for families to participate in together, as well as information and resources about kinship care.  

Events in all three cities are from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and specific locations are as follows:

• Boise - Kristen Armstrong Municipal Park Shelter, 500 S. Walnut St.
• Coeur d’Alene - Borah Elementary, 632 E. Borah Ave.
• Idaho Falls - South Capital Park, 270 S. Capital Ave.

Activities and events are linked to supporting relatives and kin who are caring for children and promoting resources that support the health, safety, and stability of children and families. The activities also support services that help prevent children from entering formal foster care so they can stay with their kin.  For more information and to RSVP for the celebration, please visit Idaho Kinship Family Day Celebration.

Though there are many kinship caregivers in Idaho, many aren’t aware of assistance that’s available to them. There is a list of resources available on the  2-1-1 Idaho CareLine web page or by calling 2-1-1. 

Resources include financial, legal, kinship navigation, support, respite, and educational information. If you are a kinship caregiver, and if you know a kinship caregiver, please pass along this information about the resources available to help them in their labor of love.

Let’s come together to honor and celebrate the kinship families of Idaho, who embody the essence of love, selflessness, and care. Their stories inspire us all, and it’s our privilege to support and recognize their commitment to the well-being of the children they hold dear.

For more information on resources and supports available to kinship caregivers and children, visit the DHW website at https://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/services-programs/kinship-and-caregiving.

Jen Haddad is a program manager with the Services Integration Bureau 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.

DHW took tough action this week to ensure that the costs of the Idaho Child Care Program (ICCP) do not exceed available funding for the current and upcoming fiscal years.

The ICCP provides child care assistance to working families by paying for a portion of child care. The parent’s share is based on the size of the family and the amount of the family’s income. By helping Idaho low-income families with child care, parents can work, complete job training, or finish school. 

The program is projected to be over-budget, and DHW is taking measures to correct that.

What is DHW doing?

To bring the the Idaho Child Care Program in line with its Legislature-approved budget and to avoid budget shortfalls going forward, DHW is taking several actions.  

• Starting Thursday, Aug. 22, DHW is temporarily pausing new enrollment into the ICCP program. 
  • Benefits for current ICCP families are not affected by the enrollment pause and will continue as long as a family meets eligibility criteria. 
  • During the temporary pause, DHW is not enrolling new children in the program, with the exception of the following vulnerable populations: families experiencing homelessness, families caring for a child with a disability, foster families, families receiving Temporary Assistance for Families in Idaho (TAFI), and families receiving preventative services through Child Welfare. If a new child is added to a current ICCP household, they can be enrolled in ICCP as long the household continues to meet the eligibility criteria and benefits are active.
• DHW is also delaying the implementation of increased reimbursement rates to child care providers until July 1, 2025 and will be adjusting the reimbursement rate percentile that DHW pays child care providers.
• Finally, DHW will be recovering administrative costs from ICCP-related contracts

When the temporary enrollment pause ends, eligibility thresholds to qualify for ICCP benefits will be modified. This will apply to new enrollees in the program. Existing enrollees will be subject to the new eligibility thresholds when re-evaluated (which occurs annually). For those determined ineligible, a yet-to-be-determined phase-out plan will occur.

Why is DHW taking these steps?

Several factors contributed to the current predicted shortfall. In recent years, DHW expanded eligibility standards, making more children eligible for the program, and increased reimbursement rates to providers. Meanwhile, this year’s study of local market rates revealed what many already knew: child care costs have steeply increased. Funding increases are not keeping pace with the program’s costs.

“We recognize that decisions like these are never easy, especially given the importance of access to affordable child care for both the workforce and for early childhood development,” wrote DHW Director Alex Adams in an Aug. 14 letter to the chairs of the Legislature’s Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee.

He also stressed that DHW understands the importance of child care for working families and is “committed to making sure Idaho’s neediest families retain uninterrupted services.”

“Our goals are to keep the enrollment pause as short as possible and keep as many children as possible eligible for this critical support,” Adams wrote.

What do families and providers need to do?

Families currently enrolled in the Idaho Child Care Program are not affected by this pause, provided they remain eligible. The department will notify existing enrollees when it is time to complete re-evaluation. Families should be sure to complete re-evaluation on time and include all required documents.

Families interested in applying for child care coverage through the ICCP can monitor DHW’s ICCP webpage, where the end of the pause will be announced. The department will notify providers when the temporary pause ends.

Child care providers can access the 2024 local market rate survey information here.

“Ultimately, we want to preserve as many families on this program as possible,” Adams said. “We know we’re short funds for the current and next fiscal years. That’s why we need to implement a temporary pause in new enrollment.

“In our letter to legislators, we shared our worst case predicted shortfall. As we close out last year’s budget and refine projections, we hope the shortage is less than predicted. If it is, we will minimize the impact on families by changing eligibility criteria as little as possible. This program serves our communities and Idaho’s employers by keeping able-bodied Idahoans at work.” 

I’ve heard it said that if everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself. It’s in this collaborative spirit that the Department of Health and Welfare worked with diverse partners this week to unveil the Idaho State Park Foster Family Passport, a program that gives foster families access to more than two dozen parks under management of the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation.

State parks are places where Idahoans go to camp, swim, float, hike, and picnic in the great outdoors, and foster families can now access them for free.

Officials from Parks and Rec, DHW, Regence BlueShield of Idaho, and Idaho Business for the Outdoors joined a half-dozen local foster families to unveil the new passport at a news conference on Wednesday, and I was inspired by the enthusiasm and spirit of collaboration underlying the effort. 

This is the most recent example of the department’s renewed focus on child welfare and our goal of doubling the rate of foster families in Idaho. To help make this happen, we’ve waived all adoption fees through the department, simplified licensure of foster homes, and released a Foster Parent Bill of Rights.

We’ve also reorganized our child welfare leadership team and program structure. We worked with Gov. Brad Little to expand paid parental leave for new foster parents. And we cosponsored screenings of the inspiring film, “Sound of Hope,” which chronicles the true story about 22 families from a rural church who adopted 77 kids from the foster system.

Every single child deserves to grow up in a safe, loving, and nurturing home. In Idaho, we’re proud that 95% of our children never require intervention from child welfare services, a testament to the strength and dedication of our families. Yet, for the 5% of Idaho’s children who do enter our child welfare system, sometimes, to keep them safe, foster care becomes a necessary step.

When that happens, it is our responsibility as Idahoans to unite in support of these children. Caring foster families can make all the difference in their lives, providing the love and stability that every child deserves. 

I want to extend my deepest thanks to Idaho Parks and Recreation, Regence BlueShield of Idaho, and Idaho Business for the Outdoors for joining the Department of Health and Welfare in this effort. The new parks program is a beautiful way to bond, build relationships, and create lasting memories through the unmatched beauty of Idaho’s outdoors. Thanks to each of you for your vision and commitment.

As of this week, DHW has 1,401 children in foster care and 1,124 licensed foster homes—only about half of what we need. If you have the ability to provide a safe and loving environment for Idaho’s foster children, I urge you to call 2-1-1 today to learn more about becoming a foster parent.

If long-term fostering isn’t the right fit for you, there are many other ways you can contribute. You could provide short-term respite care for other foster parents, support programs like the Idaho State Park Foster Family Passport, or sponsor one of the upcoming First Time Adventure events. There are countless opportunities to help nurture Idaho’s future generations.

And most importantly, thank you to Idaho’s foster parents, some of whom were with us this week. Your dedication is deeply appreciated, and we’re honored to support you in any way we can.

You can read more about Wednesday’s event in the Idaho Capital Sun and Idaho Press. 

If you have questions about the new Idaho State Park Foster Family Passport, please visit the attached FAQ. 

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

Foster parents provide an indispensable service to the state of Idaho by caring for thousands of foster children each year. They open their homes to children separated from their families and are committed to offering love and stability during the most challenging and important times in a child’s life.

Acknowledging their selfless dedication, the Foster Parent Bill of Rights serves as a guiding framework ensuring that foster parents are supported, respected, and treated as integral members of our child welfare system.

The Foster Parent Bill of Rights articulates several key areas of support and respect to which foster parents are entitled. At its core, it emphasizes the importance of treating foster parents with dignity and respect. 

The Foster Parent Bill of Rights is comprised of five key tenants It pledges that foster parents have the right to:

1. Be treated with respect and dignity
2. Be supported by the department as primary providers of foster care
3. Timely, accurate, and respectful communication
4. Be actively involved in case planning
5. Raise concerns without fear of reprisal 

The Idaho Foster Parent Bill of Rights is a milestone in strengthening the partnership between foster parents and the Department of Health and Welfare. It recognizes the critical role foster parents play and creates a foundation that starts with the support, respect, and recognition they deserve. 

Together, we can continue to improve the stability and well-being of children in foster care, creating a brighter future for Idaho’s kids and for the families who selflessly offer support and love.

If you’re interested in becoming a foster parent, please call 2-1-1 or 800-926-2588, or visit DHW's foster care page for more information. Your willingness to open your home can make a profound difference in a child’s life.

Monty Prow is deputy director of Child, Youth & Family Services. He’s dedicated his career to supporting youth and families, most recently serving as director of the Idaho Department of Juvenile Corrections.

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

If you’re willing to open your heart and your home to a child in need, we need your help.

This month, I’m thrilled to join the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (DHW) team. It is an honor to work alongside department staff and the dedicated, compassionate Idahoans who make a difference for Idaho kids every day.

For over two decades, I’ve dedicated my career to supporting youth and families, most recently serving as director of the Idaho Department of Juvenile Corrections.

Doubling rate of qualified Idaho foster families

Our collective efforts are critical to achieving DHW’s top-level goal of doubling the rate of qualified resource families. This ambitious target aligns with our shared philosophy of ensuring the right placement for the right length of time for each youth in the foster care system.

The goal is a two-part equation focusing on increasing both the number of available homes and safely decreasing the number of youths who need to be removed from their homes. Input and collaboration from foster families, soon-to-be foster families, and DHW staff will be essential as we work toward this goal.

Meeting the needs for Idaho children

With approximately 1,500 foster children in Idaho at any given moment, the demand for compassionate families is constant. These children depend on us to provide safe, nurturing environments during times of crisis.

All foster families make crucial contributions by opening their homes and hearts to children in need. Some foster families go further by providing for children who require complex levels of care.

The more complex children can have chronic medical problems, frequent or time-consuming transportation needs, behaviors requiring extra supervision, even substance use concerns.

The need for additional foster families in Idaho is constant, with a specific demand for those who can care for sibling groups, adolescents, and children with more complex needs. Foster parents provide a lifeline, offering stability and care to children who need it most.

If you are interested in becoming a foster parent, please call 2-1-1 or 800-926-2588, or visit DHW's foster care page for more information. Your willingness to open your home can make a profound difference in a child’s life.

Monty Prow is deputy director of Child, Youth & Family Services. He’s dedicated his career to supporting youth and families, most recently serving as director of the Idaho Department of Juvenile Corrections.

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

This week I was profoundly grateful to join the department of Health and Welfare as director and lead DHW’s dedicated team of 3,000 employees as we work to improve the lives of our fellow Idahoans. 

Almost half a million of those Idahoans are children, whose voices may be unheard and whose options may be limited or nonexistent. It is our responsibility and our honor to ensure that every single child receives love, care, and nurturing. Idaho’s children are Idaho’s future. Today’s children are the nurturers, parents, and caregivers of tomorrow.  

With that in mind, my initial focus, and the disproportionate energy of the department, will be focused on strengthening child welfare. We must ensure that Idaho’s children are safe, loved, and cared for in permanent environments where they can flourish. The best interest of Idaho’s children is the North Star that will guide our actions.

We took several initial actions this week to start this journey.

First, we waived all adoption fees through the department. Let’s make adoption easier in Idaho and ensure there are no cost impediments for applications, home studies, and related services.

Second, we simplified licensure of foster homes. We eliminated a lot of the rocks-in-shoes regulations that existed in Idaho but were absent in national model licensure standards and served more as barriers than bridges. This will allow foster parents to use their professional judgment more rather than memorizing departmental regulations. It will also make it easier to license relatives as foster homes for their own kin.

Third, we released a Foster Parent Bill of Rights to acknowledge the significance of the commitment foster parents make and outline what foster families can expect in terms of their interactions with DHW.

Fourth, we worked with Gov. Brad Little to support passage of an executive order, the Promoting Families and Protecting Children Act. The order directs the department to implement measures that strengthen child welfare, and to file a report with the governor by Dec. 1, 2024.

While these initial actions will create momentum in the right direction, it is not an understatement to say we need to tap into the collective talent of all 3,000 members of the department to make meaningful progress in child welfare.

While department leadership is working to harness the staff’s collective energy to make a difference for Idaho children, we cannot complete this journey alone. It will take all of Idaho, together, focused on this singular destination of strengthening child welfare and led by the best interests of children.

Simply put, Idaho – like many states – has a shortage of foster homes. Please consider opening your home to a child or siblings in need in our state. By opening your heart to a child, you enrich your family and community. Learn more about becoming a foster family.

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