STEPS Alaska Updates

Stepping Up for Alaska's Youth!

STEPS Gathering Recap

Gunalchéesh for attending the annual STEPS gathering on October 10th in Juneau. For those who couldn’t make it and for those of us who can benefit from a written summary, here’s a brief recap:

Measuring Collective Impact

STEPS partners reflected on the impact of the STEPS grant in their communities through a Rich Picture activity that asked participants to draw their STEPS projects, the people involved in and impacted by it, the ongoing challenges, and the major successes.

Mental Health

Our STEPS partners reviewed the case studies of school mental health programs developed for the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority.

Our partners were interested in continuing this conversation and alignment around mental health services, models, and access through Full Service Community Schools.

Panel - “How are our families doing?”

Four people shared their perspectives on how families in Southeast Alaska are doing. Continue reading for more information.

Audio Recording

Gunalchéesh

...for working with us for the past 6 years on the STEPS AK grant! We appreciate the dedication and experience you brought to your role in supporting our students and families.

One of our biggest lessons and successes from the STEPS work has been it indeed showed us that we can do it "better together!” Here's to continuing to support our students and families and creating welcoming spaces for them in our schools.

Gunalchéesh - Haw'aa

STEPS Gathering Panel: “How Are Our Families Doing?”

Mary Johnson said that growing up she and her friends didn’t participate in the Sitka Native Education Program.

“When I was young, it wasn’t cool to be Native; the culture has really changed,” she said.

This was one of the insights shared during a recent gathering with Supporting Transitions and Educational Promise Southeast Alaska (STEPS Alaska) partners. The meeting marked a soft close to the six-year Promise Neighborhood grant that fostered collaboration among six school districts and community and Tribal partners.

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Upcoming Opportunities

Workgroups & Trainings

Alaska Native Dialogues on Race & Equity (ANDORE) Host Training

What: The dialogue-hosting strategies build on strong relationships, community strengths, restorative communities, and systemic change.

Who: Community leaders or education advocates

When: December 5 & 6, 9 am - 5 pm

Where: Yacht Club, Juneau

How: Apply here

Alaska School Counselors Conference

What: The Alaska School Counselors Conference is currently accepting presentation proposals for the theme “Pursuing upstream strategies.”

Who: Counselors and those supporting counselors

When: November 16th & 17th

Where: Anchorage

How: Register here

Alaska Afterschool Network Conference

What: The Out-of-School Time Conference is currently accepting proposals

Who: Staff and providers of out of school time programming

When: November 16th & 17th

Where: Anchorage

How: Submit a presentation proposal here

Ongoing Learning Opportunities

Career Guides Community of Practice

What: A space to connect, reflect, and share resources for culturally affirming career guidance.

Who: People who work with students to plan for life after high school

When: Last Monday's of the month at 9:00 am.

Why: Reflecting together and sharing resources is one of the best ways we can build the web of support students need in order to thrive after they graduate from high school.

How: Register here to receive the Zoom link

Kaa Tukaxsaké Héende

What: Restorative Learning Co-hort

Who: Community members committed to social justice and equity

When: 3rd Fridays, 8-10am Zoom Equity Session, 2-4pm Respectful Harvesting

How: Register here

Continuing Education Credits for Trauma-Engaged School

What: DEED now offers CEU credits for Trauma-Engaged Schools training.

Who: educators who hold current five- or ten-year Alaska teaching, administrative, or special services certificates

When: Registration fees are waived for the first 400 people who register.

How: Register here

Grant Funding Opportunities

Alaska Academic Decathlon and Pentathlon

What: SERRC is looking for schools and programs that would like to host middle and high school teams to participate in the statewide academic competition.

Who: Middle and high school programs can be offered as a class or after-school activity.

How: Learn more and sign up here

For Students, Families and Staff

Alaska Family Advisory Board (the FAB!)

What: A statewide network of family members providing insight and feedback to the Alaska Family Engagement Center.

Who: Family members who have kids in schools across the state and who want to help make our school systems more family-friendly.

When: September 26, 3-4PM

How: Nominate FAB candidates here (self-nominations are also appreciated!)

Outer Coast

What: Outer Coast in Sitka is currently accepting applications for the Spring of 2024.

Who: High School seniors or graduates

How: Apply here

PS: Outer Coast also has a faculty position open

Health Care Career Connections

What: A three-day intensive for students who experience disabilities and are interested in Health Care Careers

Who: Students who experience disabilities

When: December 12-14

How: Click here to learn more

Looking for additional ideas? Check out the STEPS Resources page for past newsletters and other STEPS-related resources.