School Safety and Student Well-Being Advisory Committee (SS-SWAC)

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Contact

School Safety
360-725-6068

In the 2019 session, the legislature directed OSPI to establish a School Safety and Student Well-Being Advisory Committee (SS-SWAC).

The purpose of this committee is to advise the Superintendent, OSPI’s School Safety Center, the Regional Safety Centers, school districts, and public and private schools on all matters related to comprehensive school safety and student well-being (SSHB 1216, 2019).

SS-SWAC Duties

  • Make recommendations on policies and strategies to improve school safety and student well-being.
  • Identify emerging issues and best practices for consideration and implementation, particularly as these relate to the integration of student well-being and school safety.
  • Establish priorities for training, funding, statewide data collection, and other forms of support for students, schools, and school districts.
  • Engage the public on school safety and student well-being.
  • Perform other duties as required by law.

SS-SWAC Meetings

SS-SWAC meetings are open to the public and include dedicated time for public comment. To receive meeting access information and the agenda before each meeting, sign up for OSPI’s School Safety newsletter using the link below: 

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The SS-SWAC schedule for the 2025-2026 school year is as follows. All meetings will take place virtually on Zoom. 

  • Meeting #1– November 4th |9 am-12 pm
  • Meeting #2– January 13th |9 am-12 pm 
  • Meeting #3– March 10th |9 am-12 pm 
  • Annual Virtual Summit– May 12th |9 am-12 pm 

 Meeting materials will be posted below after each meeting. 

SS-SWAC Members

Committee Member 

Member Rolls 
Aaron De Folo A representative of a rural school district, from Riverview School District
Aaron Wuitschick A representative of law enforcement, from the Yakima County Sheriff's Office
Alison Cathro A representative of the School Nurse Organization of Washington, from Issaquah School District
Amber Garriott A representative of emergency management, from the Washington Schools Risk Management Pool
Amber Hoefer A representative of the Commission on Hispanic Affairs
Angela Sheffey-Bogan A representative of the Commission on African American Affairs
Angie Withers A school district safety staff member, from Richland School District
Anthony Fletcher A representative of law enforcement and a School Resource Officer, from Everett Police Department
Courtney Chambers A representative of emergency first responders, from the Washington State Patrol
Darren Nelson A representative from the educational service districts, representing the Association of Educational Service Districts
Ekkarath Sisavatdy A representative of the Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs
Jake Taliloa A representative of law enforcement and a School Security Officer （SSO）, from Tacoma Public Schools
Jenny Morgan A representative of the Washington School Counselors Association
Jerad Koepp A school district native education staff member, from North Thurston Public Schools
Jodi Hopkins A representative of a school parent organization, from the Washington State Parent Teacher Association
Ka'ohe Wong A representative of a community-based organization, from School's Out Washington
Kasey Kates A representative of behavioral health, from the Health Care Authority's Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery
Kim Lefler A representative of a rural school district, from Cheney Public Schools
Kim Sanchez A representative of public health, from the Washington Department of Health
Larry Wright A representative of behavioral health, from the University of Washington Forefront Suicide Prevention
Michael Witherspoon A representative of a community based organization, from CHOOSE 180
Mike Patello A representative from private schools, from the Washington Federation of Independent Schools and Christ the King Parish
Rojine Rudio A representative of teachers associations, from the Washington Education Association and Lake Washington School District
Shane Gardner A school district Harassment, Intimidation, and Bully Compliance Officer and Gender Inclusive Schools Coordinator, from Evergreen Public Schools
Sina Packer A representative of the Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs
Suzie Henning A representative of the Washington Association for Colleges for Teacher Education
Terri Awoko A representative of the Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families
Tracey Thompson A representative of Washington Association of School Social Workers
Travis Ruhter A representative of student organizations, from the Association of Washington Student Leaders
Vacant A representative of Washington State Association of School Psychologists
Vacant A representative of emergency management, from the Washington State Emergency Management Division
Vacant A representative of the Governor's Office on Indian Affairs
   

 

SS-SWAC Meeting Materials

2025–2026 School Year Meetings

SS-SWAC, Meeting #1

 

2024–25 School Year Meetings

SS-SWAC, Meeting #1

SS-SWAC, Meeting #2

SS-SWAC, Meeting #3

SS-SWAC, Summit Meeting #4
2024-2025 Zoom Meeting Links 
2023–24 School Year Meetings

SS-SWAC, Zoom Meeting #1

SS-SWAC, Zoom Meeting #2

SS-SWAC, Zoom Meeting #3

Annual School Safety Summit/SS-SWAC, Hybrid Meeting #4
2022–23 School Year Meetings

SS-SWAC, Zoom Meeting #1

SS-SWAC, Zoom Meeting #2

SS-SWAC, Zoom Meeting #3

Annual School Safety Summit/SS-SWAC, Zoom Meeting #4
2021–22 School Year Meetings

SS-SWAC, Zoom Meeting #1

September 23, 2021 | 9 am – 12 pm

SS-SWAC, Zoom Meeting #2

December 16, 2021 | 9 am – 12 pm

SS-SWAC, Zoom Meeting #3

February 24, 2022 | 9 am – 12 pm

SS-SWAC, Zoom Meeting #4

April 21, 2022 | 9 am – 12 pm

Annual School Safety Summit, Zoom Meeting #5

June 16, 2022 | 8 am – 12 pm

2020–21 School Year Meetings

SS-SWAC, Meeting #1

September 24, 2020

Location: Zoom

SS-SWAC, Meeting #2

December 10, 2020

Location: Zoom

SS-SWAC, Meeting #3

February 18, 2021

Location: Zoom

SS-SWAC, Meeting #4

April 15, 2021

Location: Zoom

Annual School Safety Summit, Meeting #5

June 10, 2021

Location: Zoom

2019–20 School Year Meetings

June 11, 2020

Location: Zoom

March 12, 2020

Location: Zoom

December 5, 2019

Location: ESD 113 Tumwater, Washington

September 26, 2019

Location: ESD 113 Tumwater, Washington

Past Annual School Safety Summits

 

Legacy Advisory Committee - School Safety Advisory Committee

Meeting Agendas and Notes