Author: School's Out Washington

What’s next for Best Starts for Kids?

By School's Out Washington

The Best Starts for Kids Initiative was renewed by King County voters, what happens now? How does community voice shape the next cycle of the County’s work to ensure that all of our children and families are happy, healthy, safe, and thriving? How can local program providers stay in the loop about applying for funding? Shared below is an interview with Megan McJennett, Best Starts for Kids Implementation Manager. Stay up-do-date by subscribing the Best Starts blog. Learn more about the work School’s Out Washington is doing to support the 2018 – 2021 Out-of-School Time grant. Last month, King County … [ ]

Vaccine information for youth development professionals

By School's Out Washington

Youth Development (Expanded Learning, Child Care, Mentoring, Wrap-Around) Tools for Vaccines COVID-related infections and hospitalizations have increased across the state and country. In order to keep children, youth, and those that work with them safe; Governor Inslee has signed an Executive Order mandating all K12, child care, early learning, higher education, and youth development employees be fully vaccinated or obtain a medical or religious exemption from their employer by October 18th. This impacts all programs and their employees working directly with children and youth, more information here and here. The Youth Development Strategy Table is working with the Governor’s Office … [ ]

Lights on Afterschool 2021

By School's Out Washington

We are looking forward to celebrating Expanded Learning Opportunities and their important role in the lives of children, families, and communities. Expanded Learning Opportunities support students in so many ways by offering opportunities to learn and discover new skills. This was especially true throughout the COVID-19 pandemic in ensuring youth had a safe and productive place to be while schools were closed. This year we will be hosting our Lights on Afterschool event on October 28th at the 2021 Bridge Conference. Organizations can host their own event as well–online or in-person! It’s important to show policymakers, school districts, and other partners … [ ]

Best Starts for Kids passes levy vote

By School's Out Washington

In August 2021, King County residents voted to renew the Best Starts for Kids Initiative. Since 2018, Schools Out Washington has partnered with King County to steward the Out-of-School Time grant, distributing funding to providers across the county and leading them through our Program Quality Improvement process. We are proud of everything this cohort has achieved in these past 4 years, and look forward to seeing the work done by Best Starts grant recipients in the future. Shared below is a message from Sheila Capestany, King County Strategic Advisor for Children and Youth. For additional information, subscribe to the Best … [ ]

Welcome to the team, Carlee!

We are thrilled to welcome Carlee Hoover to our team as the new Training & Development Specialist. Carlee (they/them) has always had a passion and a desire to lead, teach, and invest in others. Since 2013, she has served youth throughout King County in support, leadership, and strategic roles. She believes that learning and growth are best accomplished when done in partnership with others. As a facilitator she seeks to foster environments that guide participants through a meaningful and engaged learning journey, one that values bravery, curiosity and personal growth. She is constantly humbled and grateful for the opportunities to be … [ ]

Liz Dozier will kick off our Bridge Conference!

By School's Out Washington

For our Opening Keynote Speaker for our 2021 Bridge Conference, we wanted a strong storyteller who would anchor us in our theme as we begin our learning journey together. From Seedlings to Stardust asks us to disrupt inequitable systems and persist through change to transform how we support young people and Liz Dozier, Founder & CEO of Chicago Beyond, has just that experience. We are honored to announce that Liz Dozier will kick off this year’s Bridge Conference as our Opening Keynote Speaker!  From education to activism, Liz Dozier has spent her career working tirelessly to disrupt the culture of inequity that is often pervasive in urban neighborhoods. In 2016, Dozier launched Chicago … [ ]