Our Mission

Family Advocates works to strengthen families and keep kids safe by empowering everyday people to protect and enrich the lives of youth.

Our Programs

Family Strengthening Programs work on increasing the five protective factors: resiliency, healthy social connections, concrete support in times of need, knowledge of parenting and child development, as well as social and emotional competency

Baby Steps: Twice weekly education classes and community building activities. By attending, parents earn points which can be spent in the BabySteps Boutique for items such as diapers, wipes, baby clothing, and more. Supportive spouses, partners and family members are welcome to attend.​​​

Parent Support Group: Twice weekly, parent-led group where parents and caregivers can freely share their questions, concerns, problems, and solutions about parenting in a safe, nonjudgmental, supportive atmosphere. 

Youth Enhancement: A support program available to the children of our enrolled parents. This program engages children and youth in age-appropriate activities that building social and emotional growth, school-readiness, and leadership skills. ​​Youth are ages 0-18 and attend a group 1-3 times a week. The older youth are encouraged to participate in activities and lead younger children, encouraging peer support and role modeling.

Court Appointed Special Advocates, CASA, for the Fourth Judicial District of Idaho

Guardian ad Litem: GAL volunteers are appointed by the court to work for the best interest of abused or neglected children involved in the child protection system. GALs receive extensive training, continuing education, and on going support from our CASA team. 

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Our Origins 

Family Advocates was developed by two Region IV foster families, Mr. and Mrs. Glen Hogin and Mr. and Mrs. Richard Murphy, and incorporated in Boise on September 28, 1978. Both families had provided shelter home and long-term foster care for over twenty-five children. As foster parents, they provided unique foster care services in that they encouraged natural parent contact for the benefit of the child and advocated for supportive services for the parents. They believed that many of the children referred to them would be better served in their own homes with supportive, voluntary home visitor services.