Category: General

Idaho Child Care Emergency Grant provides more than $1.5 million for childcare providers, applications still being accepted

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Idaho has approved 155 applications for the Idaho Child Care Emergency Grant since May 1, totaling more than $1.5 million in assistance to operating childcare businesses. 

“These investments are vital to Idaho’s infrastructure as we reopen businesses and families head into summer activities,” said Ericka Rupp, Child Care Program manager in the Department of Health and Welfare (DHW). “Access to safe, quality childcare and after-school programs for families is a critical component of a successful statewide recovery.”

“We want to thank Idaho’s childcare providers for caring for Idaho’s children and for taking the necessary steps to keep your facilities and homes safe,” she added.

Gov. Brad Little announced the availability of the Idaho Child Care Emergency Grant on May 1. The grants provide daycare and childcare businesses with the financial resources to reopen and continue operating during the COVID- 19 pandemic.

Continue reading “Idaho Child Care Emergency Grant provides more than $1.5 million for childcare providers, applications still being accepted” →

The Rebound Idaho Plan Depends on all Idahoans: An Update from DHW Director Dave Jeppesen

On By idhwmediaIn General, Public Health2 Comments

Each Of Us Can Keep Idaho Moving Forward

I know, because I have heard from many of you these past few weeks, that you are worried about “one step forward, two steps back.” No one wants Idaho to have go backwards; we all want to get our economy moving and help Idahoans get back to work.

Fortunately, the staged reopening of Idaho depends on the people I trust the most, Idahoans. I would encourage all of us to continue to:

  • Stay home as much as possible
  • Wear a cloth face covering in public (this helps protect others)
  • Keep six feet between you and others
  • Cover coughs and sneezes
  • Disinfect surfaces and objects regularly
  • Stay home if you are ill

I can’t stress enough how important it is for us all to continue to follow recommended precautions to make sure we do not see a spike in COVID-19 cases. It really is up to all of us to keep our families, friends, and neighbors safe from the spread of this virus which will keep Idaho businesses open and thriving. Thank you for doing your part to help Idaho rebound. Continue reading “The Rebound Idaho Plan Depends on all Idahoans: An Update from DHW Director Dave Jeppesen” →

Safeguarding the health and prosperity of Idahoans: An Update from DHW Director Dave Jeppesen

On By idhwmediaIn General2 Comments

DirectorsUpdateYesterday, Gov. Brad Little announced some great news for Idahoans. Because Idahoans followed the Stay-Home Order and met the outlined criteria, we are able to enter Stage 1 of the Governor’s Rebound Plan to reopen Idaho. That means retail stores, places of worship, and youth activities can reopen by following the appropriate protocols. The Stay-Home Order has been replaced by the Stay Healthy Order for Stage 1. The new order follows federal and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance and was developed in consultation with the DHW epidemiologists.

The reasons we can begin to reopen Idaho are because of your diligence in following the Stay-Home Order and because you followed the recommended precautions. The best thing all of us can do to support businesses is to continue to do the following:

  • Engage in physical distancing of at least six feet
  • Wear face coverings in public places
  • Stay home if sick
  • Practice good hand hygiene
  • Cover coughs and sneezes
  • Disinfect surfaces and objects regularly

Gov. Little  also announced some great news for the small businesses of our state. Idaho will be using the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) dollars to provide cash grants of up to $10,000 to more than 30,000 Idaho small businesses. The application will be available on Rebound.Idaho.Gov next Tuesday, May 5. Small businesses are extremely important to our economy, particularly as we rebound from COVID-19 which is why the Governor is making a $300 million investment in them. You can find more information at: https://rebound.idaho.gov/idaho-rebound-cash-grants-for-small-businesses/. Continue reading “Safeguarding the health and prosperity of Idahoans: An Update from DHW Director Dave Jeppesen” →

Guidelines for Opening Up Idaho: DHW Director Dave Jeppesen outlines the transition from response to rebound

On By idhwmediaIn General, Public Health6 Comments

Gov. Brad Little unveiled his Path to Prosperity, Guidelines for Opening Up Idaho, at a press conference yesterday. The document outlines a staged approach to getting our economy moving and getting Idahoans back to work.

There is nothing more important to those of us serving the people of Idaho than making sure Idahoans are safe and healthy, as well as returning Idaho to the symbol of prosperity it was before the COVID-19 crisis.

There are certain criteria that must be met to advance through the stages to re-start our economy. When that criteria is met, the economy will be opened in stages (every two weeks).

There is a new website, rebound.idaho.gov, that provides all the details for businesses as Idaho opens up for business. To help the Governor’s staff and the Governor’s Coronavirus Working Group make decisions, the Gov. Little has created the Governor’s Economic Rebound Advisory Committee, led by Darrel Anderson from Idaho Power. The Advisory Committee is responsible for providing recommendations to Gov. Little in support of the state’s rebound from the pandemic caused by the COVID-19 virus. You can keep up with changes and recommendations on the website. Continue reading “Guidelines for Opening Up Idaho: DHW Director Dave Jeppesen outlines the transition from response to rebound” →

DHW Director Dave Jeppesen encourages Idahoans to stay strong and safe as we continue to slow the spread of COVID-19

On By idhwmediaIn General, Public Health4 Comments

Stay-Home Order Update

On Wednesday, April 15, Gov. Brad Little extended the Stay-Home Order to April 30 (with some exceptions outlined below). Thankfully, the mitigation has been working, and Idaho is seeing a flattening of the curve. This is because the people of Idaho have followed recommended precautions and committed to the state’s request to “stay home and stay safe.”

What do the next two weeks look like as we continue the Stay-Home Order? The people of Idaho will continue to telework if possible, to stay home unless they need essential items, and practice all recommended hygiene precautions.

What about travel? The data tells us that travel is the most commonly known source of COVID-19 infections in Idaho. Because we know this, there are some new guidelines in place:

  • If you are entering the state from another location, you are required to self-isolate for 14 days. This does not apply to those who are performing essential tasks or if your job requires you to live in one state and work in another.
  • And, if someone is diagnosed with COVID-19, we are asking that they do not enter the state, unless they are in our state for medical care or are a resident of Idaho.

What about non-essential businesses? From here through April 30, if a business can operate with curbside, drive-through, mailed, or delivery services, they may open as long as they maintain social distancing for both customers and employees, including prohibiting any congregation of customers or employees in or around the place of business. Continue reading “DHW Director Dave Jeppesen encourages Idahoans to stay strong and safe as we continue to slow the spread of COVID-19” →

COVID-19: A message from DHW Director Dave Jeppesen

On By idhwmediaIn Emergency Service and Preparedness, General, Public Health2 Comments

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare’s (DHW) mission is to promote and protect the health and safety of all Idahoans. I have had the privilege of being the director of DHW since January 2019. There’s no other job I would rather have and no place that I would rather be than serving the people of my home state.

I was born in Burley, Idaho, and I grew up in Ammon, a suburb of Idaho Falls. I went to college at Idaho State University in Pocatello. My wife and I, and our four children, have lived in the Treasure Valley for the past 10 years.

While these troubling times have changed our world, they have also brought out the best in all of us. The people of Idaho have showed heart by practicing social distancing and staying home when asked to help protect our most vulnerable residents. We have banded together to slow the spread of COVID-19, which makes me proud to be an Idahoan.

I want to personally thank the frontline of this battle: healthcare workers, grocery store employees, truck drivers, first responders, mail carriers, delivery personnel, and everyone else who is making sure Idahoans have essential items so there is some normalcy in our daily lives. Continue reading “COVID-19: A message from DHW Director Dave Jeppesen” →

A day in the life of Dan Asbury, administrative service manager for the Division of Management Services

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Photo of Dan Asbury at his desk
Working at the desk in his basement office is not Dan Asbury’s natural habitat. If you are looking for him, you probably won’t find him sitting still. Dan’s job keeps him traveling throughout Idaho while building relationships and problem-solving with his co-workers – always with his trademark smile.

From the concrete tunnels below the streets of Boise to the pristine mountain ranges of Coeur d’Alene, Dan Asbury’s workspace transcends the confines of a typical cubicle. On any given day, his office might be in a construction zone, or at the Idaho Bureau of Laboratories, or maybe in his car as he drives along the Snake River to Twin Falls.

Dan, who is the Department of Health and Welfare’s (DHW) administrative service manager for the Division of Management Services, could have been the muse for English poet Geoffrey Chaucer when he coined the phrase “busy as a bee.” His responsibilities are extraordinarily diverse and range from getting the motor-pool cars ready for the road to using his engineering skills (with the help of some special software) to creatively design new office spaces. Dan rarely sits still as his job requires both reasoning skills and physical activity. There is always something to do when it comes to facilities management.

Dan has been with the department for two years, and he is proud to work behind the scenes and support those who provide services directly to many Idahoans. “I would encourage people to get to know DHW. We really care about the future of our state.”

“Dan is an action-oriented guy,” says Amy Swann, Dan’s supervisor and the Bureau Chief for the Division of Management Services. “He works hard each day to support a huge and diverse list of facility needs across the department. Dan strives to support, learn, and grow amidst the chaos of each demanding day. I consider Dan and his entire facilities team a critical part of our division’s stability and success, and I am grateful for all their hard work.” Continue reading “A day in the life of Dan Asbury, administrative service manager for the Division of Management Services” →

DHW learns client data may have been accessed without authorization

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The Department of Health and Welfare (DHW) has recently been informed that clients’ personal information contained in a contractor’s employee’s email account may have been accessed without authorization.

OS Inc. provides claims management services to the Department of Health and Welfare.  The access was obtained through an email phishing campaign. At this time, there is no evidence that personal information or financial account information was accessed because of this event. The 2,060 individuals potentially affected by this have been notified by OS with a notice sent by U.S. Postal Service.

“Protecting the personal health and financial information for the people we serve is critical for the Department of Health and Welfare,” said DHW Director Dave Jeppesen. “We are working closely with OS to make sure proper notifications have been sent and that those affected have access to monitoring and assistance to make sure their information is safe. We are also working with OS to make sure this doesn’t happen again. In addition, I’ve asked my staff to evaluate the lessons learned from this incident, so we can apply those to our overall cybersecurity efforts.” Continue reading “DHW learns client data may have been accessed without authorization” →

Update – Meetings added in Regions 3 and 4: Idaho Child Care Licensing Program to highlight upcoming changes in public meetings starting May 7

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The Idaho Child Care Licensing Program is inviting all child care providers and stakeholders to attend a meeting about future changes and updates to Idaho Daycare Licensing requirements.

Licensing staff from the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare will provide an update about program changes and welcome comments and feedback about proposed updates to the requirements. The meetings will be informative and conversational for anyone interested in Idaho’s child care licensing requirements.

All child care providers and stakeholders are encouraged to attend an open forum in their region to learn and provide feedback. The changes will impact some city-licensed providers as well. Continue reading “Update – Meetings added in Regions 3 and 4: Idaho Child Care Licensing Program to highlight upcoming changes in public meetings starting May 7” →

February food stamps benefits to be issued in January

On By idhwmediaIn General, Welfare / Self Reliance6 Comments

Because of the federal government shutdown, the Department of Health and Welfare will be issuing February benefits for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) on Sunday, Jan. 20.

All households approved and re-evaluated by Tuesday, Jan. 15, will receive their February food stamps on Jan. 20. Households that complete a re-evaluation and are approved after Jan. 15 for February will receive their benefits on their regular issuance date. The department is continuing to accept and process applications normally through January and February and doesn’t anticipate any delays in SNAP issuance.

Everyone who is eligible for SNAP benefits in February will receive their benefits. However, households that receive their February benefits in January will not receive an additional issuance in February. Recipients are encouraged to budget their food stamps to last until they receive their March benefits.

“This is a fluid time for federal government services,” said Julie Hammon, administrator of the Division of Welfare. “Until we know more, please consider a donation to your local food banks and pantries – February will be tough month for many because of the length of time between benefits.”

Letters to recipients were sent by first class mail on Wednesday, Jan. 16. Department staff also have been communicating with grocery stores and other community partners on the schedule change.

If recipients have questions about the early issuance or SNAP benefits in general, they can call the Idaho CareLine by dialing 2-1-1 in Idaho or the Self-Reliance call center at 1-877-456-1233.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is administered in the Division of Welfare in the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. Benefits are paid entirely with federal funds. Learn more about the program here.

Media Contact:  Niki Forbing-Orr
Public Information Manager
(208) 334-0668 or Niki.Forbing-Orr@dhw.idaho.gov