SPYAC is Youth Advocacy in Action!

The Student Potential Youth Advisory Council (SPYAC) is a youth advocacy program built to center the voices of students with disabilities from across the state in education advocacy work.  SPYAC was created by the Investing in Student Potential (ISP) coalition, a collection of organizations that advocate for systemic change in special education in Washington. Over the course of the program, the group will learn about our education system, help shape policy priorities, gain advocacy and leadership skills, participate in the legislative session, have opportunities to share their voices on issues that matter to them, and get paid while doing it.

We are looking for students between 14 –21 years old who have lived experience in Washington state’s special education system to join the next cohort of SPYAC! SPYAC members will be paid $550 for their work from October 2024 through June 2025. Applications open soon.

 

Interested in what previous SPYAC members have done? See Listen to the 22-23 SPYAC Cohort’s Podcast – A Day in the Life

Information About the SPYAC Program:

What SPYAC members will get out of the experience:

  • Use your voice to create change
  • Learn about state policymaking
  • Get to meet with elected officials and state agencies to share your experiences and vision for what change is needed in public education
  • Learn more about your areas of interest in K-12 education
  • Connect with other students with similar experiences and visions for education
  • Personal/professional connections who can provide letters of recommendation if desired
  • Compensation of $550 for participation from October 2024 through June 2025

Application details:

>>Applications for the SPYAC 24-25 cohort will open soon<<

 

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is the SPYAC?

The Student Potential Youth Advisory Council (SPYAC) is a new initiative and program that aims to gather, support, and center the voices of students with disabilities in Washington education policy and advocacy work. The program launched last year through the Investing in Student Potential coalition (ISP), a statewide advocacy coalition that is committed to adjusting our systems to accommodate the complex and diverse needs of students in Washington public schools. The coalition is searching for young people interested in disability rights, educational systems, state and/or local law-making processes, and tools for effective advocacy. The SPYAC will share decision-making power with the broader ISP advocacy coalition and help shape the future of this program for following cohorts. Our coalition also recognizes that a diversity of voices is a necessity for meaningful and inclusive work. We value representation as it relates to race, language, age, disability type, geography, school district size and resources, and more.

 

Who is eligible?

Eligible participants must…

  • Be a current Washington high school student, transition service recipient, or recent graduate (past 2 years)
  • Have a disability and lived experience with Washington State special education services
  • Be at the minimum age of 14 years old or entering 8th grade
  • Have attended or otherwise received services from a Washington public school for at least one school year
  • Have the ability to commit to monthly meetings for one school year

 

Can I participate if I am the sibling, parent, or caretaker of a student with a disability?

The SPYAC is intended for young people with disabilities who have lived experience with Washington State special education services. Parents and/or other supporting figures may be involved for the purpose of communication support or disability accommodations, technical assistance, attendance reminders, billing information, occasionally providing secondary feedback about experiences with schools (e.g. surveys, phone interviews). However, they should not be involved in speaking about what students want or need, in helping create the SPYAC’s mission & vision statements, or the SPYAC agenda items or decisions.

 

What is the time commitment?

The program takes place over the course of 1 school year (October 2024 through June 2025). Participants are asked to attend at least the monthly SPYAC meetings, which will generally take place on the second Monday of each month. Anticipated dates will be listed below soon. Note: It is okay if you have to occasionally miss a meeting. There may be additional work or opportunities outside of the meeting commitment.

 

Do participants get paid?

Yes, we plan to compensate all participants $550 for their participation from October 2024 through June 2025 at $50/month and a welcome bonus. 

 

What if I have been a member of SPYAC before?

You may apply again if you are interested in joining SPYAC as a second-year member. Second-year membership will include taking on some new leadership responsibilities within the group. You would work with coalition staff on developing your roles and responsibilities. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee acceptance to all who apply to join for a second year.

 

Will I get to participate in the 2024 Washington state legislative session?

Yes! SPYAC members can decide how they want to engage in advocacy work, and participating in the legislative session is one avenue we are excited and able to support. Together we can work to set up opportunities for students to learn about the process, talk with legislators, testify on bills, and much more.

 

Is the program virtual, in-person, or hybrid?

Currently, we are planning to conduct the program virtually. In-person advocacy and other opportunities that may arise for students (such as involvement in the legislative session or local meetings) will be voluntary. 

 

When is the application deadline?

TBD.

 

How does the SPYAC plan to accommodate access needs and supports for students who join?

We greatly value accessibility in all aspects of the SPYAC program, and we want to make it a priority at every step. Please let us know about accommodations you may need to be a part of this group in your application, or reach out to us separately. We are ready to discuss and do whatever we can to provide the support participants need to feel successful. 

In addition to being responsive to participants’ requests, we plan to institute the following best practices:

  • All materials presented by the ISP steering committee should be written in plain language
  • Parental support and permission documents must be professionally translated into families’ native language upon request
  • Information should be provided often and stored in an easily accessible Google folder
  • Graphic representations and videos should be included in SPYAC communication wherever possible
  • Establish a communication plan with SPYAC recruits (co-creation)
  • Plan for breaks – approx 5-10 minutes per hour
  • Provide several different tools to collect ongoing feedback from students and follow up in response to feedback provided

 

What do I do if I need other accommodations in order to participate in the program?

We greatly value accessibility in all aspects of the SPYAC program, and we want to make it a priority at every step. Please let us know about accommodations you may need to be a part of this group in your application, or reach out to us separately. We are ready to discuss and do whatever we can to provide the support participants need to feel successful.

 

 

SPYAC is supported by the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe.