There are many community resources available but it can be hard to track down the specific resources you need. The organizations on this page have created lists to help people find the right help. We’ve organized them into the following categories:
- Benefits
- Child Abuse
- Disability Resources
- Education and Career
- Elderly and Aging
- Children and Youth
- Domestic Violence
- General Resources
- Health
- Housing and Homelessness
- Inmates
- Legal Help
- Libraries and Internet
- Reading and Literacy
- Transportation
- Veterans
- Volunteering
Benefits
- Idaho Department of Health & Welfare – Find Idaho benefits including benefits for children and medical help.
- Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission – This federal government site provides detailed information about federal benefits. It includes reference guides and a list of acronyms.
- USA.gov – USA.gov is the U.S. government’s search engine and guide. It includes information about federal benefits and programs.
- US Department of Veterans Affairs
Child Abuse Prevention
- Idaho Children’s Trust Fund – Chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America: Prevent Child Abuse Idaho. This organization manages funds from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services grants for Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention (CBCAP). Visit their website for information, resources, and training on child abuse and neglect.
- Protect Idaho Kids – Parenting resources and child abuse prevention advocacy.
- Report Abuse, Neglect, and Abandonment – This Idaho Department of Health and Welfare site provides guidance on how to report child abuse or neglect.
Disability Resources
- The Ark, Idaho
- Idaho Assistive Technology Project – Includes a list of resources
- Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
- Idaho State Independent Living Council – List of resources for people with disabilities.
- Idaho Vocational Rehabilitation – Vocational guidance for people with disabilities.
- Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission – This federal government site provides detailed information about federal benefits. It includes reference guides and a list of acronyms.
- United States Access Board – The Access Board is a federal agency that regulates access to federally funded facilities. Use the web page to learn about relevant guidelines, or file an Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) complaint.
Education and Career
- The Ark employment services
- Idaho Career & Technical Education
- Idaho Vocational Rehabilitation – Vocational guidance for people with disabilities.
- Life’s Kitchen is a training program for youth in Boise.
- Step Ahead Idaho – This organization provides guidance and training for people who want to further their education. Some services are free and some are fee-based.
- The University of Idaho’s Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) in Boise is part of the U.S. Department of Education TRIO program that helps adults 19 and older access post-secondary education.
Elderly and Aging
- Idaho Commission on Aging – All kinds of resources for the elderly. Includes links to area agencies on aging.
- Idaho Senior Legal Guidebook
- Activities for Seniors Facing Loneliness (theSeniorList.com)
Children and Youth
- GEM Friends provides support for youth aging out of the foster care system.
- Life’s Kitchen is a training program in Boise.
- National Runaway Safeline
Domestic Violence
General Resources
- 2-1-1 Idaho CareLine is a referral service managed by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.
- BoiseList.org – Boise Low Income Support Tool (LIST). Use this list to find a variety of resources in Boise. It allows you to create a customized list and print it out.
- FindHelp.org – FindHelp is an easy to use guide to resources.
- Office of the Secretary of State of Idaho – Find election information, or search for a notary.
- Self Rescue Manual – Published by the Boise School District. Includes manuals for Ada and Canyon Counties.
Health
- Statewide Crisis Centers, Adult Behavioral Health – Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) – Find treatment programs for mental illness or substance abuse.
- Senior Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) – Medicare advice.
- Your Health Idaho – Idaho’s health insurance exchange.
Housing and Homelessness
- Boise/Ada County Homeless Coalition Pocket Guide to downtown Boise (PDF) – Prints in an easy to carry format.
- Boise/Ada County Homeless Coalition Homeless Toolbox: Additional Resources
- CATCH – CATCH is a community collaboration meant to connect community members in the Treasure Valley to housing and other resources.
- Idaho Housing and Finance Association – Get information about housing, renting, and home ownership.
- Our Path Home – Housing Crisis Hotline and programs to help people with housing in Ada County.
Inmates
Legal Help
- Idaho Court Assistance Office – Find legal forms and legal services.
- Idaho Legal Aid Services, Inc. – Find legal help, or find information on their list of self-help resources by topic.
- Office of the Attorney General for the State of Idaho – Includes information about Idaho legal matters, consumer complaints, and landlord/tenant issues.
Libraries and Internet
- Idaho Library Directory (LiLi) – Find public libraries in your area where you can get internet access, and find resources.
Reading and Literacy
- National Literacy Directory – Type in your zip code to find organizations that can help you learn to read English. This web page is available in many languages.
Transportation
- See “General Resources” above for information about transportation services.
Veterans
Volunteering
- Idaho Community Foundation – This nonprofit provides ways for people to support programs and projects in their communities.
- Volunteer Match – Find organizations that need volunteers.
Updated by Ronnie Joiner on February 14, 2022.