STEPS Alaska Updates
Stepping Up for Alaska's Youth!
Yak’éi yagiyee STEPS Districts & Partners!
Year six started strong with STEPS and another school year is coming to a close. 

We enjoyed our time out in the communities with you this spring. It’s incredible and heartening to see how you are integrating culturally-responsive learning and involving and working with families again now that we’ve returned to post-pandemic activities.

Our annual STEPS Gathering newsletter already highlighted our learning together earlier this month and that already seems like a while ago as you brought that energy and enthusiasm back with you to wrap up the school year.  

Our students and families benefit from your support and relationships. Already many students have graduated these past weeks and this weekend more will also walk across to collect their high school diploma. The saying is that “It takes a village to raise a child”. Cheers to each of you who chose to be a part of that village and here’s to deepening that work to help hundreds more graduate with solid plans and understanding for their post-secondary education!

This summer more opportunities are available for students and for your own professional development. Rest, recover and rejuvenate! We’ll see you in the fall.
Reasons to Celebrate
Hoonah City Schools Ku.éex’ which included classes from Juneau School District’s TCLL program and Glacier Valley School.
Chatham (Angoon) elementary students enjoyed Easter egg hunt with reading and counting.

STEPS staff took a few minutes to participate before providing Trauma Engaged Schools training to staff after school.
STEPS Tribal Partner organizations held a retreat to continue their collaboration to support Lingít & Xaad Kíl language teachers and build more capacity as part of the language revitalization efforts.
Students in Yakutat participated in a cross cultural exchange with the Kamahmah School in Hawa’ii prior to the arrival of Hōkūle’a, the canoe that will be circumnavigating the Pacific as part of the Polynesian Voyaging Society. The four year journey starts right here in Southeast Alaska.
Upcoming Opportunities
Please be sure to save the date for our next in-person STEPS gathering! Location to be determined. We will send out another reminder with more information in the summer!
Workgroups or Trainings
Our Cultural Landscape: Culturally Responsive Education Conference
When: June 13-15
Who: Open to all educators, travel scholarships for teachers are also available
Where: Juneau
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.
Southeast Network of Alaska CAN
When: First Wednesdays of the month at 10 am
Who: Southeast Alaskans working to increase access to postsecondary education
Where: Zoom - Contact Emily for the link, eferry@aasb.org
Grant & Funding Opportunities
RurAL CAP Thriving Communities
What: Grants for $5,000 up to $250,000 to support physical & mental health, health care access, food security & housing access. 
When: Applications accepted through June 16, 2023
How: Apply here
Funding for Families to Visit Postsecondary Institutions
What: Tlingit & Haida’s Navigators program has funding for students from Juneau or Prince of Wales to visit potential postsecondary institutions.
Who: one student (Tribal citizen) and one caregiver,
When: Travel must be completed by August 25, 2023
How: Apply here or contact Renee Culp, rculp@ccthita-nsn.gov
Alaska Native Culture Mini Grants
What: $1,000 mini-grants to support Alaska Native Culture Camps; can be used for food
Who: Any individual, organization, or community/neighborhood passion is eligible 
When: Apply by June 11:59 am on June 9, 2023 
How: Apply here
For Students, Families and Staff
First Alaskans Institute Internship
Who: Alaska Native college students and graduates
When: Application open until filled; internships are June 5 - August 11
How: Apply here
Outer Coast - College year
What: A community-based, student-governed postsecondary program that incorporates European and Indigenous ways of knowing
Who: High School Graduates or GED holders
Where: Sitka, Alaska
When: Applications are considered on a rolling basis; the Outer Coast year starts on August 21st
How: Apply here
Motherhood is Sacred
What: Parenting course to help strengthen families
Who: Offered by Tlingit & Haida’s Community & Behavioural Service Division
Where: Offered virtually
When: Tuesdays, 9-10:30 am
Parents as Teachers
What: AEYC’s Parents as Teachers program continues to offer in-home AND virtual home visits. If you know of a family with young children who could use some extra support,
Who: Adults who are parenting kids ages 3 and under
When: On-going
How: Please send referrals to Emily Thompson, ethompson@aeyc-sea.org
The Learning Connection
Who: Anyone over 16 needing support taking the next step toward college and career training
When: Daily
Where: Downtown Juneau and the Valley Library
Afterschool AmeriCorps summer and school year position
What: Summer and school year positions focused on STEAM 
How: Apply here
Looking for additional ideas? Check out the STEPS Resources page for past newsletters and other STEPS-related resources.