January 28-29, 2026 at the Boise Centre East
Check back here for updated details for the 2026 IHSA Conference, Membership Meeting, & Awards Dinner!
Book your hotel room at the Hampton Inn & Suites Boise - Downtown using our room block reservation link! Or call 208-331-1900 and book under the Idaho Head Start Association Annual Conference group rate. BOOK BY DECEMBER 29th!
Meet your keynote speaker!
Stuart Perry “Mister Stu”
Stuart “Mister Stu” Perry, LCSW, ASDCS, is a globally recognized child therapist and professional speaker who has worked in professional children’s mental health settings since 2011—and has spent his entire life working with kids in a wide range of roles and environments around the world. Stuart brings a dynamic and engaging presentation style that captivates audiences and leaves a lasting impact.
Stuart's compelling storytelling and actionable strategies have made him a sought-after speaker at conferences, educational institutions, and professional events worldwide. His presentations are characterized by humor, inspiration, and practical advice, tailored to the specific needs of his audience. Committed to advocating for children's mental health and well-being, Stuart emphasizes the importance of play, understanding, and believing in every child's potential.
With his deep understanding of child behavior and his dedication to making a positive impact, Stuart "Mister Stu" Perry is the ideal speaker for any event seeking to inspire and engage their audience.
Yvette Sanchez Fuentes, Sr Vice President of National Policy, Start Early
Prior to joining Start Early, Yvette served as Director of the Office of Head Start, a Presidential Political Appointee.
A nationally recognized early childhood expert, Yvette has been influential in driving effective policy and practice change in areas of Head Start, child care and the workforce through intentional engagement of stakeholders. Yvette has dedicated her professional career to understanding how policy, research and implementation impact lifelong outcomes for young children and their families struggling with adversities (low-income households, migrant and seasonal farm workers, immigrant communities, American Indian and Alaska Native populations and dual language learners).
For our general session, Yvette will be delivering a state of the union address for early childhood education and Head Start, letting you know what you can do in these rapidly-changing times, providing historical context, and ending with a Q&A.
Learn more about Yvette and Start Early, here.
The quarterly Head Start Program Directors’ Meeting will be held on Friday, January 30th, 9 am to 2 pm in the Salmon Room of the Hampton Inn & Suites Boise - Downtown
Interested in presenting at the conference? Email Megan at mwoller@idahohsa.org or call at 208-245-1182.