January 16, 2025 By CDHD National spotlight for Idaho's Pyramid Model The National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations (NCPMI) recently shinned a spotlight on the Idaho Pyramid Model Collaborative, recognizing our state’s cross-sector effort to “build the capacity of early childhood programs” and “promote the development of social, emotional and behavioral skills” for children across Idaho. The Idaho Pyramid Model Collaborative works to support early childhood education by promoting engagement, improving social skills and reducing challenging behaviors in early childhood programs throughout the state. This includes collaborative support from the CDHD, IdahoSTARS and Idaho SESTA who work with the Idaho State Department of Education and other state partners to improve early childhood outcomes. The project implements the Pyramid Model across early care and education environments. This conceptual framework of evidence-based practices promotes healthy social and emotional development by offering coaching and technical assistance that: addresses disparities in discipline practices uses data for decision making promotes family engagement fosters inclusion for children with, and at risk for, developmental disabilities. The Pyramid Model provides guidance for early childhood special education personnel, early intervention professionals, child care educators, families and other professionals. The project implements a three-year program with coaching that focuses on program leadership. The aim is to develop internal coaching capacity and build teacher knowledge to support healthy social and emotional development in young children. The project also provides technical assistance and professional development to teams, identified practitioner coaches and instructional staff. The Idaho Pyramid Model Collaborative is currently working with three Head Start programs, eight school districts and 27 child care locations across the state. This year, the project reported that 78% of participants reported being satisfied or very stratified with the Pyramid Model supports they received in 2024-25. For more information about the Idaho Pyramid Model Collaborative, visit the website, which includes an online resource library. About the NCPMI The NCPMI is a federally funded project established to disseminate the effective use of the Pyramid Model across the US. It works to improve state and local capacity to implement, grow and sustain Pyramid Model practices and policies. For more information, visit challengingbehavior.org.