Children deserve to be safe and protected in their homes and communities. Unfortunately, there were more than 22,000 referrals of suspected child maltreatment in the state last year, and more than 2,700 Idaho children lived in foster care in 2017. 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.
