WHEREAS, the safety, well-being, and care of vulnerable children is a vital interest to the people of Idaho; and

        WHEREAS, the number of children placed in foster care in our state has risen over 40 percent in the last four years; and

        WHEREAS, nationally and in Idaho, we face high turnover of child welfare social workers and foster parents, who open their hearts and homes to children in danger; and

        WHEREAS, the state has strong stakeholders who work tirelessly to protect and support children and strengthen families in crisis; and

        WHEREAS, these key stakeholders are uniting to pool their resources, staff, and expertise to serve our families, which are the foundation of Idaho communities; and

        WHEREAS, this unique collaboration is dedicated to improve child welfare practices; prepare and support our social workers and foster parents; and develop financing strategies to meet the growing demands on the child welfare system; and

        WHEREAS, by building on the strengths of each organization, the partnership will strengthen families and improve the lives of vulnerable children and youth throughout the State of Idaho;

        NOW, THEREFORE, I, DIRK KEMPTHORNE, Governor of the State of Idaho, do hereby proclaim the creation of the

I D A H O   C H I L D   W E L F A R E   P A R T N E R S H I P

forged among the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Casey Family Programs, Boise State University, and Eastern Washington University.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Idaho at the Capitol in Boise on this fourteenth day of February in the year of our Lord two-thousand and six and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred thirtieth and of the Statehood of Idaho the one hundred sixteenth.

BEN YSURSA
SECRETARY OF STATE