If you are interested in the current status of children in the United States, check out the 2010 Kids Count Data Book published by the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

 Bicycling and hiking are fun ways for families to enjoy Idaho's great outdoors.  They are also two popular physical activities both adults and children can enjoy.  If you are looking for a bike path, check out the bicycling map available on the Idaho Transportation Department Website.

The Idaho Parnerships conference on Human Services welcomes you to their annual conference,  "In times such as these, The hour of innovation is NOW." The conference will be held in Boise on October 21 and 22.  2010.  The conference The conference is for open-minded, "out of the box" thinking human service professionals, parents and community.  For information on sessions and speakers visit their website at www.IdahoPCHS.com.

Please visit www.redesignforchildren.medicaid.idaho.gov to view the following information:

• Information from the Regional Open Houses, including:
  • Proposed Services Handout
  • Proposed Process Map Handout
  • Family Directed Services Handout
  • Opportunities for Feedback Handout
  • Draft Rule Survey
• Information on the upcoming Negotiated Rulemaking Meeting
  • Draft rules for support services and Draft Rules Feedback Form
    • The draft rules attached to the web site are the first out of three rule sections that will be posted. The remaining rules will be posted throughout the week of July 6 – 9. Please use the Draft Rule Feedback Form to send us your comments. Comments can be sent to Redesign@dhw.idaho.gov

The Boise Parks & Recreation is offering a summer camp for teens age 13-17 years with Intellectual Disabilities. The camp runs for eight weeks throughout the summer and participants can sign up for one week or all 8 weeks. The camp will run out of the Grace Jordan Community Center. Activities include: learning how to navigate the City bus, going to the movies, art projects, different recreation and field trips. Scholarships are available. Visit City of Boise's Parks and Recreation website for more information.

Celebrate Summer by attending the Family Fun Night for children (ages 6-12) with autism and other disabilities, their parents, siblings and friends. The events will be held June 9 & 23, July 14 & 28, and August 14 (7-8:30) with a kick-off event on May 22 from 10:00-1:00. The kick-off event will be held at the Mosley Center Boys and Girls Club, 610 E. 42^nd in Garden City and the Family Fun Nights will be held at Meridian Boys and Girls Club. For more information, contact donna@idahoautism.com.

The Strengthening Families and Communities:2010 Resource Guide was written to support service providers in their work with parents, caregivers, and their children to strengthen families and prevent child abuse and neglect. The guide includes information about protective factors that help reduce the risk of child maltreatment, strategies for changing how communities support families, and evidence-informed practices. It also offers suggestions for enhancing protective factors in families, tools to build awareness and develop community partnerships, information about child abuse and neglect, a directory of national organizations that work to strengthen families, and tip sheets in English and Spanish on specific parenting topics.

This 50 page guide is aimed at providing families with the information they need to effectively prepare for and participate in periods of transition in their children's lives.

Individuals may order one free copy of the guide. Additional print copies are available for $10. A discount is available for bulk orders. To request one or more print copies, visit The Family Center on Technology and Disability and click on the link to fill out an order form.

Accessibility is the word at the Minnesota Twins’ new ballpark, as fans relying on wheelchairs bask in their unobstructed views of the field and extra touches like nearby plugs to recharge mobility devices.

If you'd love to have your family volunteer together, but need help deciding how and what to do, check out this article from Family Cares about successful volunteering.