Author: kgustainis

Legislative Roll Call: Week 1

Uncategorized | 01/13/2023
Post author Liz Trautman
Liz Trautman Policy and Government Affairs Director, Stand for Children Washington

Happy first week of session! I started as the Government Affairs Director with Stand for Children in August, so this is my first legislative session with Stand, and I’m excited to move forward our collective priorities together! I’m also excited to be coming into a hybrid legislative session, with more ways to participate than ever – legislators and lobbyists are back in Olympia, and members of the public can participate in person or via zoom. 

I was able to attend the opening of the House of Representatives on Monday, and it was a really nice way to kick the session off. It definitely has a “back to school” feel in Olympia. Watching the swearing in ceremony was also a nice reminder that legislators are humans too – they were cheered on by family and friends, and are excited to be back in person and building new relationships and strengthening old ones. 

A few updates on where we are one week in: 

  • More than 1000 bills have been introduced so far! 
  • The Governor’s proposed operating budget was heard in the House Appropriations Committee & Senate Ways and Means Committee this week.
    • Stand testified in support of K-12 budget investments, urging final budget to include funding for ninth grade success team approach, dual credit equity, and learning acceleration 
  • Stand’s lead priority bills are expected to drop today, and we’ll update you with bill numbers as soon as we can!
    • Ninth Grade Success Team Approach – Sen Liias is sponsoring this bill to sustain and expand a proven approach to improving the “ninth grade on track rate” for high schools around the state. Ninth grade is a pivotal year, and being “on track” in ninth grade is a strong predictor of on-time high school graduation. 
    • Debt Free Youth Justice – Sen Frame and Rep Farivar are sponsoring a bill that would eliminate harmful and ineffective fines and fees in juvenile court, and better serve those harmed by juvenile offenses with a Community Compensation Fund in lieu of victim restitution. 
    • As always, we are working with a coalition of partners in the High School Success Coalition to advance important priorities. This year our priorities include:
      • Promoting learning acceleration & recovery efforts 
      • Improving Dual Credit equity
      • Supporting effective transitions 

I hope you’ll join us in our advocacy this session – with so many bills introduced, we will need EVERY voice raised in support of educational equity and racial justice. Sign up here to join us as an advocate this session!

Best, 

Liz

SIGN UP TO BE AN ADVOCATE

Pandemic Relief Funds Support Success of Washington’s Ninth Graders

High School Success | 01/5/2023
Post author Katie Gustainis
Katie Gustainis Marketing & Communications Director, Stand for Children Washington

The Washington State Superintendent of Public Schools recently published this incredible case study of Grandview School District and their successful Ninth Grade Success Team practices. See below for a brief excerpt from the OSPI article or click here to read the full blog post.

—-

“When Henterson Carlisle talks about the importance of successfully completing ninth grade, he points to the data.

“Ninth graders are three to five times more likely to fail a class than [students in] any other grade,” said Carlisle, Washington Director of the Center for High School Success (CHSS), a national project of the education advocacy organization Stand for Children. “When a ninth grader fails a class, it reduces their chances of graduating on time by 40%.”

With support from Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funding, CHSS is working with school districts across Washington to increase the number of ninth grade students who finish their first year of high school on track to graduate in 4 years. Students are considered “on track” when they pass all their classes in ninth grade.

CHSS coaches school districts to use student behavior, grades, and attendance data to guide their process of creating systems that support the transition into ninth grade, building Ninth Grade Success Teams, and determining interventions that are catered to individual student needs. As a result, each school district uses different strategies to best support their students.

“We meet schools where they are,” Carlisle said. “It may look different from School A to School B.”

In a two-part series, the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) will look at two Washington school districts that are working to increase their ninth grade success rates. First up is the Grandview School District in central Washington…(read the full article here).”

READ THE FULL ARTICLE

Stand’s Legislative Priorities for 2023

Uncategorized | 01/5/2023
Post author Liz Trautman
Liz Trautman Policy and Government Affairs Director

As a nonprofit advocacy organization active in Washington since 2007, Stand for Children is a unique catalyst for education equity and racial justice, to create a brighter future for us all.

To achieve our mission, Stand’s legislative advocacy seeks to:

  • Lead with the goal of racial equity by targeting policies that prioritize students and families who are Black, Indigenous and
    people of color.
  • Promote proven solutions that are already working in schools and communities

In the 2023 legislative session, Stand urges lawmakers to:

Build a debt-free youth justice system that reduces harm and promotes community healing by:

  • eliminating the ineffective and inefficient practice of imposing financial restitution in juvenile cases;
  • improving access to compensation for victims of crime;
  • eliminating remaining juvenile legal financial obligations (LFOs), and;
  • discharging outstanding juvenile court debt.

We are proud to work alongside our partners in the Debt Free Youth Justice Washington Coalition in this effort. Learn more at dfyjwa.org

Increase on-time high school graduation rates and support students through the critical ninth-grade transition year by equipping educators with the proven Ninth Grade Success Team Approach

With a framework that is uniquely suited to improve student success, the NGST Approach:

  • prioritizes relationship-building;
  • focuses on equity, and;
  • makes data immediately actionable.

We are proud to work alongside our partners in the High School Success Coalition in this effort. Learn more at highschoolsuccesswa.org.

To read our support agenda items for 2023, you may download a PDF copy of our legislative priorities at this link.

Build Your Skills: Advocacy 101 Training

Legislation | 12/8/2022
Post author Katie Gustainis
Katie Gustainis Marketing & Communications Director, Stand for Children Washington
Do you want to learn more about how bills become law and how to share your voice with our elected officials?   Register today for our upcoming Advocacy 101 Training on Monday, December 19th.

This 90-minute training introduction to the state legislative process and an opportunity to build your storytelling skills. We’ll also be sharing Stand’s legislative priorities for 2023, including both education equity and juvenile justice reform proposals.  

If you’ve ever wanted to learn more about how to change laws and invest in your community, this is a great place to start! Register today to reserve your spot.

(If you can’t make the training but still want to be notified about advocacy opportunities, sign up here to become a 2023 advocate with Stand.)  
REGISTER HERE

Leesa Manion will uphold the truest version of public safety for young people

Elections | 10/28/2022
Post author Kia C. Franklin
Kia C. Franklin Executive Director, Stand for Children Washington

Stand for Children is proud to be a member of the youth justice reform community in Washington State. Working together, we must reduce the harmful impacts of juvenile legal system involvement on young people’s opportunities and eliminate pipelines from K-12 education that push young people into carceral systems.

King County has been leading the way in progressive juvenile legal reform, and we must continue that progress as we work to change our systems across every county in the state.

This election cycle in King County has the oft-overlooked but very impactful office of the county’s Prosecuting Attorney on the ballot, and the Stand for Children Washington PAC is proudly endorsing Leesa Manion in this race.

Leesa is the current Chief of Staff of the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, where she has spearheaded projects aimed at protecting public safety, reducing racial inequity, strengthening victim services, and holding repeat criminals accountable.  She has a clear track record of creating programs that help young people learn from and acknowledge their mistakes while also repairing harm to the community and understanding that each young person has more human worth than the sum of their missteps.

As election day approaches on November 8th, I felt compelled to set the record straight about Leesa’s candidacy and her data-driven approach to supporting young people and building safer communities. I made my case about why you should vote for Leesa this week in The Stranger. As you fill out your ballot, I encourage you to read it if you need more information.

Read more about why we need to elect Leesa Manion

If you haven’t voted yet, you can view our whole list of endorsed education and justice champions here. And no matter where you are in the state, you can find information about your ballot and voter guide at vote.wa.gov.

our 2022 endorsement list

Youth impacted by court fines and fees: take this survey

Youth Justice | 10/14/2022
Post author Katie Gustainis
Katie Gustainis Marketing & Communications Director

For anyone who has been impacted by court costs like fines, fees, or restitution as a young person – will you take our 3-minute survey? It will help support our advocacy to hopefully eliminate those fees in Washington state.

To access the survey link, please contact Meghan Grace at [email protected] or 510-984-4167 and she’ll send it to you.

This survey was developed by the Debt Free Youth Justice Washington coalition, which Stand for Children co-leads. We are a statewide coalition of directly-impacted advocates, community leaders, and policy experts committed to ending the harmful impacts of juvenile fees, fines, and restitution in Washington state.

Our Full 2022 Endorsement List of Education and Justice champions

Elections | 10/7/2022
Post author Liz Trautman
Liz Trautman Government Affairs Director, Stand for Children Washington

The Stand for Children Washington Political Action Committee (PAC) is proud to make election endorsements of education and justice champions who will be strong, independent voices for putting the best interests of young people first.

Stand for Children Washington PAC 2022 Endorsements

As the 2022 General Election approaches on November 8, 2022, the Stand for Children Washington PAC is proud to announce our full list of sole endorsements for champions of young people in Washington state:

NamePartyDistrictPosition
Rep. Dave PaulD10Rep. Pos. 2
Terri NilesD17Rep. Pos. 1
Sen. Marko LiiasD21Senator
Rep. Tarra SimmonsD23Rep. Pos. 1
Sen. Emily RandallD26Senator
Sen. Yasmine TrudeauD27Senator
Rep. Laurie JinkinsD27Rep. Pos. 1
Rep. Mari LeavittD28Rep. Pos. 1
Sen. Claire WilsonD30Senator
Rep. Jamila TaylorD30Rep. Pos. 1
Kristine ReevesD30Rep. Pos. 2
Chris VanceI31Senator
Rep. Drew MacEwenR35Rep. Pos. 2
Julia ReedD36Rep. Pos. 1
Emijah SmithD37Rep. Pos. 2
Julio CortesD38Rep. Pos. 1
Mary FosseD38Rep. Pos. 2
Jessica WadhamsD39Rep. Pos. 2
Rep. Debra LekanoffD40Rep. Pos. 1
Rep. Tana SennD41Rep. Pos. 1
Rep. Alicia RuleD42Rep. Pos. 1
Rep. April BergD44Rep. Pos. 2
Rep. Larry SpringerD45Rep. Pos. 2
Sen. Manka DhingraD45Senator
Darya FarivarD46Rep. Pos. 2
Shukri OlowD47Rep. Pos. 2
Leesa ManionN/AKing CountyProsecutor
Stand for Children Washington PAC 2022 endorsements

If elected, we believe these candidates will center the needs of young people and work to address the existing harmful inequities in our education and justice systems.

Check Your Voter Registration Status

Washington voters have until October 31st to register or update their mailing address online or via mail, and voters may update their registration or register for the first time in-person until election day, November 8th.

CHECK YOUR VOTER STATUS

It’s easy and secure to register online, by mail with a paper form, or at a county elections office. You can your registration at VoteWA.gov.

Effective January 1st, 2022, if you were convicted of a felony in Washington State, another state, or in federal court, your right to vote will be restored automatically as long as you are not currently serving a sentence of total confinement in prison.

Our Endorsement Process

Through our endorsement process, including questionnaires and interviews as necessary, we identify candidates in each election cycle who share our values and our vision of building systems that are student-centered. In an arena dominated by political parties, we strive to remain non-partisan and student-focused. We fearlessly and unapologetically challenge the status quo in pursuit of solutions that will help every student succeed.

To receive an endorsement from our PAC, candidates must demonstrate that they are clearly aligned with and supportive of our priorities, including:

  • increasing the number of BIPOC students and students furthest from educational justice who receive a relevant and meaningful high school diploma;
  • reducing the harmful impacts of juvenile legal system involvement on young people’s opportunities; and
  • creating safe and equitable learning environments that cultivate belonging and affirm students’ intersecting identities.

Interested in contributing to our efforts to elect these champions? Donate here to the Stand for Children Washington PAC.

DONATE NOW

We’re endorsing these 10 champions for education and justice

Elections | 09/21/2022
Post author Liz Trautman
Liz Trautman Government Affairs Director, Stand for Children Washington
an older white woman with blonde hair and classes in a blue suit against a background of greenery

The Stand for Children Washington Political Action Committee (PAC) is proud to make election endorsements of education and justice champions who will be strong, independent voices for putting the best interests of young people first.

Our Endorsement Process

Through our endorsement process, including questionnaires and interviews as necessary, we identify candidates in each election cycle who share our values and our vision of building systems that are student-centered. In an arena dominated by political parties, we strive to remain non-partisan and student-focused. We fearlessly and unapologetically challenge the status quo in pursuit of solutions that will help every student succeed.

To receive an endorsement from our PAC, candidates must demonstrate that they are clearly aligned with and supportive of our priorities, including:

  • increasing the number of BIPOC students and students furthest from educational justice who receive a relevant and meaningful high school diploma;
  • reducing the harmful impacts of juvenile legal system involvement on young people’s opportunities; and
  • creating safe and equitable learning environments that cultivate belonging and affirm students’ intersecting identities.

Initial 2022 Endorsements

As the 2022 General Election approaches on November 8, 2022, the Stand for Children Washington PAC is proud to announce our initial* round of sole endorsements for ten champions of young people in Washington state, including:

NamePartyDistrictPosition
Rep. Tarra Simmons D23Rep. Pos. 1
Sen. Yasmine TrudeauD27Senator
Rep. Mari LeavittD28Rep. Pos. 1
Sen. Claire WilsonD30Senator
Rep. Jamila TaylorD30Rep. Pos. 1
Chris VanceI31Senator
Julia ReedD36Rep. Pos. 1
Julio CortesD38Rep. Pos. 1
Mary FosseD38Rep. Pos. 2
Rep. April BergD44Rep. Pos. 2
Stand for Children Washington PAC initial 2022 endorsements

If elected, we believe these ten candidates will center the needs of young people and work to address the existing harmful inequities in our education and justice systems. (*Keep an eye out for further endorsements from Stand throughout the month of September.)

Check Your Voter Registration Status

Washington voters have until October 31st to register or update their mailing address online or via mail, and voters may update their registration or register for the first time in-person until election day, November 8th.

CHECK YOUR VOTER STATUS

It’s easy and secure to register online, by mail with a paper form, or at a county elections office. You can your registration at VoteWA.gov.

Effective January 1st, 2022, if you were convicted of a felony in Washington State, another state, or in federal court, your right to vote will be restored automatically as long as you are not currently serving a sentence of total confinement in prison.

We’re updating our website

Current Events & News | 08/12/2022
Post author Katie Gustainis
Katie Gustainis Marketing & Communications Director

We’re excited to have launched a new version of our website in August 2022 and are in the process of adding content from before 2022 to our records. Until then, if you have a question about Stand for Children Washington or the work we do, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Katie Gustainis at [email protected].

To learn more about some of the achievements we’ve made for Washington students, we encourage you to read these news stories about our work:

Gov. Inslee signs bill ending parental fees for incarcerated children – March 25, 2022

Senator Marko Liias: Teams improving on-time grad rates for 9th graders – February 13, 2022

Advocates push to eliminate state fees charged families of incarcerated youths – January 21, 2022

Op-Ed: Teachers must have the tools they need to address racism and its impacts – May 26, 2021

Child care and early learning advocates in Washington state celebrate legislative wins – April 28, 2021

Who we elect matters more than ever

Uncategorized | 07/21/2022
Post author Kia C. Franklin
Kia C. Franklin Executive Director, Stand for Children Washington

Have you received your ballot for the August 2nd primary election, Katie?

As you cast your vote, I’m writing to ask for your partnership to help us elect champions of education equity and racial justice across Washington state. 

Can you support our electoral efforts with a $10 donation to the Stand for Children Washington PAC?

In Washington, an organization like ours can commit resources to support or oppose candidates if they form what’s called a Political Action Committee, also known as a PAC. The Stand for Children Washington PAC is a separate financial entity that is registered with and regularly reports to the state. There are strict regulations on how much a PAC can contribute to and be in contact with any candidate’s campaign.

Our goal is to support candidates who share our commitment to education equity and racial justice.

DONATE NOW

Right now we working on identifying candidates to support through our 2022 endorsement process. To receive an endorsement from the PAC, candidates must demonstrate that they are clearly aligned with and supportive of our priorities. 

In an arena dominated by political parties, we strive to remain non-partisan and student-focused. We fearlessly and unapologetically challenge the status quo in pursuit of solutions that will help every student succeed. Will you support us with a $10 donation today?

If you have any questions or want to know more about how to participate in our electoral campaigns, please don’t hesitate to reply to this email. I look forward to sharing our endorsements with you before the General Election in November. Thank you, as always, for your ongoing support. 

Standing with you,

Kia

Executive Director

People
Archive
Careers
Donate
Back to top back to top