Our Recipient Population
Facts about the population we serve
1 in 5 of Idaho’s children and youth have special healthcare needs such as:
Chronic health conditions (i.e. diabetes)
Medically complex health issues (i.e. cystic fibrosis)
Developmental disabilities (i.e. autism spectrum disorder)
Behavioral or emotional conditions (i.e. bipolar disorder)
More information about children and youth with special healthcare needs: Visit Idaho Department of Health & Welfare
Over 8,000 families in the state of Idaho have a child with special healthcare needs.
Nearly half of all Idaho households lack financial resources:
ALICE is an acronym for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed, and represents the growing number of families who are unable to afford the basics
Of Idaho's 701,293 households in 2022:
+ 11% earned below the Federal Poverty Level (FPL)
+ 32% were ALICE, in households that earned above the FPL but not enough to afford the basics in the communities where they live
+ Together, 43% of households in Idaho were below the ALICE Threshold (poverty + ALICE divided by total households) https://www.unitedforalice.org/idaho
“Dear Clemy’s Crew,
Thank you so much for your kind and generous message. This support means the world to us right now, and I truly appreciate both your understanding and your willingness to help.
Traveling far from home for care is overwhelming in many ways—logistically, emotionally, and financially—so knowing that Clemy’s Crew is there to support families like ours really brings comfort.
We are incredibly grateful for this!! ... Again, I cannot express my gratitude enough. Thank you!”
Clemy’s Crew Assistance Recipient
How many families need help in Idaho?
There are over 8,000 children in Idaho with special healthcare needs. Over 2,500 of those patients are actively supported by St Luke’s Care Coordination services.
What are the biggest issues families are facing?
Families with a medically complex child face a broad range of issues beyond medical needs including but not limited to: lack of transportation, food insecurity, difficult access / lack of access to care, lack of basic necessities, significant financial strain.
How does intervention benefit patient/ family outcomes?
When parents/ guardians are given support that allows them to maintain a healthy emotional/ mental state, both patients and parents see better outcomes.
What’s the importance of keeping families together during long hospital stays.
Research shows that pediatric patients are negatively impacted if they are not physically around parents/ guardians during extended hospital stays. By helping families stay together, we can promote better outcomes for patients and families.
Will insurance cover the cost of a medevac event?
During a medevac event, only one non-medical individual is allowed to travel with the patient. Sometimes, no additional passengers are allowed leaving the family to navigate getting to the next hospital. Insurance policies often cover the cost of the patient and family member during a medevac event. If you have Medicaid, it will only cover the cost of travel for the patient and one family member.
Average cost for basic economy flight:
+ BOI to PDX: $110/ person Round Trip
+ BOI to SLC: $190/ person Round Trip
+ BOI to SEA: $200/ person Round Trip
Does insurance cover the cost of food during an in-patient stay?
Though there are sometimes family kitchens with free food at the hospital, only meals for the patient are paid for by insurance. All additional food is an out of pocket expense for families.
Where do families stay when a child is in-patient?
In a hospital room there is very limited space, especially if a patient is admitted to the PICU or NICU. The Ronald McDonald House of Idaho has two locations; one in Boise and one in Idaho Falls. Families in other parts of Idaho have to find and pay for their own lodging which can be stressful and costly.