GARDEN CITY, Idaho (CBS2) — The Freedom Youth Foundation is bringing together local foster care organizations for their second annual Foster Care Summit. Shane Hanson, the founder of FYF, said last year’s event laid the groundwork for collaboration. With a year of partnership behind them, it’s time to regroup. The new director of the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (IDHW), Juliet Charron, shared her vision as she enters the department. She plans to continue on the path set by her predecessor, Alex Adams, focusing on prevention and foster family growth.

“We have made some commitments to the state, to families, to our state policymakers around reform that we want to see in the system,” Charron said. “We are still committed to that, foot on the gas pedal, and to keep us all energized and committed to that vision and mission, to do the best by these children.” The update from Director Charron is crucial for organizations to align their goals. The summit provides leaders with an opportunity to share successes and challenges and find solutions together. “We are all working towards creating better communities for foster youth and families,” said Laura Denner, Division Administrator over Family and Community Partnerships at IDHW.

Key goals include increasing behavioral health services for youth, boosting the number of foster families willing to take older children, and creating opportunities that help foster kids realize their situation doesn’t determine their future.