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"Race and racism is a reality that so many of us grow up learning to just deal with. But if we ever hope to move past it, it can’t just be on people of color to deal with it. It’s up to all of us — Black, white, everyone — no matter how well-meaning we think we might be, to do the honest, uncomfortable work of rooting it out. It starts with self-examination and listening to those whose lives are different from our own."
-Michelle Obama
Racial Equity Resource of the Week
When it comes to racism, most white people have the same visceral reaction: “I’m not a racist.” But Dr. Robin DiAngelo argues that’s not true. Her 2018 book White Fragility digs into unconscious bias, and why white people are so defensive when it comes to talking about race. Watch an extended cut of her 2018 conversation with Michel Martin: Watch their Conversation Here.
Each week, DCYF ESIT Tribal Program Consultant Brian Frisina will provide a key topic to help support us all in getting to know our Tribal Nations partners better.
This week’s topic is: Tribal Affiliation
Reporters should identify Indigenous people by their specific tribes, nations, or communities. Headlines and text should also refer to tribes by their proper names, not a catch-all phrase like Oklahoma Native American Tribe or Native American group. While many Indigenous people share a common history of oppression and colonialism, tribal nations are diverse and different. Failing to use the actual name of the tribe you are reporting on is neither accurate, fair, nor thorough, and undermines diversity by erasing the tribe’s identity. The practice never happens when reporting on other places or groups, as shown here:
INCORRECT:
- Pope Brings Message of Brotherly Love To Pennsylvania City
- Asian Country Pushes Legal Overhaul That Would Bolster State Power
- Native American Tribe To Open First Marijuana Resort In The U.S.
CORRECT:
- Pope Brings Message Of Brotherly Love To Philadelphia
- China Pushes Legal Overhaul That Would Bolster State Power
- Santee Sioux Nation To Open First Marijuana Resort In The U.S.
Source: Diversity Style Guide, Tribal Affiliation, © 2021.
LEARN MORE:
This guide, from The Native American Journalists Association (NAJA), on terminology is designed to promote accurate phrasing when it comes to the coverage of Indigenous people:
NAJA Reporting and Indigenous Terminology Guide
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On April 14, Gov. Jay Inslee signed HB 1372, which will place a statue of tribal leader Billy Frank Jr. in the National Statuary Hall. Inslee was joined by members of Frank’s family, tribal and community members, Lt. Gov. Denny Heck, and Rep. Debra Lekanoff when he signed the bill in a ceremony at Wa He Lut Indian School in Olympia.
“Billy Frank Jr.’s legacy should inspire Washingtonians to have open discussions about our place in the world, both what we take from the earth and what we give back. And it reaffirms certain truths as old as the Nisqually Tribe itself: That the environment is not just a resource; it is our home, and we must protect it,” Inslee said.
Read the rest of the story on the governor's Medium page.
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The April SICC meeting is just around the corner! Please join us virtually:
Wednesday, April 21 | 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Click here to join meeting
Dial: 253-215-8782
Meeting ID: 852 9448 5351
Passcode: 000111
Agenda
Questions? Please contact Sue Rose, DCYF ESIT Stakeholder Engagement Manager, at sue.rose@dcyf.wa.gov.
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The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is soliciting applications for appointments to the Washington State Interagency Coordinating Council (SICC) for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families. SICC is mandated by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part C and established through the Governor’s Executive Order 14-03. As such, the Governor appoints the members of the Council. Council members advise and assist DCYF in implementing the ESIT program per the federal requirements of IDEA Part C.
Applications are currently sought for representation in the following vacancies on the Council:
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Parent/Caregiver of an infant, toddler, or child with a disability aged 12 or younger, who has knowledge of or experience with programs for infants, toddlers, and children with disabilities
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Tribal Leader (any Washington Tribe)
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Tribal Part C Provider (Bureau of Indian Education funded)
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Early Intervention Service Provider (from one of the six DCYF regions not currently represented on the council – prioritize rural community)
- Washington Head Start Representative
Interested individuals are encouraged to apply by completing the application on the Governor’s website. In the drop-down list, the SICC is titled "Infants & Toddlers with Disabilities and their Families."
If you have questions, please email Sue Rose, ESIT Stakeholder Engagement Manager.
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Washington State has adopted policies and procedures to ensure public participation in the annual grant application for the Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part C funds. Public participation notices will be published in a manner to ensure circulation throughout the state for at least a 60-day period, with a 30-day opportunity for public comment and public hearings, as appropriate, during that period.
The DCYF ESIT program posted the following materials for public review and comment:
The public comment period closes on April 30. Click here for Public Comment.
Please note: We are gathering public comment only and this is not a rule or Washington Administrative Code (WAC) revision or change.
If you would like to receive this notification in an alternate format or language, please contact the ESIT Stakeholder Engagement Team at 360-701-7827 or dcyf.esit@dcyf.wa.gov.
For questions, please contact Laurie Thomas, ESIT Program Administrator and Part C Coordinator, at laurie.thomas@dcyf.wa.gov.
We are very excited to share of an upcoming webinar opportunity, Coaching in ESIT – Webinar Series, facilitated by Dathan Rush and M’Lisa Shelden and brought to you by King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties and DCYF/ESIT. If you’re not familiar with Dathan and M’Lisa’s work, more information can be found here.
These webinars are open to anyone statewide who is working within an ESIT program! Providers can choose to attend one, two, or all three webinars. Note for Tri-County providers: for those who attended the February two-day training with Dathan and M’Lisa, webinars 1 and 2 will be very similar, but you are still welcome to attend since we all know repetition supports learning! We are seeking OSPI clock hours for these webinars.
The three-part virtual webinar schedule:
- Webinar 1: May 26, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Natural Learning Environment Practices: Understanding the Basics
Course Description: This awareness-level webinar will introduce participants to the background and rationale for providing ESIT services in natural environments. Participants will receive an overview of the characteristics of natural learning environment practices and how they are implemented with families and other key adults in the child’s life. Participant experiences and questions will be used to deepen the discussion about each topic.
- Webinar 2: May 26, 1 – 4 p.m. Coaching Interaction Style
Course Description: This awareness-level webinar will provide the background and rationale for using a coaching interaction style to build the capacity of parents, teachers, and other care providers to promote child learning within the context of everyday routines and activities. The presenters will share the evidence-based characteristics of coaching practices and discuss strategies that can be used by all ESIT providers from a variety of backgrounds (e.g., service coordination, education, occupational therapy, physical therapy, special education, and speech-language pathology).
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Webinar 3: June 16, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Primary Service Provider Approach to Teaming
Course Description: This awareness-level webinar will provide the background and rationale for using a primary service provider approach to teaming in ESIT. The presenters will share the three evidence-based characteristics of the practice as well as the required implementation conditions. Participants will receive tools for selecting the most likely primary service provider, conducting team meetings, and planning joint visits.
WithinReach will be managing training logistics, including booking ASL interpreters and registration, and we will send out the registration link in a few weeks! We wanted you to have the dates and times, so you can start planning and have your staff save the dates on their calendars. Please share widely with your teams!
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The White House released the framework for President Biden’s Fiscal Year 2022 budget proposal. Within the proposal is a historic $2.6 billion increase for Part B (pre-K through grade 12) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), putting the program on the glide path to full funding. The budget proposal also includes a $250 million increase for IDEA Part C (infants and toddlers).
Read Article & Learn More Here
The current COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) extends through April 20, 2021. According to the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) letter to the Governors, the PHE may be extended through the rest of 2021 in 90-day increments. The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) will have 60 days' notice before the emergency ends and will communicate to clients, partners, and stakeholders before any changes take place.
What does this mean for Apple Health clients?
Current Washington Apple Health (Medicaid) clients will not lose their coverage during the PHE unless they do not meet residency, citizenship, or immigration requirements. Clients should continue to report changes in income, household members, and contact information.
If you have Apple Health coverage, you will not lose your coverage for reporting a change during the PHE. Make sure your contact information is up to date in your Washington Health Plan Finder
account so you do not miss letters or notifications once the PHE ends.
For more updates, subscribe directly to these great newsletters:
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The DEC Update, Division for Early Childhood's Weekly Newsletter: If you're interested in receiving the latest news, offerings, and event updates from DEC, subscribe to the DEC Newsletter.
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Early Childhood Technical Assistance (ECTA) eNotes: ECTA eNotes newsletter shares the new resources from ECTA Center as well as news items related to early intervention and early childhood special education gathered from a variety of reliable sources. Subscribe to the ECTA Newsletter.
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Washington Hands and Voices: To get updates, subscribe to the
Washington Hands & Voices Newsletter by clicking at the very top left of the screen, then scroll down to the quick sign-up on the bottom right of the screen.
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Washington State Health Care Authority: For updates, or to access your subscriber preferences, click here for the Washington State Health Care Authority list.
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