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New ‘family and community partnerships’ division seeks transfer authority to support foster families and coordination
Summary
The Department of Health and Welfare’s service integration division (to be renamed Family and Community Partnerships) asked the committee for transfer authority consistent with Idaho Code §67‑35‑11 to give program managers flexibility in operating funds and personnel, and described partnerships that support foster families.
BOISE — The Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee reviewed a brief request from the Department of Health and Welfare’s Service Integration division (soon to be renamed Family and Community Partnerships) on Feb. 20 seeking authority to transfer funds between expense classes in accordance with Idaho Code §67‑35‑11.
Analyst Alex Williamson said Service Integration focuses on coordinating client services across divisions, reducing duplication, and delivering emergency assistance. The division is authorized roughly 35 full‑time positions (the presentation noted vacancies and a multi‑year trend of rising expenditures toward full appropriation levels).
Director Alex Adams described examples of the division’s work supporting foster families through partnerships and nonbudget services — for example, arranging free Parks passes and free fishing licenses for foster families and coordinating awareness campaigns with former foster youth now in the NFL. Adams said transferring authority between personnel and operating expense classes will give the newly organized division flexibility similar to other agencies as it forms and norms.
The committee did not take action on the item during the hearing; staff said the transfer exemption will appear in budget documents for committee consideration when budgets are set.
