 Legislative Session has started! Make sure to check out our website to learn about the legislative process, and how to participate in the 2025 legislative session. Watch out for our legislative priorities which will be posted soon!
Key reminders to be prepared:
- To receive legislative updates and calls to action, subscribe to our newsletter by visiting cha.wa.gov
- Stay informed on the journey of the bills CHA is tracking by visiting our Trello Boards by visiting cha.wa.gov and clicking on the CHA Priorities tab.
- Go to directly to the Washington’s legislative website: www.leg.wa.gov
- Learn more about participating in the legislative process by visiting www.cha.wa.gov/legislative-process.
- Find out who your state representatives are by visiting the Find Your District link.
- Lots of exciting things are happening at the capital. See below and learn more!
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During its last meeting, the Commission voted for new leadership. The commission elected Lina Rios as chair; Jessica Hernandez as vice chair; Fernando Mejia-Ledesma as vice chair; and two executive committee members, Eric Gonzalez and Dr. Bernal Baca. The Commission elects one person for each of these five positions once per year. For the second time in its history, the Commission’s has women leading in the roles of the Chair and Executive Director. We have a strong commission, ready to weather the changes that 2025 brings us. ¡Adelante! |
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Every year, we come together across Washington State to show the power of our communities and advocate for the policies that matter most to immigrant and refugee families.
Join us for Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Day in Olympia on Thursday, January 30, 2025 to celebrate the power and resilience of our communities, march, rally, and engage directly with our state legislators. Learn more.
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Make your voice heard!
NAMI Washington Lobby Day is on President's Day! NAMI members and supporters are the most effective people to educate legislators about mental illness and the need to change our current "mental illness" system to a "mental health" system.
 Save the Date! January 21, 2025 13th Annual Farmworker Tribunal in Olympia
Since 2013, Farmworkers have been organizing the Tribunal in Olympia to put forth a political vision to transform the agricultural industry to just food systems.
At the Tribunal, Farmworkers present evidence from lived experience of continued exploitation housed within a culture of retaliation in the workplace, call for accountability from the agricultural companies responsible, and demand recognition and redress from Washington State. With the impacts of climate change rising every year, policy makers can no longer afford to ignore the fact that farm workers can bring solutions for a just food future.
Farmworker leaders of Community to Community Development and Familias Unidas por la Justicia invite the public and the press on January 21 to witness testimonies and listen to our victories and celebration of all that we have accomplished.
Stay tuned for more information about the schedule and ways to support.
Winter storms can range from moderate snow over a few hours to blizzard conditions with blinding, wind-driven snow or freezing rain that lasts several days. The time to prepare is before the snow falls or ice forms.
Preparing for winter storms
- Listen to your radio or television for winter storm forecasts and other information.
- Prepare your home for cold weather. Install storm windows. Insulate outside walls, attics and crawl spaces. Wrap pipes, especially those near cold outer walls or in attics or crawl spaces. Repair leaks in the roof, around the doors and in the windows.
- Have appropriate cold weather clothing available.
- If you have a kerosene heater, refuel your heater outside and remember to keep it at least three feet from flammable objects.
- Make sure your fireplace functions properly.
- Have rock salt and sand on hand for traction on ice.
- Fill your gas tank before the snow starts falling.
Learn more on how to be prepared.
 
High school seniors and others planning to attend college or career training during the 2025-26 school year can begin applying for aid in December 2024. Applications typically open on October 1 for people wanting to start college the next fall.
After significant delays and technical issues with the 2024-25 FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) announced a longer phase-in with additional testing for the 2025-26 application launch. DOE aims to ensure the form is functional before opening it up to all applicants.
In Washington, there are two ways to apply for financial aid. U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens apply for federal and state aid with the FAFSA. People who can't file the FAFSA due to immigration status can apply only for state aid with the WASFA (Washington Application for State Financial Aid). The WASFA is based on the FAFSA, so will open at the same time. Most people should submit a FAFSA to maximize financial aid. Read more.
Northwest Immigrant Rights Project have compiled several resources to help you understand your rights when interacting with various law enforcement officials and officers. It is important to be aware of your rights and the rights of fellow community members.
Know Your Rights Fliers from NWIRP
When the government arrests or tries to arrest someone, or when a government official or police officer "just wants to talk," every person in the United States has certain basic rights. These rights apply to everyone, regardless of citizenship. Be familiar with your rights, and help protect others by informing them of their rights with these fliers.
Know Your Rights Flier - English | Conozca Sus Derechos - Español
Free Days in 2025
- Jan. 1 — First Day Hikes; New Year’s Day
- Jan. 20 — Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- March 9 — Billy Frank Junior's Birthday
- March 19 — State Parks’ Birthday
- April 22 — Earth Day
- June 7 — Free Fishing Weekend
- June 8 — Free Fishing Weekend
- June 19 — Juneteenth
- Aug. 9 — Smokey Bear's Birthday
- Sept. 27 — National Public Lands Day
- Oct. 10 — World Mental Health Day
- Nov. 11 — Veteran's Day
Free days apply only to day use visits (no overnight stays or rented facilities). Sno-Park permits are still required on free days at designated Sno-Parks during the winter season.
Learn more about Sno-Park Permits
Different seasons can increase workers exposure to serious injuries such as broken bones, severe cut and lacerations, amputations, electrocution, chemicals, and head injuries.
Winter season can be cold and expose outdoor workers to hazards such as dangerous road conditions, and extreme cold temperatures.
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We are pleased to collaborate with many partners to help inform the public of recruiting opportunities. Click the button below to be directed to our employment blog. We update this blog at least twice a week.
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