Association links parents to caregivers Published Sept. 24, 2009 By Airman 1st Class Amber Kelly-Herard 375th Airlift Wing Public Affairs SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Every day parents at Scott take their children to Child Development Centers, Family Child Care homes and the Youth Center for about eight hours a day. Making that time most beneficial for each child is the mission of The Involved Parent's Association. The IPA is the direct liaison between parents and the caregivers which works to further improve the care-giving facilities at Scott. "Involvement supports the caregivers and provides a more secure learning environment for the child," said Tech. Sgt. Kimberly Derr, a member of the IPA who is assigned to the 375th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron. "It is also important to build a parent-caregiver relationship to see how your child is learning and interacting." IPA is similar to a parent teacher association because parents can address questions or concerns, provide comments and suggestions and even praise. Current IPA president, Staff Sgt. Brian Woodland, said, "Directors are there to answer questions directly, or you can e-mail me if you want to ask a question anonymously." Besides meetings, IPA hosts two fundraisers a year. Last year, the profits bought butterfly kits for each organization and "Identi-kits" which scanned fingerprints and put them on disc for parents. The association also hosts Provider Appreciation Day twice a year, which includes providing lunch and roses to all of the childcare facilities' providers. "We are looking for more ideas such as activities and field trips, as well as support for providers," said Sergeant Derr. Sergeant Woodland added the organization is seeking new members. "Your children are there for more than eight hours a day and maybe the providers could be doing more or something different, but no one has brought it up, which is why we need more parents as members of IPA," he said. The next IPA meeting will be held Nov. 10 at 11:30 a.m. at Pronto Pizza. At the next meeting, elections for new officers will be conducted.