2023-2026 Strategic Plan

We are proud to present our 2023-2026 strategic plan, which has been deeply informed by School’s Out Washington’s community and supported by the thoughtful guidance of Be The Change Consulting.

Bridge Conference 2023 highlights

What an event! Together, we set out to Reflect, Connect, and Reimagine our work to advocate and uplift the young people around the state of Washington.

How was your Bridge?

Thank you for joining us at this year’s Bridge Conference: Forging Brighter Futures! We would love to hear about your experience. What were the highlights? How was the venue? How can we improve?

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

Mar 21 — Apr 25

(11:00 am — 12:30 pm)

Mar 26

(10:00 am — 12:00 pm)

Mar 28

(10:00 am — 12:30 pm)

Apr 02

(10:00 am — 12:30 pm)

Apr 04

(10:00 am — 12:00 pm)

Resilience Training for Professionals serving Youth and Families

March 21, 2024 — April 25, 2024 (11:00 am — 12:30 pm)

Instructor: Shayla Collins and Kizz Prusia from The Center for Child & Family Well-Being

Format: Virtual

STARS Credits: up to 9

Incorporating Expressive Arts Activities Into Your Programming

March 26, 2024 (10:00 am — 12:00 pm)

Instructor: Mandy Pierce, SOWA Refugee School Impact Contracts Manager

Format: School's Out Washington Tukwila office

Topic: This training is a chance to learn about expressive arts therapy and discover how its principles can inspire meaningful activities that allow students and adults to process complex emotions.

STARS Credits: 2

SEL Methods - Emotion Coaching

March 28, 2024 (10:00 am — 12:30 pm)

Instructor: Sevan Bussell, SOWA Design & Delivery Specialist

Format: Virtual

Topic: You will learn strategies that help integrate emotion management skills and practices into your programs and in the ways, you interact with youth.

STARS Credits: 2.5

Active Supervision and Transitions

April 2, 2024 (10:00 am — 12:30 pm)

Instructor: Carlee Hoover, SOWA Training Services Manager

Format: SOWA Tukwila Office

Topic: In this training we will explore strategies for Active Supervision that keeps kids safe, strengthens connection and supports autonomy.

STARS Credits: 2.5

Question, Persuade, Refer

April 4, 2024 (10:00 am — 12:00 pm)

Instructor: Ashley Hall, Assistant Professor at Washington State University

Format: Virtual

Topic: Question, Persuade, and Refer — the 3 simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide.

STARS Credits: 2

Trainings & Workshops

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Stories

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Kids and Paper: a legacy built on family traditions, love and creativity

January 26, 2024

By Nat Neville

Kids and Paper was born out of the experience of love, change, and a mother noticing her child’s irrepressible self-expression through drawing. Now, Kids and Paper have provided 200 children with a program where they are encouraged to safely and freely...

Continue reading
kid outside painting on the asphalt in the summer

Community Feedback

News & Updates

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February 02

One woman’s journey to connection, impact, and service 

By By Williams Pelegrin

Mila Doroshchuk, the Program Coordinator B5, a current School’s Out Washington (SOWA) Refugee School Impact Program (RSIP) is leading the organization’s Ukrainian After School Program. Immig...

January 26

Kids and Paper: a legacy built on family traditions, love and creativity

By Nat Neville

Kids and Paper was born out of the experience of love, change, and a mother noticing her child’s irrepressible self-expression through drawing. Now, Kids and Paper have provided 200 chi...

February 16

We’re hiring: Training Services Coordinator

The Training Services Coordinator provides operational and administrative support to ensure the consistent delivery of high-quality training, workshops, and events across Washington State. ...

Get involved!

Join the Youth Development Strategy Table

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The 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.

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List 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!
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