Last week our friends at Idaho Central Credit Union (ICCU) took treats to all Idaho Youth Ranch Treasure Valley thrift store locations to thank them for all the hard work they have done to reopen the stores and begin taking donations again.  

One of the many approaches we take at Idaho Youth Ranch is a form of therapy called Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT).

One of the most basic needs of every child is the need for their parents’ approval. This is so important that it is at the basis of self-esteem, self-worth, and even their identity as they grow.

The COVID-19 pandemic is giving parents more time than ever to spend with their kids. Many parents are taking advantage of the time to enjoy some much-needed quality time and using this situation as a time to create stronger bonds and improve communication with their kids.

Senior year is an exciting time for most high school seniors. The last prom, signing yearbooks, mock elections, reminiscing on years spent roaming the halls, and participating in afterschool activities are all anticipated. Seniors need time to cherish the last moments of their childhood while mentally preparing for the future. Time to thank their favorite mentors and soak up time with friends before forging their own paths. Tragically, for the class of 2020, COVID-19 cut this time short, canceling not only prom, graduation, and the last sporting events of the year, but also the closure they were looking forward to having before starting their next chapters.

It’s easy for adults to believe that because children are small, their emotions are also small or somehow less real. This could not be further from the truth.

Over the past few months, we’ve faced drastic changes and heartache as a result of the novel coronavirus pandemic. On a grand scale, both the residents of Idaho and our global society have have struggled to adjust to a new norm—a "stay-at-home era" as schools and businesses close, and those not considered "essential workers" face layoffs and work-from-home orders while we wait for COVID-19 to pass.