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As with any awareness campaign, people need to hear messaging several different times and see it in different formats for the messaging to ‘stick.’ As employees of DCYF, many of us have opportunities in our roles to share information about SIDS Awareness and the Period of PURPLE Crying. That’s why it is important for employees that interact with clients, families, and providers to be up-to-date on the latest information. Listed below are some resources to keep you informed.
Period of PURPLE Crying - resources for the workforce:
Attention on Prevention podcast brings in guests to talk about the prevention of child and infant maltreatment as well as delve into other parenting issues. These podcasts are brought to you by the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome and are available on their website at https://dontshake.org/learn-more (scroll down to the very bottom of the page).
Period of PURPLE Crying education is delivered in doses:
Dose 1: The introduction to Period of PURPLE Crying typically begins at the birthing hospital. The parents watch a 10-minute video, which is followed up with instruction from a nurse. Parents are also given a booklet or an app code. The app codes can be downloaded on up to five devices so parents can share with multiple caregivers.
Dose 2: The second round of messaging can be delivered by child welfare workers, home visitors, child care providers, pediatricians, public health nurses, and lactation specialists. The main goal with the second dose of information is to reinforce what the parents initially learned at the hospital. This messaging can be delivered by reviewing materials with families:
Dose 3: The final round of messaging comes in the form of public education, including public service announcement radio/TV ads, signs on public transportation, or specific websites such as Click for Babies.
Seattle Children’s resources for workforce/families:
Seattle Children’s provides resources for the Period of PURPLE Crying, as well as oversight and technical support for agencies and communities across the state engaging in education around the Period of PURPLE Crying.
Additional resources on the Period of PURPLE Crying for families:
DCYF employees can play an important role in sharing this information with families and caregivers who never initially received (or lost, forgot, etc.) the materials at the birthing event. This is why it is so critical that employees are well versed in the Period of PURPLE Crying and safe sleep environments for infants.
If you are interested in educational materials or if you have questions, please contact Intake & Early Learning Program Manager Alissa Copeland.
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To date, less than 50% of DCYF employees have completed the annual employee review checklist, which is due by Friday, Oct. 29, 2021.
The 2021 annual employee review checklist was assigned to all DCYF employees in the Washington State Learning Center on Wednesday, Sept. 1. The 2021 review must be completed via the Washington State Learning Center in an online module that captures employee-provided responses. Employees who joined DCYF on or after Sept. 1, 2021, are not required to take this review as all applicable information is captured in their new hire paperwork and orientation.
We want to ensure that staff know the steps to access the Washington State Learning Center and what to do if they experience any launch issues. Please be sure to use Chrome as your web browser when launching the Washington State Learning Center, which is on the DCYF intranet under the Personnel tab, HR Training and Development page. To access the Employee Annual Review Checklist module, log into the Washington State Learning Center, click the Self option in the upper left navigation, select Dashboards, and select My Experience Hub.
For questions related to the Washington State Learning Center, please contact the DCYF Learning Center.
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COVID-19 booster shots are now available to eligible individuals, regardless of a person's original vaccine series.
For those who received a Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, the following groups are eligible for a booster shot six months or more after their initial series:
Anyone who received a Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine at least two months ago is eligible, regardless of age or other factors.
CDC's recommendations now allow for this type of mix and match dosing for booster shots.
According to the FDA and CDC, studies found "mixing and matching" boosters is safe and effective. This means eligible individuals may choose which vaccine they receive as a booster dose. Some people may prefer the vaccine type that they originally received, and others may prefer to get a different booster. COVID-19 vaccines are recommended for everyone 12 and older.
To find a vaccine near you, visit the Vaccine Locator or call the COVID-19 Information Hotline at 833-VAX-HELP. Language assistance is available. For more information, visit the DOH website.
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Residents of Juvenile Rehabilitation (JR) that identify as female represent a population with unique needs. While they make up less than 10% of the JR population, DCYF acknowledges and integrates the context of females’ thoughts, feelings, experiences, and behaviors into gender-responsive programming at Echo Glen Children’s Center (secured facility) and Ridgeview Community Facility (less restrictive community setting).
The core practices of DCYF’s gender-responsive treatment include approaches that are relational, trauma-informed, strengths-based, culturally competent, and holistic. Echo Glen and Ridgeview work together to support these youth throughout the treatment continuum and during transition to a community setting. They do this by orienting youth and establishing relationships at Ridgeview before the transfer, including one-on-one meetings to discuss programming, answer questions, and tour the facility.
To connect female residents with as many resources and opportunities as possible, Echo Glen and Ridgeview collaborate with community partners such as Real Escape from the Sex Trade (REST), Rise Women’s Legal Centre, Worthy Women, LGBTQIA+ groups, Indigenous women events, and volunteers with lived experience to assist in gender-responsive programming. JR also participates in the Justice for Girls Coalition of Washington, offering practices, programs, and policies tailored for girls facing adversity so they can overcome obstacles, access opportunities, and secure a purposeful future.
“We want to teach female youth about healthy power and control,” said Ridgeview Administrator LeeAnn Delk. “We provide them opportunities to exercise those skills while also focusing on empowerment and personal advocacy.”
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DCYF has been working with Daybreak Youth Services to finalize contracts and disperse funds to open the first receiving center in Washington State for Commercially Sexually Exploited Children (CSEC). Not only is this the first center of its kind in Washington State, it’s also the first receiving center in a licensed behavioral health facility in the nation.
“We are grateful for Daybreak Youth Services’ work to support young people who have experienced the trauma of sexual exploitation,” said DCYF Acting Director of Adolescent Programs Taku Mineshita. “We recognize the importance of what we are working against today as we take action together to protect youth, so they have a chance to grow up safe, healthy, and thriving.”
The receiving center specifically serves CSEC or those who are at risk of CSEC. This center differs from shelters or other services in that it offers assessments for mental health and substance use disorders within 72 hours, followed by a referral. The program is voluntary, and youth receive case management, discharge planning, and referrals to other housing as needed.
While the receiving center is an independent program run by Daybreak, launching it has been a joint effort with DCYF. DCYF’s Missing and Exploited Youth Program Manager, Cameron Norton, is currently making referrals for dependent youth. Daybreak has its own 24/7 hotline (509-879-0744), and anyone can be referred directly through Daybreak. The center will start receiving youth in November.
To learn more about Daybreak and its services, visit https://daybreakyouthservices.org/.
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The revised Administrative 6.02 Access to Services for Clients and Caregivers who are Limited English Proficient (LEP) policy is posted on the DCYF intranet. The revised policy took effect on Oct. 14, 2021. The policy establishes statewide consistency for DCYF when working with LEP clients and caregivers.
The policy revisions include:
- Clarification of translation requirements.
- Guidance for dual language employees to provide interpretation and translation for other DCYF employees.
- The definitions for:
- ‘Dual language employee’ was updated.
- ‘Translators’ was added.
For policy questions, please contact the DCYF Policy Team, and for LEP questions, please contact the LEP program manager.
Maria Tart-Van Blaricum, a Child and Family Welfare Services (CFWS) social service specialist 3 out of our Spokane Central office, was recently recognized by her colleague, Vincent Cardiel, for her wealth of knowledge, advice, and support during some very trying moments in the field.
“Since my arrival to Child Welfare earlier this year, Maria has been an amazing colleague and support to my onboarding process,” said Cardiel. “Along with the great management in our office and region, Maria has been an immense aide to myself as well as other new workers, often supporting integration and growth into our new settings.”
Maria always brings a bright smile to work and will most certainly enhance your day with her positivity and humor. And if this doesn’t convince you, she’s also in a rad band!
Thank you for all that you do!
Carla Lopez-Wilkerson, a CFWS social service specialist 3 out of the Puyallup, was recognized as a team player, responsive, and communicative.
“I want everyone to know what an incredible asset Carla-Lopez Wilkerson is to DCYF,” said her colleague from Region 4, Chelsea Burroughs. “Most admirable though is Carla’s commitment to her clients. She holds them accountable, is honest and direct, and maintains her compassion and understanding after four and a half years in CFWS.”
During a recent newborn dependency case, Carla attended the Family Team Decision Making (FTDM) meetings, the triage meeting and offered her assistance. She provided court and case updates as they occurred on her end, keeping her colleagues in the loop at all times. She has made working across counties and court jurisdictions seem like a breeze.
“She has established rapport with the caregivers, parents, relatives, attorneys, and treatment providers in a manner I hope to bring to my own practice,” explained Burroughs. “It is clear Carla’s priority is child safety and acting in the best interests of families. She is a very special caseworker and human being, and I am better for having worked with her.”
Great job, Carla!
Do you want to give kudos to an extraordinary coworker? We want to hear from you! Let the Office of Communications know who you want to recognize and what they did in a few sentences. To share a note of appreciation for a coworker, email dcyf.commsupport@dcyf.wa.gov.
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It's time to think about your benefits for 2022. Learn more about the changes for 2022 on the open enrollment webpage. Benefits information is available to review, but changes can only be made between Nov. 1 – 30. Check out the changes for 2022:
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Change your medical or dental plan. Visit the open enrollment webpage for more information and to compare medical or dental plans. Compare your medical plan premiums from 2021 to 2022.
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Important changes coming to long-term disability (LTD) insurance. Starting Jan. 1, 2022, the PEBB Program will automatically enroll PEBB-eligible employees in an employee-paid LTD plan, if not already enrolled. You will not need to provide evidence of insurability. Learn more about this change with FAQs, a fact sheet, and a brochure.
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The LTD insurance is unrelated to the WA Cares Fund. Employees will begin contributing to the WA Cares Fund in 2022. Learn more.
You can make changes between Nov. 1-30 but review the changes now. We encourage all employees to use their PEBB My Account if they need to make changes. If a form is required, PEBB My Account will direct you to the appropriate form. Changes made through your PEBB My Account must be completed before midnight on Nov. 30. Your Payroll or Benefits office must receive any paper forms by close of business on Nov. 30.
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Currently, there are 120 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.
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October is Youth Justice Action Month
October is LGBTQIA+ History Month, Global Diversity Awareness Month
Tuesday, Oct. 26 | Intersex Awareness Day
Tuesday, Oct. 26 | RESJ Train-the-Facilitator Training | 12:30 - 4:30 p.m. | Register
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