Generations of Serving and Caring for Children

The Children’s Home Society of Idaho opened its doors in 1908 as an orphanage. It is one of Idaho’s oldest, continually operational 501(c) (3) non-profit organizations. Today, Children’s Home Society operates in Boise out of its original, now historic, building on Warm Springs Avenue.

As a privately funded organization, Children’s Homes Society of Idaho has long been supported by this community’s generosity and does not receive any state or local tax dollars.  The Children’s Home Society of Idaho is not affiliated with any national organizations.  All financial support received stays local and allows services provided to be available to all children and the families who care for them. No one is ever turned away due to an inability to pay.

Mission

The mission of the Children’s Home Society of Idaho is to continue our century-old legacy of improving the lives of children in our community.  Today the Children’s Home Society accomplishes its mission by operating Warm Springs Counseling Center which provides superior emotional and behavioral health services to at-risk children and the families that care for them; and Warm Springs Training Institute which fosters the professional development of mental health providers who serve children and those who care for them.

Past History

From 1908 to the late 1960′s, Children’s Home Society of Idaho was home for Idaho’s children in need of shelter and care. In 1966, national legislation created the foster care system, making the country’s orphanages obsolete. As the nation moved away from orphanages being the accepted method of caring for youth, the Children’s Home Society gradually transformed. During the late 1960′s, the Children’s Home Society Board of Directors enlisted the services of Boise State University faculty to conduct a statewide needs assessment for children. The assessment provided strong indicators pointing toward the lack of emotional and behavioral health programs for youngsters in Idaho.