Since 2011, with your help, we have honored 253 parents and caregivers in Washington for the roles they have taken with their families, schools and communities. They have been recognized because they have shown strength, courage and empathy in their communities. We also acknowledge that this year, parents and primary caregivers have been called upon more than ever to be the buffer for the traumatic experiences that our world has been facing. Parents and caregivers around Washington State are supporting their children, families and communities in exceptional ways through this pandemic and we want to show our appreciation.

Please help us in honoring 28 more unsung heroes in February 2021 by nominating a parent, primary caregiver or guardian for the Unsung Hero award. The nomination form is available in both English and Spanish.

All nominations must be submitted by Jan. 11, 2021. Nomination forms can be emailed to strengtheningfamilies@dcyf.wa.gov.

For more information, contact strengtheningfamilies@dcyf.wa.gov.

Provide Feedback on Early Achievers Continuous Quality Improvement

DCYF recently announced upcoming revisions to Early Achievers that will be informed by our providers and partners. We’re seeking your feedback on our Early Achievers Revisions Plan.

If you haven’t already, please visit our Early Achievers Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) webpage. There, you can watch an overview to learn more about the ways we are adapting Early Achievers to meet the needs of providers like you. You will also find:

• Short videos focused on different parts of the Early Achievers Revisions Plan.
• Corresponding feedback links to share your input.
• The latest news on all the ways we are working to improve Early Achievers. 

The feedback links will be open until Dec. 9, 2020, so please don’t wait! Your ideas and expertise will guide us into the next phase of this process.

In November, DCYF, in partnership with Child Care Aware of Washington and Cultivate Learning, hosted a webinar for you to learn more about our vision for the future of Early Achievers. If you missed it, you can watch it in English, Spanish or Somali.

Please share this information with your colleagues and staff. Thank you for all you do.

Questions? Contact your coach to learn more or email QRIS@dcyf.wa.gov. We would love to hear from you.

Join the Early Achievers LOVIT Way Workgroup

The Early Achievers team is partnering with tribes to explore the use of The LOVIT Way Program Evaluation Process as an alternate assessment tool for monitoring quality in tribal early learning programs.

The LOVIT Way Program Evaluation Process is a planning and evaluation tool developed by the Aboriginal Head Start Association of British Columbia (AHSABC). It is designed to enhance Indigenous Early Childhood program delivery. It involves staff, parents, families and communities in valuing and documenting their program strengths, uniqueness, challenges and goals for action. To learn more about this unique system, you can watch the recorded presentation here.

AHSABC has been generous in sharing their tool and their expertise with the state of Washington, and we are working together to understand if the tools and processes developed could provide an acceptable alternate assessment pathway for tribal communities in Washington State.

In order to do that, we need your input! Participation in this workgroup includes:

• Attending hour-long meetings twice a month.
• Advising the Early Achievers team on the appropriateness of the tool.
• If applicable, creating a template for an interlocal agreement between the department and tribal early learning programs that may choose to adopt The LOVIT Way as their program evaluation process.

If you are interested, please contact charlotte.campbell@dcyf.wa.gov to join.

Foster Parent Application Portal DCYF is excited to announce that Binti has been selected as the Apparent Successful Bidder (ASB) for the agency’s new Foster Parent Application Portal project. Binti is a California-based company with an off-the-shelf product that will be developed to meet our agency needs. Binti applications are in use in 120 agencies and 18 states. DCYF will be one of the first entities to use Binti for Child Placing Agencies and Group Care Facility licenses, in addition to our existing work in kinship assessments and foster care licensing. DCYF’s Licensing Division expects a contract to be completed by end of year, and project development will start in 2021. We hope to have the portal in place and operating by the summer of 2021. The Foster Parent Application Portal: Will be browser-based. Is intended for all caregivers, including general licensed applicants, relative family members, suitable others, Child Placing Agencies, Group Care facilities and Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children (ICPC). Will allow prospective and applicant providers the ability to manage and track their own applications. Replaces the current paper-based process. Licensed child care providers and license-exempt (FFN) providers will continue to use the WA Compass provider portal. Make sure to bookmark the Foster Care Provider Portal webpage, where you will find: Project Updates Binti’s website Information Child Placing Agency Information Washington Tribal Partners Information Practice Improvement Task Force Work Project Schedule Questions and Answers Racial Equity and Social Justice Considerations If you have questions, suggestions or feedback, email the portal team at dcyf.fostercareportal@dcyf.wa.gov.

DCYF Licensing Division Update: Targeted Recruitment Specialists

On July 1, 2020, DCYF created a new approach for caregiver recruitment and retention, which consists of Community-Focused Targeted Recruitment (DCYF positions) and a Caregiver Retention and Support Contract (Apparent Successful Bidder, Alliance for Child Welfare Excellence).

Due to unforeseen impacts from COVID-19, there have been extensive delays in the launch of the new program. Funding for the Retention and Support contract was approved and we anticipate having the contract finalized before Dec. 1, 2020.

However, we are happy to announce the hiring of six Targeted Recruitment Specialists (TRS):

• Region 1 – Carissa Stone | 509-828-3019
• Region 2 – Gabriela Mendez | 509-407-7829
• Region 3 – Angelia Etter | 360-899-6769
• Region 4 – John Gonzales | 206-308-6802
• Region 5 – Yolanda Marzest | 253-306-1311
• Region 6 – Chisana White | 360-787-6182
• Caregiver Recruitment and Retention Program Manager – Codie Veitenheimer | 360-701-9100

The TRS position is a unique and exciting new role within DCYF that will serve as the point person and recruitment expert for their designated region. Each region has a TRS who will be responsible for: 

• Organize, facilitate, and implement community-based targeted recruitment;
• Utilize data to understand and recruit for caregivers able to meet the unique needs of children placed in out-of-home care;
• Collect, assesses, and evaluate data that is geographically specific to areas within their assigned region to drive recruitment efforts and strategies unique to the community; and
• Develop community partnerships and relationships to employ targeted recruitment efforts.

If you have recruitment ideas, needs or thoughts, reach out to the TRS in your region!

Opportunities for Tribal Youth

• Youth in Focus announced a new 18-week Creative Career Cohort program for BIPOC youth ages 15-19. Students will learn a range of technical skills from studio photography to graphic design while honing their interview abilities and building a portfolio of work. Through a partnership with outdoor recreation retailer, Evo, Youth in Focus will offer eight teens job shadowing, portfolio building, mock interviews and more from professionals working in the industry. Students who complete the three-session cohort will receive a stipend of $1,200. Deadline for interest forms is Dec. 11. Learn more here.
• Sound Off! 2021 Call for Musicians is Live! MoPOP’s 21 and under music competition is looking for young musicians from the Pacific Northwest who play original music in any genre to submit songs. Sound Off! provides young musicians an opportunity to build community with other artists, make connections in the regional music scene and broadcast their original music to a wider audience. Deadline: Dec. 14.
• Penguin Productions is looking for youth ages 14-18 to apply for their leadership cohort, Penguin Advisory Council (PAC) – a group of young leaders that meet monthly to advance artistic development, activism & advocacy, and social connection & cohesion. Stipend of $200 or service learning hours available. Applications open until Dec. 15. Apply Here

Upcoming Meetings and Events

• Dec. 7, 9 a.m. to Noon. Indian Policy Early Learning (IPEL) Meeting. Join Zoom Meeting. Meeting ID: 883 7364 9285 | Passcode: 226139.
• Dec. 7, 11 a.m. to Noon. The American Indian and Alaska Native Head Start Family and Child Experiences Survey: Fall 2019 First Findings from a National Study of AIAN Head Start Programs: What Can We Learn and How Can We Use the Data in Our Work? Register at: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_GQ8ncVkjSayu0WJbMTFOjA
• Dec. 9, 9 a.m. to Noon. Indian Child Welfare (ICW) Sub-Committee Meeting. Join Zoom Meeting. Meeting ID: 863 8086 1563 | Passcode: 169621.
• Dec. 9, 12 to 1 p.m. The American Indian and Alaska Native Head Start Family and Child Experiences Survey: Fall 2019 First Findings from a National Study of AIAN Head Start Programs: What Can We Learn and How Can We Use the Data in Our Work? Register at: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Xom3Ok8sQEewhEgFoWi5Wg 
• Dec. 10 & 11, 9 a.m. to Noon. Native Wellness Institute for Columbia Gorge Community Partners Navigating Racism & Oppression in Indian Country While Being an Ally Two-Day Training. Many non-Natives work in various capacities in Indian Country - from tribal administrators to front line workers to urban Indian center employees. In addition, other non-Natives work in other agencies that serve or collaborate with Indian Country. Learning by doing is the way most allies become allies. This interactive training will be facilitated by a team of NWI trainers and is intended for non-Natives and Natives who want to learn more about being an ally in Native Country. The training will include large and small group discussion, opportunities for reflection and assessment, and tools to take back to the workplace. The goal of the training is to better help you to help the tribe/organization you are working for. Please register in advance for this meeting: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0ofuytrD4oGdAR1BAVJiIms3raZ5p4Tmf0. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
• Dec. 15, 1 to 3 p.m. Tribal Listening Session. DCYF's new team of recruiters and contracted providers would like to hold space with our tribal partners to discuss caregiver recruitment and retention. This space will be a time to connect with one another, share the visions of the new program, learn from tribal partners on areas of strength and development, and hear what resources are needed. All voices are welcome and needed. Please come and share your insight with us, as we continue our journey to learn and grow. Join Zoom Meeting. Join by Phone: 253-215-8782 | Meeting ID: 811 5382 1278 | Passcode: 429536. 
• Dec. 16, Noon. ICWA Active Efforts as Prevention: Working Together for Better Outcomes. The Center for Tribes invites both tribal and state child welfare professionals to come together and discuss the importance of active efforts. Tribal and state representatives from Minnesota will present on their current practice and work they’re doing to keep Native families together. Register for this webinar today.
• Save the Date! May 13 & 14, 2021. 16th Annual Vine Deloria Jr. Indigenous Studies Virtual Symposium. Pre-Symposium May 12 Teacher Training on Power & Place with Dr. Danial Wildcat. More Information Here.

Funding Opportunities

• No Kid Hungry Grant Opportunity: Increase Food Security Among Young Children (0-5 Years old). Application Deadline: Dec. 15, 2020. Apply Here
  

• DAR American Indian Scholarship: Each year, the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) awards multiple scholarships to students showing dedication to the pursuit of higher education. The DAR American Indian Scholarship is awarded to help Native American students of any age, any tribe and in any state striving to get an education at the undergraduate or graduate levels. However, preference is given to undergrad students. All of the awards are judged based on financial needs and academic achievement. These awards are available for vocational training or college/university studies. Application Deadline: Jan. 31, 2021, at 11:59 p.m. EST. Award: $4,000.00. Requirements: Must be Native American (must provide proof) and have a GPA of 3.25 or higher. Selection is based on academic achievement and financial need. All applicants must complete a general application and will be automatically considered for other scholarships, please sign-in here or sign-up here.

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