We support the people and organizations who empower youth through expanded learning.
School’s Out Washington is working to ensure equitable access to high-quality, youth development programs across Washington state—especially for low-income youth and youth of color. Through advocacy, professional learning, and grants we have created a foundation of support and expertise that enables and enriches the critical work of youth-serving organizations.
Trainings & Workshops
September 28, 2023
(9:00 am — 3:30 pm)
September 18, 2023 — September 29, 2023
YPQ Method - Structure and Clear Limits
September 28, 2023 (9:00 am — 3:30 pm)
Format: In person
Topic: Prepares participants to conduct program self-assessment
STARS Credits: 6
Introduction to Quality (Staff)
September 18, 2023 — September 29, 2023
Format: Online, Self-Paced
Topic: Exploring the WA State Program Quality Standards
STARS Credits: 2
Stories
VIEW ALLSpotlight on BSK grantee, Bright Futures Creative Collective
Four incredible community-based organizations, each with different missions, have teamed up to provide a variety of enrichment and social-emotional learning opportunities to youth across central, south, and west Seattle under the name of The Bright Futures Creative Collective.
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News & Updates
VIEW ALLSeptember 27
Celebrating the legacy of YDEKC, a pivotal King County coalition and convenerWhen Youth Development Executives of King County (YDEKC) was created in 2010, the youth development sector in King County was made up of loosely connected agencies, often competing for scarc...
August 22
Announcing Bridge keynote speaker: Melannie Denise CunninghamSOWA is excited to welcome Melannie Denise Cunningham to this year’s Bridge Conference, Forging Brighter Futures. Melannie is a Tacoma-based thought leader and practitioner who has exc...
Get involved!
Join the Youth Development Strategy Table
learn moreThe Youth Development Strategy Table is a coalition of public and nonprofit stakeholders working to establish a focused state-level youth development effort to sustain early learning gains, improve academic and social-emotional outcomes, and prevent deep end system involvement.
learn moreList your program and get on the map!
Check out Elevate Washington
Elevate Washington is a member-based youth program data system and public directory. It includes nonprofits, businesses, and agencies that offer afterschool enrichment, childcare, youth services, and a range of other opportunities and support for children and young people (ages 5 to 24).
SOWA created the Elevate Washington so that we have the tools and information needed to see where youth programs are operating in our state and better understand who’s being served. With this critical data, we’re able to advocate for resources and also provide families with an easy way to find programs in their area.
Learn more!