St. Vincent's lands $75K to expand services

COEUR d'ALENE — St. Vincent de Paul North Idaho has been awarded $75,000 through the Idaho Children's Trust Fund Capacity Building Grant Program to expand family strengthening and child abuse prevention services across North Idaho. 

The funding distributed by the Tobacco Settlement/Millennium Fund will support ICARE, the SVdP family support program, and the continued development of the St. Vincent de Paul Family Resource Center.

"This investment allows us to deepen our commitment to strengthening families and building resilient communities," said Scott Ferguson, chief executive officer of St. Vincent de Paul North Idaho.

St. Vincent de Paul North Idaho will use the funding to strengthen organizational capacity and increase access to family support services designed to prevent child abuse and neglect before crises occur.

The grant will enhance the Family Resource Center by expanding parenting education, case management, home visiting, peer support, and connections to housing, employment, and other essential community resources. The initiative also places a strong emphasis on serving families in underserved rural communities throughout North Idaho, according to a press release.

 "We are honored to serve as a grantee of this important funding and are grateful to the Idaho Children's Trust Fund for recognizing the impact of collaborative partnerships," Ferguson said. "Together, we are creating greater opportunities for families to access the support, education, and resources they need to thrive."

The $75,000 award will enable ICARE to:

• Expand evidence-based parenting education programs, including Circle of Security Parenting, Nurturing Skills for Families, and Nurturing Fathers.

• Hire a Family Case Manager/Home Visitor to provide individualized support and connect families with community resources.

• Increase rural outreach and access to services throughout Idaho's Region 1.

• Provide parent and youth support groups that foster resilience and healthy family relationships.

• Offer practical supports, including diapers, school supplies, gas vouchers, developmental resources, and educational materials that help reduce barriers to family stability.

Through the Family Resource Center, families can access parenting education, housing assistance, social services, workforce development resources, and other supports in one coordinated location. 

By integrating these services, St. Vincent de Paul North Idaho helps families build protective factors that reduce the risk of child abuse and neglect while promoting long-term stability and self-sufficiency, the release said.

Each year, ICARE serves hundreds of families across North Idaho through trauma-informed, evidence-based programs focused on strengthening parenting skills, promoting healthy child development, and increasing family resilience. 

This new funding will expand the organization's capacity to reach even more families while strengthening partnerships with schools, healthcare providers, behavioral health organizations, and community agencies.

"Every family deserves the opportunity to thrive, and often the greatest difference comes from having support before challenges become crises," said Katie Simmons, director of ICARE Family Support Services. "This funding allows us to expand evidence-based parenting education, strengthen connections between families and community resources, and reach more parents throughout North Idaho including those in our rural communities."