|
|
Adobe Stock image
The State and Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) and Service Employees International Union (SEIU) 1199, recently established tentative agreements on a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that includes a financial incentive to fully-vaccinated employees who are up to date on the most recent COVID vaccination booster as advised by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Here are some details about the financial incentive:
- Although the state has negotiated agreements with WFSE and SEIU1199 on a COVID-19 booster incentive, this agreement is contingent upon legislative approval of the collective bargaining agreements for the 2023-2025 biennium. If the incentive is approved, eligible employees may receive a one-time, $1,000 payment if they provide verification that they meet the conditions of the incentive.
- WFSE and SEIU1199 represented employees may start verifying their COVID-19 booster status on January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023. Watch for details on how to submit your verification. Do not submit your vaccine verification before January 3, 2023.
- We do not know yet whether non-represented employees may be eligible for the booster incentive. In its upcoming session the legislature will determine whether a COVID-19 booster incentive for non-represented employees will be included in the 2023-2025 enacted budget. Non-represented employees should wait for the legislature to act before providing their verification of a vaccination booster.
- Employees will only receive the lump-sum incentive one time regardless of whether they are employed by more than one agency and/or move to another agency within the fiscal year or whether they receive more than one booster. Employees who move between a represented or non-represented position will also receive only one COVID-19 booster incentive.
- The standard for COVID-19 booster verification is met when the employee provides proof they received the MOST RECENT COVID-19 booster dose as recommended by the CDC based on their age. An employee’s underlying medical condition will not be considered in determining whether an employee is up-to-date with their COVID-19 booster for purposes of receiving the incentive.
- The one-time, $1,000 lump sum COVID-19 booster incentive will be paid no earlier than the July 25, 2023 paycheck after employees have verified their COVID-19 booster. The one-time $1,000 lump sum incentive is not reportable to the retirement system as compensation earned. It will, however, be subject to all federal and state withholdings.
- An eligible employee must meet all the conditions in order to receive the payment. For example, booster(s) have been verified, the employee is in a position eligible for the incentive, and they have remained employed on July 1, 2023, when eligibility for the payment accrues.
Obtaining a COVID vaccination booster is voluntary. While the initial COVID vaccination dosage is a requirement for employment (unless approved for an accommodation for religious or medical reasons), receiving a vaccination booster is not. For information on current CDC guidance on COVID vaccinations, including boosters, visit the CDC website.
|
|
As 2023 is quickly approaching, 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, we have honored 309 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 for the past two years parents and primary caregivers have been called upon more than ever to be the buffer for the traumatic experiences that our world has been facing. 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 2023 by nominating a parent/primary caregiver/guardian for the Unsung Hero award.
The nomination form is available in three languages (English, Spanish and Somali) and can be found on our website. Submit nomination forms by Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, via email strengtheningfamilies@dcyf.wa.gov.
|
The FTDM brochure is now available in alternative languages and can be located in the Publications Library at Family Team Decision Making Brochure CWP_0039.
A Family Team Decision Making (FTDM) meeting occurs anytime a family situation may require removal of a child or children from your care to ensure their safety. Concerned family and community members are rapidly called together to assist the parent(s) or guardians and the caseworker in developing a plan that best meets the needs of the child(ren). A trained facilitator runs the meeting to make sure all people have a chance to speak and the plan developed provides protection for the child(ren).
Prior to removal from home, the plan will cover, what steps are needed to provide a stable placement while the child(ren) are out of home and for transitioning back home or into a permanent placement. When an emergent placement occurs the FTDM meeting should be held within a couple of business days to ensure everyone is aware and the child(ren)’s needs are met. The creative thinking and commitment of those who know the child(ren) is critical to making the best decision.
|
Child Welfare 43103. Washington State Identicard, Instruction Permit, and Personal Driver’s License for Foster Youth policy has been updated to align with recent changes in policy for the Department of Licensing (DOL). These policy changes went into effect December 19, 2022.
These changes provide updated procedures on how youth can get their Instruction Permit, Personal Driver’s License, and Enhanced ID. DCYF field operations caseworkers will submit the completed forms to DOL by scanning and emailing the form to dcyfletter@dol.wa.gov from their DCYF email. In addition, several DCYF forms have been updated to reflect DOLs change in practice and can be found in the DCYF Forms Repository. These forms include:
For policy questions, please contact the DCYF Policy Team.
The IT Team is in the process of migrating the old DEL, Children's Administration and Juvenile Rehabilitation SharePoint sites to SharePoint Online. To help IT with this task, we want to know what information employees are still using from these SharePoint sites.
If you visit any of the old DEL, CA, or JR SharePoint sites (both DEL and JR Intranet sites are actually SharePoint sites), please take the following survey. The information we gather in this survey will help us determine what SharePoint sites are being used.
If you don’t visit any SharePoint sites, you don’t have to take this survey. However, if you do visit any of our SharePoint sites, please take this survey by Friday, Dec. 30, 2022.
SharePoint Usage Survey
|
DCYF - Child Welfare Medication Assisted Treatment for Opioid Abuse
This training was provided by Lily Koblenz, MD, Regional Medical Consultant, FWBCCU | ALTSA | DSHS and was updated on July 13, 2022. The goal of this training is to introduce the topic and to provide a bit of clarification about the purpose of, and distinctions between, the medications used for Opioid Abuse treatment. This is a very large topic and the webinar and resources are not meant to be an inclusive tutorial on this complicated subject.
If you have any questions, please contact SUD Program Manager James Vallembois at james.vallembois@dcyf.wa.gov.
|
|
|
Currently, there are 129 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.
|
|
|
Monday, Dec. 19 | BIPOC Affinity Gathering | 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Register
Tuesday, Dec. 20 | Black Affinity Gathering | 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. | Register
Tuesday, Dec. 20 | CPS FAR FVS FRS Peer Support Meeting| 3 – 5 p.m. | Register
Wednesday, Dec. 21 | White Responsibility Gatherings | 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Register
|
|
|
|
|
