COMMUNITY COLLABORATION
10 YEARS OF READY! FOR KINDERGARTEN IN IDAHO
Proverbs are not just sayings; they represent wisdom passed down from generation to generation. They serve as guidance, education, and the passing of cultural history, beliefs, and customs within communities. One African proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child,” embodies the spirit of communal responsibility toward nurturing the younger generations. This sentiment resonates daily within Idaho’s educational landscape, where concerted efforts have been made to improve early childhood education, a collaborative endeavor spanning the state from Idaho’s Panhandle in the northwest to Twin Falls in the south; from Caldwell in the southwest to Idaho Falls in the east. This report discusses how, over the past 10 years, stakeholders at every corner of the Gem state have worked toward the common goal of enhancing early childhood education and school readiness.
The Children’s Reading Foundation is a National 501 c-3 organization. CRF’s mission is to encourage and educate families about their key role in raising a reader and preparing their child for kindergarten, to support schools in ensuring students read on grade level by the end of third grade, and to facilitate community involvement in helping young readers be successful. More information can be found at readingfoundation.org.
Attendes
to the READY!
for Kindergarten workshop at North Gem School District
Since 2014, the partnership between The Children’s Reading Foundation (CRF) and Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children (IDAEYC) has been a symphony of community engagement reaching thousands of children and families through CRF’s READY! for Kindergarten programs.
Idaho’s Early Childhood community catalyzed a change in school readiness through a multifaceted approach of financial investment, knowledge dissemination, and strategic partnerships.
This document provides a timeline of events highlighting a problem in Idaho—a shortage of quality preschool educational opportunities—and how this deficiency ignited a solution: a state-wide grassroots movement led by non-profit organization IDAEYC and supported year after year by local stakeholders. Whether they be groups within the business and tech communities or parents attending workshops at a homeless shelter, these dedicated stakeholders share the same goal of creating an Idaho where all children thrive.
WHAT IS READY! FOR KINDERGARTEN?
READY! for Kindergarten is a suite of research-based and evidence-informed programs designed to support parents and caregivers in fostering children’s development and school readiness skills. The READY! program comprises a series of three annual parent engagement workshops. These workshops are led by trained facilitators who offer essential guidance and encouragement, demonstrating to parents how their positive words and actions can contribute to raising a happy, self-confident child.
“If you want to know the end, look at the beginning”
The Panhandle Alliance for Education (PAFE) is a noteworthy example of how collaborative efforts can produce remarkable results. Recognizing the imperative of bolstering school readiness among incoming kindergarteners, PAFE implemented READY! for Kindergarten workshops for parents at the Lake Oreille School District in 2008. This initiative, undertaken in partnership with the school district, libraries, and local businesses, has yielded commendable outcomes: Statistical data indicates a substantial improvement in the kindergarten readiness proficiency of children whose parents have participated in a series of three READY! workshops, thereby underscoring the efficacy of community-driven interventions.
The geographic reach of the READY! for Kindergarten program led by PAFE extends beyond the confines of their local school districts and permeates the entire northern Idaho panhandle region. Such expansive outreach emphasizes the scalability and replicability of community-based interventions in early childhood education and school readiness, thereby amplifying their societal impact.
At the state level, IDAEYC has emerged as a leader in the crusade for equitable access to early learning opportunities. Through strategic alliances with governmental agencies, philanthropic entities, and grassroots organizations, IDAEYC has spearheaded the distribution of READY! for Kindergarten workshops for ten years across diverse socio-demographic strata, covering even the most remote communities.
HOW IT ALL STARTED
In 2012, The Children’s Reading Foundation secured a competitive Innovative Approaches to Literacy Grant (IAL) from the federal Office of Elementary & Secondary Education, complemented by a continuation award in 2014. These funds were earmarked for the purpose of READY! facilitators in Southwest Idaho
providing READY! for Kindergarten curriculum training to parents of children aged three to five within eligible Local Educational Agencies (LEAs). The primary objective was to foster early language development and pre-literacy skills among the targeted demographic. To facilitate the dissemination of these initiatives nationwide, CRF strategically identified subgrantees across the country. Notably, a subgrant was allocated to IDAEYC, accentuating a collaborative approach toward advancing school readiness in a state where children have limited access to quality early learning.
In collaboration with the Idaho Community Foundation and United Way of SouthCentral Idaho (UWSCID), IDAEYC initiated the implementation of READY! for Kindergarten workshops within eligible districts located in Idaho’s Magic Valley. Parents and caregivers in the Jerome and Wendell school districts adopted the READY! framework by engaging in purposeful play and daily reading activities. Additionally, a cohort of volunteers and staff from UWSCID participated in several summer events, where children gathered with enthusiasm to select a new book to take home.
A few months later, this initiative expanded its geographic footprint to encompass Southwest Idaho, forging partnerships with multiple and diverse stakeholders, including school districts, Head Start programs, and local libraries. This strategic outreach was designed to ensure broad-based access to the educational opportunities provided by the READY! for Kindergarten program, thereby enhancing its efficacy and reach. Collaborations with the media and local Hispanic organizations
were exceptionally valuable in reaching a growing Latino community. During the summer months, a partnership with the Summer Food Service Program allowed IDAEYC and CRF to feed children’s minds and bodies through collaborative events that reached parks, housing authority complexes, and recreational sites.
In the Treasure Valley, and despite the Boise School District not meeting the eligibility criteria to receive funds from this grant, a group of local residents in the suburb of Northview took the initiative to raise funds to support the program within their neighborhood boundaries. These grassroots fundraising efforts gained momentum, garnering financial support from entities such as CapEd Credit Union, The Dove Family Foundation, and The Wittenberg Foundation. Consequently, IDAEYC was able to augment its financial resources, thereby extending the program’s scope to communities not covered under federal funding provisions.
At the end of 2016 and after two years of intense work with partners, federal funding provided by the Innovative Approaches to Literacy (IAL) grant ended, but the seeds sown during the nascent stages of the initiative facilitated the sustained operation of READY! for Kindergarten Idaho. This continuity owes itself to the unwavering support and financial backing received from local and regional stakeholders, underscoring the pivotal role of community engagement in sustaining educational initiatives aimed at fostering early childhood literacy and development.
“WHEN
DEED SPEAKS, WORDS ARE NOTHING”
United Way stands as a global beacon of collaboration and community empowerment, bringing diverse stakeholders together to address the underlying causes of humanity’s most pressing challenges. With a steadfast commitment to making a tangible difference in the lives of millions worldwide, United Way serves as a catalyst for positive social change.
Through the Cradle to Career initiative and an extensive network of partners, donors, volunteers, and community leaders, United Way chapters in North Idaho, South Central Idaho, Southeastern Idaho, and the Treasure Valley play pivotal roles in amplifying the reach of the READY! for Kindergarten parent engagement program across the state.
Collaborating with reputable organizations like United Way not only provides invaluable resources and expertise but also amplifies the collective impact of community-driven initiatives. By leveraging the vast network and resources of United Way, initiatives such as READY! for Kindergarten Idaho gain enhanced visibility, credibility, and access to critical funding streams.
Partnering with United Way facilitates broader community engagement, fostering a culture of shared responsibility and collective action toward addressing systemic challenges in early childhood education. Through strategic collaboration with organizations of such caliber, stakeholders can harness synergies and mobilize resources more effectively, ultimately paving the way for a brighter future for Idaho’s youth.
PRESCHOOL THE IDAHO WAY
In 2018, Idaho was—and remains in 2024— one of six states without any state-funded preschool programs. Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children mobilized communities and offered grants to implement high-quality education for young children through local preschool collaboratives. These collaboratives brought together stakeholders who were acutely aware of the lack of opportunities for children, including Head Start programs, in-home and center-based child care providers, and school districts. Twelve of the initial collaboratives were offered READY! for Kindergarten @ Child Care & Preschool workshops, and each location was also encouraged to host READY! parent workshops.
Despite limited resources, these grassroots efforts have grown significantly, with READY! workshops consistently serving as cornerstones for parent engagement and school readiness initiatives.
PARENTS HAVE A VOICE
“The READY! for Kindergarten curriculum completely transformed my life. It’s incredible to think that it not only improved my parenting skills but also allowed me to fully prepare my son for kindergarten, where he’s now excelling. I can’t express how grateful I am for this program. What’s even more amazing is that it sparked a fire within me. I’ve decided to go back to school after completing my early childhood development and social work program. My dream is to become the support for other children that I didn’t have when I was growing up.”
-READY! for Kindergarten participant hosted at Boise Rescue Mission
“BY LABOR COMES WEALTH”
The Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five (PDG B-5) initiative is structured to bolster and refine the foundational frameworks underpinning early childhood education by leveraging existing federal, state, and local investments in the sphere of early care and learning. Oversight of the PDG B-5 program resides within the scope of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, with specific administration undertaken by the Administration for Children and Families. Functioning as a competitive federal grant mechanism, PDG B-5 is tailored to augment early childhood systems at the state level, thereby fostering an enriched educational landscape for young learners.
In 2020, Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children emerged as one of the six selected states and territories to receive a planning grant under the PDG B-5 program. Collaborating closely with state departments, local non-profit organizations, and academic institutions, IDAEYC spearheaded a series of initiatives aimed at expanding the scope of the READY! for Kindergarten program. This endeavor encompassed the provision of resources and training to empower parents in preparing their children for the transition to kindergarten, with a special emphasis on inclusivity through bilingual offerings in English and Spanish.
An instrumental partner in this collaborative effort has been the Idaho Commission for Libraries, which facilitated the deployment of READY! workshops across 17 locations. This initiative facilitated the engagement of an estimated cohort of up to 300 families in READY! for Kindergarten workshops, overseen by library personnel trained by IDAEYC. Participating families benefited from the targets (learning and development goals), training (parent workshops), and tools (a comprehensive array of learning materials), the provision of which was made possible through the allocation of grant funds.
The library staff training was conducted under the auspices of IDAEYC, further underscoring the inter-organizational collaboration central to the success of this initiative.
Libraries play a crucial role in enhancing children’s school readiness by providing access to a wide range of resources and fostering a love of learning from an early age. Like many libraries in the country, Idaho libraries offer a variety of programs, including story hours, educational workshops, and interactive activities, which help develop essential literacy and cognitive skills. IDAEYC, in collaboration with the Idaho Commission for Libraries, are ensuring libraries across the state also serve as parent engagement hubs by offering READY! for Kindergarten programs, including the READY! for Math family workshops that were part of the STEM Early 2023 Initiative between ICfL, the Idaho STEM Action Center, and Idaho Public Television.
OVERCOMING CHALLENGES
While the path may seem fortunate, there have been some obstacles. In 2021, the Idaho House of Representatives voted to halt a bill authorizing the State Department of Education and IDAEYC from receiving nearly 6 million dollars already awarded by the Administration for Children and Families to continue the work started two years prior. The collaboration seed planted by the organization earlier encouraged multiple charitable organizations to step up and fund the continuation of initiatives that were expected to be covered by the lost funding. The Wood River Women’s Foundation dedicated funds, matched by funding from the Kellogg Foundation to strengthen the work in Blaine County. In other parts of the state, learning centers benefitted from a community grant program from the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. A constant on every initiative was the availability of READY! for Kindergarten workshops for parents, recognizing, whether preschool services are available or not, the fundamental role of parents as their children’s first teachers is fundamental.
IMPACT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Despite the disruptive effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the collaborative initiatives in Idaho demonstrated significant resilience and adaptability. By adopting innovative pedagogical methodologies and strategically utilizing digital platforms, stakeholders have maintained a steadfast commitment to the overarching goal of enhancing early childhood education outcomes.
On March 15, 2020, CRF advised programs to take proactive measures to safeguard families by encouraging the exploration of alternative delivery options for the Spring workshops. Shortly thereafter, the Idaho government issued a statewide self-isolation order to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus, prohibiting gatherings of individuals outside their households. Consequently, in-person READY! for Kindergarten workshops were no longer feasible. In response, READY! Idaho promptly transitioned to a synchronous online delivery model and subsequently adopted e-learning workshops.
By the time in-person READY! workshops resumed, the community had recognized the advantages of e-learning workshops. As a result, these virtual options have remained available to certain families and communities and will continue to be integrated into the delivery models for the near future.
THE FUTURE LOOKS PROMISING
Ten years ago, the partnership between CRF and IDAEYC strengthened the goal of enhancing children’s school readiness in Idaho. With unwavering persistence and continuous engagement with local communities, it is evident these initiatives have flourished, creating a robust foundation that supports ongoing funding efforts. By building strong relationships and fostering a collaborative spirit, local stakeholders, educators, and families have worked together to address the unique needs of their children’s education. This decade-long dedication has created a sustainable network that not only secures financial resources but also ensures that every child in Idaho has the opportunity to start school ready to learn and succeed.
As part of the 10th anniversary of READY! in Idaho, a special READY! for Reading program has reached libraries across the state with the intent of supporting reading during the upcoming summer months. By collaborating to create a supportive environment that promotes early literacy and learning, libraries are helping ensure Idaho children are better prepared to succeed academically and socially when they enter school.
SOURCES
• Advocacy & Communications Solutions. Start Slow for Sustained Success: Idaho AEYC took its Time to Seed Local Preschool. Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children Case Study. 2022.
• CapEd Credit Union. “$100,000 Given to Early Childhood Learning.” Last modified 14 December 2023.
• READY! for Kindergarten Idaho. “Encouraging Parents to Talk, Sing, Read and Play.” Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children. Accessed 15 June 2024.
• Idaho Business for Education. “Idaho School Readiness Act.” Idaho Business for Education White Paper. 2021.
• Shaw, Staci. “READY! for Kindergarten workshops: An opportunity for Idaho libraries.” Idaho Commission for Libraries. 8 July 2020.
• Idaho Press-Tribune. “New program gives children books, food in Marsing.” Idaho Press. 9 July 2016.
• “Innovative Approaches to Literacy.” Office of Elementary and Secondary Education. Last modified 25 January 2024.
• “PAFE Programs.” Panhandle Alliance for Education. Accessed 14 June 2024.
• Preschool Development Grant Birth-5 Initial Grant Final Report. The Administration for Children and Families. 2021.
• “READY! for Kindergarten: Empowering Parents & Caregivers.” The Children’s Reading Foundation. Accessed 14 June 2024.
• “Cradle To Career.” United Way Centraide. Accessed 14 June 2024.
