What is SOGIE and What Does LGBTQ+ Stand For?
As we celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride during the month of June, it is important to show support of children, youth and colleagues who identify as LGBTQ+. All DCYF employees are responsible to know the LGBTQ+ terminology and use it correctly. LGBTQ+ identity is one of the many places intersectionality must be recognized alongside race/ethnicity, ability, class or faith. It is DCYF’s commitment to be affirming of the entire person. LGBTQ+ individual definitions may slightly differ from one person to another, and what’s most important is reflecting back the same term someone is using to describe themselves. It’s okay to not be familiar with every single term and it’s okay to respectfully ask for clarification. It’s not okay to be minimizing (i.e., whatever, it doesn’t matter) or dismissive (i.e., I don’t need to know). The acronym has a long history of variations and still continues to evolve, but here are the basics:
SOGIE is an umbrella term that everyone is under, while LGBTQ+ represents some people under the umbrella.
SO: Sexual Orientation; who someone is attracted to.
GI: Gender Identity; how someone internally sees themselves.
GE: Gender Expression; how someone communicates externally to others through clothes or mannerisms.
L: Lesbian; a female identified person who is attracted to other identified females. A more common term utilized by Gen Xs or Boomers.
G: Gay; traditionally a male identified person who is attracted to other identified males. Also may be used as an identifying term by any LGBTQ+ person.
B: Bisexual; a person who is attracted to both identified female and male persons. A bridge term between Gen Xs, Gen Ys, and Gen Zs. Most surveyed youth identify as Bi or Pan.
T: Transgender; a person whose gender identity is not aligned with their biological sex/sex assigned at birth. This exploration can start at any age and is not a reflection of sexual orientation.
Q: Questioning; a person who is exploring, discovering or identifying themselves and a normal part of all human development. Those who are questioning can often be our most vulnerable.
Q: Queer; formally a derogatory term which is being reclaimed as an all-encompassing identity for sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. Please note: do not use this term unless it is used by an individual first.
+: Plus; respectively honors identities not specifically named in the LGBTQ acronym such as Pansexual, Gender Non-Binary, Two Spirit and Intersex.
For more information, see CWP Policy 6900 and JR Policy 4.60.
If you have questions, please reach out to your local LGBTQ+ Lead:
|
PEER Support Volunteer Training
The DCYF Peer Support Program is looking for volunteers for our internal Peer Support program.
Peer Support volunteers provide support to staff that are experiencing stress related to the work that we do and other life events. Our volunteers offer support through conversations and shared experiences. We are looking for volunteers from all areas of DCYF that would be able to provide support to their peers.
Volunteer Requirements:
- At least two years’ experience within DCYF.
- Permission from your supervisor and appointing authority.
- The ability to balance your workload and this volunteer time.
- A good listener.
- Able to respond with empathy.
- Respect a high level of confidentiality.
- Attend the initial volunteer training.
The next volunteer training will be held virtually on July 30. If you are interested in being a volunteer or would like more information about the peer support program, please contact dcyf.peersupport@dcyf.wa.gov.
|
Coming Soon! A Crisis Counseling Program Called Washington Listens
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the state is standing up a Crisis Counseling Program (CCP) called Washington Listens. Washington Listens will provide non-clinical support to people experiencing elevated stress due to COVID-19.
Anyone in the state can call Washington Listens. The person in crisis will speak to a counselor and receive support and connection to community resources in their area. The program is anonymous and no identifying information is maintained.
When a caller reaches out to Washington Listens, they will select their preferred language and accessibility option. Their call will then be routed to a live person for assistance. The people who staff Washington Listens will receive basic training needed to provide support to individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The following is a list of providers and tribes who will be starting up a team.
- Crisis Connections
- Community Integrated Health Services (CIHS)
- American Indian Community Center (AICC)
- Swinomish Tribe
- Colville Tribe
- Frontier Behavioral Health (FBH)
- Okanogan Behavioral HealthCare (OBHC)
To learn more:
|
Child Welfare Webinars on Substance Use Disorder
The Association of State and Territorial Health Official (ASTHO), in collaboration with the CDC, has partnered with DCYF and the Washington State Department of Health to address concerns faced by birthing parents suffering from substance use disorder (SUD).
Many of these issues have revolved around the use of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and the ability of the parenting person participating in such treatments to care for their children. Three training webinars have been formulated for Washington State child welfare professionals so that unifying information can be shared with hopes of being implemented statewide. The first webinar is:
-
June 25, 10-11:30 a.m.: The Role and Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment for Pregnant and Parenting Individuals. (MAT’s effect on parental judgment and decision-making ability). Presenter: Dr. James Walsh, MD, Swedish Medical Center. Register here
|
Siblings Adopted by Out-of-State Family Members
After spending 948 days in foster care, Christopher, 5, and De’Andre, 7, were officially adopted by relatives living in Michigan.
Before their May 22 adoption, the half-siblings lived in approximately 10 different foster homes. The main reason for the placement changes was due to severe emotional and behavioral issues. After approval from the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC), the two boys were placed with their great aunt and uncle in Michigan in August 2019.
The trauma these boys carried was evident, but after the relative caregivers began showing their commitment and love to these children, the boys began to recover.
“I believe this is a story of love and commitment and not just by this awesome family who has opened their hearts and homes to Christopher and De’Andre. This successful outcome is also credited to all DCYF line workers and the others who have worked behind the scenes,” explained Rob Jones, the adoptions social worker assigned to the case.
Jones says the boys would constantly ask him when they would get adopted.
“My answer, up until recently, was ‘soon, very soon,’” recalls Jones. “Now, I can finally say, ‘Now, very now….you guys are adopted!’”
|
DCYF Extraordinary Contributors
Each week, we highlight DCYF staff who continue to demonstrate strength and compassion during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Season Silk
Season continues to provide excellent care to children during after-hours. One of the youth in her care is a teen with a variety of medical issues. This teen, feeling miserable and uncomfortable, has acted out. However, Season didn’t let this negative interaction stop her from continuing to provide care in a kind and respectful manner.
Amy Korslund, McKenzie Wickham and Glenda Sanchez
I want to recognize after-hours worker Amy Korslund, social worker McKenzie Wickham and placement coordinator Glenda Sanchez. This team has worked together through this crisis providing support to a teenager with placement instability. Amy, McKenzie and Glenda have given their time outside of what’s expected to provide this teen with connection and support. Watching them work together to keep this teen safe reminds us that we are all responsible for every youth that we serve regardless of worker or office assignment.
Debra Johnson
Debra is an extraordinary contributor due to her steady consistency and ability to manage the myriad of communications demands of staff, public and customers.
Read this week’s Extraordinary Contributors on the DCYF intranet to see what teams and individuals were recognized.
Inspired by your colleagues? Nominate DCYF Extraordinary Contributors today. Email DCYF Emergency Operations Center.
|
Clarification on Training
We understand that everyone has been living and working under new circumstances. With these circumstances, training – a key piece of employee development and retention – has been affected. The DCYF Training & Development Team would like to ensure that if your program needs to cancel or drop trainings that have a cost associated, they are processed appropriately with our counterparts at the Department of Enterprise Services (DES).
We have heard from our partners at DES that DCYF employees are cancelling trainings directly with DES due to a “training freeze.” We want to clarify that there is not a freeze on trainings in place for DCYF. Although, if managers or directors have placed a hold on approvals for cost trainings, we request that you communicate that to the Training & Development Team as soon as possible so that we are able to assist.
When DCYF staff drop or cancel an enrollment, many times they do so after the drop date listed in the training information in LMS. When this happens, the employee’s respective division or program still have to pay for the training. This information is part of the enrollment notification that goes out automatically to the employee and their supervisor when cost trainings are approved.
Please connect with the Training & Development Team or the T&D Unit Supervisor Erin Rains if there are cancellations necessary for learners in your area. Again, please note, if the cancellation date has passed, the cost to attend will still need to be paid by the employee’s division/program and we are able to better use agency funds by sending employees to trainings they have enrolled in.
June 2020 Calendar of Events
- Thurs., June 11, LGBTQ+ Advisory Committee WebEx Meeting | 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Wed., June 17, Statewide Foster Parent Team (1624) WebEx Meeting | 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- June is LGBTQ+ Pride 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 39 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.jobs@dcyf.wa.gov.
News Clips
|
