About

We Have A “Story to Tell”
Dr. Anne C. Fox-Clarkson, who was an elementary school principal in Coeur d’Alene, ID, founded the Children’s Village, Inc. In 1983, Dr. Fox-Clarkson made a promise to a brother and sister that she would build them a home, as they had suffered child abuse. Two parents from her school agreed to help her, Carol Rankin and Kathy Curran. With the wonderful support of many volunteers and businesses, the 15 acres were purchased and two homes were built.

On a daily basis, the Village can serve up to 22 residents. Healing children has been the Village goal since the doors opened in 1990.

The first house, “The Moyer Home” serves children who are abused, neglected, homeless or in severe family crisis. Children ages birth through 18 can live in this licensed group foster home permanently if needed. Brothers and sisters are kept together and residents are bussed back to neighborhood schools. Over 900 children have been served since the doors opened.

The second house, “The Miller Home” opened in 1996. This is the site of the Children’s Village Academy program providing professional therapeutic services for children and/or adolescents, who are in need of structured, individualized and behaviorally focused education.  

Children who enter the program have experienced problems such as abuse, depression, behavioral difficulties, poor social development, and lack of anger management. In addition, the child may have specialized educational needs which impairs their ability to function in their school, or community.

Current daily operations and services are funded primarily through grants, projects, donations and investments, with very little government funding.

Ongoing fund raising is necessary to meet current expenses and allow the Children’s Village to expand services. Plans call for four more homes.

Contributions of time, dollars, services and usable household/office items help enormously. Monetary contributions apply to current operating expenses for the direct care of the children.

SOME SHORT HISTORY

Children’s Village, Inc. was incorporated in 1984 in the State of Idaho and was designated as a non-profit 501 c 3 charity by the IRS. The facility is governed by a volunteer board of directors and the daily operations are managed by a dedicated administrative team. The agency has a double check and balance financial system with an outside annual audit by a CPA firm. To date the corporation remains debt free with fifteen acres and two large homes. The governing board has been committed to “best practice” and being prudent stewards of the community’s trust and financial support.

In 1995 a group of faithful supporters of the Children’s Village formed the Children’s Village Foundation, Inc. Incorporated in the State of Idaho in 1995 this corporation was designated as a 501 c 3 charity by the IRS. The mission of this body is to ensure the future and stability of the Children’s Village and to support the programs serving children. The corporation is governed by a volunteer board of directors and has an outside annual audit by a CPA firm. The Children’s Village Foundation holds the endowment funds, gifts of stock, restricted funds, tangible gifts and capital campaigns for facility development. This Foundation sponsors annual charity auctions, including spring and winter events and special fundraising projects. Donors may work with their financial consultant and the Children’s Village Foundation Development Director to take advantage of tax laws in maximizing their charitable gifts. Calling the Children’s Village number and making that request, one may contact board members of either board. The founders and board members are always available to assist interested individuals or groups needing more information and they will return the call as soon as possible.

In 1996 the Children’s Village Academy located on site, was accredited by the State of Idaho in 1998 as a school serving special needs students. Overseen by an education committee (comprised of teachers, retired principals and superintendent), the students are instructed by a masters level special ed teacher and specialist paraprofessionals for support. Residents and community youth with academic, emotional, or behavioral challenges are offered a small, one-on-one classroom with an individualized education plan that builds on their strengths and a desire for lifetime learning.  The goal is to provide resources, wrap around services in best practice, remove the barriers so every student is able to achieve their fullest potential.  

Financially independent of the local school districts, the Children’s Village Academy receives Title One services and meets education standards annually. For placement information, see Intake and Admissions under FAQ section.

Services & Programs Offered

• The Moyer Home for residential foster/shelter care, homeless services for children birth to eighteen, with brothers and sisters kept together
• After care & follow up services for former residents
• The Children’s Village Academy, an accredited school for residents & Day Treatment
• The Crisis Nursery for infants & toddlers at risk or in a family crisis
• Parent Aid Library and Resource Center (PAL) for parent support, assistance & training
• Crisis intervention and/or referral around the clock
• Health assessment and support for residents 
• Nutrition education and standardized food program under the direction of the trained Food Manager
• Food, clothing, and personal necessities for resident’s and non-resident’s from families in crisis
• Transportation to the new resident’s current school to maintain continuity in his/her academic life
• Facilitate medical or legal referrals and act as court advocate for residents
• Transportation for children and their families to meet the many outside appointments
• On-site individual, group and family counseling and parenting support groups

Call for Information or Services 208-667-1189

AGENCY CREDENTIALS AND AWARDS

State License: Under the State of Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Children’s Village is licensed as a Children’s Treatment Facility in accordance with Chapter 12, Title 39 of Idaho Code. With bi-annual inspections, the license permits the care of 22 children birth through seventeen.

Local Standards: Located in a residential area of the City of Coeur d’Alene, the County of Kootenai, Idaho, Children’s Village exceeds the city and county standards for facilities caring for children. Complying with all building codes during the construction process and receiving occupancy for both homes, this agency is annually inspected by: Panhandle Health District, Food and Environmental Department; City/County Fire Department; Furnace Safety Inspections; and Idaho Department of Education Food Services.

Agency Credentials: The Children’s Village Academy located on site in the Miller Home received full accreditation in the State of Idaho in 1998 and is recognized by the State Board of Education as an Accredited School. The Children’s Village Academy is also recognized by the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges as an accredited school. The Northwest Association of Schools has member schools in the northwest geographic region of The United States. They recognize schools that promote and maintain a well-balanced educational program that meets or exceeds standards considered essential for quality education.

Agency Affiliations: Children’s Village has been a charter member of the National Association of Shelter Homes and Services for Children since opening for services. This association merged with Family Services of America in 1999. Children’s Village is a charter member of the new Alliance for Children and Families. Headquartered in Milwaukee, the Alliance for Children and Families is a national voluntary association of more than 325 nonprofit, community-based human service organizations, which serve more than 3.75 million people each year in more than 6,700 communities. Motivated by a vision of a healthy society and strong communities for all children and families, the Alliance’s mission is to strengthen its members’capacity to serve and advocate for children, families and communities. Alliance member organizations provide an array of community-based programs and services to all generations.

Agency Awards: Award of Excellence – From Region I, Idaho Department of Health & Welfare (1995)

National Family Week Award – From Alliance for Children and Families (2002 one of two member agencies in America to receive this award)

Children’s Empowerment Award – From Kids Day America/International (2002)

Child Advocate of the Year – From the Idaho Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics awarded to Tinka Schaffer, Development Director, Children’s Village Foundation, Inc

GOVERNING BOARDS

Children’s Village, Inc. Board of Directors

President/Co-Founder: Anne Fox-Clarkson, Ph.D., Educator/Businesswoman

Co-Founder: Kathy Curran, Businesswoman/Artist

Co-Founder: Carol Rankin, Businesswoman

1st Vice President: Tinka Schaffer, M.S.W., Development Director, Children’s Village Foundation, Inc.

2nd Vice President: Thomas Rau, Ph.D., M.D., Pediatric Physician, CDA Pediatrics

Treasurer: Craig Burkhart, Vice Pres. Idaho Independent Bank

Secretary: Steve Caires, MA. Ed., Retired Vice Principal, Lakes Middle School

Children’s Village Foundation, Inc. Board of Directors

President: Diane Reed, Mt. West Bank, Senior V.P. of Residential Lending

First Vice President: Marge Chadderdon, Businesswomen

Second Vice President: James M. English, Attorney, English Law Firm

Treasurer: Jill Hamilton Jurvelin, M.Ed., Literacy Specialist

Secretary: Tinka Schaffer, MSW, Development Director

Fund Raising: James S. Riley, Intermountain Forest Assocation

Board Emeritus: John Krapfl

Children’s Village Leadership Team

Quality Assurance Director/Moyer Program Director: Sheilah Stone Dorame, BS Ed.

Bookkeeping : Dena Wuest

Therapist: Meg Anderson, MSW

Children’s Village Foundation, Inc.: Tinka Schaffer, MSW, Development Director

Children’s Village Academy Teacher: Tera Wolf-Brasch, M. Ed, Sp. Ed