Our 2025–26 CSCP PD calendars are now available for teams to use while planning out their year. The calendar is available in multiple formats:
-
2025–26 Calendar Handout: This version includes detailed descriptions of each PD offering that double as easily sharable blurbs to share with your peers and networks and includes all the links you'll need. This version will be posted on OSPI CSCP webpage.
-
2025–26 Calendar at a Glance: This version lays out the color-coded PD offerings visually all in spot with all the links you'll need.
|
Elementary school counselors, we are launching a dedicated network just for you! Celebrate the unique role of elementary school counseling, find your CSCP supporters, create highlight reels showcasing your CSCP impact, and level up your CCR domain. This is your chance to connect with peers who share your passion for all things elementary school counseling! Leave each session with practical artifacts and up to 1.5 free clock hours for live attendance.
- October 22, 9:30–11:00 | Celebrating CSCP Champions and Growing Support Circles | Register
- January 22, 9:30–11:00 | Data-Driven Stories that Spark Action | Register
- April 23, 9:30–11:00 | Leveling Up College & Career Readiness | Register
Join our new network tailored for middle school counselors! Dive into discussions on the importance of middle school counseling, leveraging data, developing proactive systems, HSBP, and strengthening articulation processes. Walk away with practical artifacts, a stronger peer network, and up to 1.5 free clock hours for live attendance.
- October 28, 9:30–11:00 | Why Middle School Matters & Launching HSBP | Register
- January 29, 9:30–11:00 | Defining Crisis to Break the Cycle of Reactivity | Register
- April 30, 9:30–11:00 | Articulation for When You’re Caught in the Middle | Register
Register today to ensure you don't miss out!
The window to earn free OSPI-sponsored clock hours is closing soon, be sure to complete your course(s) by August 31, 2025 to take advantage of the easiest and most direct route to earning clock hours. Clock hours will be awarded in bulk by mid-September through the automated system.
Need Clock Hours Sooner? If you've already completed your course and need clock hours awarded prior to the system-generated date, please email with your course title and completion details.
If you’re unable to finish by the deadline, your course will still be active, and you may still have options to earn clock hours or credit. You can check with your building or district to see if they can sponsor the clock hours, explore Washington’s Professional Growth Plan (PGP) to earn free hours for your learning, or consider earning university credit for an additional fee through Hatching Results’ partnership with California State University San Marcos (CSUSM).
|
 |
Press Release from the Washington State Department of Health:
On July 17, 2025, the federal government shut down the 988 LGBTQI+ Youth Subnetwork. This specialized line launched in 2022 as part of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It provided crisis support to lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer and questioning, intersex, asexual, and Two-Spirit (LGBTQIA2S+) teens and young adults ages 13-24.Staffed by trained counselors, many of whom were LGBTQIA2S+ themselves, the line provided an affirming space for those experiencing suicidal thoughts, mental health crises, or substance use concerns.
The shutdown of this important service has left many young people and those who support them wondering where to turn for help. But in Washington, LGBTQIA2S+ teens and young adults still have several options for affirming and compassionate support—including the 988 Lifeline.
The 988 Lifeline continues to support all people in need of crisis services, and all of Washington’s 988 Lifeline crisis counselors get specialized training in supporting LGBTQIA2S+ people, including teens and young adults. Since the LGBTQI+ Youth Subnetwork shut down, all 3 of Washington’s 988 Lifeline crisis centers have added training for crisis counselors specific to LGBTQIA2S+ youth cultural humility and challenges often experienced by LGBTQIA2S+ youth, including mental health and substance use concerns.
Other resources for LGBTQIA2S+ teens and young adults include:
The Washington State Department of Health remains committed to supporting LGBTQIA2S+ teens and young adults, along with all people in need.
Youth-centered Environmental Shift (YES!) is a new free sexual violence prevention program for Washington middle schools. Developed by OSPI, YES! is considered by the CDC to be a promising school-wide program that relies on youth involvement and primary prevention at the community level. The program helps to create a safer and more supportive school environment, using strategies that are proven to prevent both perpetration and victimization among youth.
Free technical assistance from OSPI is available for schools to implement YES! in the 2025–26 school year. Contact laurie.dils@k12.wa.us to learn more.
Visit the Mental Health Literacy webpage to learn more about the topic and review the many resources available to bring more mental health awareness to the classroom.
Following the close of the 2025 legislative session, key changes to dual credit funding were announced. Due to statewide budget reductions, state subsidies for AP, IB, and Cambridge exam fees—as well as the Consolidated Equity and Sustainability Dual Credit Grant—will not be available for the 2025–27 school years.
For more information, read the July Dual Credit Newsflash here. For questions about the suspension of dual credit exam fee subsidies or the Consolidated Equity and Sustainability Grant for the 2025–2027 biennium, please contact Tim McClain at tim.mcclain@k12.wa.us.
The July Dual Credit Newsflash also answers frequently asked questions about seniors who postponed graduation to access Summer Running Start:
- How and when should districts officially graduate them if the college’s summer term ends after the district’s new academic year begins?
- What happens if a graduated senior enrolled for summer Running Start?
Read all the details here.
Trainings Are Back This August!
SchooLinks trainings are back! Starting August 18th, more Getting Started and Event Scheduler sessions will be available to help districts prepare for a successful rollout of the new universal HSBP platform. Whether you're supporting students directly or helping your district get ready for the transition, these trainings will give you the tools and confidence you need. Register TODAY using the link below.
NEW! HSBP Implementation "Pulse Checks"
HSBP Pulse Checks are OSPI’s way of staying connected with districts to understand how the transition to SchooLinks is progressing and where additional support might be helpful. These collaborative touchpoints allow us to learn from your experiences, celebrate what’s working well, and identify opportunities to better support your work.
OSPI's HSBP team will review completion data of 3 key HSBP activities on the dates listed below. Each date corresponds to an element of the HSBP process that needs to happen in a timely manner to maximize benefits for students and provide staff enough time to intervene with students who are behind or need extra support.
These "pulse checks” on HSBP implementation are one of the ways that having a universal platform enables OSPI to provide better support! If it appears that a district hasn’t made expected progress by these dates, we’ll follow up directly to learn more about how the transition is going and see how we can help.
Our goal is to partner with you to ensure you have the needed training and support to provide every student with access to a meaningful, high-quality HSBP.
Pulse Check Dates:
-
September 30 – Onboarding process completed (all grades)
-
November 1 – Annual SMART Goal Setting/Updating done
-
May 1 – HSBP Submission completed (all grades)
Weekly HSBP Office Hours Begin Aug. 18 Have questions? Need real-time support? Want to share what's working well so we keep doing it? Drop in anytime from 2:30–3:30 PM for open office hours every Monday (except holidays) with OSPI's HSBP team starting August 18th. No registration is needed, simply drop in with your questions or ideas. Find the Zoom Link to the OSPI HSBP Office Hours below.
ICYMI: HSBP Funding Continues in 2025–26 OSPI has committed discretionary funding through 2025–26 to support the transition to a universal HSBP platform. While the platform remains an unfunded state mandate, OSPI is actively advocating for additional support. School counselor stories and district wins can make a big impact, so share your successes with hsbp@k12.wa.us.
These very popular workshops provide professional development for school counselors, career center specialist, HSBP coordinators and those in college-access work. Held in-person and virtually, we’re excited to provide current information from the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), The State Board of Education (SBE), State Board of Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC), Council of Presidents (COP), Independent Colleges of Washington (ICW) and the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC), as well as from our public and private four-year institutions and community and technical colleges.
Visit the Washington Council's webpage for more details.
Comprehensive School Counseling Program Supervisor
Gayle Fleming, gayle.fleming@k12.wa.us
Secondary School Counseling Program Supervisor
Maria Muto, maria.muto@k12.wa.us
|
Note: Resources are provided for informational purposes and not as recommendations from OSPI. Resources referenced here may be for educators or parents and may not be intended for use in the classroom. 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 OSP
|