COMMUNITY-FACING PROGRAMS TACOMA WHOLE CHILD (TWC) TWC aims to transform schools by creating safe, positive, engaging, and equitable learning environments through a mutually beneficial partnership between the University of Washington Tacoma (UW Tacoma) and Tacoma Public Schools (TPS). This partnership engages school district leaders, community agencies, school teams, and educators, and draws from research-based practices including trauma-informed, culturally-responsive Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) and Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS). Like many communities, Tacoma has experienced increased stress as a result of the global pandemic. The impact has brought challenges in almost every facet of our work in education including academics; social, emotional, and mental wellbeing; attendance; and discipline issues. Through these extraordinary times, the TWC partnership builds resilience and remains committed to meeting the rapidly increasing social-emotional needs of our diverse communities.
Key, recent activities of TWC: n creating District TWC values, vision & mission with input of stakeholders, n identifying priorities (as they have substantially shifted over these last few years), n supporting schools in the creation of SEL action plans, n developing District-specific SEL student learning benchmarks, n professional development around SEL, ethnic studies, identifying need and strength, n collecting and reviewing District-level data
The conditions of the pandemic have underscored considerable inequities, areas of need,
(e.g., climate, needs assessments, discipline
and opportunities for growth, along with the acknowledgement that addressing multi-
data),
faceted problems requires more than the work of one or a few. Collaboration is crucial to antiracist practices, and to this end, TWC increased the number of team members and the diversity of perspectives and roles of its members. With this enhanced team at the helm, TWC is working toward the creation of comprehensive and coordinated services for youth and enhanced support for educators, students, and families/caretakers. With
n communicating with partners (e.g., community organizations, counselors, psychologists, special education, families), n presentations and knowledge dissemination
our school and community partners, we are re-defining and clarifying the vision, goals,
at regional and national conferences,
and body of work to be organized by the district team.
including panel presentations at the PBS
Going forward, the team has reaffirmed their commitment to collect and review data (e.g., discipline data, mental health screening, needs assessments) more strategically with intentions to uncover unseen or under-realized needs among populations often pushed to the margins. Although collaboration with our communities may be complex and take more time, we know this time is a wise and necessary investment in the futures
Annual meeting, Northwest Positive Behavior Support Network (NWPBIS), and the Washington State Association of School Psychologists (WSASP) n active involvement and leadership in the SEL
of our communities and youth. We are grateful for the ongoing commitment and
Community of Practice through the UWT
financial support provided by Tacoma Public Schools for this program. TWC is funded
Office of Community Partnerships
through a partnership agreement between Tacoma Public Schools and UW Tacoma.
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