Making a big difference for a student doesn’t always require a huge change. Sometimes all it takes is having a weighted stuffed animal, a swing on the playground or the right kind of chair. 

Giving a child the ability to hold a stuffed animal, swing safely at recess or wobble in their seat can be the difference between having a calm, productive day or having an overwhelming one. 

Teachers know this reality well, but even small items like weighted stuffies, adaptive swings and chair attachments have costs.  

That’s where Northwest Regional Education Service District’s Foundation comes in. Every year, the nonprofit raises money to help educators and specialists in Clatsop, Columbia, Tillamook and Washington counties meet their students’ unique needs. 

Grants typically range from a few dollars to $2,500. This year, an estimated 1,600 babies, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children will benefit.  

In late January, the foundation announced this year’s recipients. Thirty-one educators, therapists and specialists from Astoria, Beaverton, Forest Grove, Hillsboro, Knappa, Neah-Kah-Nie, Scappoose, Seaside, Tigard-Tualatin and Warrenton-Hammond school districts and Northwest Regional ESD received funding that totals nearly $36,000. The projects range from $30 to $2,500. 

The majority of the projects aim to help students who are experiencing developmental, physical, behavioral or mental health challenges. Other projects support language development, early learning or kindergarten readiness. 

• Weighted stuffed animals for students with disabilities
• Indoor play equipment like a pop-up tunnel, toddler teeter totter, floor tiles and balls
• A stuttering-affirming therapy assessment that doesn’t view stuttering as a deficit
• Supplemental reading resources for students with disabilities who are learning English
• Art supplies for a high school transition program
• Camera equipment for a photography class for students at a social emotional learning school
• An adaptive playground swing with a harness
• Adjustable, multi-height basketball stations for students who use wheelchairs, walkers or gait trainers
• A wristwatch for a child who has a vision impairment and cannot read wall clocks
• Reusable vests for a color guard team especially for students with disabilities
• A library of books about children who use assistive technology to communicate so children see their experiences reflected in the books they are reading
• Graphic novels, curriculum workbooks and digital escape room games for students learning English
• Books and supplies so children with disabilities can participate in local library storytimes

Paulette Rubio, a speech-language pathologist who works at Warrenton Grade School, received funding for a speech assessment tool that reframes stuttering. 

“Many traditional stuttering interventions are deficit-based and approach stuttering as an impediment that needs to be fixed,” she wrote in her application. 

“However, current practice has evolved to consider verbal diversity and embrace different communication styles. By incorporating stuttering-affirming practices, students who experience stuttering will be assessed using tools that address students’ strengths and personal beliefs about their stuttering identity and way of communicating.”

She hopes this change helps students feel less stressed about their stuttering and instead helps them embrace their verbal difference.  

Jeff Condit, the president of the NWRESD Foundation says he's grateful to the grant selection committee for their careful consideration of all of the applicants. "All were worthy of funding, but our resources meant that we had to had to make some tough decisions," he says. "Congratulations to the 31 successful applicants, and I hope anyone who didn't receive funding will apply again next year!" 

See below for a description of the grant, name of the recipient and their school district. Sign up for updates from the NWRESD Foundation to get notified about the next opportunity to apply for a grant. The foundation typically accepts applications in the fall and awards grants in the winter. 

2025-26 Northwest Regional Education Service District Foundation Grant Awardees

Grant Title: "Behavior Buddies" Weighted Animals for Emotional Regulation in Inclusive Early Learning Classrooms

Total awarded: $1,520 
County: Washington County - Northwest Regional Education Service District 
Educator: Johanna DeLange

Grant description: This grant will provide 56 weighted stuffed animals to several inclusive kindergarten and first grade classrooms in the Hillsboro School District. In Hillsboro, children with disabilities learn alongside typically developing peers, so this project seeks to help students stay in the classroom rather than being removed during moments of distress. Weighted stuffies have been shown to calm a child’s nervous system, reduce their anxiety and help improve their focus. Various animals such as lions, frogs, sharks, horses, dinosaurs, rhinos, penguins and more will be available to students at Butternut Creek, Indian Hills, Imlay, Ladd Acres, Reedville and Tobias elementary schools. 

Grant title: Balance and Motion

Total awarded: $493
County: Washington County - Beaverton School District
Educator: Molly Norris

Grant description: This project will bring indoor play equipment like stepping and stacking stones, a small balance beam, a jumping floor activity and a balance board to preschoolers at Fir Grove Elementary School in Beaverton. The preschool teacher will work with an occupational therapist to safely introduce the activities and then use the equipment to help students with disabilities improve their balance, core strength, walking and climbing skills. 

Grant title: Building Literacy Equity at Barnes Elementary School through Alternative Programs

Total awarded: $782
County: Washington County - Beaverton School District
Educator: Annie Browning

Grant description: This grant will provide supplemental resources for a literacy program at Barnes Elementary School, a dual-immersion (English/Spanish) school in Beaverton. The program -- Edmark Reading Program -- specifically benefits students with learning or developmental disabilities or autism or students who are learning English. It offers a more visual approach to reading instruction. The school has successfully implemented the program but needs hands-on activities such as bingo, activity sheets, picture matching cards and take-away readers so students can practice their skills. 

Grant title: Calm & Move: Classroom Movement & Sensory Stations for Middle School Students with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Sensory Needs

Total awarded: $2,479
County: Washington County - Northwest Regional Education Service District
Educator: Craig Retallack

Grant description: This grant provides sit-to-stand desks, wobble chairs, weighted lap pads, weighted stuffed animals, a weighted vest and under-desk pedals for students who attend Levi Anderson Learning Center. This social emotional learning school is operated by NWRESD and is located on the St. Mary’s Home for Boys campus in Beaverton. The items will be used to create a safe, classroom-based space for students who need to move their bodies to stay focused or who use weighted items to help themselves calm down. 

Grant title: Developing Essential Life and Career Skills through Art

Total awarded: $678
County: Washington County - Forest Grove School District
Educator: John Dull

Grant description: This grant provides funding for art supplies for a transition program at Forest Grove High School. The transition program helps prepare young adults with disabilities for their next steps after high school. Students in the program are 18-21 years old and are working toward becoming more independent. As they participate in art classes, they will practice listening, working as a team, following directions and being patient and resilient. 

Grant title: Enhancing the Early Childhood Special Education Sensory-Motor Gym

Total awarded: $350
County: Tillamook County - Northwest Regional Education Service District
Educators: Cheryl Krueger

Grant description: This grant will bring a variety of play equipment to an early learning center in Tillamook. Children who attend the program experience autism, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, neurological impairments and genetic conditions. Having safe, stimulating toys and equipment will bring new opportunities to play with other children while they develop their balance, coordination and motor planning skills. Items include a pop-up tunnel, spinning sensory chair, playground balls, toddler teeter totter, sensory floor tiles and noise-canceling headphones. 

Grant title: English as a Second Language Curriculum Enhancement

Total awarded: $1,000
Counties: Clatsop County - Warrenton High School
Educator: Jason Edwards

Grant description: This project aims to make learning English more engaging for students at Warrenton High School. Funding will provide graphic novels, curriculum workbooks and digital escape room games specifically designed for students who are learning English. These resources will promote teamwork, problem-solving and critical thinking all while helping students improve their English language skills. 

Grant title: Every Voice Counts: Culturally Responsive and Joyful Speech Therapy

Total awarded: $425
County: Clatsop County - Seaside School District
Educator: Morgan Jameson

Grant description: This grant provides assessment and therapy materials that support students who speak Spanish or other English dialects. Funding will provide an English-Spanish tool that helps assess how a child is producing sounds, a tool to help students pronounce the letter r, sound cards in Spanish that help children pronounce sounds specific to the Spanish language and other therapy materials. Morgan Jameson, the speech-language pathologist providing these services, is the only bilingual speech-language pathologist in the district. 

Grant Title: Focus and Expression-A Digital Photography Program for Special Education Students

Total awarded: $2,430
County: Washington County - Northwest Regional Education Service District
Educator: Craig Retallack

Grant description: This project will bring digital photography to Levi Anderson Learning Center, a social emotional learning school operated by Northwest Regional Education Service District and located on the St. Mary’s Home for Boys campus in Beaverton. Middle school students will learn about what makes a compelling photograph and then set to work capturing images around them. They will also learn about lighting, editing and printing and how to use a tripod. The class will host a photo exhibition at the end of the course.  

Grant Title: Inclusive Adaptive Swing Access for Students With Disabilities at Quatama Elementary

Total awarded: $1,150
County: Washington County - Northwest Regional Education Service District
Educator: Kelly Stevens

Grant description: Swinging on the playground is the highlight of the day for many young children. But children with certain disabilities are unable to use traditional swings. This project aims to change that. Funding will provide an adaptive swing that includes a harness for children with disabilities at Quatama Elementary School in Hillsboro. 

Grant title: Inclusive Motor Room Equipment

Total awarded: $330
County: Washington County - Northwest Regional Education Service District
Educator: Ashley Mildren

Grant description: This grant aims to make play time at an early learning center in Tualatin more fun for children who have limited movement or who use wheelchairs to move around. Funding will provide a wall-mounted elephant activity panel, sensory balls, sensory blanket, lights and a wall sequin panel so that children can interact with toys and activities at their level. 

Grant title: Inclusive Multi-Height Basketball Stations for Mobility Device Users Across Hillsboro Elementary Schools

Total awarded: $1,750
County: Washington County - Northwest Regional Education Service District
Educator: Kelly Stevens

Grant description: Children who use manual and powered wheelchairs, walkers, gait trainers and walkers often have difficulty participating in traditional PE and recess activities. This grant provides an activity just for them -- an adjustable, multi-ring basketball stand. An estimated 20 children who attend Hillsboro elementary schools and use mobility devices will benefit. 

Grant title: Inclusive Supports for Young Children with Mobility and Sensory Needs

Total awarded: $330
County: Washington County - Northwest Regional Education Service District
Educator: Christine Baird

Grant description: This grant offers an innovative approach to helping children learn to walk. Toddlers with disabilities who receive Early Intervention services in Beaverton will use toy shopping carts weighted with sandbags to practice moving around. Some children don’t love using walkers or the more supportive gait trainer, so this equipment offers a different option.

Grant title: Learning to Read and Comprehend in Spanish and English in a Dual Language School

Total awarded: $1,325
County: Washington County - Beaverton School District
Educator: Kelly Bates

Grant description: This grant provides funding for an evidence-based reading comprehension program at a dual-immersion (English and Spanish) school in Beaverton. The program is called Strategies To Achieve Reading Success (STARS) and benefits special education students who are also learning English. The project provides student books in English and Spanish along with teacher guides. 

Grant title: More Glitter, Less Waste - The Beaverton STARS Keep on Shining!

Total awarded: $960
County: Washington County - Beaverton School District
Educator: Pat Carley

Grant description: High school and transition students with disabilities enjoy participating in team activities, but their opportunities are often limited. The Beaverton STARS offers a fun and safe way for students with disabilities to dance and perform. The program is operated by the Beaverton School District and is the only color guard team in the Portland Metro made up entirely of students with disabilities. Funding for this project will provide 20 participants with a glittery, colorful vest and a t-shirt. Students will return the vests at the end of the year so they can be reused in future years. 

Grant title: Multi-Tiered Systems of Support Progress Monitoring for English Language Learner Students

Total awarded: $1,190
County: Columbia County - Scappoose School District
Educator: Dawn Cowan

Grant description: This grant will provide a three-year subscription to Flashlight360 for students at Suavie Island School. The program -- which helps teachers set goals for their students and then monitors student progress -- supports students who are learning English. An estimated 15 students per year will benefit.  

Grant title: Outdoor School Accessible to All

Total awarded: $1,200
County: Clatsop County - Seaside School District
Educator: Jackie Bergerson

Grant description: Every year, Northwest Regional ESD’s outdoor school program hosts more than 8,000 fifth and sixth graders from around the region. The program works hard to include all students, but students with disabilities need more support to participate. This project will make that possible by providing developmental lessons and equipment. It will also provide kits for students who cannot travel to an outdoor school site but who could participate at school with their teachers. 

Grant title: Physical Education Equipment and Court Rental

Total awarded: $1,300
County: Washington County - Northwest Regional Education Service District
Educator: Ron Dolen

Grant description: Students who attend Pacific Academy, a social emotional learning school operated by Northwest Regional ESD and located in Beaverton, do not have access to the same PE equipment as peers who attend neighborhood schools. This grant will fund badminton rackets, nets and birdies; soccer balls, frisbees and yoga mats. Funding will also pay for gym rental time because the school does not have a gymnasium. 

Grant title: Representation Matters: Adapted Tools and a Diverse Library of Books Featuring Children Who Use Augmentative and Alternative Communication

Total awarded: $517
County: Clatsop, Columbia, Tillamook and Washington Counties - Northwest Regional Education Service District
Educator: Haley Hager

Grant description: This grant will provide an estimated 500 preschoolers with access to adapted tools such as styluses and switches and a library of books that feature children like them. By reading books about children who also communicate using devices or in alternative ways, children will see themselves and their experiences represented. The goal of the project is to normalize using this type of equipment to communicate and to help families learn how to use this equipment with their child. 

Grant title: Seated for Success: Fostering Attention and Self-Regulation in Diverse Learners at Metzger Elementary

Total awarded: $982
County: Washington County - Northwest Regional Education Service District
Educator: Shannon Hamerman

Grant description: Research finds that when children with disabilities have alternative seating options, they are able to focus much better in school. This grant will provide equipment to adapt chairs and provide soft squeeze seats and rocking saddle stools for students at Metzger Elementary School in Tigard. The goal is to increase the amount of time students are able to pay attention and stay on task during class. 

Grant title: Seeing Possibilities: Supporting Students with Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI)

Total awarded: $463
County: Washington County - Northwest Regional Education Service District
Educator: Youa Steffan

Grant description: The leading cause of visual impairment in children in the U.S. is now cortical visual impairment, which occurs when the visual processing areas of the brain are damaged or not developed. Children with these impairments have inconsistent vision and benefit from visually engaging and accessible toys and devices. This grant will provide a light-up peg board, a light table with sensory items and a magnetic/dry-erase and velcro-compatible board for students who receive Early Childhood Special Education services at an early learning center in Tualatin. 

Grant title: Sensory Regulation in Every Class

Total awarded: $2,500
County: Tillamook County - Neah-Kah-Nie School District
Educator: Ashley Atwood

Grant description: This grant will help students with disabilities learn alongside typically developing peers by expanding the seating options available to them. Children with autism, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, sensory processing disorder and anxiety often struggle to stay seated in class. This grant will provide eight flexible movement chairs so children can release extra energy and stay focused. Funding will also provide various weighted tools and loop earplugs. The project benefits students at Neah-Kah-Nie Middle School in Rockaway Beach. 

Grant title: Sensory Spaces for Success: Supporting Pre-K–2nd Grade Students

Total awarded: $2,472
County: Clatsop County - Astoria School District
Educator: Rachel Thomas

Grant description: This project aims to provide a dedicated space for children with disabilities to go to regulate their emotions, calm themselves down and sharpen their focus. This sensory space will include a therapy rocker, tunnel mat, dark den, wobble stool, spinning chair, weighted vests and a light projector. An estimated 75 students at John Jacob Astor Elementary School in Astoria will benefit each year. 

Grant title: Sensory Supports for Behavioral Regulation Support in an Inclusive High School

Total awarded: $850
County: Washington County - Tigard-Tualatin School District
Educator: Sarah Anderson

Grant description: This grant will provide sensory regulation tools for about 30 students at Tigard High School. The goal of the project is to help students who experience anxiety, autism spectrum disorder or sensory processing differences manage transitions throughout their school day.  When students have access to these items, they are more likely to stay on task, make safer choices and feel calm, which ultimately enhances their ability to learn. Items for this project include sensory lighting, weighted lap pads, chewies, Bosu balls, a crash pad and beanbag chair. 

Grant title: Stuttering-Affirming Therapy

Total awarded: $498
County: Clatsop County - Warrenton-Hammond School District
Educator: Paulette Rubio

Grant description: In recent years, the way therapists think about stuttering has shifted. Funding for this project will provide a stuttering-affirming assessment tool along with therapy intervention tools and educational materials for families and teachers. 

“Many traditional stuttering interventions are deficit-based and approach stuttering as an impediment that needs to be fixed,” wrote Paulette Rubio, the speech-language pathologist who will lead this project at Warrenton Grade School. “However, current practice has evolved to consider verbal diversity and embrace different communication styles. By incorporating stuttering-affirming practices, students who experience stuttering will be assessed using tools that address students’ strengths and personal beliefs about their stuttering identity and way of communicating.” 

Funding will purchase the assessment along with card decks, picture cards and story starters and resources and guides for teachers and families about how to support children who stutter, including how to prevent bullying. 

Grant title: Supported Storytime

Total awarded: $1,347
County: Columbia County - Northwest Regional Education Service District
Educator: Kristen Peterson

Grant description: This grant will provide monthly inclusive storytimes at the Scappoose and St. Helens libraries. These libraries don’t currently offer storytimes especially for children with disabilities. Funding will provide large books, a floor easel, wiggle seats, weighted stuffed animals, fidgets, toy musical instruments, art supplies, a bubble machine, music CDs and a communication tool. An estimated 40 students will benefit this year. 

Grant title: Tools for Regulation in the General Education Classroom

Total awarded: $2,155
County: Tillamook County -Neah-Kah-Nie School District
Educator: Jay Woika

Grant description: For students with disabilities, discreet sensory items can make the difference between missing large chunks of class and staying on task. This grant brings these items directly to students rather than forcing them to seek out support or equipment from the special education teacher or counselor. Items such as weighted scarves, bouncy bands, chewy pencil toppers, chromebook gidgets, palm rests and pushpeel activity boards will be provided to students based on their needs.

Grant title: Translation Support Hardware for Language Therapy

Total awarded: $895
County: Washington County - Northwest Regional Education Service District
Educator: Michelle Chachka

Grant description: Research shows that when students receive speech therapy in their native language, they progress faster. But finding bilingual speech-language pathologists can be challenging even in urban areas. This grant uses technology to meet this need. Therapists will pair Google’s new live translation technology with AirPods to speak to students in English and then have that information be piped into the student’s ear in their native language in real-time. This grant will provide five pairs of AirPods with noise cancellation for the Tigard-Tualatin School District speech and language team.  

Grant title: Voices Unlocked: Breaking Communication Barriers with Aided Language Input

Total awarded: $2,143
County: Washington County - Hillsboro School District
Educator: Katerina Kourt

Grant description: This grant will provide four Wi-Fi-enabled iPads with protective cases and the TouchChat with WordPower app so that educators who work with students who use assistive technology to communicate can respond back. The educators don’t have iPads, so they are often forced to use the students’ personal devices to respond, which can upset the students and/or feel inappropriate. Having dedicated iPads will enable better communication between teachers and students and also help teachers model effective device use to students. 

Grant title: Whole-Child Motion & Play Grant

Total awarded: $992
County: Clatsop County - Knappa School District
Educator: Marissa Schaelling

Grant description: When young children climb, jump, balance and pull, the skills they are developing also support their ability to learn how to write and participate in classroom routines like sitting in a circle or at a desk. This grant will bring a variety of soft blocks and climbing materials to the Knappa School District’s preschool program. An estimated 35 children will benefit annually.

Grant title: Wrist Watch for the Visually Impaired

Total awarded: $30
County: Clatsop County - Astoria School District
Educator: Kendal Long

Grant description: This project will provide a digital wristwatch for a visually impaired student who attends Lewis and Clark Elementary School in Astoria. The watch will be waterproof and will include a pedometer and a vibrating alarm. The student often asks what time it is because he cannot read the clocks on the wall. However, he will be able to read a wristwatch with large digital numbers, so he will gain independence and be able to plan his day better.