Greetings YDEKC Members and Friends –
Summer is here! We hope that your vacations are planned and lake swims and barbecues are on the horizon. We also recognize that summer doesn’t look the same for kids across our communities. I was glad to share a blog post on the Gates Foundation Impatient Optimists blog about the Opportunity Gap that is particularly apparent during summer and afterschool hours. We know that closing persistent gaps is daunting, so here are a few things you can do right now to act on behalf of all of our kids:
1. Testify on July 13 at the hearing in support of the Best Starts for Kids Implementation Plan (see below for more info).
2. Register by June 30th for the early bird discount for the National Summer Learning Association & School’s Out Washington Conference this October.
3. Read the Amici Curiae Brief written by our friends at Columbia Legal Services, Equity in Education Coalition, Washington Low Income Housing Alliance and the Children’s Alliance about the importance of McCleary Sanctions advancing equity and educational opportunity.
4. Weigh in on the Wa State Expanded Learning Opportunities Council survey about afterschool and summer by June 30.
5. Check out National Summer Learning Day activities on July 14th.
6. Listen to Fatima Shama from the New York non-profit Fresh Air Fund talk to NPR’s Here and Now about the importance of getting kids outside this summer.
7. Check Out the OVER 1,000 programs now listed in thewww.youthprogramdirectory.org! Improved design coming soon so stay tuned!
We are also excited to announce that we are joining a new national learning community hosted by Every Hour Counts of local system builders to continue to advance the youth development field at home and nationally.
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
Action Alert: Best Starts for Kids Hearing July 13th
The Best Starts for Kids Implementation Plan moved forward to County Council on June 1st. On July 13th (time TBD) the Council will host a hearing to better understand the plan. Please attend and consider giving testimony at the hearing at the King County Council Chambers on the 10th floor of the King County Courthouse. You can also reach out to the Council Members with the talking points below prior to the July 13th hearing. Even if you do not testify, having a large presence at the 1st hearing will be a statement that the community and providers are very engaged in the process.
Please consider sending the following points to Council Members in a message:
- I support the Best Starts for Kids implementation plan as written.
- The “prevention and promotion” directive of the BSK Initiative is essential. We must begin addressing issues at their root which is what BSK is poised to do.
- The inclusion of funding to sustain the gains beyond early childhood and in support of young people 5-24 will be a national model.
- We are excited about the support and interest in supporting the full ecosystem of supports for kids, including smaller community based organizations.
And then…share any particular item of interest regarding your own organization that you feel important in relationship to Best Starts for Kids
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.
Will you administer end-of-summer parent or youth surveys?
It can be difficult to get good response rates on surveys, but it is important to hear from as many stakeholders as possible. Here are some quick tips for improving survey response:
- Minimize burden. Keep your survey short and to-the-point. Also try to make sure your respondents, whether they are children or adults, understand what you are asking.
- Send an invitation to participate. This can be a separate letter or e-mail message letting your stakeholders know that you will be asking for their input, and why.
- Explain how you use results. People will be more likely to spend time to provide feedback if they know you will listen and respond to what they tell you.
- Issue reminders. It is best to keep your response window short, and send several unique reminders (if you are not reaching out by e-mail, these can be phone calls). Your final reminder should be attention-getting (use humor or visuals if appropriate) and should make it clear that your survey window is closing.
- Use incentives. If your policy and your budget allow, you could offer a small incentive for participation (i.e. a chance to enter a drawing for a gift card or similar).
- Express gratitude. Be sure to thank your respondents, even if it is just in the form of an automated message at the end of a survey. And of course, the best form of thanks is to use the data you collect in your future planning efforts!
Student Success Link: Are you interested in using Student Success Link to access data on the students you serve this fall? Check out this information from the Puget Sound ESD on the on-boarding process for CBOs. Also, parent consent forms for Seattle and Renton are posted here; other Road Map region districts are coming soon! For more information on Student Success Link, visit the Student Success Data Partnership web page.
Capacity Building: Increasing member capacity through professional development and networking opportunities
United Way: Funding Opportunities– Supporting Youth – Dropout Prevention: Applications will be open June 15 – August 22, 2016. Agencies interested in applying for funding must request the application(s) ine‑CImpact. Learn more here or attend an optional application information session. RSVP here.
– Reconnecting Youth – Peer Connectors (Applications due mid-July 2016): A Request for Proposals will be released mid-June and due mid-July 2016. United Way of King County will fund three non-profit, community-based organizations to recruit and hire peer connectors (two per organization), young adults who have experienced barriers to achieving their education and employment goals, to conduct outreach activities in communities that are home to a high proportion of opportunity youth. Learn more.
– Reconnecting Youth – Retention Outreach/Case Management (Applications due July 2016): A Request for Proposals will be released in June and due July 2016. United Way of King County — in partnership with the Federal Way Acceleration Academy, a program of the Federal Way School District — is seeking a non-profit human services agency to provide retention outreach and supplemental case management services for 16-21-year-old youth enrolled in Open Doors-supported dropout re-engagement services at the Federal Way Acceleration Academy (FWAA). Click here for more information.
Racial Equity
In May, YDEKC’s Advisory Board confirmed five belief statements including one on race as follows: “We are committed to building a society where race is not a predictor of one’s success; We must address racism and racial inequities in our own organizations and institutions while also working for the policies, programs and systems in other sectors that will lead to optimum outcomes for all.”
Training of Trainers: Cultural Responsiveness & Racial Equity – August 8th-10th
SOWA has developed two training modules Cultural Responsiveness and Structural Racism. This TOT is geared towards experienced trainers who have received cultural responsive and racial equity trainings and are interested in committing to train on these modules. Applications from interested trainers must be submitted by June 30, 2016. The training will take place August 8-10, 2016 in Seattle. Click here to apply! Applicants must have a co-facilitator/trainer and apply in a team of two. For questions, please email Pang Chang at pchang@schoolsoutwashington.org.
Cultures Connecting: Equity Leaders Unite! – August 25th
Cultures Connecting will be providing a workshop for equity leaders to share strategies for organizational change, problem solve some of the challenges they face, and to network. Facilitators Caprice Hollins and Ilsa Govan will share a model of multicultural organizational development and strategies for change they’ve identified over the past eight years in their work with hundreds of organizations. Equity Leaders Unite will be hosted at the 2100 building from 8:30am-4:30pm. The cost of early bird registration is $150, click here for more information and registration.
Seattle Times: Under Our Skin
Check out this new Seattle Times video project, Under Our Skin. This project looks at conversations about race from 18 different perspectives and experiences. Participants in this project take a deep look at common phrases or terminology used when having discussions around race and inclusion.
Events & Opportunities
Dare to Disrupt! National Conference on Afterschool and Summer Learning
This year, Schools Out Washington and the National Summer Learning Association will co-host the National Conference on Afterschool and Summer Learning October 24-26 in Seattle.Dare to Disrupt! The Pathway to Excellence and Equity in Education is a three-day convening that will bring together the nation’s top thinkers to share and discuss the partnerships, policies, and programs that are breaking down traditional notions of when and where learning occurs. Speakers include leaders in the field, Dr. Shawn Ginwright and Yolie Flores. Early bird registration ends June 30th, you can save $100 per attendee by registering early!
Waterfront Civic Boot Camp – August 12th & 26th
The Waterfront Civic Boot Camp is a unique day-long immersion for a cohort of 25-30 participants offering direct experience, knowledge of community history and current affairs, access to leaders and skill-building on how to make a difference as a citizen leader. The next Waterfront Civic Boot Camps take place August 12th and 26th. These Civic Boot Camps will focus on the past and present of the waterfront development and the public involvement in the process. If you know any young people interested in learning more about public policy, government, business development, and public/private partnerships, encourage them to apply! Click here for more information and application process.
Candidates Forum for Superintendent of Public Instruction – July 19th
Join SESEC, Equity in Education Coalition, League of Education Voters, and Coalition of Immigrants, Refugees & Communities of Color as they host a candidates forum for Superintendent of Public Instruction, on Tuesday, July 19th, from 5-7:30pm. The Superintendent oversees all K-12 school districts in Washington state. This is a chance to learn more and get questions answered. Register early, space is limited. The event will be held at New Holly Gathering Hall and will have interpreters available upon request.
Members on the Move
Welcome new member After-School All-Stars! Ranna Daud is the Founding Executive Director of the new expansion of After-School All-Stars Puget Sound. She worked for the ASAS Las Vegas chapter for nine years and served as the Executive Director for more than three years. The ASAS Puget Sound chapter is just getting off of the ground. They will start offering programs at Meeker Middle School (in Renton – Kent School District) this upcoming school year in the Fall. Ranna is excited to partner with other community based organizations in the region.
Powerful Voices: Jane Hinton, YDEKC wishes you well on your next journey!
Jane Hinton with Powerful Voices is moving on from her position as Executive Director. We wish her well on her next adventure as she transitions from “Executive Director to Powerful Voices biggest fan!” Thank you Jane for all of your contributions to the youth development field!
Boys and Girls Clubs of King County: Calvin Lyons we will miss you!
Calvin Lyons is leaving Boys and Girls Clubs of King County stronger and more collaborative than when he took the helm four years ago. He’s returning to Southern California to take on the role of CEO for Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles. We will miss your leadership Calvin!
Youth Program Directory
NEW DESIGN IS COMING! BE SURE YOUR INFORMATION IS UP TO DATE!
OVER 1,000 Programs!
We just hit the milestone of over 1,000 programs listed in the Youth Program Directory! Woot Woot! If you are in the directory and have changes for any of your program listings, please email our data specialist partner (Elizabeth) at Crisis Clinic 211 atYouthProgramDirectory@crisisclinic.org with your updates/changes.
If you are NOT in the directory…List Your Program
Go to the “List Your Program” page and check to see if you meet the directory’s Eligibility Policy. Then please submit both the “Organization Info Form” once and the “Program Info Form” for EACH program that you offer. If one program has multiple sites, you can list all sites within one program listing.
Like Youth Program Directory On Facebook & Twitter!
Like the Youth Program Directory Page on Facebook here and follow us on Twitter@YPDKingCounty. We’ll be sure to keep you up to date on the latest programs and more! If your organization or program has a good news story that we can link to be spotlighted on our Facebook or Twitter, please email alopezdiaz@ydekc.org.
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
Rene Murry, Public Policy Manager
Andrea Lopez-Diaz, Member Engagement & Communications