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DCYF Releases Revised Secretary’s List to Improve Outcomes for Children
On March 4, the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) released a revised Secretary’s List of Crimes and Negative Actions.
The proposed Secretary’s List reduces the number of permanent and five-year disqualifying crimes and negative actions, and eliminates crimes that do not relate directly to child safety, permanence or well-being.
The new list reduces disproportional impacts throughout the entire background check processes and creates a system that ensures consistency and recognizes unique circumstances and rehabilitation. One of the purposes of the changes includes combining the lists of disqualifying crimes from the previous agencies (Department of Early Learning, Children’s Administration, Juvenile Rehabilitation) into one comprehensive list while still maintaining the federal standards we are required to follow.
Over the last year, we have requested input at IPEL and TPAC and will share at the April 8 TPAC meeting.
DCYF Secretary Ross Hunter explains in this video why the revised Secretary’s List will improve outcomes for children.
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Indigenous Children, Youth and Family Summit
DCYF is thrilled to partner with the Alliance and Tribes for the upcoming ICYF Summit. We are seeking volunteers who wish to participate in the planning of this year’s Summit. The goal is to bring back the previously scheduled ICWA Summits and combine them with the Tribal Early Learning Care & Education and Tribal Early Learning Language Summits. Save the date for the ICYF Summit, August 10-12, at Northern Quest Casino.
The Alliance will host a virtual and in-person planning meeting for the August Summit on March 13 from 10-11:30 a.m. Join Skype Meeting.
DCYF Strategic Plan
Last month, DCYF published its first draft Strategic Plan as part of our work to integrate and streamline practices as a newly formed agency. If you have not already done so, please take a moment to review the draft plan. DCYF Secretary Hunter has shared the plan at the ICW Sub-Committee and IPEL. We are committed to further input and partnership from the Tribes on the DCYF Strategic Plan. We look forward to further discussions at the April 8 TPAC meeting.
Additional feedback can be shared here: DCYF Draft Strategic Plan Feedback Survey - Tribal Partners.
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April is Child Abuse Prevention Month
Join DCYF and others across the state as we raise awareness and promote ways in which we can strengthen families in our communities together. Order your pinwheels for prevention by March 9.
DCYF has also created a new resource for staff, clients, partners and providers. The new Discovering Strengths Across Washington Coloring Book is available online to download and print in English and Spanish. If you'd like a hard copy, email strengtheningfamilies@dcyf.wa.gov.
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Quileute Tribal Members Recognized as Unsung Heroes
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Unsung heroes Rose Green and Elijah Jackson show parental resilience and generosity toward others.
They were nominated for the annual Unsung Heroes award during Parent Recognition Month.
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They opened with a tribal prayer at the annual celebration dinner for nominees on February 27.
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Early Achievers Listening Sessions
On February 28, the Early Achievers team hosted a one-day listening session with the Spokane Tribal Child Care staff. The event helped gather information on the relevance and usefulness of the Environment Rating Scale-Third Edition (ERS-3) to assess quality early learning experiences in tribal programs. While DCYF currently uses ERS-3 in all Early Achievers quality ratings, we're partnering with interested tribes to explore the use of alternate or modified assessments in tribal early learning settings. The feedback on the ERS-3 tool from the Spokane staff was a great start to this work! Thank you so much, Spokane Tribe, for hosting us.
The Early Achievers team hopes to hold more listening sessions around the state. The information we gather will help determine next steps in creating a tribal pathway for Early Achievers. If you're interested in hosting a listening session for your staff or for your region, please reach out to the Early Achievers Government and Partnership Liaison Charlotte Campbell at charlotte.campbell@dcyf.wa.gov.
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Save the Date - Events & Training Opportunities
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2020 Webinar Series on ACEs and Child Maltreatment Prevention | Register online.
- April 16: Opioids and Child Maltreatment
- May 18: Building Community Resilience
- June 17: Evaluating Organizational Policies to Prevent Child Abuse
- July 14:- Promoting Economic Stability to Reduce Child Maltreatment
- September 15: Gun Violence as an Adverse Childhood Experience
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March 10 | ACEs and Resilience Learning Network Webinar. Trauma Informed Workplace: Practice Applications in Equity, Empathy and Employee Development. Details and registration.
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March 10, 11 a.m. to noon | OJJDP: The webinar will provide a general overview of the FY 2020 Training and Technical Assistance to Support Children's Advocacy Centers Serving American Indian/Alaska Native Communities solicitation. It will highlight key eligibility and solicitation requirements. It will also identify tools and resources for applicants that will facilitate the application process. Lastly, it will provide an opportunity for applicants to ask questions. Register.
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March 11, 5-8:30 p.m., Clinton, WA | Film Screening and discussion with Rebecca Black and Carol Wishcamper: Screen the documentary, Dawnland, which followers the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) to contemporary Wabanaki communities to witness intimate, sacred moments of truth-telling and healing following the forcing of Native American children to be taken from their homes and placed with white families. Dawnland foregrounds the immense challenges that this commission faces as they work toward truth, reconciliation, and the survival of all Indigenous peoples. Learn more: www.tinyurl.com/dawnland-whidbey.
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March 12, 11 a.m. to noon | OJJDP: Why Housing Matters for Family Recovery, Stability and Public Safety. This webinar will highlight practical approaches and promising practices to help family treatment court practitioners address housing instability for families affected by substance use disorders. Register.
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March 14, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Seattle, WA | Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth in Foster Care Workshop: This workshop is designed for caregivers to learn more about creating a safe and affirming environment for LGBTQ+ youth in their homes. More Information: Amara@amaraputskidsfirst.org or 206-260-1700.
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March 17, 11 a.m. to noon | OJJDP: Supporting Effective Interventions for Adolescent Sex Offenders and Children with Sexual Behavior Problems. This webinar will provide a detailed overview of the solicitation and allow an opportunity for interested applicants to ask questions. Register.
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March 17, 1-4 p.m. | Roundtable Discussion on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women: The National Health Board will be hosting this session on examining MMIW Prevention Strategies through a Tribally-informed lens. RSVP.
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March 18, 12-1:30 p.m. | OJJDP: Women are Sacred: Exploring Women’s Spirituality from an Indigenous Perspective Webinar. More info here.
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March 20, 12:30-1:30 p.m. | OJJDP: Keeping the Faith: Spirituality and Mental Wellness. This webinar will provide an understanding of the role faith plays a part of our daily lives as well as help us grow and strengthen our resiliency and improving mental health. Register.
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March 20, 9:30-10:30 a.m. | OJJDP: FY 2020 Opioid Affected Youth Initiative. This webinar will provide a detailed overview of the solicitation and allow an opportunity for interested applicants to ask questions. Register.
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March 24 | ACEs and Resilience Learning Network Webinar. The Science of Hope: Hope Predicts Adaptive Outcomes, Hope Buffers the Effects of Adversity, and Hope Can Be Influenced and Sustained. Details and registration.
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March 25, 1-4 p.m., Everett, WA | OJJDP: Responding to the Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking of Youth. Register: mariya.carrier@cocoonhouse.org.
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March 27, April 17 or May 1 | Youth Mental Health First Aid Class: Learn to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. Learn more.
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March 28, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Seattle, WA | Mixed Race Seattle Conference. Learn more.
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April 21-23, Albuquerque, New Mexico | OJJDP: Foundation and Key Principles: Strengthening the Role of Advocacy in Indian Country Workshop. Register here. $275 registration before April 1.
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May 5, 3-9 p.m., Emerald Queen Casino, Tacoma, WA | Murdered and Missing Relatives Community Gathering. Register here. Learn more.
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May 6-8, Emerald Queen Casino, Tacoma, WA | Second Annual Human Trafficking in Indian Country Conference. Hosted by the Puyallup Tribe. Prevent-Respond-Heal three-day conference. Learn more. Deadline to register: April 1.
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May 28, Tacoma, WA | Saying It Out Loud Conference: A conference committed to increasing competency in serving LGBTQ+ individuals and families. Register here. Early bird rate: $50. After April 24: $75.
Funding Opportunities
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Administration for Native American's Native American Language Preservation and Maintenance Grant: This grant program supports the planning, designing, restoration and implementing of native language curriculum and education projects to support a community's language preservation goals. Learn more.
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Washington State Arts Commission Creative Start Grants: These grant programs support arts integration in early learning. They support communities ready to adopt a comprehensive arts integration plan in their early learning classroom (preschool through third grade). Learn more.
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Proposals for 2020 Native Youth & Culture Fund Grants: This is an opportunity for projects that focus on youth and support the perpetuation of traditional ecological knowledge, spirituality and the intergenerational transfer of knowledge systems, resulting in compassion, respect, dignity, reverence for nature and care for each other and the earth. Apply by March 12. Apply here.
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OJJDP: Victims of Child Abuse Act Training and Technical Assistance for Child Abuse Professionals. Deadline to apply: March 17. Learn more.
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OJJDP: Missing and Exploited Children Training and Technical Assistance Program. Deadline to apply: March 23. Learn more.
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OJJDP: National Gang Center. Deadline to apply: March 23. Learn more.
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Join the Doctoral Training Consortia in Early Childhood Intervention: Have you ever thought about getting your PhD? Participating universities - including the University of Washington - are providing opportunities in early childhood special education, occupational therapy, social work or speech and language pathology. Join the Doctoral Training Consortia in Early Childhood Intervention for Infants and Young Children with High-Intensity Needs Because of Significant Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD). Funding is available for full-time doctoral students. Download the Flyer.
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