Idaho makes largest investment ever to support foster children and families
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Boise, Idaho ~ Boise, Idaho - In a monumental move to improve the state's foster care system, Governor Brad Little signed Senate Bill 1028 today. This bill is a crucial part of Governor Little's KEEPING PROMISES plan and aims to address the needs of Idaho's most vulnerable children.

During the signing ceremony, Governor Little emphasized the importance of providing a safe and nurturing environment for children in foster care. "We all agree that children deserve to live carefree lives, free from abuse and neglect. It is our responsibility to ensure that Idaho's children grow up healthy, well-adjusted, and safe," he stated.

Last June, Governor Little issued the Promoting Families and Protecting Children Act, which called for urgent improvements to the state's foster care system. He tasked new Department of Health and Welfare (DHW) Director Alex Adams with implementing these changes swiftly.

Since then, significant progress has been made in improving child welfare in Idaho. This includes an increase in the number of foster homes per child, the establishment of an office for faith-based initiatives to engage churches and organizations, and paid parental leave for foster parents who are state employees.

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Additionally, rules and regulations for foster parents have been simplified and reduced, collaborative partnerships with businesses and organizations have been expanded to support foster parents, and the use of non-home living settings has been limited.

Senate Bill 1028 directs an unprecedented investment of $23.2 million and 63 new workers at DHW. These funds will be used to identify at-risk children before they become victims of abuse or neglect, provide necessary support to keep kids in their homes safely, expand resources for children who do enter foster care, limit congregate care only to necessary cases, and bring back Idaho children who are currently living out-of-state.

Governor Little stressed that there is no category of children more in need of protection than those in the child welfare system. "Through no fault of their own, children in foster care in Idaho face enormous challenges. They need our support, and so do the foster families who step up to care for them, love them, and provide them safety," he said.

This investment in Idaho's foster care system is a significant step towards fulfilling Governor Little's promise to improve the lives of vulnerable children in the state. With this bill, Idaho is taking a crucial step towards providing a better future for its children.

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