Reference: Idaho Department of Health & Welfare – https://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/services-programs/kinship-and-caregiving
Kinship Educational Opportunities
Kinship Initiatives
Senate Resolution 118: Kinship State Plan
This Idaho Senate Resolution permits the development of a state plan for Foster and Kinship Families. The plan will provide a comprehensive blueprint to ensure that initiatives and actions implemented to support this population are coordinated and that public and community-based resources are maximized. ICA will facilitate the development of the plan with a broad stakeholder group, including individuals from IDHW, Generations United, and families with lived experience. It will be shared with policymakers during the 2027 legislative session and used by stakeholders to prioritize and coordinate efforts. Please take a look at the video below to see the approval of Senate Resolution 118.
Cambia Health Foundation Grant
CAMBIA Health Foundation awarded a grant to the Idaho Caregiver Alliance to increase support for older adult caregivers in kinship and grandfamilies. ICA was one of six organizations in the Northwest funded to expand existing initiatives or pilot new programs for kinship families. This project will capitalize on the established statewide network of the Idaho Caregiver Alliance and the Idaho Bridging Systems for Kinship Families project led by the Idaho Department Health and Welfare, Child Youth and Family Services Program. With this grant, ICA plans to:
- Form of an Idaho Kinship Collaborative
- Provide statewide training for kinship caregivers
- Support community-focused initiatives to increase visibility of kinship families and available resources
Idaho Bridging Systems
The Grandfamilies & Kinship Support Network (Network) – the nation’s first and only federally funded technical assistance center on kinship/grandfamilies – is supporting the State’s government agencies and nonprofit organizations to work together, break down silos, and holistically support these diverse families. Idaho was awarded this unique opportunity to better serve kinship families. The Idaho Caregiver Alliance is one of three (Idaho Department of Health & Welfare and Idaho Department of Corrections) lead organizations in this project. Using a cross-system approach that leverages Idaho’s many talents and resources, the State and its partners, including lived experts, are working with the Network, its parent organization, Generations United, five partner organizations, and a cadre of subject matter experts, also including lived experts.
Molina Healthcare
Provided resources for rapid support to Idaho kinship caregivers experiencing acute strain due to current statewide crises impacting child stability and caregiver well-being.
Funding also expanded access to ongoing education and skill-building for kinship caregivers, equipping them with practical tools to manage the impact of trauma, strengthen family resilience, and sustain healthy caregiving environments well beyond the crisis period.
Research
ICA staff collaborated with Boise State researchers to do a statewide needs assessment on kinship families impacted by substance use disorders (SUD) in Idaho. A primary theme of access was identified. The impact of SUD on RAPs led to feelings of grief and stigma, as well as significant adverse childhood experiences for the child. Leading to overall impacts on the family. Read the journal article for more information.
Kinship in Idaho News
Idaho News 6 featured, Sheila Weaver, the project manager of ICA and FCN, and Tammy Creswell, a kinship caregiver caring for her granddaughter, in their segment, “Caregiver Support for Kinship Care.” It describes why kinship caregivers need resources and where to find them. Thank you to Tammy for being such a strong voice for Idaho kinship caregivers.
Sheila Weaver, the project manager of ICA and FCN, went on Idaho Matters to spread awareness about caregiving, especially Idaho Kinship caregivers and their unique needs and community resources.