YOUTH ADVOCACY HUB
SUMMARY
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Defines Youth Development programs as programs for youth that focus on holistic outcomes by complementing school-day academics, promoting social-emotional well-being, and supporting access to postsecondary career pathways.
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Creates a grant program that will provide funding to schools to help create or expand youth development programs in the areas of:
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Learning acceleration
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Personalized learning
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Social-emotional learning
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Mentorship
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Connection to non-school-based resources
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Postsecondary access and career pathways
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Arts programming
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Cultural programming
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...and more
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In designing this grant program, the Department of Children, Youth, and Families will consult with:
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Youth aged 14-26
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People with lived experience around either receiving or providing services from a youth development program
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Program providers serving local communities
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Eligibility & priorities for grant recipients:
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Programs that serve historically marginalized communities will be prioritized
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School districts will not be eligible to receive grants
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Programs that receive funding must serve students with physical and developmental disabilities, as well as take steps to encourage parents and family engagement.
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POINTS TO CONSIDER ABOUT THIS BILL
What is Youth Development?
Youth Development in an intentional, strength-based approach that inclusively and equitably engages young people within their communities. It is culturally responsive, fosters positive relationships, and supports the development of skills and competencies that help young people reach the future they envision.
Youth development programs often taken place outside the regular school day and include mentoring, expanded learning, and wrap-around supports. You'll find these programs all over Washington, operating in community spaces, schools, parks, small businesses, faith institutions, on tribal lands, online, and more. For more information, visit the the website of a leading youth development advocacy organization, School's Out Washington (SOWA).
The Youth Development Strategy Table is a coalition (convened by SOWA) of providers, advocates, and others who care about expanding and increasing access to these programs. They are supportive of this bill, but are also looking to institutionalize a state funding source for these programs (beyond just a grant program).
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
Steps to Get Started
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Learn where the bill is in the legislative process.
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If there is an upcoming hearing, decide how you would like to get your voice heard and take action.
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If there is not an upcoming hearing, or if you want to supplement your advocacy, call or write your legislators.
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Spread the word and get other people on board.
Participating in a Hearing
Sign in Pro, Con, or Other
This is when individuals, advocates, and organizations make their position on a particular bill known for the record. This is particularly powerful in large numbers. Many organizations will send out Action Alerts asking people to sign in Pro or Con on a bill.
Submit Written Testimony
Submitting written testimony is a great way not only to make your position known, to legislators but also to explain why in more detail. This is a good option if you don't want to speak in front of others. People also like to offer more nuance to their position by writing.
Testify Virtually
Since COVID, many legislators are allowing remote/virtual testimony for bill hearings, as it greatly expands access to the legislative process across the state. For this, individuals usually have between 1-2 minutes to state their opinion on a bill in front of the legislative committee on Zoom.
Testify In Person
To testify on a bill in person, you must travel to Olympia and join the real-time committee hearing on the Capitol campus. You will also get between 1-2 minutes to state your opinion. This is often a powerful way to make an impression on legislators in the room.
Using the WA Legislature Website
