Jordan Redman — Representative Jordan Redman first appears in brief references during an oversight discussion, then presents a proposal for a statewide drug-use awareness campaign. He identifies himself as representing District 3 in Kootenai County and explains that the initiative is intended as a broad, statewide media effort to drive cultural change and reduce drug use. He emphasizes reaching children and families through schools and through peers, parents, mentors, and grandparents.
Jordan Redman — Concluded that the campaign is intended to broadly shape culture and address drug dangers statewide.
Mr. Sherman — Was asked to explain the grant selection process.
Brandon Mitchell — Representative Brandon Mitchell asked how organizations find families who need help, prompting the response to his question.
Brandon Mitchell — Representative Brandon Mitchell asks a question and then follows up on the same topic, seeking clarification about funding for daycares, including what happens beyond 2029 and whether other funding sources are available.
Marco Erickson — Referenced as someone who knows the issue is a 'wicked problem.'
Marco Erickson — Referenced as having discussed challenges related to funding and sustainability.
Marco Erickson — Representative Erickson makes a brief statement in support of the proposal, saying it fits well with the strategic wheel and hubs-and-spokes framework he has emphasized in recent years. He describes it as a strong top-tier prevention/intervention effort and appreciates the built-in evaluation component.
Royal Lockhart — Introduced himself as Division President of Children's Bridge, a project of Charity Reimagined.
Maggie Lyons — Identified as President of Charity Reimagined's board and present with the speaker.
Laura Cork — Laura Cork is presented as a success story from the child care pilot: a home-based provider who raised tuition, kept families, stayed open and became profitable after receiving support, later becoming the first Idaho provider to earn five stars in the state's Quality Achievers program and continuing her education. The broader point is that her success came from support systems, not just individual effort.
Laura — Used as an example of a child care provider who succeeded with supportive services and business stability.
Laura — Laura is discussed as an example of a home child care provider in the shared-services model, with the later mention adding that she also provides care for foster children and receives some payment assistance.
Ms. Lockhart — Ms. Lockhart acknowledged that the shared services model has a confusing name, then explained her personal support for it based on experience as a child care director in another state. She said that during COVID her center was able to serve essential workers, and as a result of shared services she retained nearly all staff, secured medical benefits for employees, and built a capital fund and three-month operating reserve for the nonprofit center.
Brooke Green — Representative Brooke Green joins the meeting online and attempts to ask a question, but the committee has difficulty hearing her. Members repeatedly try to reconnect her audio and ask her to text a committee member while the issue is resolved. Once communication is restored, she receives clarification on her question about how many providers are currently served.
Alison Rabe — During a brief exchange, Senator Janie Ward-Engelking is identified as the person Representative Green can text while the committee waits, and the reference is then corrected/repeated to clarify the same point.
Soñia Galaviz — Representative Galaviz is referenced in connection with texting and clarifying Representative Green's question.
Soñia Galaviz — Representative Galaviz thanked Nancy for the presentation and praised the work, then raised concerns about sustainability in light of federal cuts and a challenging budget. He clarified that the committee does not intend the funding to be ongoing and asked what active steps are being taken, where the centers will be housed in the future, and what the plan is to make them sustainable.
Rob Beiswenger — The chair is addressed with a garbled name while responding to Representative Mitchell.
Nancy Windmill — Introduced as the next witness for Idaho Safety Assessment Centers.
Nancy Wood Mill — Introduced herself as representing the Idaho Safety Assessment Center Coalition and as Executive Director of Simply Hope Family Outreach in Burley.
Ms. Windmill — Explained ongoing discussions with IDJC about a sustainable oversight structure.
Sonia Howerton — Sonia Howerton, executive director of the Idaho Network of Children’s Advocacy Centers, testified in support of a grant request for one-time bridge funding to sustain core CAC services in FY 2027. She explained the Children’s Advocacy Center model, noting that Idaho has 10 centers serving the state and that CACs provide coordinated responses to child abuse cases, forensic interviews, and prevention-oriented support for children and non-offending caregivers. She described the funding challenge created by declining federal support and referenced a prior state appropriation as part of the transition, emphasizing that the proposed bridge funding would help maintain services for one year. She also clarified that referrals to CACs can come from law enforcement, child protective services, or medical practitioners, and then began identifying the statewide network’s centers, including newer and larger sites such as Lewiston, Nampa, Boise, Twin Falls, Pocatello, and Idaho Falls.
James Woodward — Addressed by the witness while listing centers in northern Idaho.
Ms. Howerton — She was thanked for her presentation and then questioned by the committee.
Ms. Harrington — Ms. Harrington responded to the committee question about coordination and oversight.
Ross Edmonds — Ross Edmonds, from the Department of Health and Welfare, continued presenting the same funding request for the Kamiah-based Upper River Youth Leadership Council/Recovery Community Center. He explained that the center has been operating for some time and doing important work with youth in Clearwater County, referred members to a handout in the packet, acknowledged responsibility for the delayed application and said it had been resolved, and noted that the request is supported by the governor and included in the governor’s budget.
Mr. Edmonds — Mr. Edmonds discussed the Department of Health and Welfare’s accountability and oversight of recovery centers, explaining that the existing centers are meeting criteria, annual reports have been submitted, and quarterly funding/monitoring requirements help ensure accountability. He said the Millennium Fund has provided annual funding for the centers, that the Upper River Recovery Center should follow the same path as the existing centers, and that the department’s oversight is tied to the budget’s intent language. When asked about broader oversight beyond recovery centers, he noted the department collaborates with many entities, said those partnerships have been strong, and offered to take the broader oversight question back to the department for further discussion with the committee.
— Seconded the motion to approve the minutes.
Roger Sherman — Roger Sherman introduces himself as the executive director of the Idaho Children’s Trust Fund after being asked to state his name and affiliation for the record. After a brief interruption, he continues his testimony by discussing the fund’s work, including the impacts and prevalence of adverse childhood experiences in Idaho, and explains that grant decisions are made by a board of directors composed of community members with relevant expertise and experience.
Jordan Redman — Representative Redmond is referenced as an example of a supported project area, then Jordan Redman asks how grant recipients are selected, and the discussion continues with his question being answered.
Jordan Redman — Asked whether similar programs exist in Idaho or elsewhere in the nation.
— Moved to approve the minutes from December 17, 2025.
— His district is cited as an example of where the trust fund supports work.