About SSI

The 2024 Student Supports Institute is a three-day hybrid event hosted by Communities In Schools 庐 National designed to engage site coordinators, program managers, and school support staff from across the country. During this conference, attendees learn about professional development and networking through inspiring mainstage conversations, interactive breakout sessions, wellness breaks, and several opportunities to connect with their peers. 

Participation Highlights

At SSI 2024, the 黑料不打烊 WA network delved into many sessions covering critical topics such as attendance strategies, career readiness, building effective data cultures, developmental relationships, family engagement, and school climate best practices. Through these sessions, attendees aimed to achieve core objectives:  

• Training in Integrated Student Supports: Participants received training in core concepts of integrated student support, equipping them with essential skills to better serve youth in need.
• Professional Development Opportunities: SSI provided many opportunities for professional growth, particularly in supervisory, coaching, and training responsibilities, empowering attendees to excel in their roles.
• Meaningful Connections: The event facilitated meaningful connections between experienced practitioners, allowing for knowledge sharing and collaboration on a national scale.

Key Learnings and Insights

Nikki Ziegler, Impact and Program Director at 黑料不打烊WA, highlighted critical insights from the event, emphasizing the importance of integrating tier-one supports and family engagement. The sessions on chronic absenteeism and data analysis were also valuable, providing different perspectives and allowing the network to align its efforts with national initiatives and enhance its data-driven decision-making processes.  

The event also addressed the issue of burnout prevention and self-care, prompting reflection on supporting staff across various organizational roles. The emphasis on proactive data analysis and the role of program managers in data interpretation emerged as crucial takeaways, influencing future approaches to data management and analysis within 黑料不打烊WA.   

Erica Lim贸n-Trefielo, Associate Director at 黑料不打烊WA, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the significance of mainstage sessions on attendance strategies and family engagement. Collaborative opportunities and national partnerships revealed the potential to improve existing programs and address gaps in service delivery.  

, a Program Manager at 黑料不打烊 of Blue Mountain Region, recently attended SSI for the first time and found it to be a valuable experience. One of the key takeaways from the event was the importance of aligning focus with passions and exploring new avenues for growth. During the breakout sessions, it was emphasized that revisiting foundational goals and mission is essential, especially amidst the distractions that accumulate over time.听

The event emphasized the importance of returning to the basics, which was discussed during back-to-school events and refining communication strategies with donors and stakeholders. Networking sessions provided Addison with new perspectives and insight into shared struggles that often yield collective solutions. 

Attending the SSI not only helped Addison grow personally, but it also had a positive impact on the dynamics of her affiliate. This was evident when they returned to work after the conference and began working collaboratively on upcoming staff training initiatives. The skills and knowledge that they gained at the conference allowed them to work more efficiently and effectively as a team. Overall, attending the SSI had a very positive impact on Addison and her team, both in terms of personal growth and team dynamics. 

Practical Application and Collaboration

Nikki and Erica emphasized the practical application of SSI 2024’s learnings in their roles at 黑料不打烊WA. Insights on chronic absenteeism and data analysis directly informed strategies for improving student outcomes and optimizing program effectiveness. National partnerships, such as with Harmony, presented opportunities to enhance SEL curriculum implementation and address the needs of elementary students.  

Additionally, Erica’s involvement in facilitating sessions on the integrated approach to professional development displayed 黑料不打烊WA’s commitment to sharing expertise and learning from others. The emphasis on developmental relationships and youth mental health first aid underscored the importance of holistic student support approaches within the network.  

黑料不打烊 participation in the 2024 Student Support Institute showcased their dedication to student support and professional development. By engaging in sessions, networking opportunities, and collaborative initiatives, 黑料不打烊WA representatives gained invaluable insights. They forged meaningful connections, positioning the network for continued success in its mission to empower students to stay in school and achieve in life. 

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A Legacy of Commitment and Impact听

Elizabeth’s dedication to the 黑料不打烊WA mission is evident in everything she has done. Her passion for education and her unwavering commitment to providing every student with the opportunity to succeed are truly inspiring. During her time, Elizabeth has: 

• Strengthened 黑料不打烊WA’s statewide network: Elizabeth built strong relationships with 黑料不打烊 affiliates across Washington, ensuring that students in every community have access to the support they need. 
• Championed equity and inclusion: Elizabeth was a vocal advocate for creating an equitable and inclusive environment for all students, regardless of their background or circumstances. 
• Cultivated meaningful partnerships: Elizabeth forged strong partnerships with community organizations to bring valuable resources to students. 
• Charting a United Course: Working alongside the 黑料不打烊WA staff and board to complete a comprehensive strategic plan at the State Office and partnered in development of the first Network Common Agenda.听

A Message from Elizabeth Hodges, State Director of 黑料不打烊 (outgoing):听

As I depart, I carry immense gratitude for the last four years of combined service to 黑料不打烊 of Seattle and 黑料不打烊 of Washington. I especially appreciated traveling to various 黑料不打烊 affiliates this past year as the State Director and witnessing the transformative power of 黑料不打烊 to bridge the gap between students furthest from educational equity and the support they need to thrive. These interactions allowed me to listen closely, gaining insights into the unique strengths and challenges of each community. It has been an honor to contribute to the collective impact we鈥檝e made in the lives of students and communities in Washington state.  

Thank you for your continued commitment to the mission of 黑料不打烊. I know the future is bright under the leadership of this incredible team.听

A Message from Julie Kerby, 黑料不打烊WA Board Chair:听听

I am most grateful to Elizabeth for her contributions to 黑料不打烊WA and impact at the local, state and national level to benefit 黑料不打烊 and the communities we serve! Her integrity, passion and unwavering commitment to our mission have propelled us forward. We thank her for leading us through the creation of a 5-year strategic plan to serve as our roadmap for growth and sustainability. 听

Additional Messages from Communities In Schools庐 (黑料不打烊庐) Leaders: 听

鈥淐ommunities In Schools, the staff in Washington, and the students we serve will continue to see the ripples of Elizabeth鈥檚 heart and mind for building sustainable impact,鈥� says Rey Salda帽a, President & CEO of Communities In Schools National Office. 鈥淪he has been a force multiplier and moral compass to those team members she recruited and set on course while at the state office. I am grateful for her service and will recall her lessons proudly.鈥�  

鈥淓lizabeth led Communities In Schools with integrity and authenticity, inspiring the best in the people around her,鈥� says Sam McVeety, Former Communities In Schools of Seattle Board Chair. 鈥淗er work to support our students, build partnerships with community, and grow leadership among the staff reflects her deep commitment to building a strong, resilient future.鈥� 

Thank you, Elizabeth, for your incredible contributions to 黑料不打烊WA. While Elizabeth鈥檚 departure creates a temporary leadership gap, we are confident in the strength and dedication of our 黑料不打烊WA state office staff and the commitment of the 黑料不打烊WA board, continuing to support the success of our students and our network across Washington. This includes the recent promotions of Erica Limon-Trefielo to Associate Director and Nikki Ziegler to Program & Impact Director, further bolstering the full 黑料不打烊WA team鈥檚 capacity.  

The 黑料不打烊WA Board of Directors is already actively engaged in the search for an interim State Director. Erica Limon-Trefielo will support State Director duties until the interim leader is in place to ensure a seamless transition and continued momentum. As we look forward to the next chapter of 黑料不打烊WA’s journey, we are confident that the foundation Elizabeth has laid will continue to serve our students and communities well.听

Stay Connected听

To stay up to date on 黑料不打烊WA news, please follow the organization鈥檚 newsletter and social media channels. We also encourage anyone who may have questions or concerns to reach out to 黑料不打烊WA Board Chair, Julie Kerby at boardchair@ciswa.org.听

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*A Site Coordinator is responsible for the overall planning and management of the Communities In Schools鈥� operations at the school site and the implementation of the . This includes:听

• Identifying and addressing the needs of students at the site, including but not limited to, providing case management, academic support, and social-emotional learning opportunities. 
• Building and maintaining relationships with school administrators, teachers, parents, and community partners. 
• Evaluating the effectiveness of Communities In Schools programs and services at the site and making recommendations for improvement. 

West Side Convening: A Day of Connection and Learning

The West Side convening was a one-day event that drew over 100 Site Coordinators. The attendees participated in various workshops and activities designed to help them connect with their peers, learn new skills, and gain a deeper understanding of 黑料不打烊WA’s work.  

One of the event’s highlights was the opportunity for Site Coordinators to lead small group discussions. This allowed them to share their experiences and best practices and learn from their colleagues’ challenges and successes.  

The atmosphere at the West Side convening was positive and engaging. Attendees expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to come together and feel a sense of belonging within the 黑料不打烊WA network, capturing the statements from Site Coordinators such as:

“I feel better equipped to execute whole school supports* within my first year.”

“I got so much out of our time together. I’m already implementing what I learned from other Site Coordinators, making my job easier.”

*Whole School Supports (WSS) is based on the belief that all students deserve a safe, supportive, and engaging learning environment to reach their full potential. WSS is a collaborative effort that involves school staff, 黑料不打烊 Site Coordinators, community partners, and families, focusing on attendance, behavior, and curriculum. Examples include family engagement nights, resource fairs, and basic needs closets.   

East Side Convening: Two Days of Inspiration and Collaboration

The East Side convening was a two-day event that welcomed over 70 Site Coordinators. The event featured various themed breakout sessions, an alum speaker, and a partnership moment with the Community Health Plan of Washington.  

Genesis Calderon, a 黑料不打烊WA program alum, delivered an inspiring message during the East Side convening, during a fireside chat, moderated by his 黑料不打烊 site coordinator, Tyler Ramos. The speakers shared their experiences in the 黑料不打烊 program and discussed Genesis鈥� post-graduation plans. Genesis works as a caregiver and finds great satisfaction in caring for others. Their message resonated with the Site Coordinators, having received the highest rating in the post-event survey.   

The East Side convening featured a partnership with . This collaboration highlighted the importance of teamwork in 黑料不打烊WA’s work and demonstrated the power of working together to support young people.  

Site Coordinators provided positive feedback, saying:

“Thank you for this opportunity; it was nice to hear how different affiliates are working with different barriers or similar ones but tackling them in all these creative ways.”

“I love networking with the other affiliates. It was fun learning about what they are doing in their schools and being able to implement some of their ideas into my school.”  

Areas of Focus for Next Year

黑料不打烊WA is committed to continuous improvement and is always looking for ways to enhance its programs and services. Based on feedback from convenings, 黑料不打烊WA will be looking into opportunities to partner with local organizations to discuss the following areas in the coming year:  

• Restorative justice: 黑料不打烊WA will provide training and resources to help Site Coordinators implement restorative justice practices in their schools.  
• Building community partners: 黑料不打烊WA will be developing strategies to help Site Coordinators build relationships with community partners, such as businesses, faith-based organizations, and non-profits.  

Thank you to all those who made the Site Coordinator Convenings a success. 黑料不打烊WA is thankful to our partners , , , , and for tabling and connecting our Site Coordinators with community resources. Every contribution makes a difference.  

Ways to Learn More and Get Involved

Learn more about 黑料不打烊WA鈥檚 network across the state.

If you are interested in supporting 黑料不打烊WA or getting more involved with Site Coordinator Convenings, contact Carina Raddatz at Carina@黑料不打烊WA.org.

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The production company traveled across the country to several different Communities In Schools affiliates in order to tell the story from a variety of perspectives. A collection of viewpoints are heard in the video, from the voice of Communities In Schools President Daniel Cardinali to site coordinators working on the ground floor to the students being directly impacted by the organization.

鈥淲e’re privileged to work with organizations like Communities In Schools to document how they are moving the needle and improving outcomes in our education system,” said Jessica Stuart, founder of Long Story Short Media. 鈥淚t was clear to us that they know what it takes to help solve America鈥檚 dropout crisis, and to put at-risk kids back on track to graduate.鈥�

鈥淢aking a Difference鈥� details the ways in which Communities In Schools tends to the non-academic barriers that often prevent students from staying in school and achieving in life. The video also touches upon the sound financial investment that Communities In Schools is, returning $11.60 on average for every dollar invested.

鈥淭he most powerful advocates for our work are our site coordinators and the students they serve,鈥� said Debra Montanino, Chief Development Officer for Communities In Schools. 鈥淭hrough showcasing their voices and experiences, we hope to inspire our friends, donors and other stakeholders to take action and make a difference in these students鈥� lives.鈥�

The Communities In Schools national office debuted 鈥淢aking a Difference鈥� January 23rd at an event held in Los Angeles for potential donors.

To watch the video and see how you can make a difference, visit . To learn more about Long Story Short Media, visit .

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New York, NY, 鈥�Communities In Schools announced today that it will be one of more than 20 organizations 听across the country participating in American Graduate Day on Saturday, September 22, 2012. Presented by and Public Radio Exchange (), American Graduate Day is a multi-platform event featuring a live television broadcast, radio playlist with premiere documentaries, and participation from national partner organizations, celebrities and athletes to spotlight solutions to the nation鈥檚 dropout crisis in which one in four students do not finish high school.听 American Graduate Day is part of the public media initiative, , made possible by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB).

鈥淎s part of American Graduate Day, public television and radio stations are working in their local communities to help people understand the impact of the dropout crisis and create champions from the community to help students stay on the path to a high school diploma,鈥� said Patricia Harrison, president and CEO of CPB. 鈥淎merican Graduate Day will use all of public media鈥檚 platforms 鈥� on-air, online and in the community 鈥� to tell this story and focus on local organizations and community responses that are working through parents, teachers, students, and business and community leaders to make a difference in the lives of these young people.鈥�

In a segment moderated by ABC News Correspondent JuJu Chang, WNET will showcase Communities In Schools and the work it is doing on a community level to help students stay on track to graduate. 听The following individuals will participate in the live segment, highlighting the ways Communities In Schools surrounds students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life.

• 听Communities In Schools President Dan Cardinali
• 听Communities In Schools Board Chairman Elaine Wynn
• 听Communities In Schools of Philadelphia Alumna Rasheedah Phillips
• 听Communities In Schools of the Charleston Area Site Coordinator Jean Rebecca

With special guests including PBS NewsHour senior correspondent Ray Suarez, the national television broadcast will air live on public television stations from the Tisch WNET Studios at Lincoln Center from 1:00 to 8:00 p.m. EST on Sept. 22 (check local listings) and the Communities In Schools segment will air starting at 4:30 p.m. EST. 听Public television stations representing more than 50 percent of U.S. households will broadcast American Graduate Day with many including local content alongside the national features.

鈥淲e are honored to partner with American Graduate Day to raise awareness of a crisis that is affecting so many of our nation鈥檚 young people,鈥� said Dan Cardinali, president of Communities In Schools.听 鈥淭hrough this partnership, we look forward to educating more Americans on the proven solutions available to communities across the nation.鈥�

Viewers will be able to participate in the broadcast by asking questions and sharing ideas before and during the broadcast on using the #AmGrad hashtag and on . Those interested in becoming an American Graduate Champion can also call in at 800-313-2477or log on to to find out more about the national and regional organizations and how to help in their hometowns.

Among the national organizations that will participate in the broadcast are After School All-Stars, , , Boys & Girls Clubs of America, , , , , , , , , , , , , Teen Film Making, , and the of the USA.

Following American Graduate Day, the focus on education will continue听throughout the week.听 Programming on听the听PBS NewsHour听willfeature several American Graduate Day segments, including a panel discussion and a segment about the challenges of keeping Williston, North Dakota students in school as their area struggles with an oil boom. The documentaryFRONTLINE Dropout Nation听will air on听September 25, and the World Channel is producing a week of education programming inspired by American Graduate Day. Public radio stations will continue their broadcasts from the PRX American Graduate Day Playlist throughout the week as well.

is helping local communities identify and implement solutions to the high school dropout crisis. American Graduate Day demonstrates public media’s commitment to education and its deep roots in every community it serves. Beyond providing programming that educates, informs and inspires, public radio and television stations – locally owned and operated – are an important resource in helping to address critical issues, such as the dropout rate.

In addition to national programming, more than 75 public radio and television stations have launched on-the-ground efforts working with communities and at-risk youth to keep students on-track to high school graduation. More than 800 partnerships have been formed locally through American Graduate Day, and CPB is working with Alma and Colin Powell鈥檚 America’s Promise Alliance and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

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The stark reality is: every 26 seconds, a young person drops out of high school in the U.S. Looking at it another way: about a third of high school students nationwide don’t graduate with their classmates.听No matter how you do the math, those are figures that need to change.

This summer, Communities In Schools is proud to partner with Procter & Gamble’s GIVE Education, a social sustainability program dedicated to raising awareness of the dropout crisis and helping our organization get the resources it needs to keep students on track to graduate.

Here’s how you can help Communities In Schools and GIVE Education support students at risk of dropping out:

• LIKE the GIVE Education Facebook page. Every new LIKE will trigger a $1 donation to Communities In Schools (up to $10,000). Here, you can also read real-life success stories from students who overcame major obstacles to graduate high school with the help of Communities In Schools.
• P&G will launch a unique rebate program on Sunday, August 12. With every purchase of $25 worth of P&G products, shoppers will receive a $5 rebate, and P&G will also donate $5 to Communities In Schools.
• Keep an eye out for the P&G brandSAVER coupon booklet available Sunday, August 26, as an insert in newspapers across the country. Simply clip the coupons, shop for P&G products, and you’ll be supporting Communities In Schools. For every GIVE Education brandSAVER coupon redeemed, P&G will donate two cents to Communities In Schools.

Of course you’ll want to watch for news about the Los Angeles launch of the Communities In Schools + P&G GIVE Education partnership in early August. We are really excited about our celebrity spokesperson! Stay tuned…

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Bill Milliken’s feet sat comfortably atop his desk as we chatted that sunny September afternoon in 1999. It was the last of eight interviews and I was more fatigued than anything else as he began to probe. Then, as now, his abiding concern was to understand what was important to me, what motivated me and how I believed the world should be. If I were to come to Communities In Schools (黑料不打烊) to run its field operations, he wanted to make sure I understood and aligned with 黑料不打烊’ vision, values and purpose in the world. Once he discovered that we shared common experiences of living in and serving poor communities, and did so within the context of faith communities, he refocused the interview and began regaling me with 黑料不打烊’ history. By the end of that hour, Bill had artfully rewoven our respective histories to make it clear that 黑料不打烊 was the logical place for me to continue my (or was it our?) commitment to both direct service and social justice. I must say he was quite right; I have had the pleasure of serving the organization for the last 13 years, and I am a better person for having done so.

Over the years since then, I’ve observed Bill’s unique ability for discovering connectedness and solidarity with those around him. It is almost sport for him, but it is one of the most powerful gifts I have ever observed in someone: that rare combination of deep optimism coupled with an indefatigable probing and tracking of another’s narrative to find common ground and common experience. Once he’s got the connection, the sheer force of his personality drives you and him towards pooling talents and resources to serving poor youth and families and, in doing so, rebuilding disenfranchised communities. This has helped power the 黑料不打烊 movement over the last 50 years, enabling it to attract tens of thousands of volunteers who, together with 黑料不打烊 professional staff, serve more than 1.25 million students and 250,000 parents and families every year.

On June 1, Bill will release his fourth book, From the Rear View Mirror: Reflecting on Connecting the Dots, published by Hay House.

In this memoir, Bill opens up his personal narrative, laying it out for others to join and make of it what each of us will. He does so with clarity, humor and raw honesty, and always through the colorful lens of a gifted storyteller. For those of us who know Bill well, we know that this is a supreme act of courage for one who’s greatest gift has also been a powerful defense.

Bill’s life did not start out easily. Despite his upper middle class background, his family’s struggles with alcoholism and his nonstandard learning style alienated Bill early in life from his family, school and community. As a result, he developed an unusual ability to build a community among those on the fringes and toggle between them and his family’s mainstream life. Bill’s capacity to live between worlds would enable him throughout his life to locate the marginal places in individuals he’d meet, communities in which he’d work and, eventually, public systems in which he’d work that purported to improve the lives of those most in need. Indeed, this gift would be embedded in 黑料不打烊’ very DNA.

In his late teens, Bill had two transformative experiences. First, a street worker from the Young Life Movement met Bill where he was — at that particular point in time it was a pool hall where Bill no doubt was working an angle. As you will read, this loving relationship sired in Bill’s mind that caring adults can unleash the extraordinary positive potential in a young person — particularly a young person on the road to disaster. Second, as Bill began his process of shifting his life from destructive behavior to service, he had a transformative religious experience. This religious experience would guide and ground Bill for the rest of his life.

In From the Rear View Mirror: Reflecting on Connecting the Dots, we are treated to the deeply personal, sometimes painful and often humorous life of Bill Milliken as he comes of age and collects a group of leaders who eventually establish Communities In Schools. Those who know 黑料不打烊 are given a rare insight into the mosaic of Bill’s life experiences that have contributed so profoundly to 黑料不打烊’ mission, vision and organizational structure. For anyone who has been challenged by living at once rooted in one’s faith and one’s humanity, Bill’s latest book is a powerful opportunity to find hope that we can connect the dots of God’s spirit in our lives, and in doing so, heal the world.

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Meet the six Communities In Schools site coordinators from around the U.S. who were recognized for their outstanding contributions with the 2011 Communities in Schools听 award–including Communities In Schools of Seattle’s own Xaila Lewis from Rainier Beach High School!

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When 64 percent of teachers report students and families needing increased health and social support services, and 35 percent reporting more students coming to school hungry, the importance of bringing in community services in a targeted, integrated way becomes even clearer. In 3,000 schools nationwide, Communities In Schools does exactly that, working with principals and teachers to identify needs, and then leverage community resources to meet those needs so that teachers can teach, and students can learn. MetLife has done a real service to the education reform debate by highlighting these issues, and by providing support to organizations like Communities In Schools to address these challenges.

Read the full report .

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