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ABOUT ION

Mission

The Idaho Out-of-School Network’s (ION) mission is to build, advocate for, and lead a strong out-of-school community. ION provides tools and resources to increase access to quality youth programs.

Vision

Every Idaho child has an opportunity to learn and thrive through participation in a high quality out-of-school program.

Goal Areas

We are bringing public and private sectors together to accomplish these goals, as well as to advocate for policy and investment in the quality and expansion of Idaho’s OST programs.

Increase Awareness and Access

ION is continuing to build and maintain a program directory as well as a partnership directory. ION regularly increases awareness of out-of-school and it’s importance via a monthly newsletter, social media posts, creating program profiles, holding annual roundtables, and more.

Organize Policy and Partnerships

ION is working to sustain/develop funding that will support out-of-school programming. ION regularly participates in relevant advocacy days at the Capitol, hosts a panel at the Power Up Summit, and encourages programs to participate in Lights On Afterschool each October.

Nurture Quality and Professional Development

ION continues to maintain and grow the Idaho Building Blocks for Out-of-School Time Quality. ION also provides access to resources and trainings via an online professional development calendar, online resources, monthly webinars, and an annual summit.

ION Sign

Our History

The Idaho Out-of-School Network (ION) officially kicked off in October of 2014 after a year of laser-focused planning. Yet, the Idaho Out-of-School Network has roots that began in 2006 with Governor Kempthorne as the Idaho AfterSchool Alliance. Governor Risch continued the program, but unfortunately due to budget cuts, it was not able to sustain itself and ended in 2007.

Yet, those that saw the vision of what a program could do for Idaho, never let the concept die. In the planning stages, we were able to seek feedback and guidance to ensure a strong foundation for a sustainable program. Before the relaunch, Idaho was one of only six states that did not have a statewide program like the Idaho Out-of-School Network.

Thanks to a grant from the C.S.Mott Foundation, matched by Idaho dollars, ION continues to do its important work.

In 2017, the Network changed its name from Idaho AfterSchool Network to Idaho Out-of-School Network to better reflect the nature of our work.

Powering the Future: Supporting STEM Education in Idaho

Find out how the TMC mobile labs are transforming learning.
Explore the initiative that brings STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education directly to rural and underserved communities across Idaho. Learn about the innovative Think, Make, Create (TMC) Mobile Makerspace labs and witness how students across the state are using these cutting-edge tools to develop critical skills, foster creativity, and prepare for the challenges of the future.

OUR SERVICES

The Idaho Out-of-School Network provides out-of-school professionals with resources, tools and training to serve more youth. Here are some ways the Idaho Out-of-School Network serves you:
  • Professional conferences & staff training events
  • Promotional events, Afterschool Champions and Lights On Afterschool
  • Learning Academy and online Webinars
  • Community Roundtables
  • Professional Newsletters & Social Media
  • STEM Partnerships and TMC mobile makerspace labs
  • Research Partnerships for Data/Presentations
  • Site Visits

Our Staff

ANNA ALMERICO

Senior Program Director

208.947.4271
aalmerico@jannus.org

Active, engaged, curious, and dedicated, Anna Almerico has built strong organizations that expand opportunities and improve the lives of youth in Idaho. Anna has a B.A. in Criminal Justice from the University of St. Thomas and served two years in the U.S. Peace Corps. She completed a White Riley Peterson Fellowship in Policy through Furman University in 2023 and has served on the Idaho Workforce Development Council since 2022.
 
Growing up in rural Minnesota, Anna grew up trying her hand at nearly every afterschool activity possible, including baton twirling, softball, cheer, Girl Scouts, FLA, and marching band. With more than 20 years directing nonprofit work, Anna leads the Idaho Out-of-School Network, working to expand opportunity and access for youth and families across Idaho.

TINA GOSSELIN

ION Project Coordinator

tgosselin@jannus.org

The outdoors has always been an important place for Tina Gosselin. Growing up in New Hampshire until the age of 21, her early days were spent afterschool playing softball, gymnastics, engaging in Girl Scouts, going to the YMCA, hanging out in the library, camping, swimming, hiking with friends and family, and lots of Ghosts in The Graveyard played with neighborhood kids on humid summer evenings. During college, Idaho became Tina’s home where she enjoys the beautiful scenery of Idaho’s forests, deserts and rivers with her husband and daughter. As her daughter grew, it was important to involve her in fun and engaging opportunities afterschool. Not all children have access to the right opportunities to keep them engaged afterschool, and she feels strongly that organizations like Idaho Out-of-School Network are necessary. She is very excited to be part of a group that helps children find their passions and enjoyment through engaging in out-of-school activities.

AMY POST

Think Make Create Labs Program Manager

208.789.6325
apost@jannus.org

Amy Post is an experienced, non-traditional educator who creates, organizes and leads after-school programing, summer camps, and environmental and outdoor education programs. She’s also a fully-certified alpine ski instructor and taught skiing for 14 years. She holds a M.S. in Environmental Education from Southern Oregon University and a B.A. in English and Global Studies from Pacific Lutheran University. As a young kid, Amy enjoyed Girl Scouts, playing outside and figure skating when she wasn’t in school, and then turned to ski racing, music and youth groups in her teenage years. Now, she enjoys being active outdoors: gardening, skiing, biking, hiking or just strolling through the neighborhood. She’s also an avid reader and crafty-lady, who likes to sew, embroider and bead.

Natalia DiGiosia

Operations and Strategy Manager

ndigiosia@jannus.org

Natalia DiGiosia is the Operations and Strategy Manager for the Idaho Out-of-School Network (ION), where she works to strengthen resources and advocacy for out-of-school time programs across Idaho. She holds a B.A. in Writing, Rhetoric, and Technical Communication from Boise State University, where she enjoyed collaborating with students as a Writing Center consultant. Writing has always been at Natalia’s core. First introduced to creative writing in her youth, Natalia has since adored the craft–whether composing personal memoirs or analyzing technical grants.

Outside of her work with ION, Natalia serves as a Board Member and Volunteer Coordinator for Story Story Night. She also loves dancing, biking the Greenbelt, studying Italian, and teaching knitting classes

Emma Claire James

Policy and Data Intern

ejames@jannus.org

Emma Claire James is a passionate advocate for youth out-of-school involvement and deeply cares about bringing voice and support to underserved or underrepresented communities. Her experience as a Youth Programs Coordinator and Camp Director have grown her desire to see children and young people thrive through meaningful opportunities.

Emma holds three B.A. degrees in Social Work, International Relations – Political Science, and Religious Studies from Northwest Nazarene University. She is now pursuing her Master of Social Work degree with a specialization in Policy Practice at Columbia University.

She herself was involved in any out-of-school options she could find growing up and has seen firsthand the support and growth of these opportunities. She has participated in theater, music, various sports, volunteer clubs, and most opportunities imaginable. She credits the development these programs have brought to much of her career and life goals. Aside from professional development, she has many hobbies and interests which involve exploring outdoors such as running, biking, hiking, skiing or being crafty such as baking, latte art, or photography.

RAINE SIMPLOT

Out-of-School Time Specialist

208.947.4274
rsimplot@jannus.org

As a child, Raine grew up outside, camping, fishing, hiking and playing on the beach. Although she engaged in many out-of-school activities including cheer, synchronized swimming and ballet, her first love was always books. She still enjoys reading them, listening to them, talking about them, recommending them and buying them. At university, she studied Spanish, French and Secondary Education and received her M.Ed. in Bilingual Education. She has taught French and Spanish to students in the United States and English as a New Language to students in Mexico, Europe and China.

Paul Verhage

AmeriCorp Member

pverhage@jannus.org

Dr. Paul Verhage is the Idaho Out-of-School Network’s 2025–26 AmeriCorps member. A retired high school science teacher with expertise in chemistry, physics, astronomy, and electronics, Paul brings a wealth of STEM knowledge and enthusiasm to programs across Idaho. During his AmeriCorps term, he’ll visit out-of-school programs to lead hands-on STEM activities, mentor educators, and help expand our Think Make Create Labs.

JOIN THE SEARCHABLE DIRECTORY OF YOUTH PROGRAMS

List your youth program for free on ION’s searchable online database. Families and youth are looking for out-of-school time options now.
SEARCH PROGRAMS