Idaho Steelheads host Foster Family Night Feb. 7

The Department of Health and Welfare is proud to partner with the Idaho Steelheads for a special Foster Family Night on Saturday, Feb. 7, at Idaho Central Arena in Boise.

The evening will celebrate Idaho's foster families during the Steelheads' home game against the Greenville Swamp Rabbits, with puck drop scheduled for 7:10 p.m. Foster families from across the region are invited to enjoy a night of hockey, community connection, and recognition.

"This night is a small way to say thank you to the foster families who open their hearts and homes to children in need," said Laura Denner, administrator for Family and Community Partnerships at the Department of Health and Welfare (DHW). "Foster care can be challenging and deeply rewarding, and we're grateful to our partners for helping create moments of fun, connection, and appreciation for these families."

Foster Family Night is part of the department's Community Builders initiative, which connects community partners with meaningful ways to support foster, kinship, and adoptive families. Events like this give families an opportunity to relax, build memories, and feel supported by their broader community.

"We're honored to welcome foster families to the arena and recognize the important role they play in our community," said Mike DiPalma, vice president of Idaho Sports Properties. "Hockey has a way of bringing people together, and we're proud to partner with the Department of Health and Welfare to create a memorable night for families who give so much."

The event will include in-game recognition of foster families and opportunities for families to connect with community partners while enjoying the fast-paced excitement of Steelheads hockey. Foster + Heart, a local nonprofit that connects people with children in need, will be on hand to answer fans' questions about fostering.

For more information about Foster Family Night or the Community Builders initiative, contact the Department of Health and Welfare's Family and Community Partnerships team at [email protected] or visit https://www.healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/communitybuilders.

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is dedicated to strengthening the health, safety, and independence of Idahoans. Learn more at healthandwelfare.idaho.gov.