Important program update
The Family Resource and Training Center wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to every one of you who has had such a caring heart for the youth we have served through this program for the past 10 years.
Please read the information below outlining how the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare plans to continue its diligent efforts to find permanency for all children in foster care in Idaho.
Please complete inquiries for any youth you are interested in as soon as possible so that we may process your inquiry before our website closes.
July 28, 2026
To Our Community Partners,
The Idaho Department of Health & Welfare has been proud to partner with Eastern Washington University (EWU) and other community partners to recruit adoptive families for Idaho’s children in foster care. Since Idaho’s Wednesday’s Child began over 25 years ago, the landscape of adoption from foster care has changed yet there continues to be a need for child-specific recruitment for youth most in-need of a permanent home. Over the years the department has reorganized how permanency cases are managed to address this need and to achieve timely permanency for children who cannot return home. These changes include permanency workers “teaming” earlier with family services workers and the addition of a Family Find team to help identify previously unknown relatives and connections for our youth in care. Meanwhile, advances in technology and social media have resulted in increased risks related to public profiles causing Idaho and other states to consider the long-term impact to the youth featured.
The Idaho Department of Health & Welfare is in a position to innovate practices for child-specific recruitment while demonstrating fiscal responsibility. With this in mind, the contract for Wednesday’s Child, Waiting Families and intensive recruitment services is ending effective 09/30/2026. These services will be provided through Youth Safety & Permanency team members beginning October 1, 2026. During this transition, the current website for Idaho Wednesday’s Child will be unavailable while an updated website is created for both our waiting children and waiting families. Idaho will continue to use the AdoptUSKids website during the transition to ensure ongoing efforts to achieve permanency for waiting children.
Thank you for your continued support and advocacy on behalf of Idaho’s children.
Thank you,
Jean M. Fisher
What a privilege it is to see the world through the eyes of Daniel, a sweet boy whose joy is definitely contagious! Daniel lights up a room with his determination, resiliency and caring spirit. This one of a kind guy lives life to the fullest every day and finds happiness in even the smallest things. Daniel is currently passionate about playing basketball and all things Paw Patrol related! Going to the park to play in the splash pad, and fishing with his foster Dad are also at the top of his list of things he loves to do. He really enjoys coloring pictures and playing video games like Roblox and Minecraft…but his favorite game is always Uno!
Though Daniel has significant disabilities that affect his speech and motor development, he is fiercely determined to participate in life. Daniel doesn’t give up easily and is currently working to master roller skating, bike riding, hoverboarding and the art of making a tasty sandwich all by himself! He can read, write, play, run, dress himself, and is making amazing strides in his speech. Daniel does need some assistance from his caregivers with some of his daily hygiene tasks. Daniel’s foster Mom reports that he is an incredibly caring and gentle boy who rarely gets upset and is wonderful with pets and other children. It’s no surprise that Daniel considers everyone he meets his friend and that he’s surrounded by peers at school who are always excited to see him and give him “high fives” and daily support and encouragement.
Daniel’s Permanency Team is searching for a family who preferably resides in the Eastern part of the state so that he can maintain his current service providers and hopefully a few important birth family and other relationships. Though a two parent home would be ideal, they are open to hearing from families with most any kind of family make-up, so long as they can provide Daniel with the time, energy and commitment needed for him to continue to thrive and grow. An active family with good structure and routine in their home, who communicate without using loud voices, would be a wonderful match for Daniel.
We just know that the right family for this incredible young man is out there somewhere, searching for a son just like him! If you think that family is yours, we would love to hear from you. Follow the steps below!
The Idaho Wednesday's Child Program prioritizes the safety and security of children, above all else. In an effort to protect the safety of the youth we serve, our process requires families to possess a current, approved adoption home study. Only families with a current home study can view youth's full profiles with videos and photos and submit inquiries, on the Secure Gallery Page.