Children deserve to be safe and protected in their homes and communities.
Last year, over 2,600 Idaho children were served in foster care. A majority of Idaho children in foster care are placed in a family setting, either with a foster family or relatives. Last year, there were 1,200 licensed foster families, a slight decrease from the previous three years. There is an ongoing need to recruit families who can provide care to sibling groups, adolescents, and those with special needs. Most children are safely reunited with their own family or extended family. Of the children returning home, 67 percent were reunified with their parents/caregivers.
Idaho must ensure that children who are served by foster care grow up in supportive families and receive help to heal, build lasting relationships and reach their full potential. We acknowledge that foster care is a response to abuse and neglect – not a solution. To truly transform the child welfare system, Idaho must make smarter investments in strategies that ultimately reduce the need for foster care and produce better outcomes for children.
We advance policies that improve the lives of children in foster care and to promote strategies proven to prevent child abuse and neglect.