Week 4

Welcome to Week Four of Motivation Monday!

Want to make an impact but don’t know where to start? The answer is simple: Telling your story. YOUR personal experiences are powerful tools for change—they help decision-makers understand the real-life impact of policies and programs.

Here’s how you can begin:
Learn the basics: Check out this guide on crafting your story. It walks you through how to structure your message to create a lasting impact. Follow this link to learn more, https://padlet.com/IdahoParentsUnlimited/champion-for-change-the-power-of-a-personal-story-4tyc7s8sp1sn41tl/wish/E851Q0YpOBNlZVAb
Take it further: Use this storytelling toolkit to refine your approach and feel confident sharing your experiences. Follow this link to learn more, https://padlet.com/IdahoParentsUnlimited/champion-for-change-the-power-of-a-personal-story-4tyc7s8sp1sn41tl/wish/Ae2RavDMX9Y8Znz4

Pro Tip: Focus on how policies or programs have affected you or your family. Keep it clear, personal, and solution-focused for maximum impact!

[Week 4] Legislative Update This Week’s Highlights:
Key Legislative Actions:
STATE – Fred Riggers Disability Awareness Day is an annual event in Idaho that honors the legacy of Fred Riggers, a dedicated advocate for individuals with disabilities. This year, the event is scheduled for February 5th, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM Mountain Time, at the Idaho State Capitol in Boise. Fred Riggers Disability Awareness day provides an opportunity for individuals with disabilities, their families, caregivers, and supporters to engage directly with state legislators. Participants can share personal stories, discuss pressing issues such as the direct care workforce shortage, housing challenges, and digital accessibility, and advocate for policies that enhance the lives of those with disabilities.
STATE – Idaho House Bill No. 75: Public schools, facilities funding
This bill would create a fund to help public schools improve their buildings. Schools can apply for grants based on need to help pay for construction, remodeling, or maintenance of school facilities. To apply, schools must submit a detailed plan explaining the project, the current condition of their buildings, estimated costs, past attempts to raise money through bonds, and their financial situation. Rural school districts will be given priority. The State Board of Education will review and approve applications with input from the Idaho Department of Education and the Division of Public Works.
STATE – Idaho Senate Bill No.1032: Distraction Free Learning Policy
Research shows that mobile devices can negatively affect students’ learning. This bill requires schools to evaluate how mobile device use impacts students and create policies to support focused, distraction-free learning. Each school district will have the flexibility to design policies that best fit their students and community.
STATE – Idaho Senate Bill No. 1036: Human Gene Therapy, Moratorium
The “Doug Cameron Act” would temporarily ban the use of any gene therapy product for treating infectious diseases in Idaho, no matter how it is given or whether it is officially called a vaccine. This applies even if the product does not meet Idaho’s legal definition of a vaccine.
STATE – Idaho Senate Bill No. 1038: World Health Organization Mandates
This bill adds a new section to Idaho law stating that the state of Idaho cannot be forced to follow or enforce rules or mandates from the World Health Organization (WHO).

FEDERAL – As you may know this week there was a pause on federal funding for grants and loans. While we are so glad to report that pause has been rescinded and our funding has been reinstated, we know that we still have work to do to remind our congressmen of the important work that Idaho Parents Unlimited does to support families in our state. If you feel
inclined, you can contact Idaho’s Federal Congressmen to share how Idaho Parents Unlimited has supported your family or community and why these programs are essential. You can find your lawmakers’ contact information here below along with a template for families/partners to use should you choose to compose a letter or email. Follow the link below to find our template letter that you can use to reach out to Idaho’s representatives. This link also includes contact information for Idaho representatives. https://ipulidaho.org/traini…/urgent-your-voice-is-needed/
FEDERAL – Executive order to End Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling
Parents trust schools to provide a strong education and teach children to appreciate our country and its values. However, in recent years, some schools have introduced topics that many parents feel go against these values and limit their ability to be involved in their child’s learning. Some students have been taught to see themselves as either victims or oppressors based on race, while others have been encouraged to question their identity in ways that may create confusion and division within families.
Schools should not:
Teach children that one race is better or worse than another.
Suggest that students should feel guilty or responsible for historical injustices based on their race or background.
Encourage children to change their gender identity without informing parents.
Discriminate against students or staff in the name of “equity” or other social theories.
FEDERAL – Through an executive order the Department of Education is directed to provide guidance on how federal funds can be used to support scholarship programs for elementary and secondary students. The Department of Defense (DOD) must present a plan directly to Trump outlining how military families can utilize DOD funds to enroll their children in their school of choice. The Secretary of the Interior is tasked with developing a plan for Trump on how families with children in Bureau of Indian Education schools can access federal funding for alternative school options. Additionally, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must issue guidance on how states can allocate HHS funds to support attendance at private or faith-based schools.
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