Idaho Youth Ranch becomes state s first designated safe place for kids in crisis
Right now, the Idaho Youth Ranch s Hays House and its thrift stores are designated as safe places for vulnerable children. Author: Shirah Matsuzawa Updated: 6:24 PM MST February 17, 2021
BOISE, Idaho For decades, the Idaho Youth Ranch s Hays House in Boise has been the only location in the Treasure Valley to serve runaways and homeless kids in crisis.
Now, it s an officially-designated safe place, and part of the National Safe Place Network.
“Idaho Youth Ranch will be the first designated safe place in Idaho,” CEO Scott Curtis said.
The goal is to provide shelter to youth who need immediate help.
Santa Maria has a new “Safe Place” for kids in crisis. The Boys & Girls Club on North Railroad Avenue is the second Safe Place location in Santa Maria. The Abel Maldonado Community Youth Center was added
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Safe Place is a national outreach and prevention program for youth ages 18 years and younger who are in crisis. It is estimated more than a million youth run away from home each year due to abuse, neglect, family conflicts, and other issues.
The Safe Place program is an option for young people who feel they have nowhere to turn.
The Abel Maldonado Community Youth Center, 600 S. McClelland St., was inducted into the National Safe Place Network on Jan. 6, 2020. The Santa Maria Fire Department is in the process of designating its five fire stations as Safe Place sites, bringing the total number of local Safe Place locations to seven by spring.