Health and Welfare to close office may 13

BONNERS FERRY — The Bonners Ferry office of the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare will close its doors on May 13.

It is one of nine offices slated for closure around the state this month.

Efforts are being made to see that county residents won’t have to travel to Sandpoint for services.

Last week IDHW and local officials met in the county commissioner’s office, including Rob Braniff, Region 1’s chief of social work for children and family services, Tam Judy, supervisor for behavioral health and Jacqueline Jenkins of the self reliance program.

In addition to county commissioners and representatives from several county organizations, Sen. Shawn Keough and Rep. George Eskridge also attended.

Braniff said a caseworker out of the Ponderay office will telecommute to Boundary County and work with families in their homes related to family community services and child protection work.

In crisis situations, Braniff said, the community will see little change, as caseworkers and law enforcement work together, with about 24 foster homes located within the county.