The Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises leads the Statewide M/WBE program as the sole agency that certifies minority- and women-owned business enterprises to participate in public contracting and procurement. This program includes a comprehensive certification process, small business support services, and the Supplier Diversity team that works with the Governor’s Subcabinet on Business Diversity, state agencies, and institutions of higher education to instill equitable and inclusive purchasing practices.
These efforts help small businesses owned by minorities, women, and veterans to obtain more government contracts which strengthens our communities, makes our economy more resilient, and improves the quality of life for all Washingtonians.
What is state certification?
State certification is a program of the State of Washington. The purpose is to enhance procurement opportunities for certified businesses participating in state-funded projects or working with state agencies, local governments, school districts, and public universities.
Why apply for state certification?
State Certification is a program of the State of Washington. The purpose is to enhance procurement opportunities for certified businesses participating in state-funded projects or working with state agencies, local governments, school districts, and public universities. Projects include any work or product state agencies, or other entities, wish to buy from private companies. This includes a wide variety of different types of businesses, such as construction, consulting, training, translation services, supplies and equipment, and many other industries and services.
Becoming state certified also makes you eligible to apply for the Linked Deposit Program which can decrease interest rates on small business loans up to 2%.
What types of state certification does OMWBE offer?
OMWBE offers five types of state certification. Each certification provides the same benefits, with certifications being broken down by the identity of the business owner.
MBE - Minority Business Enterprise – owned by minorities
WBE - Women's Business Enterprise – owned by women
MWBE - Minority Women Business Enterprise – owned by minority women
CBE - Combination Business Enterprise – owned by women and minorities
SEDBE - Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Business Enterprise – owned by non-minority men who are found to be socially and economically disadvantaged on a case by case basis.
Rising number of calls underlines the need for and importance of 988
Washington is celebrating the one-year anniversary of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline this month. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is the nationwide, three-digit dialing code that connects anyone experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis, or those seeking help for a loved one, with a trained counselor. It’s free, confidential, and available 24/7/365.
Washington was the first state to pass legislation in 2021 to implement the 988 Lifeline and is among only a few states using it as more than just a crisis hotline. The bill also established dedicated funding to create a system that will allow designated 988 contact hubs to dispatch crisis units or directly connect callers to local providers, even helping to schedule appointments. More Information.
It's hard to imagine a few degrees of temperature change or shifts in precipitation patterns could pose a threat to Washington's drinking water supplies; but it can, and it will.
Washington's drinking water comes from three sources: groundwater (wells and springs), surface water (lakes and rivers) and snowpack/snowmelt (supply for rivers, lakes and aquifers).
According to the University of Washington Climate Impacts Group, Washington is projected to experience decreases in snowpack, increases in stream temperatures, and widespread changes in streamflow timing, flooding, and summer minimum flows. Annual streamflow volumes are not projected to change substantially.
Climate change is projected to result in more frequent summer water shortages in some basins, while others remain unaffected. Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation in Washington State, section 6: How Will Climate Change Affect Water in Washingon (PDF).
Changes in Snowpack
The snowpack is critical for recharging our rivers and aquifers through the spring and summer. Historically, snowmelt left the mountains in late June; now it occurs as early as the end of May. All of the glaciers that make the western mountains famous are retreating - another sign of shifting temperatures.
Increase in Floods
The frequency of heavier, more intense rainstorms increases the threat of flooding for many of Washington's communities and rural areas.
In addition to the immediate health threats from flooding, flood waters can damage and contaminate wells and water treatment plants, resulting in short-term outages and increased risk of waterborne disease. Read More.
 
GEAR UP
Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) is a federal program that provides competitive six- and seven-year grants to education/community partnerships and states to increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. Washington State was awarded its fourth consecutive state GEAR UP grant in 2017. The $24.5 million award provides direct services to over 5,500 students and their families in 26 high-poverty school districts statewide. With the program’s dollar-for-dollar cost-share requirement, the total program investment over the life of the six-year grant will be over $49 million.
GEAR UP’s vision is that all students are academically, socially, and financially prepared to enter and complete the college of their choice.
GEAR UP’s three objectives are:
- Increase academic performance and preparation for postsecondary education.
- Increase high school graduation and postsecondary participation rates.
- Increase students’ and their families’ knowledge of postsecondary options, preparation, and finances.
Benefits to students and families:
- Partner school districts receive funding to hire additional staff to serve as college access professionals, tutors, mentors, and other program support staff who provide direct services to students and families.
- Students have access to extended day programs for tutoring, mentoring, and advising.
- Students and their families have multiple opportunities to visit postsecondary campuses to learn about admissions, academic programs, and financial aid options, attend student workshops, and participate in summer campus experiences.
Program results:
- 68 percent of the Class of 2017 had enrolled in a postsecondary institution by fall 2018.
- Twenty-seven GEAR UP schools offered dual enrollment courses, resulting in over 270 students graduating high school with an associate degree or certificate.
- 72 percent of 2017 graduates completed a FAFSA.
Learn more about GEAR UP at gearup.wa.gov
Current Wildfire Incident Information
During major wildfires, DNR and our wildfire response partners work to ensure you receive accurate information as quickly as possible. The best way to get up-to-date information on wildfires is to follow the #WaWILDFIRE hashtag on Twitter. DNR provides information about wildfires that are notable, due to location or size, on Twitter at @waDNR_fire.
DNR and other wildfire response agencies work collaboratively to provide information about large fires on Inciweb (the Incident Information System) and through the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center (see morning briefings).
Public Information Officers act as an official spokesperson for a wildfire incident and are responsible for keeping the community and media outlets informed of wildfire updates.
Local emergency management offices, such as sheriff departments or local fire districts, order and communicate evacuations when needed and other emergency activities outside of the work to combat wildfire. If you find yourself in a wildfire emergency, always follow the directions of public safety personnel. In an evacuation, use the "P's of Preparedness" to focus your efforts. Click here to link to a full screen version. |
To apply for a board position please fill out the application form by July 31, 2023. The form contains fields for your full name, organization, mailing address, phone number, email address, category/affiliation you wish to represent, and a section for a bio that describes your experience and qualifications for the position. While you may select more than one category/affiliation to be considered for, you are only eligible to hold one membership position. We will review applications as they come in and hope to make decisions on membership in August.
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July Is Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, Also Known As BIPOC Mental Health Month
The theme of Mental Health America’s 2023 BIPOC Mental Health campaign is Culture, Community, & Connection. Our lives are deeply intertwined with our environments, and these surroundings impact our mental health and overall wellness. Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) populations are faced with disproportionate amounts of historical trauma and displacement that can challenge their ability to thrive in their environments. However, culture, community, and connection are pillars that support and uplift BIPOC individuals in the face of oppression and systemic racism. Learn more in these resources about how BIPOC communities have thrived. More Information.
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