If you have been involved in Idaho Federation in any way this year, we invite you to join our celebration! This annual event will include
  • games and prizes,
  • interactive surveys to learn about how we can better serve you,
  • learn about upcoming opportunities,
  • and thanking you for being a part of Idaho Federation of Families

December 15th at 12pm MST/11am PST
Youth MOVE Idaho News
Boise Brick House Update

The Boise Brick House is an after-school drop in space for youth in Boise to relax with friends, do homework, and have empowering discussions about mental health and wellness. This youth led space is open on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 3:30-5:30pm at the Idaho Federation of Families office. There is art, free food, Mario Kart racing and more! Youth are planning a December party.
All guests are required to be vaccinated and masked. 
Contact mtitelbaum@idahofederation.org or call 208-433-3910 with questions.
FYI: Parent Support
Coffee Chat:
Annual year end celebration

3rd Wed of the month
December 15th at 12pm MST/11am PST

smiling-family-sm.jpg
FYI Adoptive Parents

Every other Friday
December 3rd and 17th
at 1pm MST/12pm PST
FYI Parents of Youth Discharging from Residential

3rd Tues of the month
December 21st at 11am/10am PST

This group will support parents who have a youth discharging from intensive outpatient, residential care or the juvenile justice system.
FYI Complex Diagnosis

1st Tuesday
December 7th
at 12pm MST/11am PST

This group will support parents who have a youth who has a mental health diagnosis and is developmentally disabled.
Ear to the Ground - Legislative News
988 HOTLINE: MENTAL HEALTH & SUICIDE CRISIS SUPPORT

The legislation was introduced by Rep. Laurie Lickley (R-Jerome) and would request that the Idaho Legislature partner with the Idaho Suicide Prevention Action Collective and Idaho Department of Health and Welfare to recognize 988 as the new mental health and suicide prevention crisis phone number starting July of 2022. Status: Passed

TELEHEALTH FOR SUPPORT SERVICES

In light of the COVID-19 public health emergency (Pandemic), on April 2, 2020, Governor Brad Little of Idaho issued a proclamation (Proclamation) that suspended 18 regulations (in addition to the 125 previously suspended administrative regulations) to increase access to telehealth and enable medical professionals to obtain necessary licenses more seamlessly in an attempt to better position the state to respond to the Pandemic.
Governor Little has suspended licensing requirements for treating patients in Idaho. For the duration of the Pandemic, MDs, DOs, PAs, and RTs holding a license in good standing from another state or country are permitted to treat patients, including via telehealth, in Idaho without securing an Idaho license. Out-of-state physicians may also supervise physician assistants practice in Idaho, so long as they complete the COVID-19 Modified Supervising Physician Attestation form. Similarly, Idaho is allowing RNs or LPNs with an active, unencumbered license in any state to work or practice telehealth in Idaho without applying for a corresponding Idaho license.
CHILD DEVELOPMENT IN THE CLASSROOM

"I still have a red notebook from undergraduate school which big block letters "Soc-Em Dev" (Social- Emotional Development) It was one of the many developmental courses I took in the early 90s." (Michelle Batten, MS in Human Development and Family Studies). The of social emotional learning is not a new concept in understanding the developing child but has become a controversial buzzword in Idaho politics. For many parents with children with SED and in the public school, they rely on teachers understanding the complexities of social-emotional development in the classroom. Recently, in effort to address youth behavioral health needs in schools, the State Department of Education released a work plan aimed at helping schools meet students' mental and behavioral needs. This is an important step since "In a statewide survey last year, more than 90% of school leaders said they see the value in providing behavioral health services for students, but only 60% had some sort of plans in place to try and address those needs." (Edge, A., & Edge, R., Episode 33).
You can learn more about the work plan here so that you can navigate this topic and advocate for youth with mental health needs.
If you are interested in exploring social emotional milestones then check out this resource.
Edge, A. S. E. R. S., Edge, R. S., & Episode 33: Trustees talk about the job. (2021, October 7). State Department releases work plan to Address Youth Behavioral Health. Idaho Education News. Retrieved November 29, 2021, from https://www.idahoednews.org/state-department-of-ed/state-department-releases-work-plan-to-address-mental-health/. 
Opportunities
NAMI is offering a Community Resiliency Model training on December 9 and 10 from 9 to 5 in Boise Idaho. This is a training for caregivers, parents, frontline workers, first responders, emergency and disaster relief programs, school faculty and staff, social service professionals, organizations and businesses that want to create resilience and trauma-informed environments or anyone in roles with high levels of stress, burnout or rates of secondary traumatic stress.
Visit linktr.ee/NAMIIDAHO to register.
Accessing Medicaid Mental Health Services
Access to Medicaid Youth Mental Health Services

  • ASSESSMENT - Liberty Healthcare (1-877-305-3469) will provide the CANS assessment for children who do not yet have Medicaid OR for access to respite services.
  • APPLY FOR MEDICAID - submit your application online at https://idalink.idaho.gov .
  • FIND A PROVIDER - call Optum Idaho member line at 1-855-202-0973 to find a provider
  • TREATMENT PLAN - After the assessment and Medicaid eligibility is established, a plan facilitator from the Department of Behavioral Health or the Division of Family and Community Services will contact you to develop a person-centered plan.
Still need help?
Contact the Family Support Line

We’ve designed our Family Support Line to help families navigate the youth mental health system, connect to services, and find useful resources in an effort to empower parents as they advocate for their child and family. If you’re experiencing a barrier to finding services or aren’t sure what the next step is in helping your child then you’re not alone. Contact us today…we’re here to help.
Call us at 208-433-8845 (Ext. 1) or
Visit the website