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October 31, 2024, is the due date for Open Doors End-of-Year (EOY) reporting for the 2023-2024 school year. Log-in to the EDS application and enter your Open Doors data. Data reporting is a required activity. |
Late and incomplete submissions put your program at risk of being in non-compliance.
Due Date: EOY submissions are due October 31, 2024
If you would like assistance, please contact Lisa Ireland at lisa.ireland@k12.wa.us.
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We want to see a strong Open Doors track at the Washington Association for Learning Alternatives (WALA) Spring Conference, held February 19-21 at Skamania Lodge in Stevenson, WA!
Be part of the line up to share information, strategies, and successes in Open Doors.
The WALA Presenter form is live on the WALA Spring Conference website!
See you there!
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Discover how stackable certificate programs at Washington community and technical colleges are transforming careers! Learn how these flexible, short-term credentials can help students boost their skills and advance in employment.
Open Doors Youth Reengagement has three Indicators of Academic Progress (IAPs) directly tied to certificate earning, one of which is a stackable model!
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IAP (c): Receives a college certificate after completion of a college program requiring at least 40 hours of instruction;
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IAP (d): Receives an industry recognized certificate of completion of training or licensing received after completion of a program requiring at least 40 hours of instruction;
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IAP (o): Successfully completes a series of short-term industry recognized certificates equaling at least 40 hours.
Whether you’re a teacher, health educator, program facilitator, or any other kind of youth-supporting professional whose role includes helping adolescents navigate health, this free elearning covers the basics! This resource comes from the Healthy Teen Network.
Note: Washington public schools must provide comprehensive, medically accurate sexual health education to all students at least twice (2x) between grades 9–12. Read Bulletin 030-20 and Bulletin 028-23 for information.
Note: Resources are provided for informational purposes and not as recommendations from OSPI. We recommend reviewing all educational materials for alignment with district policy and state law before using with students. Articles and other resources are provided for informational purposes and do not necessarily reflect the viewpoints or policies of OSPI. For more resources, consider subscribing to the OSPI Sexual Health Education News and Resources newsletter.
Attention all Open Doors staff! A new law streamlines the process for students to seek post-secondary education credentials, including college degrees, apprenticeships, and certificate programs. House Bill 2214 removes barriers to eligibility for low-income high school students to access the Washington College Grant (WCG).
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Automatic Qualification: Starting in the 2025-26 academic year, students receiving SNAP benefits or food stamps in 10th, 11th, and 12th grade will automatically qualify for the WCG without additional paperwork.
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Financial Aid Support: Students qualifying for the WCG will receive yearly reminders to complete FAFSA or WASFA applications, unlocking additional financial aid.
How you can help:
- Assist your students in applying for SNAP benefits.
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Refresh your understanding of SNAP benefits.
- Revisit the SNAP application with students on a consistent basis.
- Move away from “one-and-done”. Open Doors Youth Reengagement students may experience a variety of life experiences that change their SNAP edibility status.
- Being a young parent or attending school at least part-time may exempt a student from the work requirements.
- Many of our students qualify and have exemptions to work requirements.
SNAP reduces poverty and food insecurity while stimulating economic growth. Learn more about SNAP by visiting the Federal Nutrition Services website
Low-income or uninsured residents in Washington state now have more dental care options. DentistLink, a free referral service for those with Apple Health (Medicaid) or no insurance, has partnered with Project Access Northwest to connect more people to essential health services.
When you call or text DentistLink for referrals, you will reach a team with deep experience connecting people to the care they need. In addition to dental care, you’ll now find a more comprehensive system of support including:
- Medical and behavioral health care.
- Resources to help access transportation to and from appointments.
- Telephone interpretation services.
Support Open Doors youth with accessing DentistLink with three options:
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Phone: Call or text 844-888-5465, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
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Online Search: Find dental care near you anytime.
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Online Form: Answer a few questions, and we’ll connect you to care.
Read the full article here: Free dental referral service expands care options, addresses health disparities - Arcora Foundation
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 Listen & Learn: High School & Beyond Plan
Learn about the statewide transition to a universal High School & Beyond Plan platform. Virtual session options are available on Oct. 21 and Oct. 28.
Visit HSBP Listen & Learn Registration Link to register.
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Join the webinar: Summer Pilot Presentation
Join us for an overview of the Summer Pilot Project and preliminary data findings.
In 2022-2023, Open Doors was legislatively directed pilot offering summer school and prioritizing services for students who had previously experienced detention or incarceration. We will touch on year-round school, summer attendance, community partnerships, serving justice-impacted students, and student reengagement.
Tip: Copy-paste this information and add it to your calendar for Nov. 12 at 9 am.
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Other Resources:
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GATE Equity Webinar Series - Regular monthly webinars. Information and registration available through the GATE website.
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Save the Date! WALA (WA Assn for Learning Alternatives) Annual Spring Conference: February 19-21, 2025 | Skamania Lodge, Stevenson, WA | WALA Conference Presenter call and Registration webpage. Share your Open Doors strategies!
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Email the Open Doors team for support with your questions at OpenDoors@k12.wa.us.
You can also call the new Open Doors voicemail line at 360-725-4958.
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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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