Do You Know an Unsung Hero?
We are gearing up for our annual Unsung Hero campaign in honor of Parent Recognition Month (February) and we are hoping you can help us spread the word far and wide.
Since 2011, with your help, we have honored 281 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 faced. 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 in February by nominating a parent, primary caregiver, or guardian for the Unsung Hero award. The nomination form is available in three languages (English, Spanish, and Somali). All nominations must be submitted by Jan. 17. The nominations can be emailed to strengtheningfamilies@dcyf.wa.gov or submitted via the form itself. Please pass this on to your Washington networks and nominate a parent you know today!
 Not good enough
“A father I have been supporting has three small children, twin 2.5-year-old boys and a 6-month-old baby. This father is the primary caregiver and also works from home in an IT position. Last week, he was told his position had been removed and he was going to receive his last check. He felt like he had failed as a father. This experience reminded me that it only takes one small thing to send a struggling family into a spiral that can change their lives.” – Washington Parent
Share a story about how your family or a family you know navigated a challenging time.
Flyer | FAQ for Collecting Stories
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Attend a Foster Parent Information Session
If you know anyone that might be interested in becoming a foster parent, feel free to share these links for our foster parent information sessions! As a reminder, our information sessions are the first Tuesday of every month, with two time slots, at 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. Pick the time slot that works best for your schedule.
12-1 p.m. | Register Here
6-7 p.m. | Register Here
The Office of Tribal Relations is Hiring an Early Learning Tribal Liaison
In the role of Early Learning Tribal Liaison, you will draw upon your history of successfully working with tribal communities and governments, as well as your knowledge of state and federal early learning programs to assure quality and comprehensive program service delivery in the areas of child welfare & early learning. Applications accepted through Jan. 17 at 11:59 p.m. Apply: Early Learning Tribal Liaison.
Check here for opportunities specific to our SFL communities. Send more opportunities to joy.lile@dcyf.wa.gov.
Connect (Events)
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New 1/7: Telling Your Story with a Purpose from Dads MOVE. “Join us for this free two-part virtual workshop on advocacy and leadership.” Jan. 27, 5:30-7:30 p.m. and Feb. 3, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
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New 1/7: NW Children’s Foundation presents the 2022 Forum, “Buffering Intergenerational Trauma: Child Well-Being and Community-Based Resilience.” (2/1)
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New 17: Dads MOVE 24/7 Dad class: This is an interactive 12-week course designed to help fathers be the best they can be. (Starts 2/1)
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New 1/7: Building Healthier Communities: The Power of Technology to Facilitate Community Investment presented by Social Current and Unite Us. (2/10)
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New 1/7: Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence presents Bite-Sized Prevention. “Join WCSAP and WSCADV for lunch bunch get-togethers. Our new lunch-time webinar series, Bite-sized Prevention, will have four courses throughout the year. For each course (webinar), you can expect some tasty prevention treats focused on root causes, shifting culture, building skills, and promoting thriving communities – what it takes to prevent domestic and sexual violence in your community.” Upcoming dates: February 10 and May 3.
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Dads Connect from the Interagency Fatherhood Council. Come join us to add your voice, meet other dads, form relationships and make connections. Sessions held every other month through August.
- National Family Support Network is offering virtual workshops including Developing and Sustaining Effective Parent Advisory Committees and Standards of Quality Certification Training in January and February.
- Interagency Fatherhood Council Washington: Provider Learning Series: Engaging Fathers Where They Are. “This hour and a half presentation will provide practical ideas on how to connect with fathers and expectant fathers where they are. We will reflect on biases and preconceptions that are often brought to the table when working with fathers.” (1/13)
- Northwest Center for Public Health Practice presents Leading with Insight. “The Leading with Insight series is designed to support leadership at every level of an organization during this time of change and will help leaders discover the strengths, resources, and insights they need to meet the challenges ahead.” (Mondays, 1/24 – 3/28; $300)
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Substance Use Disorder Family Navigator Training from Washington State Community Connector (WSCC). Families and caregivers are welcome to participate in the new Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Family Navigator training. The 16-hour training will help families learn how to support their loved ones with substance use disorder. (1/24-27)
- Join the Brazelton Touchpoints Center (BTC) for its first National Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Summit: Innovating Partnerships with Families in Recovery. The all-day virtual Summit will center whole families and communities in recovery. Including a documentary short featuring the voices of mothers living with SUD followed by nationwide conversations on: Peer-to-Peer Supports, Comprehensive Systems Approaches, and Transdisciplinary Collaboration. (1/26. $85)
Learn (Educational Resources)
Innovate (News and New Insights)
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The Fair Start for Kids Act Communication Toolkit can help you spread the word about how families, caregivers, and child care providers can access benefits.
- The December 2021 CTIPP CAN call highlighted how the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Governors Association are working to combat and prevent ACEs.
- Barbara Stroud presents a five-part Social Emotional Development Series, via web stream on her website. “Dr. Stroud, shares a compelling 5-part tutorial on the emotional needs of toddlers, preschooler, and five-year-olds. This series has been designed to inform and empower both parents and professionals in the art of building strong emotional health, school readiness, and interpersonal competence.” You can watch a promo video here. ($8 for course)
Grow (Funding and Resources)
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New 1/7: Become a National Equity Atlas Fellow: The National Equity Atlas is launching an open application for people of color working at community-based organizations to become year-long National Equity Atlas Fellows. Organizations will receive a $7,500 stipend to support their fellow’s participation in the 12-month program. Accepting applications through Jan. 21, 2022, and the program will start in March 2022.
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New 1/7: Washington Department of Commerce Housing Trust Fund NOFA #HFU-2021-06. The Department of Commerce is pleased to announce a new solicitation for projects seeking capital funding to develop affordable housing for people with low incomes in Washington state. Applications will be considered for multifamily/rental housing projects utilizing capital financing from the Washington State Housing Trust Fund and the Bond/4% Low Income Housing Tax Credit program. See the bulletin with more information here and the Notice of Funding here. (Due 2/16)
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Harm Reduction Grant Program: SAMHSA is offering these grants to support community-based overdose prevention programs, syringe services programs, and other harm reduction services. Twenty-five awards of up to $400,000 per award per year, over a three-year period, will be granted. Applications are due by Monday, Feb. 7. Learn more.
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Zero Suicide Initiative (ZSI) Funding Opportunity: This is for Tribes, Tribal organizations, Urban Indian organizations (UIOs), and IHS Federal facilities. The purpose of the ZSI funding is to improve the system of care for those at risk for suicide by implementing a comprehensive, culturally-informed, multi-setting approach to suicide prevention in Indian health systems. The application deadline is Feb. 2. Join a webinar with guidance on how to apply will be offered: Jan. 12 at noon: Register for webinar here.
If you have suggestions for what to include in this newsletter, email Joy Lile.
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