September 5, 2024 By CDHD National Spotlight for IdahoSTARS's Royale Lockhart IdahoSTARS Lead Quality Child Care Consultant Royale Lockhart has been recognized by Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences (HOPE) for her work with the HOPE framework. This national organization emphasizes positive experiences as a tool to help young children grow into more resilient adults. It’s all about building and drawing from Positive Childhood Experiences – relationships, environment, engagement, and emotional growth – as a means to boost mental health within young children, particularly in times of emotional stress and trauma. Royale, who had been applying a similar philosophy in her work with Idaho child care providers, became a HOPE Champion in 2024. This training and certification provided her with the tools needed to become an expert on-the-ground. She can effectively support providers in the implementation of the HOPE framework. Not only is she doing just that, but she’s also taking things a step further by customizing the approach to the individual needs of the providers she works with. She has been able to help providers make meaningful connections between the framework and their unique cultures and environments. This connection helps to ensure they’re able to offer support in a way that works best for the children and families they serve. HOPE recognized Royale’s innovative approach, highlighting her work in an interview for their national blog. This helps to shine a light on the incredible work consultants like Royale are doing every day. It also shows how IdahoSTARS is providing valuable support to children and families across the state. Through training and support such as this, this Project and its staff are continually working to improve the quality of Idaho’s child care. You can read more about how Royale’s work through the HOPE website. Or, find out more about child care resources available to both providers and families through the IdahoSTARS website.