Knock, Knock…Who’s There?
What to Know When Child Protection Comes to the Door
Opening the door to find an employee from Child Welfare there to talk about your family can be an overwhelming experience. Join our panelists as they talk about what Child Welfare’s role is, and how you can be prepared to answer questions and work together to help the process go smoothly.
Resources and Links from the Presentation
Please Note: The Idaho Parent Network has not reviewed these links for content or consistency of message. The views expressed are solely those of the individual authors and/or agencies. They are presented solely for informational purposes.
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
Idaho Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health
Idaho Department of Juvenile Corrections Handbook for Families
Session Presenters
Chris Freeburne
East Idaho Regional Director, Statewide Child Welfare Liaison, Department of Health and Welfare
Chris Freeburne has been with the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare for over 20 years and serves as the East Idaho Regional Director. He represents the Director’s office in the counties and cities in and around Twin Falls, Pocatello, and Idaho Falls. Chris works with stakeholders, community groups, elected officials, and others to strengthen the programs that serve Idaho’s most vulnerable citizens. His main assignment is serving as statewide Child Welfare Liaison, but he also has a passion for mental health and worked for several years at State Hospital South, one of two of Idaho’s state-operated inpatient psychiatric hospitals. Chris grew up in Aberdeen, Idaho, and currently lives in Blackfoot with his wife and two teenage children.
Amy Marie
Parent, Secretary, Idaho Parent Network for Children’s Mental Health
Amy, a mom of 8 and a native Oregonian, considers beautiful Coeur d’Alene in North Idaho her home. That is where she spent most of her adult life and married her sweetheart. They became foster parents, and added 5 children to their family through adoption. Along with childhood trauma, collectively her children have a variety of severe emotional disturbances, developmental, and neurological disorders. This has brought a lifetime opportunity for learning and growth, and has strengthened her compassion and empathy that fuels her passion to serve others. After relocating four years ago, and working to rebuild a new support system for her family, she became involved with the Idaho Parent Network, Region 7’s Behavioral Health Board and CMH Subcommittee, serving on various prevention workgroups. She reviews documentation for YES, provides parent voice and feedback to the State, has been a resource for the DHW and Optum for presentations, interviews, and training videos, and now is a part of the IGT-Family Engagement Committee. Amy serves as Chair of the Citizen Review Panel, which reviews open CPS cases in Eastern Idaho and participates on the statewide leadership team. She enjoys being a part of the Community Suicide Prevention Board and is the Executive Board Secretary of Community Youth in Action. Amy loves babies, singing, musical theater, reading, traveling, watching movies, and cuddling.