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Posts categorized under Sage Leibenson, Author at What's the DEEL?

Now Open: Seattle Preschool Program Request for Qualifications (RFQ)

The Seattle Department of Education & Early Learning is accepting applications from center-based early learning providers seeking to join Seattle Preschool Program (SPP) or expand existing SPP classrooms at their site.

Education Investments Included in Mayor Harrell’s 2024 Budget Proposal

The 2023-2024 Proposed Mid-Biennial Budget Adjustments released this week reflects Mayor Harrell’s continued commitment to, and investment in, bold actions that address urgent needs of our communities and advance our One Seattle priorities.

Over 3,700 Seattle Child Care Staff Receiving Up To $1,380 to Support Worker Retention 

More than 3,700 Seattle child care professionals are receiving a one-time payment of up to $1,380 from the Seattle Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL) to support child care worker retention.

Student Mental Health Pilot Expanding to Additional Schools

As part of the City’s $4.5 million investment to increase student mental health supports in schools, the Seattle Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL) is launching a funding process to expand services at up to three additional schools beginning fall 2023.

DEEL Summer 2023 Newsletter

DEEL’s summer 2023 newsletter is available now!

Seattle Preschool Program Educators Celebrate Dual-Language Classroom Accreditation

Lion dancers pranced over the clash and bang of cymbals and drums in an end-of-year celebration of Seattle Preschool Program’s (SPP) Dual-Language Initiative. The event showcased student progress toward bilingualism and recognized six teachers for completing the Soy Bilingüe Early Childhood Education Classroom Accreditation.

DEEL’s 2021-2022 School Year Annual Report

DEEL is proud to present our first department-wide annual report, which takes a broad look at the department’s work in the 2021-2022 school year. In a departure from our prior approach to annual reporting, this report covers investment strategies across the prenatal-to-postsecondary continuum not strictly limited to investments supported by the Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise Levy.  

Focused on Student Success, $7.2 Million in Youth Programs Awarded 

Building on nearly $5 million in expanded learning and college and career programming since 2020, the Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL) will invest approximately $7.2 million in programs for students and youth not yet meeting grade-level standards, in alignment with and funded by the 2018 voter-approved Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise (FEPP) Levy. Opportunity and Access grants will fund 16 community-based organizations and serve approximately 2,000 youth and young adults through 2026, the final year of the levy. Each organization will receive $450,000 over three years. 

Child Care Staff to Receive Up to $5.3 Million to Support Workforce

For the third consecutive year, the City of Seattle will provide millions in relief to support and retain child care workers. Funded by the Payroll Expense Tax, up to $5.3 million–the largest direct payment investment to date–is projected to reach approximately 4,500 child care workers across the city. Applications open Tuesday, June 13, 2023.  

Youth Join Partnership for $4.5 Million Investment in Mental Health Pilot

Youth mental health is at crisis levels due to the ongoing impact of social isolation from remote learning, gun violence, and the negative side of social media. Students are demanding alternative services and the City has created the Student Mental Health Supports Pilot in response to their needs. This $4.5 million investment brings together schools, students, community organizations, Seattle Public Schools (SPS), and Public Health–Seattle & King County (PHSKC) to respond to what many public health professionals identify as a crisis of our time.