Supporting the development and expansion of early
care and learning opportunities in the Wood River Valley
OUR VISION
All children will have equitable access to quality early learning and care programs.
To engage our community to support and advocate for early childhood learning and care.
OUR MISSION
Wood River Valley is identified as a childcare desert.
More families need care than what is available.
The Wood River Early Learning Collaborative recognizes the urgency in addressing this complex issue and is working expeditiously towards creating equitable access to quality and affordable care and early education opportunities. Over half of the children in the area are currently in informal care settings, highlighting the need to support choice, empower families and care givers, and ensure quality care and early learning for all children. Identifying and implementing solutions together is in our best interests, and the Wood River Early Learning Collaborative welcomes your support and involvement with strategic planning and beyond as this critical issue impacts our entire community.
This crisis has motivated local leaders and nonprofits
In Idaho, because there are no state funded early learning opportunities, families must rely on privately owned businesses which tend to be limited in number and high in cost, which restricts access for many families.
Families in rural communities, those with low-income, and households where English is not the primary language, face additional barriers to accessing high quality early care and learning.
The Early Learning Advisory Committee:
Jim Foudy // Blaine County School District, Superintendent
Kristin Gearhart // Bellevue Public Library, Director
Harry Griffith // SV Economic Development, Executive Director
Kathryn Ivers // WR Early Learning Collaborative, Project Director
Jane Lopez // The Hunger Coalition, Community Organizing Supervisor
Janet Salvoni // Community School, Elementary School Head and Idaho AEYC Board Member
Sarah Seppa // St. Luke’s, Director of Community Engagement/Manager – Center for Community Health
Brittany Skelton // City of Sun Valley, Community Development Director
Desna Smith // Blaine County School District, Bellevue Elementary Preschool Educator
Tricia Swartling // The Advocates, CEO
Deborah Van Law // Blaine County Education Foundation, Executive Director
Ana Villanueva // The Advocates, Youth Coordinator
A core Early Learning Advisory Committee was formed in September and October of 2022 with the first meeting on October 24, 2022. Current Advisory Committee members are listed below.
Additionally, the WRELC explores and implements opportunities and ideas through working groups involving many other community partners.
If you would like to make a donation to the Collaborative, or help with any of our other projects, please reach out to info@wrelc.org
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