BOISE, ID — Here at KIVI-TV, it is our privilege to have the opportunity to shed light on groups that foster a safer, stronger, and more resilient community in the Treasure Valley and beyond. This is why the Scripps Howard Foundation gave a $5,000 dollar grant Tuesday to Children's Home Society of Idaho-- a century-old nonprofit that provides mental, emotional, and behavioral health services to Idaho's children at little to no cost for their parents.
"On behalf of all the employees of KIVI and the Scripps Howard Foundation, I have for you a check for $5,000 dollars," said Ken Ritchie, VP/GM, KIVI Television.
"Oh my goodness," said Anselme Sadiki, Executive Director of Children's Home Society of Idaho. "An act like this gives us the strength and the courage to continue to do what we do."
Sadiki says he may use the grant to expand the group's expensive testing materials used to help make diagnoses-- to better treat Idaho's children.
Children's Home Society of Idaho, which is located on Warm Springs Ave. in Boise, serves about 90 children per day on average.
This organization helps to fill crucial gaps left by Idaho's shortage in child psychiatrists. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry recommends that each state have 47 child psychiatrists per 100,000 people. Idaho faces a shortage with only five.
That's where nonprofits like Children's Home Society step in. With cases like anxiety and depression, autism, and attention deficit disorders in kids, their team of professionals aim to diagnose and treat underlying emotional health issues that may be causing destructive patterns of behavior for them and their families.
"I really do believe that if we can give a chance for these kids to be able to reach their full potential-- some day, they are going to give back to this community," said Sadiki.
By providing children with tools to cope or process trauma, the 501(c)(3) helps children develop emotionally, socially, and educationally at minimal to no costs, depending on coverage.
For those covered by Medicaid, services should be free of charge, according to Sadiki.
