RALLY

The ESD 113 Education Advocate Program assists youth who have previously been incarcerated in county detention centers or juvenile institutions, to successfully transition back to community schools, vocational training, college, GED programs or jobs. Education Advocates:

Expand support and case management for youth transitioning out of detention centers.
Assist youth to overcome barriers in returning to school and work.
Improve school coordination activities for youth returning to or re-engaging in school.

Students can earn credits, complete High School Diploma or GED, return and stay engaged in school, enroll in post-secondary school, enroll in job training programs, and obtain employment with the assistance of an education advocate.

Youth ages 5-21 are eligible if they are:

Involved in the Juvenile Justice System and considered moderate to high risk of re offending.
At risk of “slipping through the cracks”, re offending or dropping out of school.
At risk of not staying engaged in vocational/community programs.
In need of support obtaining a high school diploma or GED.

For more information or to enroll, contact Dannette Molina, Education Advocate Coordinator. Or Donna Miller, Education Advocate/Case Manager.

Thurston County Partners

Family Education & Support Services (FESS) is hosting an ongoing series of workshops called Consider the Children, a court-approved, 4-hour research based training program providing practical and proven skills to make divorce/separation easier on children. Topics covered include:

Strategies to positively support children through family changes
Understanding grief, loss & behavior changes
Enhancing child & parent resiliency mitigating stress
Understanding the importance of empathy & gratitude
Effective communication (talking & listening)
Effective shared parenting & residences
Blended families and more…

Registration fee is $50. Upon completion of this class, participants will receive a certification of completion. SIGN UP TODAY! Find class information & register or call (360) 754-7629.

Family Education & Support Services (FESS) is also offering “The Impact of Domestic Violence on Children” (IDV), a court-approved, four-hour, research-based seminar proven to ensure that participants will learn the skills necessary to support children who have been affected by domestic violence.

Thurston County Dispute Resolution Center

The Thurston County Dispute Resolution Center is holding a series of Crash Course workshops on Conflict. Each training takes place over 1 half-day from 8:00 am – 12:00 pm: March 7, 2023, April 4, 2023, & May 9, 2023.

Navigating the conflicts in our lives with integrity, civility and respect for oneself and others is fundamental to maintaining healthy relationships and building a civil society. This 3-part online training series will provide you with concrete skills and practice that you can use in your day-to-day life to improve communication, enhance relationships, manage conflict, and prevent escalation in any setting. We emphasize both group collaboration and personal empowerment to resolve conflict and we recognize that our values are informed by our histories, experiences, and cultural backgrounds. Find more information and register for the workshops!

Thurston County Volunteer Legal Services

Thurston County Volunteer Legal Services is a civil legal aid organization that serves five counties — including Lewis County. Its primary mission is to organize attorneys to give legal advice at community-based legal advice clinics. The organization is currently recruiting for a Volunteer Legal Program Manager position. Applications are due February 6^th. Find more information here!

Mason County Consortium

Mason Transit is going fare free starting in January. That means routes to Olympia, Bremerton Ferry, and Jefferson County will be fare free for everyone. Find more information here!

Shelton School District

Shelton School District presents its Welcome to Shelton School District’s READY! for KINDERGARTEN. Registration for this FREE parent workshop will be opening soon. This is an opportunity for parent(s)/guardian(s) of birth to five year olds that you will not want to miss! Parent(s)/guardian(s) of children birth to five years of age who live within the boundaries of the Shelton School District. If you’re not sure if you live in the Shelton School District boundaries, visit our school boundaries page to find out. Attendees may bring an additional guest to the workshop with them.

Classes will be held at Olympic Middle School on January 24 & 25 (taught in English) and February 7 & 8 (taught in Spanish). Workshops will be held in English and in Spanish. Make sure you choose the appropriate language when registering.

Find more information and register for the workshops here!

Family Education and Support Services (FESS)

Family Education and Support Services (FESS) is offering a free QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) Suicide Prevention Certification Course. QPR is a 90 minute research-based training providing practical and proven suicide prevention strategies for work, school, at home, and in your community.

Through presentation, videos and practice, you will be able to respond confidently to emergency situations. Skills and topics include: Recognizing Risk Factors & Warning Signs of Suicide Understanding the Myths & Facts of Suicide Question – Learn How to (and not to) Ask About Suicide Persuade – Learn How to Influence a Person to Seek Ongoing Help Refer – Learn How to Refer and Navigate a Person to Resources.

Virtual trainings are held Tuesdays from 3:30-5:00pm starting February 7 through December 19, 2023. See the informational flyer here!

STEM NETWORK

Legislative Updates

The 2023 Legislative session is underway through April 25! Each Friday from 12-12:30pm, the Washington STEM Advocacy Coalition holds a virtual information session on the various bills being proposed, and their progress through committees.

If you would like to join the 2023 Washington STEM Advocation Coalition, receive notifications and information about future policy calls, and get updates on Coalition efforts, please visit the Washington STEM website at https://washingtonstem.org/advocacy2023/

For those interested in following specific bills, please visit this online bill tracker, courtesy of Washington STEM.

The WA STEM Advocacy Coalition exists to collect and disseminate information pertaining to statewide education policy. We exist to provide feedback and evidence-based recommendations to the Legislature. Joining our weekly informational sessions to hear updates on our policy and advocacy does not in itself constitute lobbying.

Washington State LASER

Washington State LASER presents: “Elementary Science Needs a Comeback!” Washington State LASER (Leadership Assistance for Science Education Reform), in collaboration with state and regional leaders and experts in science and STEM education, presents this workshop during which participants will:

Deepen understanding of the current state of K-5 science, including best practices and connections to equitable student outcomes
Access resources and partners to further support K-5 Science/STEM
Network with job-alike and regional colleagues

Date: Wednesday, February 15, 2023
Time: 1:00 PM – 4:00 OM PST
This 3-clock hour workshop is designed for regional, district, and school leaders (administrators, TOSA’s, specialists, teacher leaders). For more information, or to register, click here!

Family Math Night

Family Math Night with Dan Finkel is returning! Please join Dan Finkel of Math for Love for a FREE, fun and engaging virtual event on Monday, February 20, from 7:30-9:00pm PST, and learn all about his newest creations! Dan will demonstrate engaging and fun early numeracy games for adults and children ages 3-8. Some favorites include Tiny Polka Dots, PLUS new materials like Upscale Pattern Blocks and 21st Century Pattern Blocks. Dan will also introduce his new book, “Pattern Breakers.” Find the flyer here! If you have questions about this event, please contact Lorie Thompson, Capital STEM Alliance Director. We hope to see you there!

To access the event on February 20, simply click on the Zoom link: https://esd113.zoom.us/j/86216972962
Meeting ID: 862 1697 2962

Data Gap Landscape Project

The Capital STEM Alliance is engaged in a project to collect organizations’ data gaps around PreK-20 and beyond (P20W). Our first focus group meeting was held on December 6, 2022. Thanks to all those who participated!

In advance of our next focus group meeting in April 2023, we still need your input! Please click on the P20W Data Landscape Focus Group – December 6, 2022 (padlet.com) link and note your ongoing needs, questions, and concerns. Listing your organization type (employer, CBO, educator, etc.) is much appreciated!

Financial Aid Updates

Financial aid: Where in Washington can I use it?

Education beyond high school is more important than ever. Financial aid gives you more options for the future.

Washington State offers many great financial aid programs, including the Washington College Grant and Passport to Careers. An important first step in getting financial aid is to complete a FAFSA or WASFA financial aid application.

Where in Washington can you use state financial aid?

There are 67 participating institutions in Washington, including various types of education and training:

All six of Washington’s public four-year colleges & universities, including the University of Washington and Washington State University
Sixteen independent/private non-profit four-year universities, such as Gonzaga University and Pacific Lutheran University
Three independent/private for-profit four-year universities, including DigiPen Institute of Technology
Thirty-three community and technical colleges
Northwest Indian College, a tribal school
Perry Technical Institute, a private, nonprofit two-year career college
Seven private, for-profit two-year career colleges

Check out the entire list. In addition to these institutions, there are apprenticeship opportunities. Eligible providers can offer their apprentices financial aid similar to what college students can receive.

State aid gives you the freedom to pursue a variety of education and training paths.

Start your future today by applying now!

Related Resource

CCL REGIONAL NETWORK

Career Connect Washington Updates

The Capital STEM Alliance is pleased to have supported the following organizations in submitting Round 10 Program Builder proposals:

Washington Arts Commission – Career Launch in Arts
Washington Retail Association – Career Prep in Customer Service/Retail Industries
Twin Transit of Lewis County (REVIT) – Career Prep in Clean Energy

The review process is underway, and apparent successful bidders will be announced in the near future. Stay tuned for updates!

Program Builder Updates

Pacific Education Institute is excited to announce its Spring 2023 FieldSTEM Introduction Workshop Series for educators, beginning February 9. This smorgasbord of 2-hour online professional learning opportunities will broaden your understanding of FieldSTEM and inspire you to engage your colleagues in the design of impactful learning experiences for your students.

You will receive two STEM clock hours for each introduction workshop you attend. Please see the attached flier or click HERE to read more about each workshop. Please note you may register for any combination of workshops that interest you. For more information, please click on this link to the flyer.

Olympia High School

Olympia High School needs volunteers to assist with a Resume Review Event

Event Date: Friday, February 24, 2023
Time: 2 hour + time commitment
Location: 1302 North St SE Olympia, WA 98501 – Check in at Main Office

At the event, volunteers will be provided with the following:

Very nervous, Class of 2023 seniors & their most updated resume
Resume Evaluation Rubric
Previous student resume examples
Power Verb list
Career Skill list
Refreshments & Light Snacks
Gratitude & Respect

Student reviews will take approximately 5-15 minutes. Past volunteers have left this event with new hires & many have gained a better understanding of this generation of graduates.

Please sign up with this form! OHS is seeking to fill over 70 time slots. For questions, please contact Jen Boelts, Career Center Counselor and High School and Beyond Coordinator, at 360-596-7027.

Capital STEM Alliance Executive Committee

Capital STEM Alliance Executive Committee will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, February 14, 2023, from 1-2:30pm, via Zoom. Draft agenda topics include a Spotlight presentation by South Puget Intertribal Agency, and a Career Connect Washington Program Builder Presentation from Wade Uyeda, Director of Youth programs at GRuB. Results from Round 10 of the Career Connect Washington Program Builder RFP will also be shared. For more information, please contact Lorie Thompson, Capital STEM Alliance Director.

The Washington State Department of Health

The Washington State Department of Health is inviting young people from across our state to apply to be a member of a public health Youth Advisory Council. The council will serve for about two years and help staff in the Adolescent and Young Adult Health Unit make programming decisions.

We are looking for applicants ages 13-22 who live in Washington state and have access to the internet, social media, and email.

Our recruitment will center the communities most affected by health care inequities. We especially encourage young people with these lived experiences to apply:

Affected by disabilities
Experiences with different systems, including juvenile justice, child protective services, or foster care
Experience with behavioral and mental health conditions and treatment
Experience with chronic disease conditions and treatment
Feeling left out at school or experiencing challenges at school
From marginalized and/or underserved communities
Experience with homelessness and/or unstable housing
Struggles with access to or challenges with health care

Please share with any contacts who are connected with schools, teachers, youth organizations, and young people in the state. For more information and to apply go to: Youth Engagement and the Youth Advisory Council | WaPortal.org. For questions, contact Alexis Bates, Adolescent Health Consultant: [email protected] or (360) 688-3064.

Capital STEM Alliance Newsletter – February 2023