About our Education Advocate Program
ESD 113 provides Education Advocates who focus on student academic, social/emotional, and physical health in order to overcome barriers that prevent student success in school. Advocates serve students re-entering their community and school settings from the judicial system as well as students who schools have identified as potential dropouts.
Why Educational Advocates?
Program Goal
Reduce the rate of recidivism or return to confinement.
Objectives
Expand support and coordination for youth transitioning out of the juvenile justice facilities and assist youth to overcome barriers to re-engaging in school and work.
Target Outcomes
High School Diploma, GED, return and engage in school, enroll in post-secondary education, or job training programs and employment.
Services
Assessment
Meets with youth to screen for behavioral health, social, and environmental supports. Identifies youth strengths and educational or vocational goals.
Case Management
Tiered case management services starting with intensive services (weekly), moderate-intensity (monthly), and low-intensity (quarterly). Youth may move up and down the intensity tiers based on need.
Long Term Engagement
Youth may continue to work with an Educational Advocate beyond high school until they are 21 years old.
Advocacy
Support overcoming barriers in re-entry, such as enrolling in school or identifying alternative education programs. The Education Advocate does not judge youth for their circumstances—but works to support their needs and foster success.
Re-entry and Success Planning
The Education Advocate collaborates with youth to create success plans for re-entry into their school and community. They also assist with goal planning for school, college, or vocational goals.
Coordination of Services
The Education Advocate can coordinate care and goals with the youth, their family, their school, probation, counselors, or other professionals involved in supporting their goals.
FAQs
Where do Educational Advocates work?
ESD 113’s Educational Advocates are community-based. They will travel to meet with youth at school, juvenile detention, local agencies, and community spaces. Phone and video meetings are also available.
What age range do the Educational Advocates work with?
The Educational Advocates work with youth 5–21 years old. Youth may continue to work with their Educational Advocate beyond high school for support entering college or getting a job.
What happens after a youth is referred?
The Educational Advocate (EA) will contact the youth and/or family to introduce themselves, describe the services offered, and offer to begin services. Next, the EA will complete an assessment to learn what barriers the youth faces and what strengths they have that will help them achieve their goals. Together, the youth and EA create goals for re-entry and success plans. The youth and EA will continue to meet weekly or monthly to work on these goals.
Who refers youth to the Educational Advocate?
Referrals come from Educational Advocates in JRA facilities, transition facilitators, teachers, probation officers, community providers, or families and youth directly.
How can I get help for myself or my child?
Complete the referral form or contact the Educational Advocates for more information at 360-464-6866 or email Lynn Nelson or Dannette Molina.
