In 2010 Idaho AEYC conceived the Books Build Bridges project to address the need in Boise of a growing population of refugee families who often arrive with nearly nothing. The families have much to do in gathering the necessities for the household. One item that most of us take for granted is children's books. Many of the refugee homes have no books and most of the children have never had a book of their own.

 

The project was developed to promote literacy and enjoyment of books in young children and to improve, enrich, and encourage intercultural understanding and excellence in education. This focus was a good fit with the Delta Kappa Gamma Educational Foundation's mission and a grant for $1500 to purchase books for the project was awarded in 2010 to Idaho AEYC.

 

Friends of Children and Families Head Start is partnering with Idaho AEYC to distribute books to refugee children and assist refugee families in developing family literacy skills by creating an environment that provides parent/child interaction with learning experiences and language development through a home library of children's books.

 

First Book, Idaho Public Television, and Rediscovered Bookshop have assisted with the acquisition of additional books through grants, donations, and discounts. The Garden City Public library provided book bags and materials to children living in its library district.

 

For more information on the project or to donate books, email Jane Zornik or call 208.345.1090 x25.

 

Pigs were flying as the IdahoSTARS Project welcomed 19 new and returning Mentor/Coaches! Also in attendance where the IdahoSTARS staff from U of I's Center on Disabilities and Human Development (CDHD) including all 7 Regional Quality Child Care Consultants, and IdahoSTARS staff from the Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children (Idaho AEYC). The theme of the summit was "Taking the program from GOOD to GREAT!" and the flying pigs served as a reminder to reach for the sky!

Tanya Stabinsky and her associates from Edgewood House School in Palo Alto, California presented on "Relationship Based Reflective Mentoring" on the first day. Day 2 was dedicated to the vital role of the Mentor/Coach in the IdahoSTARS Quality Rating and Improvement System; every participating facility is required to use the services of a Mentor/Coach to assure the accuracy and completeness of the documentation they submit. Day 3 covered the "nuts and bolts"-the paperwork, business, and organizational skills required to be a Mentor/Coach.

Julaine Ziegert, Director of the Mentor/Coaching Resources Program, is the driving force behind the newly streamlined Mentor/Coach program - a dedicated team of highly qualified and well trained early childhood professionals who work one-to-one with child care providers, directors, and owners. Julaine thanked the participants for their enthusiastic participation: "Thank you for the huge contribution that each of you made by sharing your thoughts, passions, experience, ideas, questions, and even confusion-which, of course, come right before 'enlightenment'!"

On December 31, 2010 Idaho AEYC said goodbye to IdahoSTARS Project Director Brenda Breidinger. Brenda brought much knowledge and passion to guide the project from its inception to what it is today.

  

"I've enjoyed my 7 ½ years as the IdahoSTARS Statewide Project Director and will miss the other staff members and early childhood colleagues that I have worked with during this time," states Breidinger. 

  

"My career passion and goal has been to influence the early care and education profession to ensure quality care and education for young children. The opportunity to serve as the first IdahoSTARS Project Director helped me to reach this goal."

  

Brenda's knowledge and institutional memory will be missed, but her influence will continue to impact the children of Idaho for many years.

  

Idaho AEYC welcomes Melissa Bandy as the new IdahoSTARS Project Director.

  

Two awards announced at the Early Years Conference in Boise in November honored the work of Karen Mason. Accepting the awards for Karen was Mark Mason, Karen's husband (pictured at left). Also in the audience were Dick and Aris Boyle of Idaho Falls, parents of the late Ms. Mason.

 

Each year the Idaho AEYC Board of Governors selects a group or individual to receive the Stick Your Neck Out for Idaho's Children Award. The honoree will have demonstrated a commitment to quality early care and education on behalf of the children of Idaho.

 

In making the presentation of the 2010 Award, Rosemary Shockley, Idaho AEYC Board President, called Karen "a woman of vision and action, who devoted her life to the children of Idaho and to those who touched their lives."

 

"Bricks and mortar for schools, excellent playgrounds, toys and books are only pieces of what Karen worked to improve. She championed neighborhoods where children could run and play. In Karen's words, 'We need infrastructure that provides all these parts for our children'"

 

"Under her watch as Executive Director of the Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children, a child care licensing bill was passed in 2009 to provide children with better child care through licensing and safety measures. Weeks before her death on February 27, 2010, a Quality Rating and Improvement System was enacted" to continue raising the bar for quality care in Idaho.

 

The second award was presented by Dieuwke Dizney-Spencer, Maternal and Child Health Director for Idaho's Department of Health and Welfare. The Champions in the Field award given from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is presented in recognition of outstanding contributions to the field of Maternal and Child Health through collaborations and partnerships.

 

Dizney-Spencer remarked, "As I took the nomination forward, it was unanimously supported. Karen was always an engaged and welcomed partner with the Department of Health and Welfare as well as others. She was skilled at fostering collaboration and respecting the role of each partner at the table. Her passion for doing right by Idaho's children was evident and unstoppable."

 

"These public awards, public tears, and words of thanks are testament to the impact that Karen Mason had across Idaho and the nation as she effectively got grown-ups to focus on the real reason we are at the table - to improve the lives of children."

 

The standing ovation in the hall punctuated with hugs and tears was one more testament to the impact of the life work of Karen Mason and to the realization that she will be greatly missed.

  

Idaho AEYC is seeking qualified candidates to serve on the Board of Governors. Members of the Governing Board serve two year terms beginning in July. The responsibility of the governing board is to manage the corporate and business affairs of the organization.

  

Nine members comprise the Governing Board. This year the agency is seeking a treasurer (someone with knowledge of and experience in financial accounting for non-profit organizations) and 5 members-at-large.

  

The Governing Board is a working board. Board members are asked to serve on committees, attend meetings in Boise, participate in conference calls, be a member of Idaho AEYC (or join immediately), vote on issues before the board, support Idaho AEYC with financial or in-kind contributions, promote and represent the organization, and support the agency's mission. A full description of responsibilities and qualifications is available in the application packet. 

  

All Idaho AEYC members have the right to participate in the governing board election. Membership must be current. The election will be held in May using electronic means. Be sure your current email address is on file with Jane Zornik.

  

For more information or to request an application packet, email Jane Zornik or call 208.345.1090 x25.

Quick Links

Rosemary Shockley, Ed.D. 

Kris Freeland, B.S. 

Rosario Wohlsen, B.S. 

Stan Burton, J.D. Law 

Kathleen Miller Green, M.A. 

Geoffrey Black, Ph.D. 

Jill Bielenberg, B.A. 

Events Calendar

Shining Stars

Learning Garden: A Developmental Preschool - Post Falls

Ready, Set, Grow - Boise

ASISU Early Learning Center - Pocatello

Christ the King Child Development Center - Coeur d'Alene

Deb n Rienna's Daycare - Idaho Falls

Fingerprints Children's Center - Lewiston

Funshine Home Away from Home - Idaho Falls

Roni's House Family Childcare - Notus

Space available for sponsors. For more information, email Beth Oppenheimer or call at 208.345.1090 x10