November is National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month and an opportunity to reflect on ways we can support those with an Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis, and measures we can take to reduce the chances of developing Alzheimer’s ourselves.

Many people we’ve spoken with say that once they mention they have Alzheimer’s disease, people respond with an expression of pity. People want to help, but often distance themselves from the person who has the disease, as well as from the family member giving them care, leaving both feeling isolated.

We know that this type of distancing is not done maliciously, but out of discomfort and fear of the unknown and fear of being a burden to a challenging disease process. The irony is that the person with Alzheimer’s—their friend or family member who they’ve known for years or decades—has already had Alzheimer’s for five to 20 years ahead of their recent diagnosis.

Alzheimer’s disease is broken into five phases, they are:

Preclinical: No symptoms but possible biological changes in the brain.

Mild cognitive impairment: Very mild symptoms that may not interfere with everyday activities.

Mild dementia: Symptoms interfere with some everyday activities.

Moderate dementia: Symptoms interfere with many everyday activities.

Severe dementia: Symptoms interfere with most everyday activities.

Why are these stages important to know? In the U.S. an estimated 60% or more of Americans go undiagnosed. Many will receive a diagnosis when they’re in the last two phases of the disease, and generally when they’re in crisis.

There are many reasons why people choose not to get checked or diagnosed: the overall negative stigma around the disease, lack of knowledge and understanding about the signs and symptoms, absence of testing or resources in the areas they live, and the sense of worry about the potential outcome of a diagnosis.

The stigma around Alzheimer's disease has always been prevalent as many people see this type of diagnosis as being only for elderly, those who are sick, or as the absolute worst thing that can happen to a person.

According to an article from the National Institute of Health, “The perception is that (Alzheimer’s disease) patients have little to no quality of life, due to their disease, which may lead to a loss of independence and dignity.” Other common stereotypes include being burdensome, incompetence, and not being able to contribute to society. 

Society's view on an Alzheimer's diagnosis is a harmful one, due to many people not understanding the cause or progression of the disease, but it is not just the common population that holds this view. Many people within the healthcare field also perceive the disease this way. A survey of primary care providers reported that “Nearly 2 in 5 (39%) of physicians report that they are ‘never’ or only ‘sometimes comfortable’ making a diagnosis of Alzheimer's or other dementia.”

It’s not all negative, though. There are many resources and opportunities that can help people with an Alzheimer’s diagnosis improve their quality of life. A few examples of things they and their loved ones can do include, staying connected and communicating regularly, maintaining a healthy diet, staying active and exercising regularly, staying social, and living in a safe and calm environment. 

Resources:

• November is National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month. Read the proclamation.
• DHW resources for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

Tiffany Robb is health program manager for the Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias Program in the Division of Public Health at DHW. A self-described compassionate extrovert, she’s had a diverse career that’s included personal training, business ownership and management, teaching, research, and project management. Tiffany finds working on brain health, Alzheimer’s, and dementia an honor and a tribute to family members who have been impacted by dementia.

Brooke Zander is an intern working with the Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias program in the Division of Public Health at DHW. She’ a student at Boise State University working on a Bachelor of Health Science degree, with expected graduation in December 2023.

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

Anyone who’s heard me talk very long about my work at the Department of Health and Welfare has also heard me say it’s the best and most challenging job I’ve ever had. It’s also been the greatest honor of my career.

My decision to retire at the end of December has not been easy, but after significant reflection I’ve chosen to move on to the next phase of my life and spend more time with my wife, four children, and three grandchildren.

My personal mission throughout my life and career has been to help others achieve their full potential, and I’ve found invigorated meaning in that mission at DHW. That’s because it’s what DHW’s 3,000 employees working in eight divisions do for Idahoans every single day. I often say that my job, and the job of the senior leadership at DHW, is to support staff so they can do their best work in service of Idahoans. It’s been my highest honor to help make that happen.

It should come as no surprise that this work also comes with diverse challenges, and in considering retirement I wanted to pause and consider my core reasons for taking this step. The fact is, even if working at DHW was without any challenges or stress at all, I’d choose to retire now. I have loved this job, but my other job is grandpa. I want to focus on my family while my grandchildren are still young, and my wife and I are in good health.

While I’m looking forward to retirement, I’m going to miss many things about DHW, and I’m most going to miss working with DHW’s outstanding employees who do life-changing work for Idahoans every day. I’m inspired by the skill, talent, compassion, and empathy they bring to work. The people at DHW are everyday heroes who inspire me and make a tangible difference for Idahoans, and I know their work will continue because Idahoans will continue to need DHW’s services.

Gov. Brad Little has announced an interim DHW leader and will make decisions about DHW’s long-term leadership. I’ll work to make the transition as seamless as possible for DHW’s staff and for my successor.

In reflecting about this chapter of my life, I’m grateful for the opportunities, challenges, and shared accomplishments. But most of all I’m grateful to have worked alongside so many hard-working and talented people to advance the mission of helping our neighbors live their healthiest lives.

Thank-you for that honor.

I hope you have a safe and healthy weekend! 

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 the past five years I’ve signed 1,596 adoption papers for children being adopted from foster care into new families.

Signing adoptions is part of my job as director at DHW and one of the most moving and emotionally wrenching thing I do at work. I read each and every one, and often tear up as I do. Each adoption is a story about loss and grief that transforms into a story about care, support and hope.

November is National Adoption Month and an opportunity to spread awareness about adoption as a positive way to grow families. It’s also about recognizing the hundreds of thousands of children throughout the nation waiting for permanent families and advocating for the wellbeing and future of children in foster care.

There are different types of adoptions. An adoption done through DHW is a public agency adoption that’s facilitated by the department or another state or county social service department. The department does not provide private adoptions.

In a public agency adoption, the department has custody of the children in foster care and typically works with a birth family to try to reunite them for 12 months. If that’s unable to occur, the court may terminate parental rights, and the child is then available for adoption.

In most cases, Idaho children adopted from foster care have special needs. They may have physical, mental, emotional, or medical disabilities, or they may be part of a group of siblings who should stay together. Some children may be older but still need a permanent home through adoption.

The department’s goal is to find a family who can best meet a child’s needs within 24 months of when the child enters foster care. To help meet this goal, the department looks for relatives who are interested and able to adopt the child. When no relatives are available or if placement with a relative is not in the child’s best interest, non-relative foster families often adopt.

Families who adopt children with special needs are eligible to apply for federal or state adoption assistance benefits. These benefits help subsidize the expenses associated with finalizing an adoption and the cost of parenting a child who has special needs.

Below are more resources for people seeking additional information about adoption in Idaho:

• Information about adoption through foster care: https://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/services-programs/children-families/child-and-family-services-and-foster-care/about-adoption
• Private adoption information: https://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/services-programs/children-families/child-and-family-services-and-foster-care/private-adoption
• Adoption and guardianship assistance: https://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/services-programs/children-families/child-and-family-services-and-foster-care/adoption-and

I hope you have a safe and healthy weekend! 

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

Fit and Fall Proof is a program in our Public Health Division that improves the lives of Idahoans. This program works for seniors in our communities to help prevent injuries and the subsequent loss of independence. Class participants learn simple exercises to increase strength, balance, and endurance. That can help prevent accidental falls and tripping that are sometimes associated with age. Additional aims are to build connectedness and decrease isolation.

Fit and Fall Proof is an effective and efficient program. Approximately 130 low-cost or free Fit and Fall Proof class sites are supported throughout Idaho by health district coordinators and led by volunteers across all seven regions. Volunteer class leaders are recruited from communities and trained by Idaho health district coordinators and master trainers using the Fit and Fall Proof curriculum, which was developed by Idaho professionals. 

Growing this program is part of DHW’s 2024 Strategic Plan—Goal 2, Objective 2.3.4: Increase the number of Idahoans accessing the local Fit and Fall Proof courses offered across the state by seven percent by Sept. 30, 2024.

The current annual report for Fit and Fall Proof reported a total of 9,358 participants for the year. An increase will mean that more than 10,000 seniors will feel the benefits of this important—and fun!—program.

There was a time in 2020 and 2021 when there were concerns that Fit and Fall Proof wouldn’t survive the pandemic. However, we learned that the program’s community bond was so strong that even stay-at-home orders couldn’t keep some seniors away. Determined Fit and Fall Proof participants hosted classes in church parking lots and barns in order to adhere to COVID guidelines. As of our latest annual report, Fit and Fall Proof attendance is climbing back toward its pre-pandemic numbers.

A recent study, “Exploring the Impact of the Idaho Fit and Fall Proof™ Program on Feelings of Isolation and Loneliness Post-COVID-19 Pandemic,”  was completed by Hailey Merrick, a graduate student at Boise State University with the Center for the Study of Aging. The center is the contracted third-party evaluator for Fit and Fall Proof and has been since its beginning.

Sarah Toevs, the center’s director, oversees this work. Merrick’s research examines the impact of participation in Fit and Fall Proof on feelings of isolation and connectedness. It provided a qualitative survey to participants at all seven health districts in Idaho, and nearly 500 participants responded. Reponses confirm what we already suspected: this program provides a vital sense of connection and community for senior citizens in Idaho.

We read a lot of reports in our work, but reading excerpts from this one is likely to leave you a little misty-eyed and give a boost to your day:

• “Thank you for providing this service, it is vital to our rural communities and senior health”
• “When I started I couldn't lift a cast iron skillet or balance with my eyes closed. Now I can. Very important instruction with positive social interaction.”
• “I love my exercises and being with my friends.”
• “People smile at you. At the gym, they don’t. My husband passed away in-between times and now I live alone. FFP seems more important now.”

Several DHW staff in the Division of Public Health are responsible for the operation and success of this program: Health Program Manager Amanda Rodgers oversees the program (originally created with support of Get Healthy Idaho Program Manager Katie Lamansky). Health district coordinators manage volunteer class leaders and trainings. Health program specialist Brooke Ambrose works part time on FFP, and Risk Reduction and Prevention Section Manager Nicole Rogers and Community Health Bureau Chief Jack Miller have supported activities to keep the program going.

Thank-you all for making a difference for Idaho’s seniors and for helping DHW meet this important strategic plan objective.

I hope you have a safe and healthy weekend!

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 marked a significant milestone this month as it implemented a cutting-edge new background check system. The new system’s primary objective is to drastically reduce processing times for background checks, ensuring a smoother and faster experience for both applicants and employers.

The background check system managed by DHW helps screen people who care for many of Idaho’s most vulnerable and processes more than 33,000 background checks each year. The new system rolled out Tuesday, Oct. 3, and will screen people who work in daycares, emergency services, long-term care facilities, behavioral health clinics, certified family homes, state hospitals, and more.

Troubleshooting transition complications

The department recognizes that the transition to the new system is having an impact on our customers, and we are implementing measures to address problems and to increase the department’s response.

To deal with increased calls from our clients for help, the department is increasing the number of staff that can assist with calls and will respond to inquiries as quickly as it can. Providers who must use the system in the course of day-to-day business can expect continued targeted communications from the Background Check Unit with updates as the system is modified to serve their needs.

We expected a learning curve for all of the system’s users during the transition, and we believe this new tool will help build toward improved efficiency and security in the background check process. If you’re experiencing delays or complications, please consider the following resources:

• Background Check Unit website: https://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/bcu.
• Background check system training videos: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQoSxuWU8OZC8sJ3QDnzvj5SWIM4o19FF.
• Background Check Unit contact information: 800-340-1246 or bcu@dhw.idaho.gov.

The Background Check Unit website linked above has been updated to include training and reference materials discussing the features and processes of the background check system.

We ask our customers for their patience and understanding as the Background Check Unit team replies to all contacts for help as quickly as it can.

Some of new system’s key benefits

The Background Check Unit leveraged multi-year federal grant funding with aims to improve operations and efficiency in background checks. As part of an objective in DHW’s Strategic Plan to “implement a federally endorsed background check system and optimize both staff levels and operations at fingerprint locations to improve the timeliness of background checks,” this new system will ensure a smoother and faster experience for both applicants and employers.

The new background check system will:

• Eliminate 99% of the paper processes
• Allow applicants to submit via a mobile device
• Allow agencies to pay for their applicants’ background checks through the website
• Enhance security of information from FBI and local police
• Handle internet browser enhancements

The modernized background check system has various advantages for users and employers. The most significant is the elimination of 99% of paper-based processes.

The transition from an antiquated 2004 system to a more resilient and reliable platform enables applicants to conveniently submit their information via mobile device. This both enhances accessibility and streamlines the payment process, allowing applicants to pay for their background checks through the system website.

The new system also provides immediate access to necessary forms in a pdf format upon application submission, which saves time and makes compliance for out-of-state requirements easier to complete.

Increased security and automation

Security has always been a concern for the Background Check Unit, and this system addresses it. By enhancing the security of information sourced from the FBI and local police, applicants—as well as employers and the Background Check Unit—can have increased confidence in the handling of sensitive data.

Another critical improvement with the background check system is reducing reliance on manual intervention. The system sends timely notifications to employers, reminding them of approaching deadlines and potential violations. This ensures compliance and reduces the need for staff assistance in account management autonomy to manage their accounts. This streamlined affiliation process leads to greater efficiency and a reduction in administrative issues during audits.

By embracing modernization and leveraging technological advancements with this system, DHW can guarantee a smoother experience for customers, providers, and stakeholders involved in background checks.

Fernando Castro is program supervisor for the Background Check Unit at the Department of Health and Welfare. He’s worked in that position since 2010.

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 vision of the Department of Health and Welfare’s Get Healthy Idaho plan is healthy people living and thriving in safe, healthy, and resilient communities. Differences in communities and neighborhoods can impact how long and how well people live. Get Healthy Idaho is a creative, place-based approach that supports communities at the local level to make sure everyone has the opportunity to be healthy.

One of the best ways to support health and well-being in communities is to shift decision-making to those who live and work there. Get Healthy Idaho understands that each community has different needs and strengths, and it creates the ability for communities to come together to create shared goals for improving health.

Strategies may include changes to policies, systems, and environments that improve access to jobs, healthy and nutritious foods, places to be physically active, and available healthcare, for example. These solutions can improve economic and community well-being. They may also improve the community’s ability to overcome challenges in the future. When efforts that focus on prevention are successful, people are healthier, more productive, and are more connected and invested in the community’s health. The entire community grows stronger.

The Division of Public Health in the Department of Health and Welfare has been investing in Elmore and Bannock counties since 2021 to help build strong local partnerships focused on a shared goal. These are referred to as collaboratives. In their first year of funding, each collaborative worked with community members to identify local priority health needs. From there they will build action plans with solutions to improve the health of their community members, including those who are underserved.  

Since the solutions are local, they are much more likely to create positive, long-term change. The Division of Public Health provides funding, technical assistance, resources, and tools for four years in each awarded community

Congratulations to the Clearwater Economic Development Association

In September, the Clearwater Economic Development Association (CEDA) in North Central Idaho became the newest Get Healthy Idaho community. CEDA will receive $100,000 per year for four years to build partnerships, collect data from residents to understand local health needs, identify health priorities, develop an action plan, and implement local health solutions.

CEDA has a long history of leadership and the strong regional connections needed to build the collaborative. CEDA’s work will be focused on improving health for Idahoans in Kamiah and Orofino. The proposal received support from both city governments, Kamiah High School, Clearwater and Lewis County commissioners, North Central Idaho Public Health District, St. Mary’s and Clearwater Valley Health, Community Action Partnership, LC Valley Healthcare Foundation, Idaho Food Bank, and others. Read CEDA’s Get Healthy Idaho announcement.

Health improvements continue in Elmore and Bannock counties

While work is just starting in Kamiah and Orofino, the United Way of Southeastern Idaho in Bannock County is gearing up to start its third year of the initiative. The Western Idaho Community Health Collaborative (WICHC) in Elmore County has started its fourth and final year of funding this month.

The United Way of Southeastern Idaho was awarded funds in October 2021, and is focused on improving health for underserved residents of Bannock County. Community surveys and conversations with residents helped the collaborative identify transportation as a major barrier to health. Due to strong partnerships with health clinics and a local transportation ride service, a point-to-point transportation solution for community members was borne. This program is known as Ride United. Through the service, riders have access to healthcare, behavioral health, recovery support, and other services provided at the Portneuf Medical Center’s City Center Campus in Pocatello. Ride United is joined with FindHelpIdaho.org and allows case managers to order rides that help community members access the services they need when they need to be there.

Between January and July 2023, more than 1,270 rides were provided to community members for doctors’ appointments at the free clinic, recovery programs and resources, and crisis center support, among other health services. Watch this video to learn more about the service from a rider. Listen to United Way of Southeastern Idaho’s new podcast, Igniting Change, Episode 3 (available late October), focused on the impact of Get Healthy Idaho investments in Bannock County.

In addition, United Way partnered with Southeast Idaho Council of Governments to help residents with transportation barriers learn how to use the Pocatello bus system so they can manage their own transportation needs. Ride United helps clients get to the care they need at the Pocatello Free Clinic, the Southeast Idaho Behavioral Crisis Center, and the Hope and Recovery Resource Center, among other services.

In October, Ride United was recognized as an innovative idea by the National Aging and Disability Transportation Center. The center promotes transportation options for older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers.

Because of these new transportation options, no-show rates at the free clinic dropped to zero. This service helps clinicians provide better care for their patients, helping them achieve healthier outcomes. When asked about the impacts of Ride United on their clients, Matt Hardin, former director of Southeast Idaho Behavioral Crisis Center, said, “Ride United was the second most important thing that positively impacted us next to the Medicaid expansion in 2020.”

In southwest Idaho, the very first Get Healthy Idaho funded community in Elmore County continues planning, development, and collaboration efforts with county-wide partners to bring their community action plan to life. This work is led by The Western Idaho Community Health Collaborative (WICHC). With community input, the action plan addresses Get Healthy Idaho priorities (diabetes, obesity, unintentional injury, and behavioral health) by improving access to public lands and open space, increasing transportation options, and enhancing access to healthcare services and behavioral health support.

To increase access to care across the county, WICHC is working with Desert Sage Health Centers to implement a Community Health Worker (CHW) program. They are also partnering with Elmore Ambulance Service to pilot a Community Health-Emergency Medical Services (CHEMS) program to improve care for residents with behavioral health needs or diabetes.

The CHEMS program in Elmore County was officially launched in September. CHEMS paramedics focus on patients’ health in non-emergency settings, outside the hospital. CHEMS prevent future health emergencies by visiting patients in their homes. The program increases access to primary and preventive care services and decreases the use of emergency departments for patients with chronic diseases and complicated care plans. They make sure patients have the tools, education, and support they need to treat medical conditions and maintain their health.

This summer, Dr. Jennifer Rhoads was hired by Elmore Ambulance Service to lead the CHEMS program for the county. She has begun visiting patients with complex health needs, helping make their homes safer by fixing hazards that can lead to falls, teaching caregivers how to dress wounds, help them understand how to take medication, and treatment of chronic disease. This work is important because it prevents them from ending up sick or in the hospital.

While they have begun their fourth and final year of Get Healthy Idaho, WICHC partners and Dr. Rhoads are making lasting improvements in access to healthcare options as well as improving overall mental and physical health for residents in Elmore County who need it most.

Sustained investment toward shared goals transforms communities

Health happens where people live, work, and play. The policies, systems, and environmental solutions to improve health for all people should reflect the unique needs and culture of each community. By shifting to community-led models, and through continued investments from funders, such as Get Healthy Idaho, communities can work together to address their unique health challenges and achieve shared goals that will result in a healthy, thriving, resilient community.

Learn more about these community-based initiatives as part of the state’s Get Healthy Idaho Plan at https://www.gethealthy.dhw.idaho.gov/.

Katie Lamansky manages the Get Healthy Idaho Initiative in Idaho’s Division of Public Health. She has worked for the division since 2008, where she started her career as a health program specialist in the Idaho Physical Activity and Nutrition Program. Katie supports GHI through strategic leadership and programmatic oversight to achieve Get Healthy Idaho’s vision of healthy people, living and thriving in safe, healthy, and resilient communities.

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

Halloween is an exciting holiday for children and adults alike, and we’d like to remind parents and caregivers to take some simple precautions to make sure that everyone has a safe and happy Halloween. Here are a few tips:

Glow sticks can be dangerous

Glow sticks can cause a stinging and a burning sensation if the liquid comes in contact with the mouth or eyes. Be careful when children put these in their mouths as they are soft to chew on and can easily break open. If this happens, rinse with water and call the Nebraska Regional Poison Center at 800-222-1222.

Check treats carefully

When children trick-or-treat, treats should be carefully checked by adults. Homemade treats or anything out of its original wrapper should be thrown away unless parents are positive of the identity of the person from which it came.

Think about costume safety and visibility

Costumes should be warm, well-fitting and non-flammable. Masks should allow adequate vision and should be removed while children are crossing streets. Make sure children are accompanied by an adult and take a flashlight along if it’s dark.

Use nontoxic face paint as an alternative to masks. All makeup and fluorescent hair sprays should be removed before going to bed. Consider using reflective tape on costumes worn after dark.

Be heads-up about surroundings

Safety on Halloween means paying attention to everything from cracks in the sidewalk to erratic traffic patterns. Fall mushrooms may have popped up in lawns and under trees, and some mushrooms are poisonous.

Dry ice can cause frostbite

Punch containing dry ice is not considered dangerous if the ice is not swallowed in its solid form. Small pieces should not be put in individual glasses. Frostbite can occur if dry ice touches the skin or mouth.

Treats can be poisonous for pets

Chocolate and xylitol are very poisonous to dogs. Xylitol is the sweetener found in sugar free candies and gum. Store all candy up and out of reach of dogs and other pets.

Keep alcohol out of reach of children

If hosting or going to a Halloween party, make sure alcohol is out of reach of children and animals.

For more information about responding to an incident involving poisoning visit DHW’s poison response webpage: https://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/health-wellness/emergency-planning/poison-response.

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 Thursday, Oct. 19, marks the Great Idaho ShakeOut. As part of the worldwide Great Shakeout, it’s a day dedicated to reflecting on and preparing for the possibility of a significant earthquake. At 10:19 a.m. local time, people throughout Idaho will participate in the ShakeOut, engaging in earthquake safety drills within their homes, workplaces, and community organizations.

The Great Idaho ShakeOut provides an array of valuable resources, including instructional manuals and guidelines for conducting earthquake safety drills in schools, workplaces, museums, and government offices.

Earthquakes, however, aren’t the sole natural disaster concern in Idaho. This week’s ShakeOut is a reminder that Idahoans should be ready for a variety of emergency situations, such as floods, droughts, wildfires, or severe blizzards. Preparedness is about minimizing the immediate adverse impacts when disasters occur and starts with devising a well-thought-out plan that facilitates swift communication and connection with family and friends in times of crisis.

In the event of a public health emergency, access to essential resources such as food, water, and medications may become limited. To ensure readiness for all public health emergencies, individuals, families, businesses, and communities can take a few straightforward steps:

How to prepare:

Create a comprehensive plan that covers the acquisition or provision of five fundamental necessities: water, food, energy, shelter, and security.

Safeguard copies of essential documents, including medication lists, marriage certificates, birth certificates, and medical insurance information.

Additionally, your plan should address:

• The safest routes to reach safety within your home and away from it.
• Methods of communication during a crisis, considering the potential failure of phone lines and cell towers.
• Reunification procedures after a disaster strikes.
• Establishing communication signals with your family and designating a point of contact with a person who lives outside your immediate area. This person can serve as a central hub for everyone to check in. During a crisis, sending text messages may be more effective due to the likely overload of phone call networks.

When to prepare:

Preparation for an emergency should start well in advance of an event. Your plan should be created and practiced. Early preparation should also involve assembly of an emergency preparedness kit that you or your family can quickly access.

For additional information on emergency preparedness, you can visit DHW's Emergency Preparedness webpage, where you will find resources to help you assemble a kit, formulate a plan, and stay informed about potential emergencies.

Denise Kern is the public health preparedness and response section manager in the Division of Public Health.

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

Oversized scissors cut through a big blue ribbon and a giant door opened for the youth of Idaho. Tuesday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony at Pathways Youth Community Support Center on Emerald Street celebrated the launch of Boise’s first Youth Behavioral Health Community Crisis Center (YBHCCC) October 10, 2023. The doors officially open Oct. 16 and the hope is they will never close.

The YBHCCCs welcome youth aged 12-17 who are in a behavioral health crisis. After the first year of implementation, the age range of youth served will expand to 5-17. These are free, safe places for youth and their families to get immediate assistance without an appointment. They stand as an alternative to juvenile detention and/or the hospital system.  

“Youth and their families can come in here any time, without consideration of their ability to pay for these services,” said Pathways Executive Director Ryan Jones. “They can come in to see a clinician for a behavioral health assessment, a nurse for a medical assessment, and meet with a case manager to link them to the resources they need.”

The space welcomes youth with bright colors and spacious offices. There are beds to take respite, meeting rooms for staff, and private rooms for clinicians to conduct assessments. Youth can stay for 23 hours, 59 minutes.

The 24/7 youth crisis center is the third to open in Idaho this year. Idaho Falls and Twin Falls YBHCCCs are open, and another center will open in Nampa in January 2024. 

“This facility and the others [across Idaho] are really meant to be a service to kids, without being part of the juvenile corrections system,” said Idaho Department of Juvenile Corrections Director Monty Prow.

IDJC worked to secure the initial funding for the four YBHCCCs, and the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare will now work to secure their long-term future.

Youth often first enter the continuum of care in Idaho after a crisis becomes an emergency. They end up committing a crime or being taken to a hospital. “That’s not necessary,” said Ross Edmunds, Behavioral Health administrator at DHW.

“We can’t define what crisis means for an individual,” Edmunds said. “With kids and adolescents, it might just be conflict between them and their family. The kid does something, breaks a window, and there’s no place else; they get arrested, go to a detention center, or parents are recommended to take the youth to a hospital.”

Youth in crisis who enter the juvenile justice system may receive mental health treatment, and often their records are expunged. Youth who go to the hospital may receive medical care, behavioral health information, and a safety plan. If they do not have Medicaid, they will have a copay for ongoing community treatment. Incarceration, cost, stress, complication, embarrassment—these are obstacles the YBHCCCs intend to help families avoid.

“I think [YBHCCCs] will be a great way to divert from unnecessary hospitalization,” said Belinda Dalrymple, St. Alphonsus emergency department psychiatric clinician, and a member of the Boise center’s advisory board. “Just looking through the windows, you can see there is happy painting on the walls. You walk into the emergency room, and it’s all wires and beeps and sounds. Here it’s a lot more relaxed, laid back, super chill.”

The most important aspect of the YBHCCCs is that they’ll ensure the appropriate level of crisis treatment is obtained. Most youth don’t need hospitalization and certainly don’t need incarceration.

“The revolving door we see in detention centers and emergency departments and psychiatric units at hospitals is completely unnecessary,” Edmonds said. “We started this journey with crisis centers, but we’re not done yet in terms of our crisis development. We also need people to respond within our community. We have our partners in law enforcement who respond, but they need the support of mobile response teams to join them. We’re working on developing the entire continuum.”

Youth and their parents, schools, law enforcement, hospitals, 988, DHW, IDJC, the Idaho Behavioral Health Council, the State Legislature, the Governor’s Office and many private partners like Pathways and their counterparts in other Idaho cities join in this together. Many hands are needed for heavy work.

Edmunds said 10 years ago there were zero crisis centers in Idaho. Now there are seven for adults and three for youth, with one more on the way. With the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, Idahoans have someone to call any time they need. Now, with YBHCCCs, youth in crisis also have a place to go.

Dustin Lapray is a public involvement officer with the Division of Behavioral health at DHW.

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

Ageism is a subtle yet pervasive bias that infiltrates our lives, often without us even realizing it. It’s a prejudice based on age that can affect people of all generations, from the young to the elderly. While this past Saturday, Oct. 7, is known as as Ageism Awareness Day, the fight against ageism should be a year-round endeavor, drawing attention to the issue and promoting a more equitable and age-inclusive society.

Ageism is a multifaceted problem, encompassing stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination rooted in age-related biases. It’s not just about older individuals being marginalized; it also involves stigmatizing the young. This complex issue affects our interactions, our language, and our perceptions, often shaping how we view ourselves and others as we age.

The World Health Organization, through its Global Campaign to Combat Ageism, provides a clear definition of ageism: stereotypes (how people think), prejudice (how people feel), and discrimination (how people act) based on age. Ageism is not an isolated problem. It’s deeply embedded in our society, and it’s something most people will encounter at some point in their lives.

The impact of ageism

Ageism manifests in various ways, including workplace discrimination, healthcare disparities, and social exclusion. In the workplace, older individuals may face challenges in securing employment or promotions due to assumptions about their abilities or adaptability. On the other hand, younger employees may be underestimated or not taken seriously because of their age.

In healthcare, ageism can lead to unequal treatment, with older patients sometimes receiving less aggressive care than their younger counterparts. These biases can have life-altering consequences and perpetuate disparities in health outcomes.

Ageism also affects the way we communicate and perceive older individuals. Common phrases like “She looks good for her age” or “I was having a senior moment" may seem harmless, but they reinforce stereotypes and diminish the value of aging. Ageism also lurks within the media and advertising, perpetuating unrealistic standards of beauty and vitality while neglecting the diversity of aging experiences.

But what is the value of aging? The aging process is happening to us every second from the time we are born. In our society due to ageism, we have diminished all the things that we could appreciate that come with age. Generally speaking, as we age our emotional and social intelligence improves. While our processing time may slow that, also provides the benefit of being contemplative and deliberate rather than reactive.

Fighting ageism year-round

To combat ageism effectively, we must acknowledge that it’s not just a problem for one day of the year. It’s a challenge we need to address continuously. Here are some steps we can take to raise awareness and promote change:

• Education: Learn about ageism, its impact, and how it manifests in society. Recognize that it affects people of all ages.
• Self-awareness: Reflect on your own biases and assumptions about age. Challenge stereotypes and prejudices you may hold.
• Language: Be mindful of the language you use. Avoid ageist remarks and stereotypes when talking about age or aging.
• Advocate for change: Encourage others, including your workplace to adopt age-inclusive practices. Promote intergenerational collaboration and mentorship.
• Media literacy: Critically evaluate media portrayals of age and aging. Support media that promotes positive and realistic depictions of older individuals.
• Support organizations: Engage with organizations like AARP and the American Society on Aging, which work to combat ageism and promote positive aging.
• Start conversations: Initiate conversations about ageism with family, friends, and colleagues. Raise awareness of the issue and encourage open dialogue.

Ageism Awareness Day serves is an annual reminder of the work that needs to be done to combat ageism, but the fight against ageism should extend beyond a single day.

It’s about creating a society where people of all ages are valued, respected, and empowered to live fulfilling lives. By fostering awareness, promoting positive language, and advocating for change, we can work toward a future where ageism is a relic of the past, not a part of our present.

Tiffany Robb is health program manager for the Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias Program in the Division of Public Health at DHW. A self-described compassionate extrovert, she’s had a diverse career that’s included personal training, business ownership and management, teaching, research, and project management. Tiffany finds working on brain health, Alzheimer’s, and dementia an honor and a tribute to family members who have been impacted by dementia.

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