Join us at Foster Care Awareness Day at the Capitol on February 26, 2024! Folks from across the state will gather in Boise to provide legislators with education and first-hand experiences related to foster care. This event is free to attend and will be livestreamed on Idaho Public Television. Please register below.

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Registration

Event Details

The Foster Care Awareness Day is open to everyone interested in raising awareness of foster care in Idaho, including foster care alumni, volunteers, providers, parents, youth, and advocates. The day will be packed full with a variety of opportunities for attendees to learn and participate. Attendees can RSVP to join elected officials at 7:30am for breakfast.

We welcome community partners to join as participants and have space for information tables. For more information on tabling and to reserve a space, please contact Ayla at abirch@jannus.org.

Event Agenda

  • 7:30am – 9:00am Breakfast: Join Idaho Legislators & Explore Table Displays

    Stop by the First Floor Rotunda, eat breakfast with legislators, and chat with partners. Registration is required if you would like a breakfast.

    First Floor Rotunda
  • 9:00am – 9:30am

    Welcome: Understanding Foster Care in Idaho

    Christine Tiddens, Idaho Voices for Children, will explore foster care data trends in Idaho and present 2024 legislative priorities.

    Lincoln Auditorium

    West Wing 02

    Live stream link

  • 9:30am – 9:45am

    Proclamation: Governor Little’s Proclamation Presentation

    Governor Brad Little will welcome attendees and present a proclamation for the 2024 Foster Care Awareness Day.

    Lincoln Auditorium

    West Wing 02

    Live stream link

  • 9:45am – 10:45am

    Presentation: What if We Lived as If We Are Kin? Love, Belonging, and Caring for the Other

    Special guest speaker and author, Sarah Sentilles, will discuss her experience as a foster mother and lessons learned along her journey, including opportunities to improve Idaho’s child welfare practices.

    * A limited number of complimentary copies of Sarah Sentilles’ book, Stranger Care, will be provided to presentation attendees in the Lincoln Auditorium; first come, first served.

    Lincoln Auditorium

    West Wing 02

    Live stream link

  • 10:45am – 11:00am

    Presentation: Becoming a Foster Parent in Idaho

    Monique Layton, Fostering Idaho, will provide information for prospective foster parents and resources available to interested families.

    Lincoln Auditorium

    West Wing 02

    Live stream link

  • 11:00am – 11:45am

    Presentation: Providing a Voice for Foster Children

    CASA of Southwest Idaho will explore how the guardian ad litem program protects children, serves communities, and empowers volunteers.

    Lincoln Auditorium

    West Wing 02

    Live stream link

  • 11:45am – 12:15pm

    Presentation: Report on Child Protection Legal Representation

    Amanda Bartlett, Office of Performance Evaluations, will outline findings in a new report, “Representation for Children and Youth in Child Protection Cases.”

    Lincoln Auditorium

    West Wing 02

    Live stream link