Identicard: Improving access to state-issued ID cards for students experiencing housing insecurity and/or homelessness
(image source: dol.wa.gov)
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The Department of Licensing (DOL) and OSPI established a process in 2021 to assist students experiencing homelessness with obtaining a Washington State Identification (ID) card.
Students who have been identified as eligible for the provisions of the McKinney-Vento Act (MV), and have barriers to accessing an ID due to their housing situation, can work with their local school district MV Liaison or school Building Point of Contact to secure a state issued ID. The process helps students impacted by homelessness get their first ID card with an Identicard Request Form (supplied to the school district by OSPI), when they lack other vital records.
The new McKinney-Vento ID card process is the result of SHB 2607, a bill directing the establishment of a process for accepting alternate documents that allow individuals experiencing homelessness 25 years old and younger to receive an ID card.
For more information on how your students experiencing homelessness can access this resource, please reach out to Vivian.RogersDecker@k12.wa.us.
 Beginning in the 2025-26 school year, districts across Washington will begin a phased adoption of the SchooLinks platform for the High School & Beyond Plan (HSBP). The HSBP YouTube playlist has a series of videos that include an overview of the platform, as well as targeted demonstrations for both school staff and students and families.
All public education students (including ALE and Open Doors) have a High School & Beyond Plan, which is meant to support academic planning and progress towards post-graduation goals. The universal SchooLinks platform is intended to standardize the HBSP experience and provide more equitable access to all students.
For questions about the SchooLinks platform and upcoming transition, please contact the Grad Team via the HSBP@k12.wa.us email.
Seattle partnership is offering virtual mental health therapy services for youth ages 13-24.
In a partnership between the city’s Department of Education and Early Learning and the online behavioral health company Talkspace, students age 13 and 24 can sign up and get matched with a Washington licensed provider. Virtual communication is managed through a secure messaging app.
Funds for the program come from a $14.55 million partnership between Seattle Public Schools and the city, and aim to expand both in-person and virtual mental health support for youth, as well as violence prevention and school safety services.
For more information, read this article from the Seattle Times Mental Health Project initiative.
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Notice of a Paid Youth Opportunity from the WA Dept. of Health and Health Care Authority: |
Emergency Contraception Access & Price Survey. Survey is available to teens and young adults up to age 26 to complete upon visiting any Washington-based pharmacy. Young people can submit up to 3 surveys and receive up to $180 in Tango gift cards. For more information, contact AdolescentHealthUnit@doh.wa.gov.
Survey open until Feb. 28, 2025.
Washington's 3rd Climate Education Summit is happening on April 25-26th in Vancouver, WA! Friday the 25th is an optional day consisting of outdoor learning field experiences and a climate speaker. Saturday the 26th will have our keynote speaker on salmon recovery, lunch, a non-profit climate learning exhibit hall, and multiple climate learning sessions for you to choose from! Be on the lookout for opportunities to be a presenter, we would love to hear about any climate work you are already doing in your classroom.
Apply here!
- Priority Deadline: February 3, 2025.
- Application Due March 21st, 2025.
- Applicants will be notified of their status on a rolling basis as of February 4, 2025.
Registration and Travel Cost Information:
- The conference is grant-supported, so there is no registration fee.
- Clock hours for Washington educators will be free of charge.
- Travel, lodging, and substitute costs cannot be covered.
- Please see this support document to reference when discussing attendance with your district.
Introducing SB 5007: Sponsored by Senators Wellman and Braun, SB 5007 aims to enhance statewide support for students who are chronically absent and at risk of not graduating high school.
This bill proposes:
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Funding for ESDs: Providing training, coaching, and technical assistance to schools.
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Grant Funding: Assisting districts, Tribes, and community organizations in developing early warning systems and implementing best practices to boost attendance and engagement.
- Barrier Reduction: Supporting activities to reduce barriers in Open Doors programs.
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Learn more about legislative efforts by reading the Barrier Reduction Brief.
The next Graduation Equity Webinar on Attendance Support for Students with Extended Absences is on Wednesday, February 12 from 10-11:30am. Register here!
If you missed the January webinar, Artificial Intelligence Hacks for Leadership Teams, it can be viewed on OSPI YouTube Channel.
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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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