IDAHO PROVIDERS EARN INFANT & FAMILY ASSOCIATE ENDORSEMENT(IMH-E)

We are thrilled to announce that the following dedicated providers have earned their Infant and Family Associate Endorsement (IMH-E®):

1. Hailey Crystal
2. Michelle Jones
3. Carly Lough
4. Rebecca Froese
5. Ruthann Woodruff

This achievement reflects their commitment to supporting the well-being of infants, young children, and families in our community. Please join us in celebrating their hard work and dedication!

The IFA Endorsement is part of the Infant Mental Health Endorsement® system, a nationally recognized credential that demonstrates dedication and specialized skills in promoting the emotional well-being of young children and their families. This endorsement supports the professional growth of early care and education professionals by equipping them with knowledge about infant and toddler development, family engagement, and relationship-based practices. 

To learn more, please contact Kim Brookes at kbrookes@uidaho.edu.

EARLY YEARS REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!

The 2024 conference will feature 25 workshops focused on various aspects of early care and education. You'll also have the chance to explore vendors and information booths onsite and participate in professional networking with the early childhood community. Attendees can earn IDHW CEU credits, IdahoSTARS training credits, and BSU teaching credits.

Registration includes a bag, notebook and pen, collapsible water bottle, and breakfast and lunch for both days. 

Conference dates: November 14-15, 2024

Location: The Riverside Hotel in Boise, Idaho

Please register by clicking the button below.  



TRAINING CORNER

Log into your RISE account and view the training catalog and calendar to learn more or to register for these and other upcoming training opportunities. For training support, please contact trainingoffice@idahostars.org.

WEBINAR TRAININGS:

Sept 25 – When Families Experience Homelessness - FREE

Sept 25 – Working with Families - FREE

Sept 26 – Gardening with Children -$60

Oct 2 – Creating an Outdoor Learning Environment - $60

Oct 2 – Overview of Child Development - FREE

Oct 7-18 - Teaching the Positive Discipline Way - $399

Oct 9 – Challenging Behavior: Facilitating Social & Emotional Development - $60

Oct 11 – Pyramid Module 1, Part 2, Promoting Children's Success: Creating Supportive Environments - FREE

Oct 12 – Empowering Early Intervention: Navigating Special Education for Developmental Success - $90

Oct 16 – Basics of Active Physical Play - FREE

Oct 23 – Responsive Feeding in Child Care - FREE

Oct 24 – Designing a Classroom that Encourages Positive Behavior - $60

Oct 24 – Strengthening Families Series: What Happened to You? - FREE

Oct 26 – Introduction to ASQ: SE 2 - FREE

Oct 30 -- Basics of Active Physical Play - FREE

Oct 30 - Books: How to Use Stories to Integrate Learning Experiences & more - $60

Nov 4-15 - Teaching the Positive Discipline Way - $399

IN-PERSON TRAININGS:

In-person trainings are noted by the location they are offered.

Oct 1 – ADHD 101 with Acceptance Mental Health LLC (Coeur d'Alene) – $20

Oct 3 – Autism 101: The Basics (Boise) - $20

Nov 2 - Activities for ALL with IdahoSTARS PD Specialist Shawnee McKinnon - FREE (Idaho Falls)

EVENTS:

Oct 12 & 26 – RDI Child Care Start-Up Trainings/Capacitaciones iniciales de cuidado infantil de RDI with Idaho AEYC & Rural Development Initiatives – FREE

Oct 18 – 2024 Montessori Conference of Idaho, Boise - $140

Nov 9 - Partnerships With Families PLC with IdahoSTARS Guest Speakers - FREE

Nov 12-14 - 2024 Northwest Early Learning & Pyramid Summit, Portland, OR - $425

Join a Child Development Associates (CDA) Cohort: Advance your career in early childhood education 

Would you or someone you know like to take the next step in your career in early childhood education (ECE)? Do you want to stand out as a competent and skilled professional? Consider earning your internationally recognized CDA credential. Our CDA cohorts provide a supportive community and coaching to help you complete your CDA requirements.

CDA cohort participation is free and IdahoSTARS can help you every step of the way! You can earn your CDA in as little as six months.

For more information download a flyer HERE.

Home-Based Strengthening Families Cohort

If you're a home-based provider, sign up for this FREE seven-week course on Strengthening Families. You'll earn seven IdahoSTARS-approved training hours, and if you attend all seven sessions, you'll get two Lakeshore kits valued at over $550. The cohort meets over webinar on Wednesdays for one hour beginning October 9 to November 20, 2:00 PM MT and 1:00 PM PT.

If you're interested in participating, email Amanda Mills at amills@idahoaeyc.org.



Health Consultant Corner

Fighting for Food Security

Jill Hobbs, MS, RDN, LD

Certified Early Childhood Outdoor Play Inspector

IdahoSTARS Child Care Health Consultant

"Food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.”   Food and Agricultural Organization

During 2022, approximately 12.8% of U.S. households were food insecure. This is a 2.3% increase since 2020. Idaho’s average is near the national average for food-insecure households, according to the USDA’s Economic Research Service. According to statistics from the United States Census Bureau, this calculates to a minimum of approximately 288,237 individuals who experience food insecurity in Idaho.

Although most households in Idaho are food secure, work still needs to be done. Limited access to nutritious foods and low income can increase the potential for food insecurity. 

In Idaho, 35 out of 44 counties are considered rural. The USDA’s Food Atlas shows areas in Idaho where there are low-income levels or low access. Rural areas may also correspond to low access depending on circumstances, such as households' access to a vehicle and/or their proximity to a grocery store. This information is useful as we help fight for food security. 

Another challenge recently hit Idaho was the loss of a CACFP sponsor in all areas except Northern Idaho. Without a CACFP sponsor, home-based providers do not have the opportunity to participate in the food program, which provides reimbursement for food items served in child care settings. As a result, some facilities have chosen to decrease the amount of nutritious food given to children in child care. Others have chosen to ask parents to provide their lunches.

What can we do to fight for food security?

• Ensure families know about WIC, SNAP, the National School Lunch Program, the School Breakfast Program, and the Summer Food Service Program opportunities.
•  Child Care facilities can apply for the Let’s Grow, Let’s Eat grant through IdahoSTARS. 
•  Grow a garden at your facility.
•  Share what we learn about gardening with families.
•  Learn more about the negative impacts of food insecurity by taking the IdahoSTARS online training Childhood Food Insecurity or Targeted Technical Assistance.
•   Start a food pantry at your facility for families to donate or take food as needed.

Benefits of Food Security

• Healthy physical development such as muscles, bones, and digestive tract
• Healthy brain development
• Stronger immunity

Looking for answers on ICCP, Trainings, and more?

Check out the RISE Help Resources HERE

Newly added/updated resources include:

·       ICCP Manual

·       PDS Anniversary Recognition Levels

·       and more!

Keep up on the latest trainings, child care updates, resources and blog posts by following our social media pages.

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