www.washingtonpassportnetwork.org

Pierce & Kitsap County Passport Group Meeting
2023-02-09 13:30 - 15:00, 2023-05-09 13:30 - 15:00 UTC | Zoom
If you work in the secondary or post-secondary space and support Passport to Careers eligible students in Pierce & Kitsap and would like to connect with professionals, this meeting is for you! This Passport regional group convenes quarterly and meetings are facilitated by the College Success Foundation. Please email passport@collegesuccessfoundation.org for more information.

Passport Leadership Team Meeting
2023-02-14 10:00 - 12:30, 2023-05-09 09:00 - 11:30 UTC
The Passport Leadership Team (PLT) is a 30-member advisory body representing post-secondary institutions, non-profit and state organizations from all areas of Washington state that advises The Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) on Passport to Careers policy and program practice. PLT members represent the knowledge, expertise, and perspectives of the broad community of practitioners responsible for the implementation of the Passport to Careers program. The PLT convenes quarterly meetings, facilitated in partnership with the College Success Foundation.
To learn more about the Passport Leadership Team, please email passport@collegesuccessfoundation.org.

Northwest Regional Passport Group Meeting
2023-02-14 14:00 - 15:30, 2023-04-11 14:00 - 15:30 UTC | Zoom
This regional group is for professionals and educators in the Northwest region/Region 3* that work in the secondary or post-secondary area and support Passport to Careers eligible students. Please contact passport@collegesuccessfoundation.org for more information.
*Region 3 includes Snohomish, Skagit, Whatcom, Island, and/or San Juan Counties.

OSPI- Annual McKinney-Vento and Foster Care Building Points of Contact Training
2023-02-22 10:00 - 15:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Zoom
Homelessness and foster care can create many barriers to accessing and participating in learning opportunities. But, with a knowledgeable and caring district support team, you can ensure that every child and youth experiencing homelessness in Washington state has access to the education and support they need to end their homelessness and achieve their dreams.
OSPI invites you for a full-day, interactive, virtual training designed to help you develop robust supports for students experiencing homelessness and/or foster care. This learning opportunity, open to all school staff, will be particularly helpful for liaisons, principals, counselors, social workers, registrars, and administrative assistants.
The morning session is applicable to all participants, while the afternoon portion of the training will be most relevant to high school building contacts.
Clock hours are available through PD Enroller.
Liaisons please forward this opportunity to your building points of contact, colleagues, and administrators. We encourage you to register early! Space is limited.
Our agenda will help you stock your “toolbox” with:

The importance of building points of contact in program sustainability
Resources for students experiencing homelessness and/or foster care
Best practices in identification
Trauma-informed approaches to cultivating connection and belonging for students experiencing homelessness and/or foster care
An understanding of the Housing Continuum and agencies that make up the support network for youth and families experiencing homelessness
Strategies for credit accrual
Navigating FAFSA, graduation, and post-secondary education

South Central Regional Passport Group
2023-02-23 11:00 - 12:30, 2023-05-18 11:00 - 12:30 UTC | Zoom
If you work in the secondary or post-secondary space and support Passport to Careers eligible students in the South Central area/Region 2* and would like to connect with other professionals and share resources, consider joining this group! The South Central Passport group convenes quarterly and meetings are facilitated by the College Success Foundation. Please email passport@collegesuccessfoundation.org for more information.
*Region 2 includes Yakima, Klickitat, Benton, Franklin, Walla Walla, Tri-Cities – Kennewick, Pasco, Richland.

Equitable Standards for Transitions to Adulthood for Youth in Care: A Canadian First Voice Advocate-led initiative
2023-02-28 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Zoom
Please join us for the National Research Collaborative for Foster Alumni and Higher Education (NRC-FAHE)’s webinar series! This series features presentations from leaders in the field of foster care and higher education. Content will be appropriate for researchers and practitioners alike.
Our February webinar will be held Tuesday, February 28, 2023, 11am-noon Pacific time (2-3pm Eastern time). The presenter will be Dr. Melanie Doucet, Adjunct Professor at McGill University School of Social Work and Senior Researcher & Project Manager, Child Welfare League of Canada, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Her presentation is entitled Equitable Standards for Transitions to Adulthood for Youth in Care: A Canadian First Voice Advocate led initiative.

Urban Institute Webinar on 2022 ETV Report
2023-03-07 11:00 - 12:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Zoom
Hear about Urban Institute’s latest research on the Chafee Education and Training Vouchers Program on Tuesday, March 7, 2-3:30 pm EST. Devlin Hanson, Michael Pergamit, and Laura Packard Tucker will share the findings of their report, “Do Education and Training Vouchers Make a Difference for Young Adults in Foster Care? A Study of Ten States” (October 3, 2022). You can find the full report here.
For this session, the Transition Aged Youth Coalition will be joined by members of the Fostering Academic Achievement Nationwide (FAAN) Network. The TAY Coalition is a group of advocates who focus on issues related to improving services and outcomes for transition-aged youth in and leaving foster care through policy advocacy. The FAAN Network is made up of leaders in 18 states of statewide foster care and higher education organizations that share learning and best practices in policy and programming across the field.

King County Passport Consortium Meeting
2023-03-14 10:00 - 11:30, 2023-05-09 10:00 - 11:30 UTC | Zoom
The King County Passport Consortium is a diverse group of King County stakeholders who create strategies that improve access to post-secondary programs for youth who have been in foster care or have experienced unaccompanied homelessness. Please email passport@collegesuccessfoundation.org for more information.

Data to Action: How to Use New Searchable Data Profiles to Improve Practice and Policy for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness
2023-03-14 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Zoom
This webinar will demonstrate how data these profiles can be used to:

Educate community members, educators, and policymakers about the prevalence and the impact of child and youth homelessness, from early childhood through postsecondary education
Explore whether local school districts may be under-identifying children and youth experiencing homelessness
Understand patterns of federal funding and its impact on identification

Foster Care Education Training for All District Staff
2023-03-15 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Zoom
Join the OSPI team for a March training. Attendees will learn the basics of foster care education, while diving into some current issues school staff are facing. This training is geared towards any member of a school district.
Register Here

Eastern Regional Passport Group
2023-03-21 14:30 - 16:00, 2023-05-16 14:30 - 16:00 UTC | Zoom
The Eastern Regional Passport Group facilitates collaboration among local service providers, addresses barriers, and further empowers students who have experienced foster care or unaccompanied homelessness to achieve their secondary and post-secondary educational and training goals. You are invited to join our group if you work in the secondary or postsecondary space and support Passport to Careers eligible students in the Eastern Washington region, and would like to connect with professionals. These meetings are facilitated by the College Success Foundation. Please email passport@collegesuccessfoundation.org for more information.

OSPI-WSAC Webinar: Supporting Student Access to Career Preparation and Apprenticeships
2023-03-22 09:00 - 10:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Zoom
Join OSPI-WSAC staff and our knowledgeable presenters from the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, Clover Park Technical College, and the Washington State Achievement Council on March 22, 9–10:30 AM. Learn about pathways to access apprenticeship program opportunities in Washington, how students interested in apprenticeships can be supported in their path, how CTCs are playing a role in apprenticeship access, and bust some common myths about apprenticeships along the way. WSAC will also be sharing information about financial resources available to students who are interested in pursuing apprenticeships.

WPN Webinar: College Completion Coaching – Promising Practices
2023-04-05 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Zoom
College Success Foundation (CSF) College Services provides one-on-one and small-group coaching to 2- and 4-year college students throughout Washington State. CSF coaches are training on the Fostering Success Coaching Model developed within the Seita Scholars Program, a campus support program for students from foster care at Western Michigan University. The coaching approach was informed by research conducted by Casey Family Programs that identified what supports students from foster care need to persist in college. In 2022, Research Triangle Institute (RTI) completed a 3-year study that tested the efficacy of this model. During this session, we will share highlights from the RTI Promising Practices study, and provide opportunities to provide feedback on the report.
Register Here
Presenters: Danette Knudson, Robbie Lang, Dr. Natassia Rodriguez Ott.
Danette Knudson leads program strategy for College Success Foundation’s (CSF) support services delivered from middle school through college completion. She led the re-design of CSF’s college services model which now serves nearly 4,000 students. Danette is committed to collaborating with partners, staff, and students to promote the delivery of relevant, high-impact programs. Danette received her Bachelor of Arts and Master in Business in Administration from University of Washington, Seattle.

Robbie Lang currently serves as Director of College Services at College Success Foundation. In this role, he oversees program design and improvement efforts aimed at supporting college achievement for more than 4,000 students. Robbie has a passion for working directly with students, so in addition to program management, he also provides coaching support to students. Robbie understands that each student is unique and motivated differently. He enjoys helping students overcome personal obstacles to degree completion. Robbie has a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Communication from Whitworth University and a Master’s in Education in Student Development Administration from Seattle University.

Dr. Natassia Rodriguez Ott At RTI International, Dr. Natassia Rodriguez Ott conducts research and evaluation on student-centered education and workforce programs. She utilizes participatory data collection and analysis processes to elevate stakeholder voices, develop culturally responsive approaches and materials, and center the needs of historically underserved populations. Dr. Rodriguez Ott specializes in mixed methods research on education and career pathways among high school, postsecondary, and adult learners.

The Journey Continues - We Got You!
2023-04-18 11:00 - 12:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Zoom
Please join us for the third annual The Journey Continues – We Got You! a virtual College and Career Resource Fair. This is an opportunity to meet representatives at the local colleges and get your questions answered about supports, apprenticeships, financial aid, scholarships, and resources specifically for students who have experienced foster care or unaccompanied homelessness.
Who: High school juniors and seniors with experience in foster care or unaccompanied homeless (homelessness without a parent or guardian). Providers attending the event will also need to register.
What: College and Career Resource Fair for Passport to Careers eligible students
When: April 18, 2023 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom (meeting link provided upon registration)
An e-gift card will be provided for all students who participate! Participants will also have the opportunity to receive door prizes for attending.
Register

Promising Partnerships- Webinar from John Burton Advocates for Youth
2023-04-26 11:30 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Zoom
Make a plan to attend the upcoming webinar Promising Partnerships: Supporting College Student Success Through Collaboration Between Basic Needs and Financial Aid Offices on Wednesday, April 26, 11:30am – 1pm. This webinar will present the findings from a report from John Burton Advocates for Youth highlighting opportunities for enhanced collaboration and coordination across financial aid and basic needs offices to better support college students in accessing the resources they need to succeed.
Register
Read the Report

Upcoming Webinar from the National Research Collaborative for Foster Alumni and Higher Education
2023-04-27 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Zoom
Many colleges and universities are creating campus-based programs to support students with a background in foster care. When considering the histories of trauma experienced by these young people, meeting mental health needs is an important part of a portfolio of services. ASuPIRE is a strengths-based, trauma-informed counseling program that was designed to respond to the unique needs of college students who aged-out and/or experienced foster care at any point across their development.
The presenters will be Dr. Cynthia Lietz dean of the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions and President’s Professor in the School of Social Work at Arizona State University, and Justine Cheung, MSW, the director for Bridging Success, Arizona State University’s campus-based support program for students who have experienced foster care.
Register

Western Regional Passport Group Meeting
2023-05-04 13:30 - 15:00 UTC | Zoom
If you are a service provider in the secondary or post-secondary space working with Passport to Careers eligible students in Region 6* and would like to connect, build community, and share resources with other professionals, this meeting is for you! This Passport regional group convenes the College Success Foundation facilitates quarterly and meetings. Please email passport@collegesuccessfoundation.org for more information.
*Region 6 includes Grays Harbor, Thurston, Lewis, Cowlitz, Skamania, Clark

Webinar: New Federal FAFSA Guidance for Homeless Youth
2023-05-11 10:30 - 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Zoom
The U.S. Department of Education recently released new guidance on financial aid (FAFSA) determinations for unaccompanied youth experiencing homelessness and unaccompanied youth who are self-supporting and at risk of homelessness. In this webinar, presenters from the U.S. Department of Education will present an overview of the new guidance and respond to questions. Participants also will hear from a financial aid administrator who will share strategies for implementing the law and guidance. SchoolHouse Connection will share resources and tools for educators and providers.
Presenters:
1. (Moderator) Jillian Sitjar, Director of Higher Education Partnerships, SchoolHouse Connection
2. Dr. Kerri Moseley-Hobbs, Policy Specialist, Federal Student Aid, U.S. Department of Education
3. Aaron C. Washington, Management and Program Analyst, Office of Postsecondary Education, U.S. Department of Education
4. Tori Nucco – Deputy Director of Financial Aid, West Chester University, Pennsylvania

Depression and Anxiety: Webinar: Mental Health Tools for Providers Working with College-aged Youth
2023-05-11 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Zoom
How can you help someone with low mood and distress?  We dedicate this hour workshop to taking a deeper look at depression and suicide, including what depression is and how it is linked to suicide, how to recognize signs and symptoms of depression, the myths and stigma, and gauging risk of suicide in clients. The second half of the workshop is dedicated to how to provide support for these clients, including a few experiential exercises to use with clients with depression, and the creation of a safety plan that can be used with a client at risk for suicide.
Presented by Mental Health Technology Transfer Center Network

Final Day to Cancel Registration for 2023 Conference
2023-05-12 08:00 - 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
May 12 is the final day to cancel your registration to the 2023 State Passport to Careers Conference and receive a full refund. Contact us at passport@784f4b0c48.nxcli.io.

2023 Passport to Careers Annual Conference
2023-05-23 00:00 - 2023-05-24 23:59 UTC | DoubleTree by Hilton, 18740 International Blvd, SeaTac, 98188, United States
The Passport to Careers State Conference is an engaging two-day event with multiple opportunities to network, connect, share, learn, and be inspired by professionals actively supporting youth with foster care and/or unaccompanied homeless experience to reach their academic goals. In addition, you will have the opportunity to hear about new concepts and emerging issues that you can directly apply to your work.

Webinar: Equitable Strategies for Mental Health Support
2023-05-23 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Zoom
Mental health is an area of increasing concern for students that we serve, so to strategically address student needs, we must examine how we define equity and implement strategies that center the most marginalized populations. This session will allow participants to reflect on their understanding of equity; share and debrief challenges related to student mental health that they have experienced, and learn equitable strategies related to life skills, social connectedness, help-seeking, and beyond.
Panelists:

Erlinda Delacruz: Senior JED Campus Advisor, The Jed Foundation
Emilia George: JED Campus Advisor, The Jed Foundation

Webinar: Empowering Students with Learning Differences Through the Transition to College
2023-05-24 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Zoom
This webinar will highlight the major differences between high school and college, such as IDEA vs. ADA, time management, academic responsibility, and self-advocacy. Intended for college-bound students, families, and professionals, this presentation will examine areas of transition such as self-advocacy, career awareness, goal setting, and campus resources essential in supporting students’ success as they move into postsecondary settings.
Join speakers from the East Carolina University (ECU) STEPP Program as they share some of the efforts and methods they use with their students to get them ready to be full-fledged ECU students.
Speakers:

Adam Denney, Director at STEPP Program, East Carolina University
Ashley Cooper, Transition Specialist at STEPP Program, East Carolina University

WPN Webinar: 2023 Legislative Update: Removing Obstacles for the Passport Population
2023-06-07 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Zoom
Join members of the Passport Leadership Team Advising Structure Workgroup to learn about and discuss policy successes from the 2023 legislative session. We will also debrief the PLT engagement in advocacy this year and ask for input on how to move these conversations forward.
Register
Presenters:
Juliet Schindler is the Executive Director of Public Affairs and Strategic Partnerships with College Success Foundation. Juliet develops and implements CSF’s state and federal government relations work and advocacy outreach, and works closely with legislators, agency and budget staff on CSF’s state funding and policy agenda. She also oversees CSF’s work on the Passport to Careers program, including as staff to the PLT Advising Structure Workgroup.

Emily Stochel is the Program Manager of Government Relations & Advocacy with College Success Foundation. Emily works with community partners, legislators, and other stakeholders to support policies and legislative advocacy work that aligns with CSF’s mission and values. Emily has special expertise in advocacy relating to those experiencing foster care and homelessness, as she has been working and volunteering in the child welfare field for over ten years in different capacities, and has experienced foster care and homelessness first-hand.

Curtis Anderson first entered state care at the age of seven before being returned to his family at eight. Curtis was homeless on and off prior to this. Curtis would later permanently re-enter the child welfare system at the age of 13. Thanks to the support of Passport to Careers at SCC, Curtis was able to continue pursuing higher education and obtained a bachelor’s from Eastern Washington University. Curtis is now pursuing a Master of Social Work degree which he will complete in June. Curtis has focused on education as a form of self-empowerment for both him and the students he now works with as a Graduate Assistant at Eastern Washington University. Curtis takes a macro-focused approach in an attempt to improve the systems and policies that affect those who are homeless and in foster care.
