Connect (Events)

 “IEP Road Trip”: Join the Exceptional Children's Assistance Center as they explore key parts of the IEP and the rules of the road. They will cover a lot of territory and how to navigate roadblocks and detours that may occur along the way. They will also discuss changes in traffic patterns such as virtual meetings and remote learning. Upon reaching the final destination, passengers will have a better understanding of special education terminology, the IEP process and will know how to prepare for and participate in IEP meetings. Mar 21 | 3:30 p.m. |Register Here.

Self-Regulation: Creating Habits of Ease (March 22, 29, April 5, 12 @4:00-5:15pm PT) Learn co-regulation strategies to relieve stress. Create a foundation for wellbeing, vitality, and brilliance. Activate your restorative reflexes to balance your nervous system, brain, and mood. (Instructor: Teresa Posakony).

 Take Care of Your Heart Learning Journey (Thursdays March 23- April 27 @7:30-8:45am PT) Find strength at all levels - physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. A six-week in depth cohort experience with weekly cohort online sessions, daily guided practices, and weekly journal reflections. Joining the Journey is a commitment you make to your SELF. (Journey Guide and Facilitator: Teresa Posakony) Register here (paid course).

Restorative Anatomy for Self-Regulation (Apr 19, 26, May 3, 10, 17, 24 @5-6:15pm PT) We can get better at listening to our bodies as we know more about how our bodies work. Get to know how all our internal systems are designed to work in harmony and synchrony with one another. Discover the intelligent design in both our stress reflexes and our relaxation reflexes. Our bodies are taking care of us 24x7. (Instructor: Aubrey Lesicki) Register Here (paid course).

Family Initiated Treatment (FIT) live feedback seminar: HCA is hosting a FIT live feedback seminar on June 20 for youth, parents, and providers to provide feedback on their experiences accessing FIT services. 6/20, Time: 12 to 12:30 p.m. Join on your computer, mobile app or room device.                Meeting id: 243 080 722 354 | Passcode: mqGvfU.

Sibling Strong Summer Camps (formerly Camp to Belong) are week-long camp experiences for siblings separated from each other by placement in foster care, relative care, or adoption through foster care. Since 2009, around 1,150 siblings have been reunited at the camp held at Miracle Ranch on Horseshoe Lake in Port Orchard. This year Sibling Strong Summer Camp will serve up to 150 campers, ages 8-18 from Monday, June 26 through Friday, June 30. To apply on behalf of a child, caregivers can complete the Care Provider Application by no later than April 21, 2023. Learn more here. (paid course).

Learn (Educational Resources)

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month! Check out the Children’s Bureau Learning Center for social media tools and resources.

Cash transfers support infant and toddler development: A new Child Trends brief from Emily Maxfield and Dana Thomson describes how cash transfers—or payments, typically from the government, made directly to individuals or households—can support the heathy development of young children and address ongoing needs for families with low incomes.

Updated Reduced Cost Services Guide: The Economic Services Administration of the Department of Social and Health Services recently updated their Reduced Cost Services Guide which highlights a variety of products and services available in or near Washington state that are offered at reduced cost for people meeting certain income levels.  Please share this updated resource with everyone you think would benefit.  Click on the links below to get copies of the updated brochures: English | Spanish.

Innovate (News and New Insights)

Family Initiated Treatment (FIT) survey: HCA has launched a FIT survey to increase awareness and collect feedback awareness from youth, parents, and providers on their experience accessing FIT services. Take the survey by March 22, 2023.

Telehealth sexual and reproductive health care services now available in Washington: The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has launched a new webpage and tool to find telehealth sexual and reproductive health care services in Washington. The new DOH webpage and tool offer information about 37 clinics in the Washington State Sexual and Reproductive Health Network that provide telehealth appointments.

FAFSA Opens Doors: Over the past several months, LaunchNW convened with partners across the region to implement the FAFSA Opens Doors campaign to share about the incredible opportunities federal and state student aid can unlock.

Grow (Funding and Resources)

RWJF Culture of Health Prize: In the 10 years since it launched, the RWJF Culture of Health Prize has recognized more than 50 communities across the country that are at the forefront of advancing health, opportunity, and equity for all. Prize–winning communities serve to inspire others to take action and create a healthier future for everyone's children and grandchildren. This year, the Prize has been relaunched with a focus on celebrating community-led solutions that are breaking down the barriers to health caused by structural racism and other forms of discrimination. Do you live in or know a community that is working to advance a more just future for all? Honor your community by applying for the RWJF Culture of Health Prize. Prize winners receive a $250,000 award and access to a network of incredible alumni. Nominations Due 3/29. Learn more and apply here

Cash Grants Available to Families: DCYF is contracting with Scholar Fund to administer cash grants of $250 per child to families who were, and continue to be, impacted by Covid 19. Eligible families: Have Washington State residency; Have a child/children under the age of 18; Have a household income that is under 200% of the 2022 Federal Poverty Limit. Applications accepted through 3/31. Learn more here | Apply here

Program Evaluation and Capacity Building: Strengthening Families Washington (SFWA) at the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is pleased to announce that funding is available for evaluation capacity building for community-based child abuse and neglect prevention programs! We invite Requests for Application (RFAs) from Washington State organizations interested in child abuse and neglect prevention efforts to submit a letter of intent to apply by April 3, 2023 at 5 p.m. The RFA form is available online on our website: DCYF Home Visiting Web Page Funding Opportunities. The deadline for applications is April 19, 2023 at 5 p.m. If you have any questions, please email strengtheningfamilies@dcyf.wa.gov.

Funding Opportunity to Explore Expanding Home Visiting into Southern Washington Rural Counties: In efforts to expand home visiting in all Washington communities, the Home Visiting Service Account (HVSA) under the Strengthening Families Washington (SFWA) at the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is pleased to announce that funding is available to support planning for one organization to explore home visiting, where none exists, in any of the following rural counties in Southern Washington: Asotin; Columbia; Garfield; Klickitat; Skamania. We invite Requests for Application (RFAs) from Washington State organizations interested in exploring the path to establish home visiting in any of these communities. The RFA form is available online on our website: DCYF Home Visiting Web Page Funding Opportunities.  The deadline for applications is April 26, 2023 at 5 p.m. If you have any questions, please email dcyf.homevisiting@dcyf.wa.gov

Perinatal Mental Health:  Strengthening Families Washington (SFWA) at the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) in collaboration with Perinatal Support Washington (PS-WA), is pleased to announce that funding is available for perinatal mental health community capacity building! We invite Requests for Application (RFAs) from Washington State organizations interested in collaborative efforts to increase community-wide awareness and develop resources to support perinatal mental health. The RFA form is available online on our website: DCYF Home Visiting Web Page Funding Opportunities.  The deadline for applications is April 26, 2023 at 5 p.m. If you have any questions, please email strengtheningfamilies@dcyf.wa.gov.

Washington's Health Equity Zones (HEZ) Initiative: Where you live can directly impact your health. Some Washington communities have lower life expectancies, struggle with air pollution and other environmental concerns, or have fewer doctors or medical facilities. To help people facing health barriers, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is proud to announce nominations are now open for the state’s new Health Equity Zones (HEZ) initiative. HEZ gives people an opportunity to share their ideas and create a model for collaborative solutions. People statewide are invited to nominate their community as a HEZ. The nomination period is open from March 13-April 23. Each geographic area chosen as a HEZ will receive $200,000 per year for two years to identify health priorities and develop community action plans. DOH plans to extend funding opportunities beyond the initial two years. Submit a nomination here.

If you have suggestions for what to include in this newsletter, email Joy Lile.