BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — A CBS2 investigation into Idaho's foster care system finds the Department of Health and Welfare sent 64 children to out-of-state facilities during the recently completed 2023 state fiscal year.
These 64 children went to five facilities in Montana, Utah and Washington at a cost to the state of $5,081,608. Looking closely at these facilities, we see they offer care for anxiety, substance abuse, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism, bipolar disorder, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and reactive attachment disorder.
Earlier this year, CBS2 talked to Administrator of Family and Community Services Cameron Gilliland. He says Idaho sends children out of state as a last resort, and workers try to place kids in homes or treatment facilities in Idaho. He says, "We don't have enough beds in Idaho. If that fails, then we'll look at other places across the country."
Gilliland adds, "We have children with very specific issues. Have a really hard time managing that. We've had to find very specific placements for those kids." Children with severe autism are especially hard to place, and there are only a few places in the country that will work with them.
Keeping kids in out-of-state treatment facilities safe is a priority for the state. Gilliland says the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is aware there have been issues in other states that they carefully watch. "If we become aware of an issue, we'll pull a kid out and place them somewhere else. We don't want children to have issues in other states."
Idaho wants more providers in the state that can handle the kids in need. Gilliland tells CBS2 he believes the state needs to reimburse providers better as the system grows.
Records obtained by CBS2 from the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare show the state spent $11,875,668 on in-state facilities during the 2023 state fiscal year.
Due to a lack of available beds, the state also houses 10-15 kids each night in short-term rentals.
Gilliland says having more treatment foster care options will help improve this situation.
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