Children's Home Society of Idaho
Since 1908
The Children’s Home Society of Idaho was founded in 1908 by O.P. Christian. who worked alongside several community leaders, including C.W. Moore and Gov. Frank R. Gooding, to provide a place for children who were roaming city streets, begging and stealing food. Cynthia A. Mann, a school teacher and philanthropist, donated the land on which the home was built and still elegantly stands at 740 Warm Springs Avenue.
When foster care came about in the late 1960s, orphanages were soon to become obsolete. Children’s Home Society worked with Boise State University to determine the greatest need in the community for children at that time. Studies showed that there was a lack of mental, emotional and behavioral health care for children, especially those in low-income families. Thus, a transition began in 1975 from orphanage to outpatient mental health clinic.
The average number of clients served by both locations each day is 90. The majority (85 percent) of those treated are children who are considered “at-risk” due to their economic, physical, and/or emotional status. More than 80 percent of those treated at the center cannot pay or co-pay for services. Yet, they are treated anyway.
Common conditions that are treated include family conflict, bullying, trauma, abuse, grief, self-esteem issues, eating disorders, bipolar disorders, and foster care placement, just to name a few.3
THE BUILDING
The Children’s Home, located at 740 Warm Springs Avenue, was built in 1910. The Children’s Home Society of Idaho, however, was instituted in 1908, and the building’s cornerstone was laid that same year. The building is now on the National Register of Historic Places.
IMPROVING THE LIVES OF CHILDREN
The Children’s Home Society Operates the Warm Springs Counseling Center.
We provide mental, emotional, and behavioral health care services to more than 90 children and family members each day. Through counseling and therapy our goal is to help our clients develop coping skills, attitudes and positive experiences necessary to succeed in educational settings and lead happy, healthy, and productive lives.
As one of the most experienced outpatient providers of behavioral health services, Warm Springs Counseling Center (WSCC) serves thousands of children and families every year. A Sliding Scale Discount Program is always available for those who qualify.
NOTES FROM OUR
LEADERSHIP
As we celebrate 112 years of service to the community, the Children’s Home Society continues its mission of focusing on the wellbeing of vulnerable children. We provide a safe haven where children receive exceptional services through our Warm Springs Counseling Center, regardless of the family’s economic situation with help from our Community Support Program.
Serving these children is not just a moral imperative but also an act that pays off long-term in the form of successful adults and productive citizens. As you know, Idaho continues to rank among the states with the most barriers to accessing mental health services. We have one of the highest suicide rates in the nation (5th highest and 57 percent higher than the national average). Tragically, 70 percent of children in Idaho with depressive episodes never receive a mental health visit.
At the Children’s Home Society, we do believe that by offering early intervention to children with mental and behavioral health problems, we could minimize the risks of children dropping out of school, becoming entangled in the juvenile justice system, dying by suicide, failing to thrive, and sadly, never reaching their full potential – a missed opportunity for our communities and our state. Meeting the mental healthcare needs of the 3,400+ children and their families we saw this past year required steadfast commitment by the staff, the board of directors and the entire community. We are humbled by the generosity of individual donors, corporations, foundations, and community partners who believe in the mission of the Children’s Home Society and Warm Springs Counseling Center.
All of our supporters continue to make it possible for us to offer high-quality mental health services to children. Their sustained generosity and support make such a difference in the lives of so many children and their families, and gives us hope and courage to continue the fight.
Thank you!
ADMINISTRATION
BUSINESS OFFICE
CLINICIANS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SUPPORT OUR MISSION
Imagine an 8 year old girl trying to process why her dad committed suicide. Imagine a 5 year old boy trying to process that his mom has died, his dad is in prison and he is now in foster care. Imagine being bullied so badly at school that you try to commit suicide. Imagine not being able to get help. Thankfully for these children they did get help, our counselors were able to provide them with the tools they so desperately needed to process their trauma and ultimately thrive and succeed. Our Warm Springs Counseling Centers provides mental, emotional and behavioral healthcare to approximately 100 children every day, regardless of ability to pay.
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