It can be hard to keep up with child welfare policy updates along with the day-to-day responsibilities of your job. DCYF rolls these out as needed throughout the year so that you can be aware of updated practice expectations. The Alliance’s eLearning series will help you stay on top of these changes.
This series is called, DCYF – Alliance DCYF Policy Rollout: June 2022 and is available to child welfare employees in the Alliance catalog in the Washington Learning Center (WLS), using Chrome. You will need to log into the WLS to access this course. This policy rollout, effective June 9, 2022, covers policies impacted by the 2022 Legislative Session.
This eLearning course will provide you with specifics on what the policy changes are and why the changes were made. You will also find links to resources that provide context or support policy compliance. Check out the new eLearning series.
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Legislative Changes to Administrative 11.04 Developing and Training Employees Policy went into effect June 9, 2022.
Administrative Policy 11.04 was updated to meet the legislative requirements of Senate Bill 5847. These legislative changes require state agencies to provide employees information about the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program. DCYF has a procedure in place that ensures the timely processing of employment certification for employees requesting loan forgiveness through the PSLF Program.
The employee must submit the completed PSLF application form directly to the U.S. Department of Education. HR is unable to submit the completed form on behalf of the employee. For further information about the PSLF Program, please visit the PSLF Program website. Use Chrome as your web browser.
Although policy 11.04 is final, we are open to suggestions or enhancements for future updates.
For questions, please contact the HR Training & Development Unit.
Administrative 7.05 Internal Audit policy, effective June 7, 2022, was posted on the Administrative Policy page of the DCYF intranet. This policy establishes guidance on the requirements and process for internal audits for DCYF employees. This policy requires DCYF to establish and maintain:
- An internal audit program, per RCW 43.88.160 and the Institute of Internal Auditor’s Standards International Professional Practices Framework (IPPF).
- A DCYF Audit Committee.
The DCYF Internal audit manager oversees all of the internal audit activities. This includes internal auditors’ requirements to:
- Adhere to the mandatory IPPF.
- Apply and upholding the principles of the Code of Ethics.
- Have unrestricted direct access to all DCYF records and files, including personnel files, information systems, property, and employees.
This policy also requires employees’ cooperation with auditors during the internal audit process.
For policy questions, please contact the DCYF Policy Team.
Learn More About Juneteenth:
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On June 17, 2022, DCYF will change how old messages are archived in our email system. The new system will be a cloud-based exchange system. With the move to the cloud, the old archival system will be retired.
Starting at 5 p.m. on Friday, June 17, 2022, all current mailboxes will be migrated to this new system. Once mailboxes are moved to the new system, staff will be able to search for items not yet moved to the vault in their online archive. Information in the vault may be temporarily unavailable on your desktop until the vaults are migrated to the cloud.
Due to the amount of data in the vault, it will take some time to migrate all archived emails to the cloud. We estimate the migration to the vault should be completed by Sept. 1, 2022.
If you need to access the vault before the migration is complete, use the following URL in a web browser: http://ev01/enterprisevault/search/shell.aspx. This will let you access the vault even when emails are being copied to their new location in the cloud.
Below are additional resources:
For staff doing email searches, you will need to run the eDiscovery search program for the migrated mailboxes and the DA Search in the vault until vault migration is completed to ensure you have collected all information. Regional staff that perform discovery searches will be trained and provided access to eDiscovery.
If you have questions about accessing your archived emails, contact DCYF’s Help Desk at dcyf.servicedesk@dcyf.wa.gov, or call (360) 725-4357.
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These last several weeks have continued to rock our foundation. Recent shootings have been tragic, frightening, and infuriating, all while our work is becoming more complex and we are still trying to find our way out of the pandemic. We are experiencing a long shadow of grief and there is no quick fix. We want our grief to be over, but what we really need is to find healing. And you cannot heal from what you do not feel. We do not want these intensive feelings but time alone does not heal all wounds. Leaving grief unattended and unresolved will catch up with us.
It is okay to talk about it with friends, family, and coworkers. And it is okay to keep talking about it. Some people will not get it, but there are plenty of people who will. Healing is collective. We heal in relationship with each other. That is why peer support is here — we are all in this together. Our souls and bodies know how to deal with this, but we have to start the conversation. We have to talk about it. There is light on the other side of grief.
Here's an excellent article shared during our recent grief group: Click here. Please reach out to peer support for additional resources on healing from grief.
In addition, the Peer Support Team is hosting drop-ins sessions on the second Thursday of every month at 1 p.m. The next virtual drop-in will be on Thursday, July 14. Register here.
Our agency experiences trauma and secondary trauma that is unique to our field. Staff deserve multiple opportunities to process this trauma on work time. To request a confidential one-hour Peer Support session, email dcyf.peersupport@dcyf.wa.gov. You can also email to send questions and suggestions, or learn more about Compassionate Professional Resources.
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The Latino Leadership Network (LLN)* and the Rainbow Alliance and Inclusion Network (RAIN)** will be collaborating to host a lunch and learn panel to continue the discussion about intersectionality within the Latino/a/x/e and LGBTQ+ communities.
The panel will include a Q&A portion. All state employees are welcome to attend the lunch and learn to hear new perspectives and gain knowledge.
Virtual Lunch and Learn: Power of Identity – The intersectionality of the LGBTQ+ and Latino/a/x/e Communities
Thursday, June 30 | 12 p.m.
Register Here
*The Latino Leadership Network (LLN) is a resource group for people working in Washington State government. This group supports Latinos and allies working to build, connect, and inspire our peers and people seeking to join public service.
**RAIN is a resource group for Washington state agencies and employees. This resource group does not work on behalf of the Washington LGBTQ+ Commission.
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Sarah Arnett, Social Service Specialist III, based out of the Puyallup Office, recently received recognition from a provider for going the extra mile.
Sarah recently worked with a client and another child welfare worker from out of state. The following is part of the letter this out-of-state child welfare worker sent to Sarah’s supervisor:
“I wanted to send feedback to you about social worker Sarah Arnett. This weekend, I worked with a client of hers that flew up from Oregon to see her child and complete an assessment. Sarah worked closely with mom and with me to maximize the opportunities for this service.
I am so impressed with her efforts and commitment to our shared client. She went above and beyond for this client and made sure she was able to make her appointments and made the entire visit and assessment process feel safe and comfortable. Sarah also went above and beyond in working with me on a weekend schedule.
I recognize how difficult the job of social worker is and appreciate it when we all come together to provide the best possible outcome and experience for children and families. It was great seeing positivity between mom and her daughter, which Sarah had set the stage for.
[I] Just wanted you to know how touched I was by her efforts and how big of a difference she makes in this case with mom and her daughter.“
A. Marie Kyllo, M.Ed, Child Family Welfare Services Supervisor, shared this letter of appreciation written by child welfare worker, Jennifer King, MSW LICSW CCTP.
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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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