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Click on the image above to learn more about what topics will be covered during the conference.
Join Us For Our Second Annual Virtual ICYF Conference
August 10 from 1-4 p.m.
August 11-12 from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Join us for this unique opportunity to gather with DCYF staff, child welfare professionals, caregivers, parents, tribal staff, alumni, and youth to discuss our common thread of children, youth, and families.
We are excited to have Supaman (Christian Parrish born in Seattle, known professionally as Supaman, an Apsáalooke rapper and fancy dancer) start us off!
There is no cost to register and attend.
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In This Issue:
Job Opportunities
James Bell Associates (Two Positions): Research Associate, Tribal Evaluation, and Research Assistant, Tribal Evaluation.
Learn more and apply here.
Working with Tribes Training Resource
The National Indian Health Board has a free training called Working with Tribes. The content provides both a historical overview of the Indigenous people of this continent and the impact of colonization. It covers modern day information about the Indian health care delivery system and tribal sovereignty in the era known as self-determination. The training, created in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is specifically for government employees working at all levels of tribal engagement.
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Jason Wettstein is the new Director of Communications for DCYF. Jason’s career in Washington includes public relations positions with The Evergreen State College and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, where he worked with colleagues to close opportunity gaps, advance education, get kids outside and promote enjoyment of nature. Before that, Jason’s career included work to conserve nature in Alaska, and as an advocate with international organizations with missions to advance social justice, education, and hunger relief. In his spare time, Jason enjoys kayaking with his wife, Chris, a community college professor with a focus on early childhood. He also enjoys hiking with his kids and rescue dog, painting nature scenes, and trying out new Instant Pot recipes. Jason holds a Bachelors in English and Mass Communications from Saint Cloud State University, a Master’s in Foreign Service from Georgetown University, and a Master’s in Public Administration from The Evergreen State College.
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Jeanne Olney started her role with the Office of Tribal Relations as the ICW Practice Consultant/Tribal Liaison for Region 4 on Aug. 2. Jeanne comes to Region 4 from the DCYF Smokey Point Office where she fulfilled the role of Supervisor for the CFWS/ICW Unit. Prior to DCYF, Jeanne worked for Casey Family Programs in various roles including Social Worker, Family Developer, Supervisor, and Practice Specialist, as well as for Catholic Charities as the Director of Youth Services. Jeanne is an enrolled member of the Yakama Nation and a descendent of the Euchee (Yuchi) Tribe.
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Kelly Pelland comes to DCYF as the new Administrative Assistant in the Office of Tribal Relations after 30 years at the Kitsap County Prosecutor’s Office where she headed their Victim/Witness program. Over those years, she supported the elected Prosecutor, supervised up to 16 staff, helped draft and pass legislation, and worked hard to ensure every victim’s voice counted and their rights were upheld. While she loved her work there, she is very excited to be joining the OTR team! Kelly lives with her husband, father, 16 year old twins, two dogs, and a cat (she also really wants a chihuahua). Kelly has two older sons (35 & 34) who live in Bellevue and Germany. In her spare time, she loves to make homemade jam, bake, and laugh.
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Kinship Caregiver Oversight Committee (KCOC): Are you a grandparent caring for your grandchild? Are you caring for a relative’s child? Are you a youth living with a relative (other than your parents)? Or does your organization provide support for those who are kinship caregivers? KCOC needs your help! KCOC provides guidance to the Legislature in identifying, supporting, and strengthening kinship care families. KCOC meets quarterly, providing a forum to exchange information about state policy changes, local initiatives and concerns, and to monitor, guide and report on kinship care recommendations and implementation activities. Join the next KCOC meeting on Aug. 19 from 1-4 p.m. Meeting ID: 860 4293 2758 | Passcode: 252954. If you have any questions, email Geene Delaplane or call 360-688-0391.
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Early Learning Advisory Council (ELAC): DCYF is excited to announce the recruitment of members for ELAC. If you are interested in partnering with us to implement these exciting changes and continue the high-impact work of ELAC, we are now accepting applications from individuals who are essential to coordinating statewide services for prenatal children through age 12. More information can be found on the ELAC webpage. If you are interested and qualify to serve on this group, we encourage you to apply by Aug. 31. If you have questions about this recruitment, please email dcyf.communityengagement@dcyf.wa.gov.
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Washington State Office of Equity: DCYF is partnering with the newly created Washington State Office of Equity to gather the collective wisdom for co-creating a five-year equity strategic plan for the state. This plan will help Washington bridge opportunity gaps and reduce disparities so everyone in Washington flourishes and achieves their full potential. DCYF will contribute what we have already heard from communities, tribes, and staff who participated in developing the DCYF Strategic and Racial Equity Plan. Select a time for you and your group to participate in a listening session with the DCYF Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice (ORESJ). Register Here (sessions scheduled through the end of September 2021). If you need a reasonable accommodation to engage during the listening session, please contact DCYF ORESJ as soon as possible, or no less than 10 days before. We want this to be an inclusive process. Contact DCYF ORESJ with any questions or concerns. Your voice matters, and we are listening. Thank you for helping to create an equitable and just Washington for all, for the next seven generations and beyond.
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Native Action Network Legacy of Leadership Cohort: Designed for emerging professionals, the Legacy of Leadership Cohort nurtures community leaders and advocates that serve Native populations across Washington. The program brings together a group of individuals to complete 10 monthly leadership training sessions addressing issues in the fields of health, governance, history, education, and more. Cohort members work within a group of their peers to complete a project intended to benefit the Native community. For more information, please visit https://nativeactionnetwork.org/leadershipcohort.
The Mountain Plains Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC) is funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to provide free training, resources, and technical assistance to individuals serving persons with mental health disorders. Healing Our Protectors: Building Resilience Among Tribal Law Enforcement Officers Through Cultural Interventions is a new toolkit that explores post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of working as a law enforcement officer. On Aug. 17, Dr. LaVonne Fox will highlight the real-world challenges faced by these officers, their families, and their communities with a true case scenario, and provide information on how to care for and support tribal law enforcement officers with a culturally responsive approach. Learn more about this free, one-hour webinar and download the toolkit. Register via Zoom.
Additionally, school staff, faculty, and administrators may be interested in this toolkit, Strengthening Resilience: Promoting Positive School Mental Health Among Indigenous Youth.
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The Office of Minority Health (OMH) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services administers grant programs to support projects that implement innovative models to improve minority health and reduce health disparities. This notice solicits applications for projects to establish a Center for Indigenous Innovation and Health Equity (CIIHE), for which OMH will provide the organizational structure and operational framework. The CIIHE will support efforts including education, service and policy development, and research related to advancing sustainable solutions to address health disparities and advance health equity in the American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) populations. The CIIHE award recipients (awardees) will function as a single initiative, coordinated by OMH, through two cooperative agreements to be awarded through this funding opportunity. Click here to access the notice of funding opportunity. Applications are due Aug. 16 at 3 p.m.
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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking grant applications through the Childrens’ Healthy Learning Environments in Low-Income and/or Minority Communities Grant from states, federally recognized Tribes, universities, local governments, non-profits, and other groups to support children’s environmental health in schools and child care settings in underserved communities. These grants support projects that advance children’s environmental health through education, training, tools, and capacity building. Information is available at: grants.gov under Funding Opportunity Announcement EPA-OA-OCHP-21-01. An informational webinar will be on Aug. 12. Click here to learn more and register for the webinar. Applications are due Sept. 10.
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Washington Foster Care Pandemic Aid for Youth Ages 23-26. DCYF is partnering with Treehouse to distribute $1.65 million in pandemic relief funds to foster care alumni. Visit treehouseforkids.org/pandemic-aid to learn more about the program and to access the application. Applications are due Sept. 24.
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Daybreak Star Radio Network went live on July 10! Daybreak Star Radio Network is an Internet Streaming Radio Station that has musical programming ranging from traditional Native flute and drums to rock, hip-hop, EDM, and more. Daybreak Star will rise and expose the world to NDN music and culture that has survived, developed, and grown. Apps for both iOS and Android are coming soon.
Daybreak Star Radio Network’s mission is to provide educational, cultural, language arts, and music programming that reconnect Indigenous people to their heritage by strengthening their sense of belonging and significance as Native people.
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Upcoming Events
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Aug. 10-12, 2021 Washington State Indian Education Association Conference: “Pathways to Education are Rooted in the Prayers of our Ancestors.” In-person at the Kalispel Tribe’s Northern Quest Hotel/Casino in Airway Heights (located just outside of Spokane). Learn more and register here.
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Aug. 12 & 17, 10-11 a.m. ZERO to THREE, Two-Part Series on Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health with Emerging Leaders in the Field: Session 1, Aug. 12: EMBRACE Perinatal Care for Expecting Black Families: Perinatal Mental Health Seeding Self Determination & Liberation (in the spirit of Sankofa). Session 2, Aug. 17: Be Well Care Well: An Innovative Approach to Supporting Early Childhood Educators' Well-Being. Learn more and register here.
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Sept. 28, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 7th Annual CSEC Task Force Conference: A four-hour virtual event providing educational opportunities designed to build and sustain our statewide, coordinated, and victim/survivor-centered response to the commercial sexual exploitation of children in Washington. To keep up to date on all conference announcements, email Michelle Williams. Register here. A $10 registration fee will include access to both the Conference and Responding to CSEC Summer Lunch Series:
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Responding to CSEC Summer Lunch Series: August 31, September 7, September 14, September 21 | 12-1 p.m. A four-week series of virtual workshops leading up to the conference, focusing on salient issues related to CSEC.
Save the Date
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Oct. 13-15, Center for Children & Youth Justice Becca Conference: Experts representing education, justice, and community from across the region will provide new information, training, and development to professional and community members who support young people in their pursuit of successful post-secondary pathways, careers, and civic engagement. Learn more and pre-register here.
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Oct. 13, 2021 National Native American Languages Summit, Omaha, NE: Identify ways to further support communities teaching their Native languages, improve accountability for educational progress , provide measurable goals to show success, and encourage our youth to gain the skills to speak their language. The summit will discuss the challenges and successes of measuring oral and written American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Pacific Islander language learning and will share promising practices. There is no registration fee for the summit. Learn more and register here. The summit is being held in conjunction with the 2021 52nd Annual NIEA Convention and Trade Show. Click here to register for the National Indian Education Association Convention & Trade Show. For more information, email ron.lessard@ed.gov
WORLD Channel's Decolonizing Mental Health series dismantles the racism that underscores the mental healthcare industry. By focusing its gaze on the transformative work of therapists and individuals of color, it calls for a redressal of the ways in which we define psychiatric illness and health. Through 20 profiles, the digital series discusses what a more responsive mental health care system should look like.
- Hear the story of suicide prevention advocate Shelby Rowe. Early trauma brought mental health struggles to Shelby Rowe's life, but it was her Indigenous community that pulled her out of it. Experiencing the healing power of reconnecting with her Native culture was crucial to her mental wellness and she now pays it forward by helping others find their way back home. Watch her inspiring journey: https://youtu.be/-hRR6tLCE5c.
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Modern Warriors: Following the advice of elders, Rebecca left the reservation to pursue higher education, knowing she’d be back with the knowledge to protect her people and bring back to the reservation. She now stands in both worlds and is a bridge for healing.
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Circle of Life: Generations of Native families lost their children to boarding schools that not just stripped them of their culture but also perpetrated a long-standing culture of violence. This is Dan Foster’s journey of unlearning that shame, and engaging in healing. With their songs and beliefs, he and his partner prescribe a communal healing, so that no one has to go into the cave of their darkness alone.
Shareable Assets:
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