IHSA 2025 Conference, Membership Meeting, & Awards Banquet

Mills “Mr. Rodge” Rodgers is an author and speaker on topics related to meeting the needs of students, . He also is a voice on topics related to our service and personal development. Mills has served his country and communities as an Army veteran and as a public school educator. In the Army, he served as a mental health specialist. As an educator, he served in a variety of capacities, ranging from a classroom educator to a substitute administrator for over a decade.

He shares the insights he has gained through those diverse experiences in a fun, engaging manner with audiences. Mills has authored 4 editions of Success Is A Process, Not An Event, with versions targeted to students and educators. Mills believes education is the one reliable, consistent way in this country for the have nots to overcome their circumstances, and it start early. Every kid needs a champion & Mills wants help educators be a champion for kids!

Select one of the many food options in the downtown Boise vicinity to network with your Head Start colleagues and parents. We will have Costa Vida gift cards available for parents for the Wednesday lunch. Costa Vida is in the Grove where the conference is.

Head Start Program Directors' Quarterly Meeting with IHSA and guest speakers. We will head next door to Trillium Restaurant for a working lunch.

Self-regulation is foundational to early learning. In this session participants/parents will learn strength-based approaches to empower self-regulated early learners. Foundational to this session are strategies and supports that parents and families can use to help their child become 1) connected, 2) self-aware, 3) self-determined, 4) strategic and 5) resilient at home and in the classroom.
 
Learning Outcomes: After participating in this session, participants will be able to:

1. Engage in practices guided by knowledge of social-emotional development.
2. Empower children as they improve their self-regulation skills (as defined by Lee Pesky Learning Center’s research-based self-regulated learner framework).
3. Explore Lee Pesky Learning Center’s research-based self-regulated learner framework and it’s five components.
4. Employ the specific tools, strategies, and resources learned during the session to help children ages 0-5 self-regulate thoughts, emotions, and feelings.
5. Individualize interactions with your children to meet their individual needs.

Join us as we discuss individualization, creating access for all individuals, and universal design for learning practices. Additionally, we will explore how co-regulation, trauma-informed care, and healing can provide a culture of community.

Explore how using the skills of Motivational Interviewing (Open-ended questions, Affirmations, Reflections, Summaries) can support building positive, goal-oriented relationships with families that build on and support family strengths, interests, and goals.

 This session will focus on the roles that health and mental health leaders play in child safety. Programs that consider child supervision systemically use active supervision strategies to maintain safe learning environments for infants, toddlers, and preschool children in all Head Start settings. They ensure staff have the knowledge and skills to keep children safe at all times. A systems-thinking approach promotes high-level analysis and problem-solving to support consistent and effective safety practices throughout the agency. Participants will discuss current practices, share successes and challenges, and identify strategies that may improve the prevention of child incidents.

Join us to learn more about multidisciplinary strategies at a leadership level, as well as approaches that create an environment of physical safety, emotional safety, and security for children, families, and staff in Head Start programs.

Join us for an engaging and insightful workshop, where we’ll explore the vital role of fathers in early childhood development. This session will dive into the Unwritten Social Rules that shape fatherhood, highlight the Benefits of Engaged Fathers in a child’s growth, and introduce HOPE Training—a strengths-based approach to fostering positive father-child relationships. We’ll wrap up with practical Final Tips & Takeaways to empower fathers with strategies for meaningful engagement. Don’t miss this opportunity to strengthen fatherhood connections and build a brighter future for children!

TANF Contractor, Bill Foxcroft, will be available to any program directors that would like to continue the conversation about potential cost per child changes. Same room as Program Directors' Meeting.

IHSA and IAEYC join forces in prepping parents on what to expect at the Parent Statehouse Visit.

No matter the status of your program's social media presence, this session will show you how to amplify an existing presence or start from scratch to reach your intended audience and achieve results.