ASWR is an approved OSPI partner!

And Still We Rise is dedicated to the social, emotional and mental health well-being of students, parents, families, educators and administrators across the state of Washington.

We partner with the OSPI to support initiatives that impact the critical learning needs of diverse student populations across the state.

Partners Creating Healing Spaces for All

Some of our initiatives…

Reimagining Discipline and Elevating Inclusion

As part of Washington’s statewide commitment to eliminate isolation and reduce restraint in schools, ASWR leads with a mission rooted in healing, equity, and systemic transformation—focusing our work on:

  • Disrupting inequitable systems that disproportionately impact students with disabilities and students of color.

  • Building restorative, culturally responsive practices rooted in care, belonging, and student-centered leadership.

  • Strengthening school-family partnerships that promote accountability and meaningful engagement.

  • Supporting sustainable change through data-informed coaching, capacity-building, and continuous evaluation aligned with Washington’s inclusion goals.

This work reflects the heart of ASWR’s values—liberation, care, and belonging—and our commitment to advancing equity in education across Washington State.

Centering Inclusion Statewide in the Inclusionary Practices Technical Assistance Network (IPTN)

We bring trauma-informed, equity-driven strategies to transform how schools support students across Washington State by:

  • Conducting district- and student-level needs assessments to identify structural and equity gaps.

  • Delivering culturally responsive coaching and professional development for educators, administrators, and staff.

  • Facilitating student and family engagement, including PTSA partnerships, SEL sessions, and trauma-informed support groups.

  • Providing critical incident response and healing-centered interventions when schools need structured reflection and repair.

  • Supporting data-driven strategy design through equity-centered evaluation and continuous improvement cycles.

Our work reflects ASWR’s commitment helping schools become places where every student—especially those most marginalized—can truly belong and thrive.

Elevating Paraeducators: Transforming Support from the Frontlines

Rooted in ASWR’s mission of liberation, healing, and systemic transformation, this initiative equips paraeducators with the tools to challenge inequitable systems and lead efforts to build school cultures grounded in dignity, care, and inclusion—ensuring every child in Washington feels safe, seen, and supported to thrive.

Through free, clock-hour-eligible training, paraeducators will explore:

  • Cultural competency and anti-racist practices to reduce the use and impact of restraint and isolation.

  • Trauma-informed strategies for responding to harm and disruption with empathy rather than punishment.

  • Authentic engagement techniques that center families, especially from BIPOC and historically marginalized communities.

  • Real-world tools to advocate for systems change within their schools and districts.

These initiatives highlight how our partnership with OSPI strengthens the foundation for long-term, equity-driven change across Washington’s schools.

But, there's more!

If you are a Washington K-12 school or district who is dedicated to improving:

  • The quality of education for all students!

  • Effective leadership coaching opportunities for administrators!

  • Educator and staff development and learning opportunities!

  • Strategies to foster more authentic relationships with parents, families and community!

We want to partner with you!

What Our Clients Are Saying

  • It was a 10/10 experience. [And Still We Rise] was so nice and helpful! All the students involved had such a great time and we learned so much!

    Gaina, Framingham BSU

  • “And Still We Rise has been a welcomed partner…to provide guidance and services to BIPOC families following a racially-motivated hate crime. They were able to quickly pull together a team of professional in the direct aftermath to support the families in this tragedy. Further, we continued our work with And Still We Rise in leading workshops focused on affinity groups to explore means to improve solidarity. The team at And Still We Rise has been engaged, attentive and very professional.”

    Meredith, Winthrop Department of Public Health & Clinical Services

  • Roberta Holmes has been extremely helpful and has gone above and beyond to create workable solutions for our needs at Mount Holyoke. And Salwa has met the needs of one of our students in a way that very few others could have. We look forward to continued work together.

    Beth, Mount Holyoke College

  • “Very very wonderful! Thoughtful, kind, supportive, responsive.”

    Amelia, Pause Wellness Center

  • Dr. Cesar is passionate, and absolutely unrivaled in connecting with my BIPOC students. She developed lessons to teach them self awareness, build community, and improve their overall understanding and comfortability in their Black/Brown skin. I am so grateful for the work of ASWR. EVERY school district needs an ASWR provider!

    Andre, BART Charter Public School

  • “We recognized early on that there was a major gap in culturally responsive mental health care. The staff of And Still We Rise spent the time explaining their approach to health and wellness and delivered exactly what our community needed.”

    Meredith Hurley, Public Health, Town of Winthrop

  • “They create safe spaces where individuals feel supported in addressing the mental and emotional toll of their work.”

    Michelle Curry, OSPI

  • “We are better because of our collaboration. ASWR’s feedback and recommendations have been direct, specific, and incredibly helpful.”

    Dr. Lisha Cabral, Easton Public Schools

  • “ASWR demonstrated exceptional expertise in navigating complex conversations around power, privilege, and systemic oppression.”

    Octavio González, PhD, OUT MetroWest

  • “They connect quickly with diverse groups and adapt content in real time. Every member of their team reflects integrity and deep alignment with values.”

    Kelly Lynch, Found in Translation

  • “Students left with increased confidence, connection, and sense of belonging.”

    Andre Lynch, MCLA / BART Charter School

  • “ASWR helped me understand I’m not going through life alone—and that I can lean on my peers.”

    Student, ASWR Affinity Group at BART Charter School

  • “They have demonstrated the highest level of inclusivity, cultural sensitivity, and mutual respect. ASWR has been a phenomenal partner.”

    Ishmael Moyo, Gov Service Group