Family Advocates works to keep abused children out of danger and in safe homes, while partnering with parents to build strong families.

You can support Family Advocates by donating money, products or services, participating in our fundraising events or by making a bequest to Family Advocates. All types of gifts enable us to stretch the budget further in order to reach more children in need of vibrant, pro-active advocacy.

We are a private, independent 501 (c)(3) non-profit agency located in Boise, Idaho. Founded in 1978, Family Advocates is the parent agency for two programs:
 

The Casa (Court Appointed Special Advocate) program is committed to the protection and healing of abused and neglected children who have been placed in foster care and referred to us by the courts. CASA appoints a trained volunteer (called a Guardian ad Litem) to the child. It is the volunteer's job to visit the child regularly, research the childs background and prepare a detailed profile of the child for the courts.

 The CASA Program:

 * 600  children placed in foster care were assigned a volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocate who acted as their voice in court.
 
* 98% of the children assigned a CASA volunteer did not re-experience abuse and were placed in safe, permanent homes.
 
* 46 new volunteers  and 10 volunteer attorneys were recruited.
 
* 225 CASA volunteers donated15,000 hours of their time.
 
* Children assigned a CASA volunteer spend 50% less time in long term foster care.

* Statewide, it is estimated the CASA program saves taxpayers $1.5M in court costs and attorney fees.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Families First is the only early education home visiting program in the Treasure Valley.  Professionally trained parent educator’s visit with parents in their homes to increase confidence in parenting skills, connect families to community resources and ultimately prepare children to enter kindergarten ready to succeed.
 
In addition, Family Advocates administers the statewide  Idaho Parent Information and Resource Center (PIRC) project made up of five Idaho agencies providing parent education services similar to those offered by Family First. Located in Cour d'alene, Pocatello, Idaho Falls and Caldwell, the programs help parents in 34 counties become involved in their children's education.

The Families First Program:

* 90% of parents reported they have more confidence in their parenting skills and 100% would recommend our services to others.

* Made over 500 connections to community services that help families meet basic needs.

* Conducted over 1400 home visits.  85% of the families were “high needs” families facing poverty, single parenting, substance abuse, mental illness and/or failure to graduate high school.

* To reduce isolation, held seven Parent Group Meetings with topics ranging from household budgeting, fire safety, trips to area attractions low income families could not afford otherwise.

Get Involved: Learn how you can nurture a love of reading in children by donating books.