Parent Family Community Engagement Corner

BY JENNIFER HEPINSTALL

PARENT FAMILY COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST

We have so many wonderful opportunities to connect and engage in our program as we begin this new year.

We’re partway through our winter Parent Connect series, which focuses on supporting mental and emotional wellness with our Mental Health Specialist, Krista Haller. We recently gathered in Sandpoint, and our final session of this series will be in Coeur d’Alene on March 12th from 10:00–12:00. Childcare and a snack are provided for these connection events. Let your home visitor know if this is something you would like to attend.

This spring Irene Dreith, our Perinatal Nutrition Specialist, will be joining me for  Parent Connects to share about community gardens in our local areas. Families will have time to connect and create fairy gardens to take home. As always, healthy, delicious snacks and fun, friendly childcare will be provided—ask your home visitor to sign up if this sounds interesting!

We are currently finishing up an in-person Circle of Security Parenting class at our CDA Center. These 8-week classes focus on helping caregivers better understand their child’s emotions, strengthen their relationships, and feel more confident in how they respond to their child’s needs. We will be offering another in-person class later this year as well as an online class —stay tuned!

On March 18th, we’ll begin a 4-week online Integrative Parenting 2.0 class with Jill Hicks, LCPC, Clinical Director at Bonner General Behavioral Health. These classes will be held Wednesdays, March 18 – April 15 on Zoom from 11:00–12:00, with time afterward to ask questions and reflect on the workbook / materials. If this sounds interesting, please ask your home visitor to sign you up.

Also on March 18th, I will be a table host at the community Parent Café at Lakes Middle School. Parent Cafés are welcoming community conversations that give parents a chance to connect, share experiences, and build supportive relationships with other families. Childcare and dinner will be provided. I would love to see you there.

Please reach out if you would like more information about any of our connection events or to share ideas for future events – your voice matters and I would love to hear from you.  

A big thank you to ICARE

A big thank you to ICARE (a program of St. Vincent de Paul) for their generous diaper donation to support our enrolled families. 

In honor of Strengthening Families Month this April, ICARE will host diaper drives throughout North Idaho. Stay tuned for dates and locations!

Strengthening Families Month

Policy Council updates

From our meeting on February 5th

• Jannus Inc. received a clean, unmodified audit for 2025 with no material weaknesses or non-compliance findings. 

• Eligibility criteria updates for the 2026-27 program year were approved, including  food insecurity and specialized needs, and increased points added for lack of access to affordable housing. 

• Three of our Policy Council members attended the Idaho Head Start Association Conference in Boise and a program parent Danielle was awarded the parent scholarship award.

We're enrolling families now

We are currently enrolling families! If you or someone you know is expecting a child or has a child up to 36 months, reach out to learn more about our free home-based program in Bonner, Shoshone and Kootenai counties. 

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