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And if you are in crisis, don’t hesitate to call the 24-Hour Crisis Line at 866-427-4747 or text HEAL to 741741 to get confidential text access to a trained crisis counselor any time of the day or night.
Remember, you can find great information:
Practice compassion. Stay at home to protect the people you love.
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month
April is Child Abuse Prevention month. This year will look a bit different than years past, but it’s never been more important to support families to ensure all children grow up safe, happy and healthy.
As we all practice our Stay Home, Stay Healthy order, we won’t be able to plant our pinwheels at the Capitol Campus. We will, however, find ways to celebrate together virtually. You can create your own pinwheel garden at home, using this set of instructions from Prevent Child Abuse America.
You can send in photos from home on Friday, April 3, as we all #WearBlue. We will host a coloring campaign through social media with some fun prizes. Check in throughout the month to DCYF’s Facebook page as we share tips and supports for families, so that we can continue to create great childhoods for all children.
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Courageous Change Podcast Features Region 5 Caseworker
The latest episode of DCYF’s podcast Courageous Change is now available. The podcast is designed for DCYF employees to talk about change, the process of change and how we experience transformational change.
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, we are all experiencing change and trying to navigate through its impact. Although this podcast was recorded prior to the orders and proclamations that have changed our lives, Annie Severson, Director of Organization Development chats with Alishia Agee-Cooper, a caseworker out of Region 5 to discuss the constant changes caseworkers experience.
If you have any questions, please email the Organizational Change Management Office (OCMO) at dcyf.ocmo@dcyf.wa.gov or check out the Change Management page.
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Interviewing During a Pandemic
While it seems like most of the world has come to a halt, we still need to be able to recruit, hire and onboard new staff. But how do we do this when an in-person interview poses safety risks?
Use the technology available to you! On the DCYF Intranet under Computer Help is a list of WebEx help guides. WebEx is ideal because you still get to “see” the person and can pick up on nonverbal cues. However, a phone interview is also an option by establishing a conference call line or using the conference feature on your iPhone.
We recommend the use of WebEx. See complete instructions for more info. To set up a video conference interview:
- Generate the WebEx conference call info.
- Include the WebEx info in the interview confirmation notifications sent via NeoGov or in an outlook meeting request.
- Ensure you give yourself extra time to set up and test the functionality of your WebEx session.
When sending interview confirmations, be sure to include release of information forms and any other forms they may need to complete.
If you have any questions about interviewing, contact your Talent Acquisition Specialist. If you have questions about videoconferencing technology, contact the IT Service Desk.
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Using Audio/Video to Monitor Children Policy Revision
The 4315. Using Audio or Video to Electronically Monitor Children policy located in the Child Welfare Practices and Procedures went into effect in December 2019. This policy was updated on March 24, 2020, to include information on the process for using electronic monitoring of children and youth placed in out-of-state facilities.
For policy questions, please contact the DCYF Policy Team.
Washington State Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
The EAP has established an EAP Live Webinar schedule, Self-Care with EAP to assist with improved coping skills and strategies during this unique period in time. Check out the upcoming scheduled live webinars or register at COVID-19 Resources.
If you are unable to join the live webinars they will be recorded for on-demand viewing. Currently, one webinar is available:
Self-Care with the Washington State EAP (44 minutes, closed captioned) This webinar addresses the emotional impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and offers ideas for self-care and strategies for managing stress and fear.
In addition, the EAP has posted some handouts and tip sheets related to coping with the stress and anxiety of the COVID-19 outbreak. Check out these COVID-19 related resources.
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2020 Census Officially Begins April 1
During this time, it’s even more critical to stand up and be counted. Census Day is April 1 and by now, most households should have received at least one invitation to respond to the 2020 Census.
Responding to the census is important because it helps inform funding for key public services for your community like education programs and schools, hospitals and healthcare, roads and bridges, and emergency and disaster response.
More 2020 Census Resources:
Your Privacy Matters
When you respond to the census, your answers are kept anonymous. They are used only to produce statistics. The U.S. Census Bureau is bound by law to protect your answers and keep them strictly confidential. The law ensures that your private information is never published and that your answers cannot be used against you by any government agency or court. Learn More
COVID-19 Impact on the 2020 Census
The U.S. Census Bureau continues to carefully monitor the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation and follow the guidance of federal, state and local health authorities. The most important thing you can do is respond online, by phone or by mail when you receive your invitation. Responding now will minimize the need for the Census Bureau to send census takers out into communities to follow up. See Latest Updates
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Message from Office of Financial Management
Please find housing, shelter and utility resources that are available for those living homeless or who will not be able to pay rent or utilities.
Renters
- Governor Jay Inslee on March 18 announced a 30-day statewide moratorium on evictions for residential tenants.
Shelters
- For those needing shelter and housing assistance, the Department of Commerce recommends using the list of Coordinated Entry access points during the COVID-19 crisis.
- Youth shelters - HOPE Centers (temporary residence centers for street youth under the age of 18) are waiving length of stay limits until 30 days after the governor’s enacted state of emergency is lifted.
Food
- Recently released clarity to the intent of the Governor’s emergency orders with regard to hunger relief efforts.
March 2020 Calendar of Events
- April is Child Abuse Prevention Month
Shared Leave
Employees approved for the shared leave program are now posted on the Inside DCYF website. To donate shared leave, please fill out the Donor Shared Leave Form.
Please send completed donor shared leave forms or questions to dcyf.hr@dcyf.wa.gov.
Job Postings Notice
Currently, there are 55 positions open at DCYF listed here. Some of these positions are highlighted below. The following positions are open to all, so please share with anyone who may be interested:
If you have any questions or want the Recruitment Team to highlight your job posting, please contact dcyf.recruitment@dcyf.wa.gov.
News Clips
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