Kristine Bjorum is employed with the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Sioux Empire. She has served as Director of Early Learning Program Development for 5 years providing staff training and support through development of curriculum and learning environments. She has been involved in various professional organizations, providing employee professional development, establishment of health & safety systems and curriculum enhancement programming. Kristine has worked in early childhood for 20+ years in a variety of roles as public school teacher, family child care owner, center based child care Head Start teacher and as an adult educator through the ECE programs. She has a BS in Special & Elementary Education and gave up her teaching contract when she experienced challenges to find accessible, affordable, quality child care for her own three small children.