Greetings YDEKC Members and Friends –
2016 has gotten off to a fast and furious start! The 2016 legislative session in Olympia is already in full swing. Implementation planning for Best Starts is getting underway at the County, and changes are afoot in our local school districts and cities. There’s tons of momentum behind social emotional learning movements locally and nationally, and dozens of ways to grow your capacity as a non-profit leader. Dig in to this newsletter for more on all fronts. Also, don’t forget to check out our new website, and like us on facebook and twitter!
In Service,
Jessica
Executive Director, Youth Development Executives of King County
ydekc.org | jwerner@ydekc.org | 206.336.6912
Advocacy: Garnering systemic support of the youth development field
YDEKC Legislative “Pre”view Summary
On January 15th, YDEKC members and friends heard from key partners around happenings in Olympia this legislative session.
Jon Gould, Deputy Director at Children’s Alliance reminded us that just because it is a short session in Olympia this year, good or bad legislation can become law, so stay involved! Sharonne Navas of the Equity in Education Coalition gave a run down on McCleary and education funding, largely expecting few funding decisions to happen this session, but is staying vigilant about HOW money gets used, not only how MUCH money gets invested. David Beard, Advocacy lead at School’s Out Washington shared opportunities to continue to educate legislators about the importance of afterschool and the Expanded Learning Opportunity field this session and Erin Shea McCann of the Mockingbird Society, shared priorities for Washington Coalition for Homeless Youth Advocacy.
To get involved, here are a few excellent opportunities to have your voice heard in Olympia on behalf of – or with – young people!
- January 29th, Youth Advocacy Day 2016, hosted by Mockingbird Society. Join over 250 youth and allies in Olympia with a youth-inspired legislative agenda and our signature orange scarves, you can join our youth advocates and meet with elected officials to make a difference for your community. The day includes amazing speeches by youth, policymakers, and fellow advocates. You can also join the rally and march around the capitol to help break down perceptions that stand in the way of every youth and young adult having a safe and stable home. Starting Location: United Churches of Olympia, 110 11th Avenue SE, Olympia, WA 98501. Plan on attending? Register today!
- February 16th, Have a Heart for Kids Day, 10:00am – 3:00pm, hosted by Children’s Alliance. When we raise our voices together, we win the change that kids and families need. Join us! REGISTER NOW!
2016 Non-Profit Legislative Reception,
Governer’s Mansion
February 2nd 5:30pm-7:00pm
In partnership with Philanthropy Northwest and the United Ways of the Pacific Northwest, Washington Nonprofits is hosting the 2016 Nonprofit Legislative Reception. This is a great opportunity to meet the First Lady, legislators, and members of the nonprofit community. Appetizers and drinks will be served. The reception is free and only open to members of the three hosting organizations listed. Register here.
Good News for No Cuts
For the legislature to fully fund education without significantly cutting other services by their 2018 deadline, they will need every available (and probably some new) revenue streams. That makes the news last week by the King County judge that I-1366 (the Eyman initiative that was passed this past November) is unconstitutional very good news. There will likely be an appeal to the Washington State Supreme Court, but good news for now.
Child Care space challenge in Seattle Public Schools
As you have likely heard, the Seattle School Board voted 6-1 last week in favor of converting 19 childcare spaces into regular K-12 Instructional classrooms. With increasing enrollment and decreased class size mandates by the state in the early grades, there is a severe shortage of space within Seattle Public School buildings. Finding affordable childcare before and aftershool is quickly becoming a crisis for families within Seattle – and other municipalities. We are working with our members, SPS and others to mitigate the challenges that this space crunch is causing in hopes of ensuring there is no loss of care for our shared students. See Seattle Times coverage about the issues here and here or follow School’s Out Washington to stay up to speed. Impacted schools will be notified on February 3rd if they will need to convert space.
Outcomes: Promoting common youth development outcomes
YDEKC continues to play a role in elevating motivation and engagement and social emotional learning in partnership with the Road Map Project and with and for our members. Much is happening in this space locally and nationally as recognition of the importance of the skills and dispositions that influence youth success grows.
SPS School Reports released for 2014-2015
Student Motivation and Engagement is now included as a construct in Seattle’s roll up of data at the building level for middle and high schools! The reports show a brief snapshot of a school’s academic growth, student climate, accountability, family and staff engagement, and overall school performance. Visit the SPS school report webpage for individual school reports. Many other districts are now including these and similar constructs in their student perception surveys. Is yours?
The SEL Workforce Connection
AIR’s Ready for Work? How Afterschool Programs Can Support Employability Through Social and Emotional Learning — the second Research to Action brief in a series focused on afterschool and expanded learning—is a focused summary of research on employability skills and how SEL supports these skills. AIR believes it is essential that research findings reach practitioners who can make use of them to inform their programs and practices.
A Field Guide for SEL
The David P. Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality has been working with the Susan Crown Exchange (SCE) and fellow youth organizations to launch Preparing Youth to Thrive: Promising Practices for Social and Emotional Learning. The first educational field guide of its kind, Preparing Youth to Thrive: Promising Practices for Social and Emotional Learning sheds new light on ways to help equip today’s youth with the valuable social and emotional learning (SEL) skills they need to succeed. To learn more Explore SELpractices.org OR Download the Field Guide. REGISTER HERE for a one hour webinar on Wednesday, January 27th at noon PST to learn more.
Capacity Building: Increasing member capacity through professional development and networking opportunities
Training Opportunities with Leadership for Change:
– Giving & Receiving Feedback Webinar
January 27th 11:30am-1:00pm
During this interactive webinar, supervisors will learn and practice key skills and attitudes for giving and receiving feedback. For more info, click here.
– Supervisor Roundtable Series
1st Wednesdays of every month March-June 2016
The 2100 Building, 9am-12pm. Click here for registration and more information.
2016 Annual Service Learning Symposium
Cleavland High School, February 20th from 8-3:30
Service Learning Seattle is Announcing an upcoming opportunity to learn about the development of high quality K-12 service learning and project based learning pedagogy. The 2016 Annual Service Learning Symposium supported by Service Learning Seattle, Seattle Public Schools, SOAR-King County Youth Development Network, CommonAction, Youth Development Executives of King County, and Seattle Public Library.
The Washington Sate Non-Profit Conference: “Designing Our Future”
Meydenbauer Center, 11100 NE 6th Street, Bellevue, Washington 98004
5/16/16 – 5/17/16 9:00am – 5:00pm
Join the 2016 Washington State Nonprofit Conference to explore ways human centered design can connect people, transform programs and advance causes. Registration is now open at the early bird rate. Click here to register and here for a more detailed look at their conference themes and tracks.
Boomerang Giving – new Fundraising App!
Boomerang Giving is a new local nonprofit devising new ways for baby boomers and others over 65 to “give back.” It has developed a mobile app that provides an easy way for older Americans to redirect (“Boomerang”) their senior discounts to support the nonprofits and communities they love. The app roll out is scheduled for later this winter and nonprofits are now being enrolled. Click here to learn more about how to get involved with Boomerang Giving.
Seattle Public Schools Professional Development Calendar for Education Partners
You can now register for the second semester of training’s in the Professional Development Calendar for Education Partners. The full calendar is here – full workshop and registration links begin on page 3. There are a number of exciting trainings offered for the remainder of the school year, including Part 2 of our training on the RULER curriculum, Cultivating a Growth Mindset, Cultural Competency and Responsiveness, and a host of great trainings put on by the Creative Advantage. See the calendar for more details on the workshops offered for the remainder of the 2015-16 school year. If you have questions, contact Rivka Burstein-Stern, rmbursteinst@seattleschools.org, (206) 252-0688.
TableTalks Peer Learning Groups
March-June 2016
Registration is now open for Peer Learning Groups! These TableTalks are facilitated, personalized peer-learning groups that are comprised of 10 to 14 participants who meet monthly as a cohort for three hour sessions. These supportive groups are facilitated by Janet Boguch and her experienced TableTalks Facilitator Team. Follow this link for more information and here for registration.
Members on the Move
Welcome new YDEKC member Jordan Goldwarg at Kids4Peace! Kids4Peace is an interfaith peace education organization dedicated to helping children of different cultures and faith traditions explore their differences and similarities and learn understanding, tolerance, and respect while fostering sustainable friendships across lines of conflict. Check them out!
Congratulations to the new Executive Director for College Access Now, Sheri Ranis!
With more than 20 years of experience in education, the nonprofit sector and national philanthropy, Sheri brings tremendous knowledge and expertise to her new role. Her lifetime of work has been focused on promoting educational innovation and equity.
Welcome new SOAR director Paula Steinke!
Paula served as the Community Engagement Manager for Child Care Resources. She has a strong background in early learning work, has been a long-time SOAR partner, and understands the importance of SOAR’s work across the developmental continuum. Congrats Paula!
Thank you for continuing to work together to advance the youth development field. Hope to see you soon!
The YDEKC Team
Jessica Werner, Executive Director
Sarah Terry, Research & Evaluation Manager
Andrea Lopez-Diaz, Member Engagement & Communications