2024 Bridge Conference

In this affinity session, BIPOC participants will co-create a container of connection, inclusion, diversity, and inspiration through centering their lived/living and professional experiences from a cultural identity focus lens. Connecting aspects of their identity and how that might inform their leadership style of youth development, participants will gain a deeper awareness of the systemic barriers they are confronting amongst themselves and with their youth. With this greater sense of awareness, participants will be given opportunities to practice peer to peer coaching skills to strategize, advance, and enhance their skills towards greater leadership, collaboration, and peer support in strengthening the BIPOC collective voice for future possibilities in the field.

In this session, participants will:

• Build connection amongst BIPOC youth development leaders 
• Strategize and practice strengthening their leadership skills

Join fellow white participants in a collaborative session where we’ll reflect on our role in actively shifting focus away from centering whiteness. Together, we will set personal goals and behavioral guidelines that support the work of dismantling white supremacy culture. This workshop will foster accountability and equip us to be more effective allies in creating an inclusive and equitable environment.

Afterschool and youth development programs play a critical role in promoting and supporting the healthy development of a young person to be able to thrive in school, community and life. Demands and needs of young people typically outpace program duration, staff availability, sometimes space, and oftentimes funding. The constant drumbeat of scarcity requires investing time in key relationships and partnerships that make 1 + 1 = 3 reality. And scaling relationship building efforts into short-term, mid-term, and long-term activities that temper expectations and support realities for everyone is worth the effort. This session is perfect for those interested in discovering new ways youth development leaders and staff can consider and dream about building relationships that will have a direct impact on your programming immediately, in a year, or well down the road. This session will lean more on group discussion and problem solving, but will be framed with abbreviated presentation.

Young people navigate from one space to another throughout their days, often unaware of the complex regulatory environments, funding streams, or even organizations that are supporting them - from before school programs to their K-12 experience, to an afterschool mentoring program, to back home. How can we as systems leaders create more seamlessness across our ecosystem to ensure young people can thrive?

If you are a system thinker, local, state, or regional leader, funder, or policymaker, please join us to continue the conversation around intersections within the eco-system of youth development! The Systems Conversation at the Bridge Conference will take place on Monday, November 4th. This session will center conversations with leaders as we dive deeper into the importance of youth development intersections. In the eco-system of youth development, there are powerful and obvious connections to K-12, Higher Education, and Childcare, but the intersections do not end there. At some point, along the journey of a young person’s life, there will be a direct point of intersection in spaces not so visible as the ones mentioned above.

We will talk with local, county, and statewide leaders and community partners that align as an eco-system in these critical touchpoints to center around children and youth in an authentic and intentional way.

Objectives:
-Be inspired by statewide leaders and community partners intentionally and authentically building the youth development eco-system through critical touchpoints, centering children and youth.
-Explore your own role and expertise in building a more connected, integrated ecosystem of supports for young people through experiential activities.
-Learn about opportunities to get involved at the policy level to strengthen the Youth Development sector in Washington State.

A Sensory Approach to Working With Kids is a movement based, interactive workshop intended anyone working with kids in any capacity. Educators, health practitioners, coaches, and parents will all benefit from this unique approach to working with kids. This training explores how sensory processing affects behavior and function. Why might some kids have unruly behaviors? Why is attention sometimes difficult? Why can a child not follow through with a task? Sensory processing can affect how kids might struggle with behavior, attention, even their posture and coordination. We will dive into how we can look at kids through a sensory lens and provide accommodations in any setting, provide sensory rich activities to help with behavior and attention, and even how we can provide stability to posture and help with coordination to help our children in any aspect with which we work with them. This is an interactive course where we experiment with intentional movement activities to help organize the nervous system and help kids get ready to learn, move, and achieve.

In the workshop 'Holistic Support: Durable Skills in Expanded Learning for the Age of AI,' discover why durable skills—essential traits, qualities, mindsets, and attitudes—are crucial for success in today's innovation-driven economy. Learn practical strategies and the overlooked key to helping our young people develop resilience, adaptability, effective communication, collaboration, and critical thinking for holistic education that goes beyond academics. Understand how integrating these skills into expanded learning opportunities not only prepares students for the challenges posed by AI but also empowers them to succeed with confidence in any future endeavor. Whether you're a student, teacher, parent, or community leader, join us to help equip our youth with the tools to thrive in an ever-changing world where skills-based hiring is the norm.

In this workshop, participants will gain practical strategies and essential tools to transform their educational programs into nurturing and responsive environments for individuals who have experienced trauma. Attendees will learn how to implement trauma-informed care principles, fostering a culture of understanding, safety, and support. This session will provide actionable steps to equip your staff, ensuring they are well-prepared to meet the unique needs of your youth participants.

We will build on the participants' baseline awareness that we all operate in systems that were built to oppress BIPOC or neurodiverse youth. Some of us were formally trained to serve all youth within these systems. Some of us are lucky enough to have awareness of the ways we think and operate that perpetuate the damage these systems have done. This session will help all participants see ways to manage the systemic pressures and internal biases that we all have. Even if we don’t know exactly what we’re thinking when a bias is at play, we can create activities and build relationships with staff, students and leadership that will help us identify, set aside and understand the impacts of bias. The key is to see that we are all learning: educators, students, executives and administrators. We are all experts in our experiences of the lessons presented and have a wealth of experience outside the classroom. When we come to teaching with an expectation that teachers are experts we are less capable of learning how to improve our methods according to the students’ needs. We want to attract participants from all levels of education, whether they are certificated, experienced teachers, administrators, non-profit executive leadership or funding partners who can support program development or implementation.

As shifts in global migration continue, schools and community organizations are welcoming a diverse range of newcomers coming to the U.S. through the resettlement program. This session will delve into the emerging groups arriving in Washington, helping participants build a stronger understanding of these newcomers and the unique factors that shape their resettlement experiences. Participants will explore essential approaches for addressing the backgrounds, strengths, and challenges these populations bring, while also learning how to navigate key resources and data to remain informed about demographic trends. The session aims to empower educators and administrators to tailor their strategies at all levels—from individual classrooms to district-wide planning.

Conflict is an inevitable part of any environment, whether at work or home. Understanding how to identify, manage, and resolve conflict through the lens of basic Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) can transform challenging situations into opportunities for growth and collaboration. This interactive 90-minute workshop will provide participants with the tools and strategies needed to navigate conflict effectively and equitably. Who Should Attend: - Team leaders and managers. - Employees seeking to enhance their conflict resolution skills. - Individuals interested in applying basic DEI principles in conflict management.

It only takes one moment for a student to hear “good job” and internalize that people-pleasing is the best way to achieve attention – essentially creating “praise junkies” in the blink of an eye. But when a trusted adult adjusts their language to specific feedback it only takes one moment to instill intrinsic motivation within the student – a moment that can lead to a movement of growth-minded young people. Join us for an engaging and transformative workshop on the benefits of specific feedback. Discover how shifting your classroom language from "good job" to specific, non-evaluative feedback can revolutionize your teaching approach and significantly benefit your students. Learn how specificity fosters growth-mindset, builds confidence, reduces anxiety and pressure, supports diverse learners, and creates an inclusive learning environment. Facilitated by self-proclaimed “education nerds” with backgrounds in theatre education and youth development, this workshop promises to be fun and educational. Participants will be actively involved, practicing the use of specific feedback with real-world classroom scenarios. This simple yet powerful tool can be seamlessly integrated into every learning environment, making a big impact on student development and classroom dynamics. By the end of the workshop, you will feel confident and empowered to implement non-evaluative language in your teaching practice, making your classroom a more supportive, motivating, and inclusive space for all students. Join us and transform your teaching with the power of specificity!

If you are a professional working with school-aged youth you might be wondering how to help the youth under your guidance cope with the torrent of developmental changes surging through their minds and bodies, not to mention the stresses of school, family, and even country, you might be looking for a tool to help you tackle the Tsunami of thoughts and feelings coming your way. Introducing MX Terra's Magic Remote! In this workshop participants will get their own copy of MX Terra's Magic Remote, game instructions, a presentation on school-aged development and the importance of improv as a tool to improve Social Emotional Learning, and more importantly a chance to play the game themselves and reflect on their experience. Improv games, done well in school-aged programming, can provide a safe and supportive environment for youth to explore different scenarios, make decisions on the spot, and take risks in a controlled setting. Through these games, youth learn how to think on their feet, communicate effectively with others, and adapt to unexpected situations – all skills that are essential for navigating the complexities of the world around them. We will talk about some famous improv games such as Dungeons and Dragons and learn about some famous minds who credit this form of play as crucial to their development. We will discuss how, with thoughtful adult facilitation, improv games help youth process their thoughts and feelings in a fun and engaging way while still leaving youth with a sense of agency over their environment. By encouraging creativity, spontaneity, and collaboration, these games enable youth to express themselves authentically and build confidence in their abilities. As they engage in playful interactions with others, they learn valuable lessons about teamwork, problem-solving, and self-expression – all of which contribute to their overall sense of agency and control over their lives. In this workshop we will learn how to play MX Terra's Magic Remote as a mixed-age group with diverse backgrounds. Each person who signs up for a turn with the master Magic Remote will get a chance to "control" the actors on stage by selecting channels, volume up, volume down, pause, mute, off and on, fast forward and rewind. HOT TIP: After you have played this game for fun several times you will find that the magic remote can be used for general classroom management. MX Terra's favorite way to use the remote in class is to rewind if a student makes a faux pax and give them a redo. It's also really fun to let everyone complain but muted or in fast-forward mode. As a workshop group we will share other games that have been effective with this age group. We will also problem-solve how to approach sensitive topics with a balance of empathy and playfulness. Participants will walk away with at least one new game but also a greater appreciation for how incorporating improv games into educational settings or extracurricular activities can provide youth with valuable opportunities to explore new possibilities, challenge themselves creatively, and ultimately cultivate a strong sense of agency over their environment.

Can you have program quality without racial equity? This workshop is for all involved in promoting program quality, as everyone can make decisions and carry out actions with equity in mind. Building an equitable quality improvement system is like assembling a puzzle, where racial equity is integral to each piece. Participants will explore equity considerations within four quality improvement system components. We will discuss specific examples of policies and practices that contribute to equitable quality improvement. Collectively we will highlight themes, review resources, and support participants in developing plans to advance racial equity within their own program, organization, or system. This workshop is intended for individuals who work at the upper-management and leadership level, including system leaders and funders.

Join for a community conversation and dialogue around the intersections of childcare and youth development in WA State. A space for providers, policymakers, and change agents looking to create a more collaborative network of programs for the broader youth in Washington State. Prepare to discuss, share, and collaborate - this is far less a presentation and more a conversation about the nuances of these two systems and how we best intersect to create change.

Facilitated by Public Profit and the BSK Expanded Learning Team
 
In this closed session, SOWA’s external evaluators, Public Profit, will share quantitative and qualitative data from Year 2 of the BSK Expanded Learning Initiative.  Grantees will get the opportunity to connect, reflect and engage in dialogue about what’s working and what can be improved.

Four years after the Covid shutdowns, are kids just different now? How are the impacts showing up disproportionately for people of various races, ethnicities, identities, and abilities? Is it all “gaps” or did children also learn skills and knowledge we should be celebrating? As afterschool and youth development professionals, we know it’s very difficult to connect outcomes to specific experiences, even decades later. We’re beginning to see research now, but there’s a need for much more, and it’s likely to continue for years into the future, yet we are sensing some trends. For example, the 2-year-old who would have been learning facial expressions in child care instead saw masked faces, and now, at 6, are they connecting with peers in a different way? In this session, we’ll explore our own experiences with the children who were anywhere from 1 to 14 in 2020, how key developmental experiences might have looked different during these 4 years, and what we can do to support the now 5 to 18-year-olds we spend our time with.

Many of us have confided in others during dark times, and vice versa. But it can feel awkward, if not downright frightening, not knowing what to do when a loved one, peer, or youth shows suicide warning signs. Developed by Forefront Suicide Prevention at the University of Washington, School of Social Work, the five simple and effective LEARN steps empower individuals to identify and support those who may be considering suicide.

This workshop will introduce the public health issue of suicide, including why youth may consider suicide by covering risk factors, a theory of why people consider suicide, and recent data. Using the LEARN model, the presenters will highlight how to identify, understand, and be ready to support someone who may be at risk for suicide. There will also be an opportunity to practice and apply the LEARN steps in a practice scenario. As part of this session, Forefront’s staff will also integrate conversations about mental health, the importance of prevention/intervention/response plans and procedures, and capacity building.

In 1974, the first Domestic Violence shelters began to operate in the US. This was the first major step in acknowledging Domestic Violence as a public health issue. So much has changed, and progress has been made in the 50 years since. But there's still so much work to be done in the movement against Intimate Partner Violence. This workshop will educate participants on the history of Teen Dating Violence Prevention and the exciting developments in the movement's future. We will challenge misconceptions about dating violence, learn to recognize the warning signs of unhealthy relationships, and look at what today’s teens experience in dating. Most importantly, we will look at what it takes and what resources exist for YOU to start the conversation about Teen Dating Violence Prevention in your programs and communities. After this workshop, participants will leave with a greater understanding of existing resources, strategies for addressing adult bias toward teen relationships, and the building blocks for creating compassionate and empathetic support systems for youth experiencing dating violence.

The election is coming to a close, and now it is time to start GOVERNING! How much do your students know about how state government works? Do you find yourself having circular discussions about what the federal government is doing? Do you students know about their state representatives? This session introduces TVW and its free resources, which foster student engagement and empowers students to participate in nuanced discussions. In this presentation, participants will learn how to get students actively participating in state government. Through Teach with TVW, classrooms collaborate with volunteer lobbyists, tracking and advocating for/against legislation. Participants will grasp how to implement this program, unlocking its benefits for students. By addressing topics that matter to students, these programs show our young people how government works for them while simultaneously empowering individuals to address systemic issues and promote positive change in the future.

How does cultivating agency empower safe and integrated learning for our students? In this workshop we will explore ways you can center and apply agency and consent tools to enhance your students’ experience and creative practices. Focal points will include exploring what makes a safe space, how to establish boundary practices in your classroom, exercises to support nervous system regulation, and ways to intentionally implement student agency in your curricula.

The workforce continues to evolve and organizations across the expanded learning field are being called to meet the diverse needs and learning styles of program staff. This workshop explores strategies for high quality staff development and empowers supervisors to provide the right balance of guidance and support. Participants will learn a framework that aids in leveraging the natural talents of their team, serves as inspiration when challenges arise, and establishes high expectations that contribute to transformational results for youth. 

In this session, participants will:

• Learn Be the Change Consulting’s Arc of Staff Development, a framework to mentor and coach employees to become independent, proactive team members
  
• Explore a spectrum of strategies to develop staff from supervision towards thought partnership
  
• Create a process to identify opportunities for growth and build a customized professional development plan
  

Join us for an immersive session on the Mindful Fibers Program, where we blend fiber arts with mindfulness practice to foster self-awareness and self-regulation in youth. Recent research into youth development highlights the importance of creative and mindful practices in enhancing mental wellbeing and SEL skills, and also underscores the significance of supporting practitioners' own mindfulness practices in order to strengthen outcomes for youth. SEL skill building is crucial for our young people to prepare them to move through a tumultuous world and effect positive change, while nurturing their own health and happiness. This session offers educators hands-on experience with the same techniques used in the program. Participants will engage in a fiber arts activity, while discussing how to integrate mindfulness practices into their program. You will leave this session with a Mindful Fibers curriculum, tangible strategies, and the confidence to build a practice of mindfulness with youth in your programs!

Join us for an engaging workshop focused on enhancing your organization’s ability to recruit and retain BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) youth development professionals. In this 90-minute session, participants will explore the importance of diversity in youth development, effective strategies for attracting BIPOC talent, best practices for creating an inclusive workplace culture, and actionable steps to develop robust recruitment and retention plans. Whether you’re a manager, recruiter, or diversity advocate, this workshop equips you with practical insights and resources to foster a more diverse and impactful team.

In this workshop presented by the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC), we will discuss Washington state financial aid programs, eligibility requirements, and how to support students applying for state financial aid. We will also outline WSAC's role in ongoing legislative efforts to improve educational attainment and financial aid access. Participants will leave with free customizable resources to support college access and outreach initiatives.

Building organic and sustainable youth mobilization, while also building career development for youth and prioritizing BIPOC impacted communities.

There is a unique and undeniable link between depression, mental health and suicide. Therefore, effective mental health education IS suicide prevention - particularly depression education. Learn how Shine Light on Depression resources including youth education, teen empowerment and family engagement resources, support schools and community-based organizations in providing evidence-informed mental health education and help-seeking skills for all students. These programs raise awareness about youth depression. This session will describe how utilizing these programs can have a positive impact on youth and your community's mental health culture and climate. Participants will learn how to immediately access and implement these free turn-key programs along with other resources available for staff and families.

It can be challenging for caregivers to know how to guide children to appropriate technology use to keep them safe from online sexual grooming. Ready access to smartphones, tables, and computers has created a whole new world of challenges for caregivers. Easy access to devices means that youth do not need to leave their bedrooms to be introduced to risky situations. This training provides a basic overview of commercial sexual exploitation of children, framing the extent of the problem and discussing technology interventions, terminology, pathways, warning signs, and prevention.

Seattle Public Schools (SPS) launched a new version of Summer School in 2023 with a vision to create summer learning that wasn't focused solely on remediation, but could be an extension of the school year that provided academic supports with fun enrichment opportunities making a place kids would want to go to. The 'Yes! to Expanded Learning Planning Team", made up of cross-departmental district office staff, supported the development and implementation of six elementary school sites, which served as regional hubs for SPS students for a four-week session. The school day was similar in schedule to that during the school year, but was unique in that it included SPS led literacy and math instruction in the mornings and Community Based Organization (CBO) led STEAM based enrichment in the afternoons. SPS Instructional Assistants staffed the entire day providing some content connection and classroom management support throughout the day. The program expanded in 2024 to ten sites and included further integration between SPS and CBO programming. Prior to sessions starting, SPS and CBO staff participated in joint professional development and met at their school sites to prepare their classrooms. They also worked at creating a weekly family engagement communication and a culminating event where families were invited in to see various projects or performances that their children shared. Evaluation of the program was gathered through surveys and focus groups of students, families and staff; the vision is to continue to refine and expand programming in the summer while also providing a model to advocate for central office sponsored expanded learning partnership and offerings throughout the entire school year.

Are you a youth worker who values restorative practices, youth voice, and growing equitable and connected program spaces? This workshop is for those who are excited by the liberatory possibilities of community circles, by the why, and are looking for guidance on how. Moving beyond the programmatic foundations of emotional safety and self- and co-regulation, we’ll link individual practices like developing agreements, using mistakes as opportunities for repair, and solutions vs consequences into a scaffolded process to implement community circles in youth programs. This workshop also provides specific strategies to teach these higher-order SEL practices to youth.

In the world of out-of-school activities, icebreakers are often used as a way to encourage groups to bond and build relationships in a short period of time. However, icebreakers are typically ineffective due to participants' reluctance to engage with them. They also tend to be non-inclusive for participants who are neurodiverse, disabled, speak English as a second language, or are introverted. In this session, participants will learn how to turn icebreakers into more effective connection builders that are inclusive of the majority of participants and that foster more authentic connections. Participants will leave this session with new activities to bring back to their groups as well as a new perspective on icebreakers and activity accessibility.

Are you struggling to manage a classroom where children find it challenging to listen, follow instructions, and stay organized? This insightful workshop is designed for youth workers and teachers focused on cultivating essential skills that enhance student learning and behavior. We will explore ways to create a supportive learning culture that encourages the development of focus and organization, equipping you with tools to manage common classroom challenges and improve overall student performance. Empower your students to reach their full potential and transform your classroom into an organized, focused, and thriving environment.

The Power of Play training introduces the importance of play and lays the foundation for creating a safe, healthy, and respectful environment for youth. Through experiential learning and debriefing, we provide tools to help create safe and inclusive play opportunities for youth. While the Power of Play is for everyone, this session is especially impactful for direct service staff at the elementary level.

Take a well-deserved break and unwind with us! Meet our Conference Exhibitors and connect with fellow attendees in a relaxed setting.

Discover innovative products and programs designed to support young people in diverse, expanded learning environments within the youth development sector. Explore helpful resources and services for youth development professionals, all while enjoying a fun atmosphere.

We’ll have a DJ to keep the vibe lively, a photobooth for memorable moments, and light appetizers and refreshments for you to snack on. Beverages will be available for purchase at the bar, so grab a drink, mingle, and make the most of your time here!

Hope science is not wishful thinking. Now with more than 2,000 studies, Hope is proven to be one of the most predictive factors of well-being for youth, adults and organizations. Learn how you can implement the Science of Hope in your organization to promote social, mental, physical, and organizational well-being!

Responding to Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking of Youth was developed by Leslie Briner, MSW of Youth Care; This training will prepare caregivers and service providers to identify, engage and provide support to sexually exploited youth; Introductory topics include definitions, language, landscape of exploitation, identification including “red flags”, victim engagements and interventions.

Data is not objective. It is influenced by Perspective, Motivation and Data Source. The perspective and motivation of data collection has been based within predominantly white institutions. Participants will explore how biases, including racial bias, influence collection and use of data in continuous quality improvement practices and systems.

Audience: Individuals who assess programs including program/site managers and directors, funders, external assessors.