Register now for the Annual Fall McKinney-Vento Training. Training will be offered in September and a second time in October. This is a federal requirement for all McKinney-Vento liaisons. New liaisons who have been in the position for less than two years need to register for both Day 1 and Day 2. Register now with the buttons below. We look forward to learning with you!
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The U.S. Department of Education has updated and re-released the Newcomer Toolkit for 2023. This is a terrific resource for districts working with newcomers and their families. Check out the toolkit as well as the letter from Secretary Cardona.
Effective September 1, 2023, OSPI is changing the current website address from k12.wa.us to ospi.k12.wa.us. This change is required for improved security.
Please make sure to update your bookmarks, links, and saved pages to reflect this change, as redirects will only be in place for a period of 6 months. Rest assured, all the content and functionality you've come to rely on will remain intact at the new URL.
All OSPI email addresses will remain unchanged. If you encounter any issues or have any questions about this URL change, please reach out to OSPI’s support team at webteam@k12.wa.us. We're here to assist you and ensure a seamless transition.
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In partnership with SchoolHouse Connection, the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Office of HeadStart are rolling out a terrific new tool! The HeadStart Referral App has been piloted in a few districts and is now ready to go statewide. This tool will enable district liaisons to use their smart phone or computer to easily submit referrals to HeadStart and ECEAP programs for young children experiencing homelessness. We are asking ALL DISTRICTS to complete the short survey to determine interest in the App. Due date for all districts (whether you are currently interested or not) is September 25th. Thank you for completing the survey, we want to hear from you!
HeadStart/ECEAP Referral App for Young Children Experiencing Homelessness
The 2024-25 FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) will not be available until December 2023. The WASFA (Washington Application for State Financial Aid) will also be delayed until the FAFSA opens. Applications usually open October 1. The exact date applications will open this year has not yet been announced. The good news is this delay is due to positive changes in the application process:
- The FAFSA form will be shorter and less complex.
- More students will be eligible for federal Pell Grants, and the average Pell award will be larger.
The Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) will offer training for your staff, and helpful resources and outreach materials so you can partner up and spread the word.
We will make sure to let you know as soon as that info is available. Until then, we recommend delaying any financial aid filing events held by your school or organization. WSAC will communicate suggestions on other ways to prepare students during the fall. Please stay tuned!
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In 2023, The Homeless Student Stability education Program, (HSSeP) received a boost in one time funding for FY24 and FY25 from the Washington State legislature. Funds are now available to districts (FP 802) and district consortiums (FP 803) through a competitive grant application process this fall. These one-year grants provide supplemental funding and additional resources to increase identification, educational stability, and services for children and youth experiencing homelessness. The new grant competition is now available in the OSPI iGrants system and will close on October 5, 2023 at 4pm.
Please note: Current HSSeP grant recipients are not eligible to apply.
To learn more about the competitive grant process we are offering one more informational webinar. (NOTE: This session will not be recorded. Districts interested in applying for funds are strongly encouraged to attend a live session.)
HSSEP Expansion Grant Bidder’s Conference September 13, 2023, 2pm-3pm PT
SchoolHouse Connection’s back-to-school office hours are here! Join Schoolhouse Connection and receive support in identifying students experiencing homelessness. LEAs implementing McKinney-Vento may encounter specific situations or questions, and SchoolHouse Connection staff is there to help. Bring your questions or simply listen and learn from others.
Thursday, Sept. 14 · 1-3 pm Pacific (4-5 pm Eastern) Register Now
Thursday, Sept. 21 · 12-1 pm Pacific (3-4 pm Eastern) Register Now
For more resources and information from SchoolHouse Connection, Click Here
SchoolHouse Connection, in partnership with OSPI, is offering ongoing support sessions for all ARP-HCY I and ARP-HCY II grant recipients. All ARP-HCY grant recipients are strongly encouraged to attend these Community of Practice sessions to network with other grantees, ask questions, get clarification on the use of grant funds, get information about budgets, and chat about other areas of interest. Please plan to attend any session. All are welcome!
Please register below with the corresponding COP.
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Rural September 19, 2023, 3pm-3:45pm AND November 21, 3pm-3:45pm
Suburban and Urban September 20, 2023, 3pm-3:45pm AND November 15, 3pm-3:45pm
New Liaisons September 21, 2023, 3pm-3:45pm AND November 16, 3pm-3:45pm
Wednesday, September 27th, 10 am–Noon
Learn the importance of capturing both quantitative and qualitative data to tell the story of your pupil services and outcomes, hear real examples from other school districts on the strategies they use to capture their McKinney-Vento student data and how the data helps them enhance their supports for students and families.
All attendees please register through Zoom here!
For attendees seeking OSPI Clock Hours, please register through PdEnroller
Thursday September 28th, 10 am–Noon
Training participants will gain an introductory overview of Diversion, a person-centered approach focused on holding creative conversation to uncover solutions alongside those experiencing housing crises, and how the Diversion can be used in schools.
All attendees please register through Zoom here!
For attendees seeking OSPI Clock Hours, please register through PdEnroller
Please join us! Office Hours will be held the first Friday of every month from 11am to 12pm.
Come join the OSPI Homeless Education Team to connect, collaborate, discuss, and learn from one another. This is a great setting to ask questions and get to know each other better.
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- September 22, 2023
- October 6, 2023
- November 3, 2023
- December 1, 2023
- January 5, 2024
- February 2, 2024
- March 1, 2024
- April 5, 2024
- May 3, 2024
- June 7, 2024
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To subscribe to our weekly newsletter, please email Melissa Rilette Burnce at melissa.riletteburnce@k12.wa.us
OSPI Homeless Education Office 360-725-6505 | homelessed@k12.wa.us
Melinda Dyer, Assistant Director, McKinney-Vento Education for Homeless Children and Youth | melinda.dyer@k12.wa.us
Keith Woodruff, Program Supervisor, McKinney-Vento Education for Homeless Children and Youth | keith.woodruff@k12.wa.us
Vivian Rogers Decker, Program Supervisor, Homeless Student Stability Education Program | vivian.rogersdecker@k12.wa.us
Jill Kawulok, Administrative Program Specialist, American Rescue Plan - Homeless Children & Youth Grants | jill.kawulok@k12.wa.us
Melissa Rilette Burnce, Program Supervisor, McKinney-Vento Trainer | melissa.riletteburnce@k12.wa.us
Lydia Lemon, Administrative Assistant | Lydia.Lemon@k12.wa.us
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