Winter 2021 Newsletter - Volume 2, Issue 4

From L-to-R: LD 43 Speaker-Emeritus Frank Chopp, LD 23 Representative Drew Hansen, WSOS Executive Director Kimber Connors, Seattle Promise and WSOS Scholar Albany Garcia, Mayor Jenny Durkan, Microsoft President Brad Smith, South Seattle Colleges President Dr. Rosie Rimando-Chareunsap, and DEEL Director Dwane Chappelle.

Strengthening STEM Pathways for Seattle Promise Students

The City of Seattle, DEEL, and partners from education, philanthropy and STEM industries announced a new partnership with the Washington State Opportunity Scholarship (WSOS) to strengthen pathways to college and career advancement for Seattle Promise scholars pursuing jobs in the trades, Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) and health care. Seattle is the first city in Washington State to become a municipal partner for this competitive scholarship, ensuring Seattle Promise scholars have access to continued financial aid and support as they successfully complete the Seattle Promise program and transition to furthering their education at another institution.  

Read the full announcement on the DEEL blog.

COVID-19 Updates and Vaccines for Youth Ages 5+

The omicron variant is spreading rapidly in Seattle and King County. Over the past week, there has been a 195% increase in cases, according to Public Health - Seattle-King County's COVID-19 data dashboard. City of Seattle vaccination clinics have administered over 320,000 doses of life-saving vaccines including more than 54,000 booster doses. In Seattle, 90% of residents have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and nearly 50% of eligible residents who have been fully vaccinated also have received boosters.  

Public health officials are urging all residents who have not yet been vaccinated to do so, to continue wearing masks, practice social distancing, and take advantage of testing services. The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is available for children 5 years and older, and people age 16 and older are now eligible for boosters. 

Last week, Mayor Durkan announced expanded testing and vaccination resources for Seattle residents, including fixed COVID-19 testing sites throughout the city and continued opportunities for vaccination.  

Public Health - Seattle King County Vaccine Resources

Youth Ages 16-17 Are Now Eligible for Boosters

Public Health-Seattle King County COVID-19 Vaccination FAQ for Youth 5-17

How Parents Can Report COVID-19 Cases to Schools and Child Care Centers

Urban Metropolitan League of Seattle Vaccine Resources Black Health Matters: COVID-19 Vaccines and the Black Community Young, Vaxxed, & Back to School: Student Resource Hub  50 FAQ Videos about the COVID-19 Vaccine by Black and Latinx Health Professionals

Find a COVID-19 Vaccine Appointment:

Families can find and schedule appointments for COVID-19 vaccines and boosters at vaccinelocator.doh.wa.gov.

Student and Family Resources

Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) CCAP pays for child care costs for children ages one month to 12 years old for income-eligible working families or families with a parent attending school. Families receive a monthly voucher for child care that can be used at any one of the City's more than 200 participating CCAP providers. For more information, visit seattle.gov/ccap.

Seattle Preschool Program (SPP) Enrollment is Open Now!  SPP provides families with affordable, high-quality preschool to all 3- and 4-year olds living in Seattle. In-person preschool classes are in session now, and the enrollment period for the 2021-2022 preschool year remains open through March 2022. Learn more and apply at seattle.gov/applyspp

Seattle Public Schools Resources  SPS Transportation Plan for Snowy Weather. Unsafe road conditions may impact SPS transportation including altered bus routes and school schedules. FAFSA and WAFSA applications are open now! This is one of the first steps high school seniors planning to go to college should take to apply for financial aid.  See more SPS resources here.

ICYMI: In Case You Missed It

DEEL Celebrates Child Care Staff With Nearly $3 Million in Recognition Payments DEEL joined members of the Seattle City Council and Greater Seattle Child Care Business Coalition to celebrate the important service child care staff provided to children and families throughout the COVID-19 pandemic with nearly $3M in recognition payments.

YMCA Panel on Advancing Equity and Justice in Early Learning  Dr. Dwane Chappelle, Director of DEEL, participated in the YMCA of Greater Seattle's panel on Advancing Equity and Justice in Early Education to discuss the importance of kindergarten readiness and improving access, opportunity and academic success for all children using an equity and intersectional lens.

Washington’s Opportunity Scholarship program celebrates 6,196 grads, and counting

More than 3,500 Seattle child care workers to receive payments in recognition of work during pandemic  

DEEL Announces over $945K in Seattle Preschool Program Facilities Improvements

Black Educators Closing Equity Gaps for African American Students and Teachers  

Seattle Promise is Building Educational Equity

Seattle's Free Community College Program Grows in Size and Impact 

Calendar of Events and Interest

Virtual ParentMap Puget Sound Preschool Preview: January 8

Deadline to Submit Seattle Promise Applications: February 1  

Seattle Preschool Program Applications Open for 2022-2023: March 15

Homelessness and Housing Support Request for Investment: Coming in 2022

Prenatal-to-Three Community Grant Program: Coming in 2022

Equitable Communities Initiative Request for Investment: Coming in 2022

View our website in early 2022 for additional updates on DEEL funding opportunities!