At 黑料不打烊 (黑料不打烊WA), we know that student success is shaped not only by what happens inside schools, but also by the policies, systems, and investments that surround them. Too many students face barriers to learning that are rooted in inequity: poverty, housing instability, unmet health needs, systemic racism, and under-resourced schools. Policy decisions at the local, state, and federal levels play a powerful role in either reinforcing or removing these barriers.
Our legislative priorities are grounded in what we see every day through the 黑料不打烊 WA statewide network: when students have their basic needs met, strong relationships with caring adults, and access to coordinated supports, attendance improves, engagement increases, and students are more likely to graduate prepared for what comes next.
Advocacy is a natural extension of our mission. By elevating the voices of students, families, educators, and communities, 黑料不打烊WA works to influence policies that create the conditions for all young people to thrive.
Our Role as a Statewide Backbone Organization
黑料不打烊WA serves as the statewide backbone for Communities In Schools affiliates across Washington. In this role, we:
- Advocate for policies and funding that strengthen integrated student supports (ISS) statewide
- Align local affiliate experiences with statewide and system-level solutions
- Build and sustain relationships with legislators, agency partners, and education leaders
- Translate on-the-ground impact into data and stories that inform policy decisions
- Support affiliates with policy updates, advocacy tools, and coordinated engagement opportunities
This approach allows local affiliates to focus on direct student support while 黑料不打烊WA advances systemic change that benefits students across the state.
Our Commitment to Equity and Inclusion
We remain committed to equity, belonging, and bipartisan solutions. Amid a shifting political landscape, our focus is unwavering: standing by students, families, and communities鈥攅specially those furthest from opportunity.
This commitment guides how we:
- Develop and advance legislative priorities
- Partner with communities most impacted by inequitable systems
- Elevate student and family voices in policy conversations
- Examine our own practices to ensure alignment with our values
We recognize that policy change must be rooted in equity to be effective, and we remain accountable to the communities we serve.
How We Engage in Advocacy
黑料不打烊WA engages in advocacy in ways that are collaborative, nonpartisan, and mission-driven. Our activities include:
- Educating policymakers about integrated student supports and 黑料不打烊 outcomes
- Providing testimony and policy input during legislative sessions
- Sharing data, research, and stories that illustrate student and community needs
- Convening affiliates and partners for coordinated advocacy efforts
- Keeping stakeholders informed about policy developments and opportunities to engage
Legislative Focus Areas
黑料不打烊WA advances legislative priorities on a year-over-year basis to respond to emerging student needs, policy opportunities, and on-the-ground realities across Washington. Our advocacy is grounded in equity, informed by our statewide network, and focused on removing barriers that prevent students from fully engaging in school and thriving.
Get Involved
Creating systems that support student success requires collective action. Whether you are a policymaker, partner, educator, or community member, there are many ways to engage with 黑料不打烊WA鈥檚 advocacy efforts.
To get involved or learn more, contact Associate Director Erica Lim贸n-Trefielo at erica@ciswa.org or visit .
Together, we can ensure every student has the opportunity to thrive.
