Ida serves as the Early Care and Education (ECE) Liaison.  In this role she connects SAM to organizations and leaders who impact families with children Prenatal to 5 years of age.  Ida was formerly employed by Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System Child Development Program (1976 – 2009).  During her time at SRHS, she supervised the Infant and Toddler Program (1976-1991). In 1991, she became the program director and served until 2009.   In 2004, Spartanburg Regional renamed the center the “Ida Thompson Child Development Program” in honor of her contributions. Ida served as Executive Director of the Children’s Services Alliance until it merged with the College Hub to form SAM (2012).

Ida earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Georgia Southern University, Masters in Education, and Education Specialist Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Converse College. She is an adjunct instructor in the Child Development and Family Studies baccalaureate program at the University of South Carolina Upstate.  Ida is currently on the Spartanburg County First Steps Board and on the Partner Advisory Counsel of The Franklin School.