Idaho's Foster Care Crisis: "Our biggest barrier is having available foster homes"

BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — CBS2’s investigation into Idaho’s Foster Care system shows the state needs more foster homes.

Idaho Department of Health and Welfare says 46 children were transferred to private facilities out of state in 2022. This is due to a lack of foster homes and care needed to treat Idaho children. Some of those children go to facilities as far away as Florida.

In Idaho alone, 313 children are living in private facilities. Child Welfare says this is due to a lack of available homes for foster children.

Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is working with Rise to provide treatment foster care. Parents in treatment foster homes are trained to help children with serious mental, behavioral and emotional needs.

Rise works directly with children in these homes. In addition to providing assessments of care for the child, they also provide services and training to the families caring for these children.

Sarah Andrade is the Executive Director of Family Services for Rise in Idaho. She tells CBS2, "We don't have enough foster homes, and that is doubly true for treatment foster homes."

Beyond the need for treatment foster homes, Andrande says, "Our biggest barrier to serving every single kid...that meets the need and is qualified to receive treatment foster care...is going to be having those foster homes available."

When talking about the need for foster families, Andrande says, "This need is very real. These are our kids. They're Idaho's kids. They are our responsibility and this is our shot to unconditionally love them and offer this resource as something to not only get them through a tough period but to reflect on this was the time my state showed up for me."

To become a foster parent, click here.

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