We Are the Movement: 2026 WSCADVSA Conference

Washington State is one of the top 5 wealthiest states in the country. And yet, programs that support survivors are being slashed, our own programs are stretched to the limit, and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle cry poverty when balancing our state budget. Make it make sense! This workshop will help you better understand our state budget, what it funds, and why safety net programs are the first to be cut. We will also learn about why such a wealthy state has a big revenue problem and more about the movement to change that. Join us for a big picture discussion and how you can be a part of the change in your community.

This workshop is for advocates, directors, and anyone who wants to get nerdy about revenue!

Are you looking for ways to feel that spark of creativity and connection again with your staff and team? What about yourself?  Coaching skills can be a way to encourage and engage, build self-awareness, and foster a healthy organizational culture. Come learn about some principles and practices of coaching and how it relates to survivor advocacy and program management. This interactive workshop will be informed by the Co-Active Coaching model. We’ll also talk about coaching support for us as positional leaders, and dealing with the isolation, exhaustion, and burn-out that so many face these days.

A high functioning board is one of the best things that can happen to an organization. But it doesn’t just happen. In this workshop, we’ll talk about how to build, orient, and support your board’s development so that they can become confident and passionate ambassadors for your organization’s mission. In this interactive time together, we’ll talk about roles and responsibilities, boundaries, and the most critical relationship in a not-for-profit organization, the board/executive director partnership. Come with your questions and curiosity and leave with strategies to put into place at your next board meeting.

Finding safe, stable housing is a critical step toward long-term survivor safety and stability. This workshop will explore the full continuum of survivor housing options, from emergency shelter and transitional housing to permanent housing solutions. Participants will learn strategies for helping families secure affordable rental and permanent housing opportunities while gaining a better understanding of how to develop and operate housing resources.

Presented by Angie Pacheco of DVSBF, this session will share the organization's experience developing and operating survivor-centered housing programs, highlighting practical lessons learned, innovative approaches, and real-world success stories. Attendees will leave with actionable strategies for overcoming common housing program development and operation barriers, strengthening housing pathways, and supporting survivors in achieving lasting housing stability.

Have you wanted to use your voice to help leaders and legislators better understand what survivors truly need? Are you unsure whether your staff can engage in lobbying? This session will help answer those questions and learn how!

Whether you are new to policy advocacy or looking to deepen your understanding, this session will explore the fundamentals of public policy, the differences between education and lobbying, and the important role domestic violence and sexual assault programs play in informing policy decisions.

Building beyond the basics, participants will take a deeper dive into lobbying laws and permissible advocacy activities. Learn effective strategies for engaging local, state, and federal policymakers, preparing for legislative meetings, building long-term relationships with decision-makers, and identifying opportunities to influence policy year-round. Attendees will leave with a stronger understanding of both the "why" and the "how" of policy engagement, along with practical tools to confidently navigate public policy work within their professional roles.

Who is the primary audience for this workshop? (I am not sure of the norms how this is answered or if there are specific categories) Anyone interested in public policy