Idaho, like all states, has a unique early childhood policy landscape that is shaped by economics, demographics, political history, coalitions, and other factors that create a state-specific environment for policy advocacy.
State early childhood policy progress is dependent both on the state’s environment and the numerous efforts—by the organizations listed on this page, other organizations, parents, policymakers, practitioners, and more—who work both independently and collaboratively to achieve wins for young children.
Research shows that family economic security is foundational to children’s overall wellbeing. Research also shows that widespread disparities in opportunity (especially by race) drive wide disparities in outcomes. States with policies that offer strong support to young children and their families are more likely to see 1) declining numbers of children in low-income households and 2) low racial disparity among those children.
Young Children in Low-Income Households: Declining
Approximately 41% (86,000) of the state’s children 0-8 live in households below 200% FPL (2022). This number represents a decrease from 46% (97,000) in 2017.1
Racial Disparity Among Young Children Living in Low-Income Households: High
Black, Hispanic/Latino, and Native children aged 0-8 are significantly more likely to be living in households below 200% FPL than are Asian and non-Hispanic White children.2
State General Fund Appropriations: Growing
Idaho Governor Brad Little signed a series of bills comprising the state’s fiscal 2025 budget. The enacted budget calls for $5.27 billion in general fund appropriations, a 1.7 percent increase over original enacted levels for fiscal 2024. The budget is based on general fund revenues, before tax policy changes, of $5.93 billion for fiscal 2025, representing projected growth of 5.1 percent compared to fiscal 2024 estimates. When incorporating income tax changes and dedications to the school facilities fund, as well as transfers to various other state funds, total resources or net revenues for fiscal 2025 (including the beginning balance) are estimated at $5.46 billion. The state’s estimated general fund ending balance for fiscal 2025 is $189 million.3
Key Revenue Sources:4
Personal Income Tax (1.6% – 7.4%)
State Sales Tax (6.0%)
State Budget Rules:4
Idaho uses an annual budget. The legislature must pass a balanced budget, but it can carry a deficit over into the following year. Idaho further limits spending growth with a formula related to the state’s personal income growth. The rule is binding and requires a legislative supermajority to override it. The state also limits total authorized debt and debt service.
Political Alignment: Aligned Republican
During the 2024 session, the state’s Senate and House were both Republican controlled. The state’s Governor was also a Republican.5
Types of Ballot Measures Available:6 Five
Key State Policy Advocacy Organizations Include:
Early Childhood Policy Advocacy Multi-State Initiatives Include:7
Highlights from the state’s early childhood policy advocacy community include:8
The Idaho Legislature passed HB 633, a bill that extends Medicaid postpartum coverage from 60 days to 12 months. From 2019 to 2021, Idaho’s pregnancy-related mortality rate rose by 121.5%. Over half of pregnancy-related deaths in Idaho occurred between 43 and 365 days after birth, and 88% of these deaths were preventable. Having consistent health coverage and care following pregnancy provides a significant step in preventing these deaths.
The Idaho Legislature passed SB 1380, a bill that establishes a child welfare ombudsman. Going into the 2024 Legislative Session, Idaho was one of just seven states with no agency identified to fill an ‘ombudsman’ role for the foster care system. With no grievance process to assess and address claims of rights violations in foster care, children were left without a voice, without an advocate for their safety and well-being, and without a process for redress. Signed into law on March 25, 2024, Senate Bill 1380 establishes an ombudsman to function as a child welfare watchdog responsible for protecting the rights of Idaho’s most vulnerable children.
The Idaho Legislature passed SB 1379, a bill that adds restrictions on foster placements in unlicensed group care settings. During the pandemic, the State opened its first short-term rental home to place foster children. What started as a temporary plan to provide emergency shelter for kids in care quickly spiraled into common practice. Over the last three years, placements in these settings increased by 91%. Children of all ages were reported to be staying for months at a time with a rotating group of staff. Signed into law on March 21, 2024, Senate Bill 1379 adds the following guardrails: No child under 13 can be placed in unlicensed group care settings; no child can be housed in unlicensed group care settings for more than 2 weeks; and any exceptions to the age and time limits must be signed off by the Director of the Department of Health & Welfare.
The Idaho Legislature passed SB 1327, a bill that allows dismissed eviction filings to be shielded from public viewing after three years as long as no appeal is pending. Having an eviction on your record can make renting a home or even landing a job very difficult. This bill will allow certain evictions filings to be shielded from public view after three years if no appeal is pending.
The Idaho Legislature passed SB 1328, a bill that protects youth shelters from criminal liability for sheltering youth. In Idaho, youth shelters can be held criminally liable if they shelter a youth without parental consent, leaving young people who may be facing abuse or neglect at home with no option for shelter. Senate Bill 1328 protects youth shelters from criminal liability as long as (1) the youth consents to care, (2) the shelter is unable to contact the parents, and (3) the shelter notifies local enforcement.
Our lead allies in Idaho are Idaho AEYC and Idaho Voices for Children. Idaho AEYC is the leading expert in early childhood education and connected to child care providers, early educators, and parents of young children. Idaho Voices for Children is the leading child policy advocacy group in the state. Together, they work to create an informed voice on what policies are needed to establish sustainably funded, high-quality early childhood systems for Idaho.
Idaho AEYC & Idaho Voices for Children are working to advance early childhood policies in several areas that align with the Alliance’s birth-through-eight policy framework:
Child Care
Child Care Workforce
K-3rd Grade
Preschool and Pre-K
Early Intervention (0-3)
Infant and Child Health
Maternal Health
Child Welfare
Family Economic Security
Home Visiting
Early Childhood Governance
A multi-sector coalition representing different groups and industries from across the state set out to improve Idaho renter policy. By showing the impact of housing on economic mobility— especially for children—advocates are already making gains.
NOTES:
1 Kids Count Data Center, Annie E. Casey Foundation, Children Ages 0 to 8 Below 200 Percent Poverty, January, 2024.
2 National Center for Children in Poverty, Children Ages 0 to 8 Below 200 Percent Poverty, March 2023, NCCP analysis of ACS 1-Year Estimates – Public Use Microdata Sample 2021.
3 National Association of State Budget Officers, Proposed and Enacted Budgets, FY 2025.
4 Urban Institute, State Fiscal Briefs, June 2024.
5 National Conference of State Legislatures, 2024 State & Legislative Partisan Composition, April 29, 2024.
6 Ballotpedia, Ballot Measures by State, Kids Count Data Center, retrieved July, 2024.
7 Alliance for Early Success, Multi-State Initiatives for Early Childhood Policy Advocacy, July, 2024.
8 Alliance for Early Success, State-Wide Advocacy Highlights Survey, April-October, 2024.
Sign up for state early childhood policy news, advocacy resources, and event invitations.
© 2024 Alliance for Early Success
The Alliance for Early Success does not endorse or advocate for specific legislation or candidates.
