| Initiative Detail |
| Initiative Name: | IdahoSTARS (State Training and Registry System) Professional Development Program | ||
| State: | ID | ||
| Region: | 10 | ||
| Category: | Child Care; Child Care Resource & Referral; Professional Development; Professional Development; Quality Improvement; Regulation & Standards | ||
| Status: | Active | ||
| Year Started: | 2003 | ||
| Administered By: | University of Idaho Center on Disabilities and Human Development/Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children | ||
| Description: |
IdahoSTARS is a joint-project between the University of Idaho's Center on Disabilities and Human Development (CDHD) and the Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children funded by the Idaho State Department of Health and Welfare (DHW). Beginning in 1985, the Idaho Child Care Program (ICCP), a state subsidy program, has worked to improve the quality and availability of services to young children and their families. In 2000, ICCP facilitated a task force representing the child care/early childhood community, professional organizations, child care resource and referral agencies, higher education, and state government that met to review the current program and make recommendations for improved delivery of services and to improve the quality of early childhood programs in Idaho. In an effort to establish a seamless system to upgrade the professional development of early childhood practitioners, the state of Idaho created the IdahoSTARS project. This voluntary professional development system is aimed toward individuals who work with children ages birth to 8 in a variety of settings utilizing inclusive practices, including: * Family and group child care * Child care centers Head Start programs * Public and private schools: pre-K through 3rd grade * Higher education: community and tribal colleges and universities * Community agencies serving children and families. IdahoSTARS functions include: • Provider Registry and Referral use • Provider tracking and incentive programs to stimulate education and retention • Tracking and measurement tools • Training function to provide for quality trainers and curriculum Updated July 2009 |
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| Web Site: | http://idahostars.org/ | ||
| Geographic Scope: | Statewide | ||
| Target Population: | Birth-School Age (0-13) | ||
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