Roger Sherman — Roger Sherman is introduced as the first item on the docket for the Idaho Children's Trust Fund, then he identifies himself as the executive director of the organization and begins his presentation.
Mr. Sherman — Mr. Sherman is addressed by the chair in a brief witness exchange: he is asked to state his name and who he represents for the record, and shortly afterward the chair interrupts him momentarily while he is presenting.
Mr. Sherman — Explained that a community-based board of directors makes grant decisions.
Mr. Sherman — Answered that the board makes grant decisions.
Mr. Sherman — Explained the funding sources, including a federal grant and an income tax designation.
Mr. Sherman — Explained referral sources and noted that much of child sexual abuse is hidden and only disclosed by adults later in life.
Jordan Redman — Representative Redmond asked about the grant program, specifically how recipients are selected and where the grant funds come from, as part of a follow-up exchange during the presentation.
Jordan Redman — Asked whether similar programs exist in Idaho or elsewhere.
Jordan Redman — Asked whether the Department of Health and Welfare is now maintaining accountability for existing recovery centers.
Jordan Redman — Asked what accountability measures are used to verify funds are being stewarded correctly.
Jordan Redman — The transcript appears to misidentify the speaker as 'Senator Bjorky'; context suggests Representative Jordan Redman is continuing the questioning.
Jordan Redman — The transcript again appears to misrender the committee member's name in the exchange.
Jordan Redman — The transcript again appears to misidentify the committee member being addressed.
Jordan Redman — Introduced a proposal for a drug use awareness program and identified himself for the record.
Jordan Redman — Was called on to make a final presentation on a drug use awareness program.
Jordan Redman — Described a statewide media campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of drugs.
Jordan Redman — Explained that the proposal is a broad-stroke approach intended to address cultural change and statewide impact.
Jordan Redman — Said the campaign should reach kids through schools, peers, parents, mentors, and grandparents.
Jordan Redman — Cited research suggesting some anti-drug PSAs can be ineffective or even counterproductive.
Jordan Redman — Emphasized that the campaign should be research-backed to avoid ineffective messaging.
Jordan Redman — Requested $5 million in one-time funding for the campaign and described a survey-based research approach.
Jordan Redman — Outlined the survey design for the proposed research effort.
Jordan Redman — Explained that survey results would help target messaging and determine what resonates with residents.
Jordan Redman — Argued that a high-frequency digital strategy may be the best approach for a negative-message drug campaign.
Jordan Redman — Outlined a year-long rollout beginning in March and based on survey data.
Jordan Redman — Explained the planned message cadence and pauses due to media-buy costs around holidays.
Jordan Redman — Described the remaining rollout months and estimated monthly impressions for broadcast and cable.
Jordan Redman — Explained how campaign success would be measured using weekly reports, impressions, reach, and frequency.
Jordan Redman — Said the campaign is intended to broadly influence culture and address drug dangers statewide.
Brandon Mitchell — Asked how families are found and referred to organizations that can help them.
Brandon Mitchell — Representative Brandon Mitchell asks a series of related questions about the funding request for child care/daycare providers, including what the plan is beyond 2029 and whether providers are receiving other funding sources or grants. The witness responds by addressing Mitchell’s questions and explaining the funding structure, including references to other states and membership/concierge service models.
Marco Erickson — Referenced as someone who would understand the idea of a 'wicked problem.'
Marco Erickson — Referenced as having discussed challenges related to additional funding sources.
Marco Erickson — Representative Marco Erickson says he is not really asking a question but offering a statement of support, explaining that the proposal fits well within the strategic 'wheel' and 'hubs and spokes' framework he has discussed for years. He describes it as a top-tier prevention and intervention effort and appreciates that it includes an evaluation component. The chair then thanks him for his comment.
Royal Lockhart — Introduces himself as Division President of Children's Bridge, a project of Charity Reimagined.
Maggie Lyons — Identified as the President of Charity Reimagined's board.
Laura Cork — Laura Cork, a home-based child care provider, was highlighted as a participant in a pilot program who received technical assistance and coaching. The support helped her gain confidence, keep her business stable and profitable, and achieve notable quality milestones, including becoming the first provider in Idaho to earn five stars in the state’s quality achievers program. The discussion also noted her education, mentoring, and upcoming role on a board.
Laura — Laura is used as an example of a child care provider whose success came not from simply working harder, but from having the desire to grow and access to supportive services that made growth possible. She is referenced again to reinforce the point that stabilization support helped her experience succeed.
Ms. Lockhart — Ms. Lockhart responded to the committee’s question and explained that she had benefited from a shared services model when she was a child care director in another state. She described how that model helped her center, including during COVID when it served essential workers, and said it allowed her to retain staff, provide benefits, and build reserves.
Brooke Green — Brooke Green is brought online for the hearing, but the committee briefly struggles with audio and asks her to text a member while the issue is resolved. Once she can be heard, she proceeds with substantive questions about the proposal, asking for a brief explanation of infrastructure and discussing how shared services could help child care providers access health insurance, retirement planning, telehealth, and other benefits through economies of scale and shared membership costs. The exchange ends with confirmation that she received the clarification she needed.
Janie Ward-Engelking — Senator Janie Ward-Engelking is mentioned twice in a short exchange: first as someone Representative Green can text, and then again during a quick clarification while troubleshooting audio/text communication.
Treg Bernt — The chair is addressed, but the transcript mishears the name as 'Burton Shaw'; context suggests Senator Bernt.
Nancy Windmill — Introduced as the next presenter and asked to state her name and representation.
Nancy Windmill — The committee member thanked Nancy Windmill for being present and for her information, praised her work with youth assessment centers, and described her as a champion for kids whose advocacy is appreciated.
Nancy Wood Mill — Introduced herself as representing the Idaho Safety Assessment Center Coalition and as Executive Director of Simply Hope Family Outreach in Burley.
Ashley Dell — Ashley Dell, the director of IDJC, is referenced in connection with an email outlining next steps for oversight. The discussion continues with the witness noting extensive conversations with her about the transition and that she wrote specific language related to the transition and accountability.
Janica — Mentioned as the person who will pass out the copy of the email later.
Soñia Galaviz — Representative Galaviz thanked the witness for the presentation and then continued by referencing prior committee discussion about sustainability and partnerships, expressing support while raising related concerns.
Ms. Windmill — Ms. Windmill responded to questions about sustainability and explained that she has been working with Ashley Dell at IDJC. After her testimony, the committee thanked her.
Sonia Howerton — Sonia Howerton, executive director of the Idaho Network of Children’s Advocacy Centers, presents a funding request to sustain Idaho’s CACs amid declining federal support and a prior state appropriation that helped bridge the gap. She explains the CAC model for those unfamiliar with it, describing how the 10 centers statewide coordinate law enforcement, medical and mental health professionals, child protective services, and prosecutors to support abused children and non-offending caregivers, prevent future harm, and provide forensic interviews. She clarifies that cases do not only arise from children removed from homes with legal issues; referrals can come through law enforcement, CPS, medical providers, or established investigation protocols, and not all involve state custody. She then outlines the proposed one-year bridge funding to preserve core services and trauma-informed support, and walks through the statewide network map, naming centers in places such as Lewiston, Nampa, Boise, Twin Falls, Pocatello, Idaho Falls, Rigby, and Salmon, including mobile outreach for rural Idaho.