June 12, 2025 By CDHD Act Early Idaho: meet our new Deputy Ambassadors Act Early Idaho recently welcomed three new Deputy Ambassadors to the team. Phyllis Vernon, Heather Lee and Amanda Mills. All three are dedicated early childhood professionals who have already hit the ground running! “As an Act Early Deputy Ambassador, I am thrilled to connect meaningful dots of collaboration across our state so that children and families truly receive the support they deserve,” said Heather. Collaborating with Melissa Crist, the CDC’s Ambassador for Idaho, Heather, Phyllis and Amanda are working to expand the impact of Learn the Signs Act Early. This CDC initiative promotes healthy development for children birth to five years old. It provides resources and tools that make identifying early development milestones practical and easy. All tools encourage ongoing parent-engaged developmental monitoring while supporting developmental screening to identify any concerns early. “I see this role as a bridge – connecting families and professionals with resources, networks and opportunities. My goal is to create an environment that fosters growth and resilience,” said Phyllis when asked how she envisioned supporting families and professionals through this role. Amanda added, “I get to help equip parents and caregivers with the tools and knowledge to better understand their child’s development – helping them feel confident, informed and supported.” “What’s most exciting about being an Act Early Ambassador is the opportunity to make a meaningful, lasting impact on children and families,” she said. Together, the new Deputy Ambassadors are working on integrating early identification strategies into their professional roles, with a focus on supporting early childhood professionals and families with young children. The team’s efforts will help strengthen early developmental monitoring and facilitate timely support for children. This will help ensure that young children are able to continue to learn new skills while reducing the need for expensive interventions over time. For more information about this project, or access to online resources and tools, visit the Act Early Idaho website.