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Congratulations to Terrance Nixon and the whole Next Generation Zone on their recent grant award! The Next Generation Zone will receive $200 thousand in funding from Washington’s Office of Homeless Youth (OHY). The grant funding enables them to address housing instability among young people.
Terrance and his team provide Open Doors education services at the Next Generation Zone. They operate in coordination with career and workforce development partners to offer co-located supports.
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"By adding the Homeless Student Stability Program grant to our offerings within Open Doors, we create a level of flexibility and a depth of service that helps us reach any student and their families. Through this funding, we can begin the work of not just reengaging students; we can engage them at various entry points in their educational journey, supporting them as they move forward."
- Terrance Nixon, Next Generation Zone Open Doors Program Manager
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As one of nine awardees granted homeless student stability funding, the Next Generation Zone will be able to offer increased supports to youth and young adults. Congratulations on this hard-won achievement. |
An Open Doors program has many students with elementary or middle school reading and math level. The program is looking for tools and resources that can meets students at their academic level.
Please send your ideas, tools, and suggestions to OpenDoors@k12.wa.us
The Class of 2023 Graduation Toolkit is a comprehensive resource to help educators understand state graduation requirements. It contains helpful information on transcripts, subject area requirements, and graduation pathways.
The Workforce Board’s popular workforce system poster is freshly updated and ready for 2024. Make sure to order copies of this handy overview of Washington’s largest,
publicly funded workforce development programs, including participant employment rates and earnings, federal and state funding totals, and a list of administering agencies and providers. The poster, printed this year in “Barbie-pink” is also known as “America’s favorite matrix,” at least among staff. The poster is free and perfect for cubicle and office walls. Email us at workforce@wtb.wa.gov to request your own copies. View the poster, including a digital PDF, at: https://wtb.wa.gov/planning-programs/washington-workforce-system/
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OSPI and the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) have heard loud and clear that more information on apprenticeships is needed. More information coming soon!
Register for access to the Zoom webinar here. (Required to attend)
1.5 free clock will be available. Stay tuned for pdEnroller link!
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This is a status update on the Open Doors Summer Pilot Project. Summer Pilot efforts prioritize to Post-Resident Youth and will occur this summer. In addition to improving services to post-resident youth, we are evaluating the cost and outcomes related to summer Open Doors programming.
Statewide trainings
A series of statewide trainings are occurring to support all Open Doors Youth Reengagement staff and programs. Trainings are designed to increase awareness of our students who have previously ever experienced detention or institutional education. Watch the newsletter for registration details. Please attend as many events as you’re able.
Selected Pilot Sites
Ten (10) programs have been identified to pilot this summer (July and August 2024). Each program serves a high ratio of students who have previously experienced institutional education.
- Seattle Interagency School’s Orion and Columbia Center Open Doors Youth Reengagement Program
- Puyallup School District’s Walker High School Open Doors Program
- Wenatchee SkillSource Open Doors Program
- Coupeville School District’s Open Den Youth Reengagement Program
- Next Generation Zone Open Doors Youth Reengagement Program in ESD 101
- Gravity Open Doors Youth Reengagement Program in ESD 113
- Open Doors Youth Reengagement Program in ESD 105
- Open Doors Youth Reengagement Program in ESD 121
- Skagit Valley Open Doors Youth Reengagement in ESD 189
- TC Futures Open Doors Youth Reengagement Program in ESD 12
Pilot site activities
Programs in the pilot will partner with community or career development organizations to deliver summer Open Doors activities. Examples of partnerships being developed include:
- Career Path Services and Dignified Work to provide industry and essential skills training to support career development goals.
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If You Could Save Just One offers tutoring, activities, and mentorship.
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Revive Community Services, a non-profit that supports youth and families through barrier reduction and basic needs support.
- State and local municipalities to improve systems-based referrals and resources to students in the program.
The Summer Pilot Project will wrap up at the end of August 2024. Reports and outcomes will be shared in months following.
 We all go through transitions, and they can be some of the hardest times of our lives. We know that changing schools is a particularly stressful time. We want to share with you some strategies to make transitions more comfortable so you can offer timely support that sets the groundwork for a sense of inclusion and belonging. We’re bringing you Rashad Norris, to help outline the system supports you can have in place and a panel representing various student groups to share with you strategies that are particularly helpful for those student groups. Free Clock Hours are available.
Webinars
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March 5 – Perceptions & Opportunity: Supporting Post-Resident Youth; noon-1 pm online. Register here.
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March 20 – OSPI Project Update Session: Summer Pilot and Post-Resident Youth, noon-1pm online
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March 21 - Open Doors Case Manager Network; 2-3 pm online. Register here.
IN PERSON
Juvenile Justice Impacted Students - Systems, Impacts, and Skills for Reengagement
This in-person training is about learning the juvenile justice system and networking with peers. Please attend one of the following offerings:
Past Newsletters:
Check our website for previous years' newsletter topics.
Mandy Paradise,
M.Ed
Open Doors
Program Supervisor
Email Mandy
360-789-3949
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