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Community Resources Channel
Idaho has tens of thousands of kinship caregivers who take on the role of parenting when the child’s parents are unable to fulfill that role. These living arrangements may be made formally through the Department of Health and Welfare’s Child Protection Program or the court system, but are often arranged without formal intervention. Often, family members voluntarily take relative children into their homes during times of family crisis. This can be challenging legally, financially, and emotionally. If you are one of the kinship care providers in Idaho, you are not alone, and help is available.
Ada’s Registry of the Vulnerable Population (ARVP) is a program offered through the Ada County Sheriff’s Office. This program is designed to provide family members with a means of registering and providing essential information about their loved ones. It provides first responders access to vital information to address the specific needs of the individual and the family to aid in their identification recovery, especially when time is of the essence.
Chris Parish with Southwest Idaho Area Agency on Aging introduces us to Adult Protective Services, including recognizing the signs of elder abuse and how to report it.
We believe Aging Strong calls for a balance of Service to Self and Service to Others. We offer volunteer-powered programs serving children, elders, veterans, and family caregivers!
In 2021, Idaho Legislators provided funding to form the Idaho Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) Program as a public health approach to dementia in Idaho. The Idaho ADRD Program’s mission is to expand ADRD awareness, educational opportunities, supports, and services. To learn more or get involved, email the ADRD Program team at ADRD@dhw.idaho.gov.
Assistance League of Boise is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization that is transforming lives and strengthening our community in the Treasure Valley. The community based philanthropic programs benefit under-served youths and adults to help them achieve a better quality of life. This video provides an overview of the 3 programs that focus on the aging population.
The wheels that move the soul. Providing access to affordable bicycles to families with loved ones struggling with age, health or disability-related barriers
Idaho Community Care Program
Case Management – Advocacy – Respite – Education
Information and Support for Caregivers who are taking care of someone with memory concerns, Alzheimer’s, or dementia
Founded in 1979, the Dick Eardley Boise Senior Center strives to improve the health and well-being of older adults in our community. Anyone and everyone who can benefit from what we do is welcome to stop by and join us for classes, lunch, educational sessions or just to meet new people. We are here to help older members of our community be informed, inspired or empowered.
End-of-Life Doulas of Idaho is an organization that seeks to connect the terminally ill and their families with emotional and practical support. But, we know death isn’t just for the dying… Out Doulas also focus on community education, preplanning, eco conscious practices and grief support.
By providing affordable home repairs, the Habitat for Humanity’s Home Repairs Program preserves homeownership for low-income residents while alleviating critical accessibility, health, and safety concerns. All home repairs are performed by licensed contractors and overseen by our skilled construction staff. Qualified homeowners can find help with a variety of interior and exterior repairs not limited to accessibility ramps, grab bars, and more. Habitat’s Home Repairs Program launched in partnership with LINC Idaho and will continue to bring together partners for collaborative community impact projects.
Providing support to caregivers through outdoor adventures. Hike 2 Heal provides wilderness respite for caregivers who selflessly provide care through guided hiking, snowshoeing, and backpacking trips. Caregivers understand caregiving is tough and the key to balance in caregiving is taking a much-needed break. Take a break, and go to nature to regain balance.
The Idaho Assistive Technology Project is a federally funded grant project located at the Center on Disabilities and Human Development as part of the University of Idaho’s College of Education, Health and Human Sciences. The Idaho Assistive Technology Project provides support for individuals with disabilities and older persons in their personal selection of assistive technology as they live, work, and play in their communities.
The Idaho Caregiver Alliance is a coalition of individuals and organizations focused on expanding opportunities for respite across the lifespan. The Idaho Caregiver Alliance (ICA) was established in 2012 with funding from the National Lifespan Respite grant to the Idaho Commission on Aging
Idaho Concerts in Care is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides in-house, live performances for residents of care homes and families who otherwise could not enjoy quality, live music due to limitations. They aim to contribute positively to the mental, physical, and spiritual health of residents in care homes. Their goal is to enrich the quality of life of people who spend their last years in care.
Idaho Immunization Coalition is a team of parents, community members, and experts who are committed to sharing the facts on immunizations to ensure Idahoans stay protected from preventable diseases. They support statewide vaccination clinics, provide vaccination education, and advocate for science-driven vaccination policy. Together with their partners, they are continuously exploring new and innovative ways to get vaccines to the public.
The Hotline launched on November 26th, 2012 and handles calls from throughout the state. The Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline (ISPH) is committed to the prevention of suicide in Idaho. The Hotline provides crisis intervention, emotional support, linkages to local services, and/or follow-up for persons with potential suicide risk factors, empowering callers to look at options and make their own decisions.
CRISIS PHONE LINE: Call (800) 273-8255 or text (208) 398-4357
JEMfriends’ vision is that each person aging out of foster care has opportunities to flourish in a society that understands their adversity and supports them as they grow into loving adults.
Idaho has tens of thousands of kinship caregivers who take on the role of parenting when the child’s parents are unable to fulfill that role. These living arrangements may be made formally through the Department of Health and Welfare’s Child Protection Program or the court system, but are often arranged without formal intervention. Often, family members voluntarily take relative children into their homes during times of family crisis. This can be challenging legally, financially, and emotionally. If you are one of the kinship care providers in Idaho, you are not alone, and help is available.
LEAP Housing is a Boise-based nonprofit who believes all people deserve an opportunity to access a safe, stable and affordable home. LEAP’s mission is to develop and preserve affordable housing while providing empowering services that lead to greater housing stability.
We believe that people with disabilities and seniors should be in charge of their own care and lives. We are committed to changing public perceptions and governmental policies that have put them — and the people who care for them — in an unsustainable position. The direct care worker crisis is a crisis with extreme ethical, moral, and financial consequences. If we don’t take action now, the lives of direct care workers and the people they support could be at risk. Supporting the direct care workforce won’t just benefit those who need care. It’s a better use of all Idahoans’ tax dollars.
As the voice for Idaho long-term care residents, the Idaho Long-Term Care Ombudsman program protects the health, safety, welfare, and rights of those residing in skilled nursing and assisted living facilities. Ombudsmen can investigate complaints and provide interventions on behalf of residents.
Metro Community Services is a non-profit human services agency offering supportive and energy conservation services to Southwest Idaho. They provide assistance to seniors, people with disabilities, and financially limited individuals through a variety of human service programs to promote self-sufficiency and to protect dignity, safety, and independence.
Metro Meals on Wheels and its army of volunteers deliver and serve more than 1,500 meals every weekday to senior citizens in Boise and throughout Ada County, and 950 meals every weekend.
In a world where living with disabilities often means engaging a world that is ignorant, suspicious and unwelcoming of your difference, it’s more vital than ever to people of all abilities to have safe and consistent access to community. My Places Community Events has a mission to provide safe, adaptive, and inclusive events for people of all ages and abilities.
The Nampa Family Justice Center (NFJC) has advocates available to help victims of abuse create safety plans, file for protection orders, and locate helpful community resources. Many partner agencies are on-site, making it easier for survivors to get the assistance they need. Call 208-475-5700 to schedule an appointment, or just walk in!
OATS harnesses the power of technology to change the way we age. Senior Planet is the flagship program of OATS from AARP. In-person Senior Planet technology education programs delivered by LEARN afford older adults the opportunity to benefit from a robust series of technology lectures and workshops. Aging with Attitude. Senior Planet’s purpose is to enable older adults and people of all ages to come together and find ways to learn, work, create, exercise and thrive in today’s digital age.
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Region IV Mobile Crisis Unit provides a 24/7 crisis line and in-person crisis response from 8am to midnight 7 days a week. They facilitate crisis intervention and safe placement, help coordinate behavioral health and substance use disorder services, and provide therapeutic support. Call 208-334-0808 if you or someone you know is experiencing a behavioral health crisis.
Social Care, including family support programs, is comprised of coordinated activities between our health ministries and community-based organizations to address the social needs of those we serve, colleagues and community members.
Watch this video for an introduction to Your Health Idaho, the Idaho Health Insurance Marketplace (Exchange). Your Health Idaho is an online marketplace that allows Idaho families and small businesses to shop, compare, and choose the health insurance coverage that’s right for them. YHI was established following the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2010.