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
This is Robert, a sometimes quiet and introspective young man who best describes himself as “very chill.” Those who know Robert best love his loyal, quick-witted and funny personality and also describe him as a very laid-back kind of a kid. Robert isn’t really into sports or video gaming and would rather spend his time hiking or walking outdoors; listening to or creating his own music; reading a good fiction novel like Harry Potter or watching an action-packed movie with the family.
Robert really enjoys time spent hanging out with friends, preferably while eating some great Mexican Food! He hopes to find a family that likes to travel and explore. At the top of his travel wish list is a trip to the Caribbean, where he plans to soak in the sun and try all the amazing things to eat there! This smart teen’s favorite class is English, and he hopes to someday go to college or a trade school to become a mechanic.
Robert’s Permanency Team describes the best fit in a family for him as either two parents, or a single Dad. Robert longs for a close connection with a hands-on father who will spend a lot of time with him, modeling and teaching him the skills necessary to become a successful and thriving adult. Parenting styles that are overly controlling or authoritative would not be a good match for Robert’s personality. Robert needs a family who will be open to helping him keep connections with a few important people in his life, including his two siblings with whom he shares a strong bond. Robert is very receptive to the possibility of moving out of state so his team is open to hearing from Idaho families, as well as those in other states who feel they may be an awesome fit for him.
This resilient teen’s future is full of endless possibilities! If you feel you may possess what Robert is looking for in his Forever Family, 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.