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Committee recommends funding for child advocacy, teen assessment centers and statewide drug campaign
Summary
The interim committee recommended one-time and ongoing appropriations to support child advocacy centers, safe-teen assessment centers, rural recovery services and a $5 million statewide drug-awareness campaign, and asked that oversight and reporting language be added to appropriation bills.
The interim committee reviewed funding requests for youth-focused prevention and support programs and approved a series of recommendations to the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee.
Representatives moved separate recommendations: a one-time appropriation for the Idaho Network of Children’s Advocacy Centers, passed as a $3,000,000 recommendation to be administered through the Idaho Council on Domestic Violence and Victim Assistance; $1,000,000 one-time to support 12 Idaho Safe Teen Assessment Centers (to be routed through the Department of Juvenile Corrections); ongoing appropriations of $150,000 to support a recovery center operated by the Upriver Youth Leadership Council; and a $5,000,000 one-time statewide media campaign administered through the Office of Drug Policy.
The committee repeatedly asked that intent language be added to each appropriation to require an identified state host agency, distribution and procurement rules, oversight, reporting criteria and evaluation metrics. Representative Galvez and others pressed for identification of a permanent host agency for organizations without prior state homes; several members stressed the need for auditing and performance measures so the committee can assess whether grants are producing intended prevention outcomes.
On the drug-awareness campaign, Representative Redmond and Representative Erickson described a multi-media approach (broadcast, cable and digital) and said evaluation would include baseline and follow-up surveys plus impression counts to measure reach. Representative Green and Senator Semleroth asked whether the campaign would target particular substances or demographic groups; presenters said it would be broad and state-wide, with messaging tailored into multiple components.
Several motions were made and approved by voice vote. Motions included directions that the appropriation bills include oversight and reporting language; where members flagged procurement questions, the committee instructed staff to ensure competitive procurement or use of approved vendors consistent with state law.
The committee concluded that oversight, defined reporting criteria and performance measures must accompany state funding recommendations so future committees can assess impact and accountability.
