Introduction

Idaho has joined a national initiative to address inclusive policies and practices at the state, local program leadership, and early care and education environments level. The Idaho State Department of Education, Division of Special Education, Idaho SESTA (Special Education Support & Technical Assistance), Head Start Collaboration Office, Center on Disabilities and Human Development (CDHD/University of Idaho), IdahoSTARS, and Boise State University are working together to improve early childhood outcomes and increase positive social-emotional competencies for all children.

Goal/Vision: All early childhood settings support the social and emotional development and inclusion of every child, birth through eight years of age.

Purpose Statement: The primary purpose of the SLT is to ensure support and resources are available to sites so they can adopt and use the selected evidence-based practices with fidelity. The SLT will use the State Leadership Team Benchmarks of Quality to guide the initiative, assess progress, and plan future actions. The SLT will facilitate family engagement throughout the initiative.

Mission Statement: The Idaho Pyramid Collaborative’s mission is to ensure access to high quality coaching and technical assistance, to support Idaho early care and education environments so that they will be able to implement the four Pillars of our mission:

  1. Address Disparities in Discipline Practices
  2. Promote Family Engagement
  3. Use Data for Decision-Making
  4. Foster Inclusion of Children With, And at Risk for, Developmental Delays and Disabilities

The Pyramid Model is a conceptual framework of evidence-based practices for promoting young children’s healthy social and emotional development and decrease child challenging behavior. Through coaching and technical assistance, Idaho early care and education environments will 1) address disparities in discipline practices, 2) use data for decision making, 3) promote family engagement, and 4) foster inclusion for children with, and at risk for, developmental disabilities.

 

The Pyramid Model provides guidance for early childhood special education personnel, early intervention personnel, childcare educators, families, and other professionals.

 

The Pyramid Model was developed by two national, federally-funded research and training centers: The Center for the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (CSEFEL) and Technical Assistance Center on Social Emotional Intervention for Youth Children (TACSEI). The faculty at these centers represent nationally recognized researchers and program developers in the areas of social skills and challenging behavior.

 




Applications for the 2024-2025 school year will be open from February 1-April 30, 2024.
Idaho Pyramid Collaborative Application


Project Details



Resources


Contact Us

Shannon Dunstan

  • Results Driven Accountability and Early Childhood Coordinator
  • Idaho State Department of Education
  • P.O. Box 83720 Boise, Idaho 83720
  • 208-332-6908 (Desk)
  • 208-703-1660 (Cell)
  • sdunstan@sde.idaho.gov

Jessica Sproul

  • Head Start Collaboration Director
  • Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
  • Family and Community Services
  • Infant and Toddler Program
  • 208-995-4915
  • jessica.sproul@dhw.idaho.gov

Melissa Crist, M.S.

  • IdahoSTARS Director of Programs
  • Center on Disabilities and Human Development
  • 1187 Alturas Drive Moscow, ID 83843
  • www.idahostars.org
  • 208-885-6169 (Desk)
  • 208-310-4935 (Cell)
  • mcrist@uidaho.edu

Kimberly Brooks, M.Ed., IMH-E

  • IdahoSTARS Assistant Director
  • Center on Disabilities and Human Development
  • 322 E. Front St. Suite 200 Boise, ID 83702
  • www.idahostars.org
  • 208-364-4012 (Desk)
  • 208-830-9843 (Cell)
  • kbrooks@uidaho.edu