The Importance of the Spring Equinox in Indigenous Culture
Political scholar and advocate Riley Yesno explains the symbolism behind the Spring Equinox for the Anishnaabe, and shares some Indigenous beliefs and traditions associated with the new season. "It's about honouring what the environment gives us."
Hear Riley Yesno's full interview (watch time 6:30):
For Indigenous Peoples, their culture is the essence of who they are, who they belong to, where they come from, and how they relate to one another. Culture is the accumulated teachings of ancestors. It is the basis of traditions, customs, protocols, values, spirituality, ceremonies, language, ways of knowing and being, and connections to the land and the life-sustaining resources of the land. Culture permeates all aspects of life and is essential to the overall well-being of Indigenous communities and individuals.
If living within one’s culture and being involved in the rituals associated with ceremonies and traditions is the essence of Indigenous identity, health, and well-being, it can be argued that losing one’s culture or being disassociated from it can contribute to a breakdown of health and wellbeing. Read full article.
Why Is It Important to Protect & Revitalize Indigenous Languages?
Many Indigenous languages are endangered globally and the rate of loss is estimated at one language every two weeks.
When a language dies so does the link to the cultural and historical past. Without that crucial connection to their linguistic and cultural history, people lose their sense of identity and belonging. Read full article and learn what you can do to help.
An increasing number of courageous leaders from our Early Support for Infants and Toddlers (ESIT) Provider Agencies have communicated to the ESIT State Leadership Office that parents receiving early support services feel the use of the term early intervention services is offensive and off-putting. At best, the term is generic and used in other contexts such as treatment of substance use disorders. At worst, it does not reflect the strength-based approach the ESIT Program promotes and could cause a family to wonder, “Hey, if I am so capable, why do you need to ‘intervene’ with my child and me?" Taking this feedback to heart and mind, you may have noticed that the ESIT State Leadership Office has started using the term early support services to describe services in Washington State in recognition of the powerful input shared by parents. We will continue to message and model this important descriptive change in use of terms, in our community forums, communications, publications.
We understand that there may still be a use for the term early intervention services. At times, it may be helpful for clarity when you are communicating with pediatricians or other healthcare professionals who might ask, “What is the Early Support for Infants and Toddlers Program?” The term early intervention remains the term often used broadly at the national level and is in formal statute and regulatory guidance, and we do not anticipate that this will change. What we can change is what is in our circles of influence. Several of our local ESIT Provider Agencies led the way with this change in terms, and many others have followed their lead. The ESIT State Leadership Office would like to express appreciation for their leadership and want to encourage and invite others to take this opportunity to join us and make this powerful and meaningful name change as well.
To offer additional insights in response to ‘What’s in a name?’ please reach out to your local regional Technical Assistance Specialist.
The March Regional Provider meetings are here! These meetings are for representatives from ESIT Provider Agencies and County Lead Agencies (CLA.) Thank you for those who participated in the Central/Eastern and Southwest regional provider meetings last week. Below are registration links to the upcoming Northwest and CLA meetings:
If you would like your email added to the SICC direct email list to receive the agenda and meeting materials in advance of upcoming SICC meetings, email Will Moncrease Jr., with the subject: Add me to SICC DL.
Questions?
Please contact DCYF ESIT Partnership & Collaboration Manager, Will Moncrease, Jr., at will.moncrease@dcyf.wa.gov.
DCYF Grant Application for FFY 2023 IDEA Part C Funds Posted for Review and Public Comment
Washington State has adopted policies and procedures to ensure public participation in the annual grant application for the Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part C funds. Public participation notices will be published in a manner to ensure circulation throughout the state for at least a 60-day period, with a 30-day opportunity for public comment and public hearings, as appropriate, during that period. It can be found on DCYF’s Office of Innovation, Alignment and Accountability Reports page.
DCYF's ESIT program posted the following materials for public review and comment:
Please Note: We are gathering public comment only. This is not a rule or Washington Administrative Code (WAC) revision or change.
If you would like to receive this notification in an alternate format or language, please contact the ESIT Partnership & Collaboration Manager at 564-999-0449 or dcyf.esit@dcyf.wa.gov.
For questions, please contact Lauren Thompson, ESIT Resource Allocations Manager, at lauren.thompson@dcyf.wa.gov.
Requirement for Written Consent to the IFSP
Federal regulations and ESIT Policies and Procedures state that written parent consent must be obtained prior to the provision of services listed in the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP).
In order to facilitate equal access to services during the WA state of emergency, ESIT temporarily allowed providers to obtain verbal parental consent for the IFSP, if it was not possible to obtain wet or electronic signatures.
When the WA COVID-19 state of emergency ended on October 31, 2022, this temporary allowance for verbal consent also ended. As of November 1, 2022, IFSP consent must be obtained via wet or electronic signature. The IFSP may not be issued, and services may not start prior to receiving written parental consent.
To engage our diverse partners in thoughtful planning and collaboration around ESIT budget and fiscal contract requirements.
Who should consider joining?
If you complete the Budget Workbook, Mid-Year and/or Year-End Report and have capacity to attend feedback sessions to provide experience and suggestions for improvement. To join the workgroup, email your request to join to Lauren Thompson.
Timeline & Commitment
Up to three feedback sessions between March – April 2023. Dates TBD once members are identified.
Questions?
Contact Lauren Thompson, ESIT Resource Allocation Manager, at lauren.thompson@dcyf.wa.gov or (360) 701-6352.
Register for Promoting First Relationships (PFR) Level 1 Training!
This training opportunity is being offered as part of our State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP) and ESIT provider course fees are covered by DCYF/ESIT. These groups are for ESIT providers only.
Providers participate in 14 hours of workshop training and come away with foundational knowledge in attachment theory and promoting secure caregiver-child relationships, development of self for infants through preschoolers, understanding and intervening with challenging behaviors, building caregiver reflective capacity, and use of PFR consultation strategies. Providers receive reproducible, illustrated parent/caregiver handouts that contain easy to understand information about trusting relationships and healthy social-emotional development that can be shared immediately with the families that they work with. Providers are able to bring the knowledge that they have learned directly to families. Please see the attached flyer for more information on PFR Level 1 and how to register. Choose one option below:
To register, email pcrp@uw.edu and include agency name and workshop option.
Promoting First Relationships (PFR) Is Offering Booster Training Sessions!
These training opportunities are being offered as part of our State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP) and ESIT provider course fees are covered by DCYF/ESIT. These groups are for ESIT providers only.
PFR is offering booster sessions for providers who have participated in level 1 or level 2 training. The goal of these sessions is to support provider’s confidence in using the PFR consultation strategies and understand how PFR can enhance ESIT services. An ESIT multi-disciplinary peer panel will share their stories and experiences of using PFR in their practice.
Learning Objectives
Learn how the PFR program can be embedded into your everyday practice.
Understand how supporting the parent-child relationship is key to all other areas of development.
Gain confidence in using the PFR consultation strategies to navigate challenging visits.
January and February sessions are now full. April currently has several spots available! The booster session is 6 hours total, conducted over 2 half-days:
Cost is free for all ESIT staff. To register, email pcrp@uw.edu with your name, email and you want to register for the April session. Registration will be first come, first served, so please sign up soon to get a spot!
Open Spots Available for Promoting First Relationships (PFR) Training Levels 2 and 3!
This training opportunity is being offered as part of our State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP) and ESIT provider course fees are covered by DCYF/ESIT. These groups are for ESIT providers only.
Level 2 Certified Provider Training
For ESIT agencies who do not currently have a PFR Level 3 Agency Trainer, DCYF has limited spots available for providers to participate in PFR Level 2 Training. If your agency already has a PFR Level 3 trainer, they are able to provide PFR Level 2 training to your current PFR Level 1 providers. Click here to visit PFR's website to learn more details about Level 2 Certified Provider Training.
Level 3 Agency Trainer Training
For ESIT agencies who have a certified PFR Level 2 provider interested in becoming a PFR Level 3 Agency Trainer, DCYF has limited spots available for providers to participate in PFR Level 3 training. PFR Level 3 trainers are able to train current PFR Level 1 providers at your agency to become PFR Level 2 trained. Click here to visit PFR's website to learn more details about Level 3 Agency Trainer Training.
To sign up, contact DCYF ESIT Special Projects Coordinator, Ciara Saalfeld at ciara.saalfeld@dcyf.wa.gov.
Registration Open for Training Opportunities Provided by WA-AIMH!
These training opportunities are being offered as part of our State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP) and ESIT provider course fees are covered by DCYF/ESIT. These groups are for ESIT providers only.
Reflective Practice Training
Reflective practice is the regular consideration of how one’s beliefs, values, and responses impact behavior, interactions, and relationships with others. This workshop introduces the concept of reflective practice and how this supports work with infants, young children, and families. Participants will gain understanding of how their relationships with families in turn impact caregiver-child relationships through a parallel process. They will consider how their own background and emotional responses to infants, children, and families impact their work and will learn strategies for incorporating reflection into their everyday practice. We are excited to announce that the May 1 training will be provided in Spanish. Please register for one of the training options below:
This five-part introductory series provided by the Washington Association for Infant Mental Health explores core concepts including centering caregiver child relationships, cultivating reflective practice, supporting early attachment, and understanding when young children need advanced support. We are excited to announce that one of these training opportunities (May 22 option) will be provided in Spanish. Please register for one of the training options below.
Introduction to Reflective Supervision for Supervisors Training
This training is for Supervisors who have participated in reflective supervision and want to become Reflective Supervisors. This training covers skills and best practices, followed by a monthly reflective supervision peer group to share your journey as you put your reflective supervision skills into place with your team. Please register for one of the training options below.
Open Spots Available in Reflective Consultation Groups!
This training opportunity is being offered as part of our State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP) and ESIT provider course fees are covered by DCYF/ESIT. These groups are for ESIT providers only.
Exciting news! ESIT has openings in our Reflective Consultation groups offered through the University of Washington. Reflective Consultation is monthly, protected time that gives providers the opportunity to explore their work with families and young children in a safe, supportive space. It offers a time to think about their own needs, and to think about the emotional needs of both parents and children. It also provides an opportunity to hear and learn other perspectives. Participants report feeling increased joy and competence in their work, and increased empathy for the families they work with. Reserve your spot as soon as possible:
The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) provided DCYF with funding to provide financial support to low-income families. Specifically, by means of unrestricted $250 cash grants per child to Washington State residents who were, and continue to be, impacted by COVID-19.
DCYF contracted with Scholar Fund as the Program Administrator in order to create and implement a plan and an application system to get the funds out to Washington State families. Applicants must:
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
Please share with your networks! Applications will close on March 31, 2023.
Apply, learn more information about this grant, including frequently asked questions and contact information for technical assistance:
The Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Youth (CDHY) is offering an intensive 6-day training, provided in two 3-day sessions,based on the SKI-HI Curriculum. This training will be open to a limited number of participants, with priority given to birth-to-five direct service providers in WA currently serving infants and toddlers who are deaf and hard of hearing. The target audience is professionals with training in deaf education, early childhood special education, speech/language pathology, or audiology. Other professionals will be considered as well. Clock hours will be available for this training!
Participants will be required to attend both training sessions. Register by March 15:
Session 1 | Seattle area | March 31 – April 2 Session 2 | Portland/Vancouver area | May 12 – 14 View flyer here
DCYF ESIT has funding available to offer scholarships to assist with covering costs related to WA-AIMH endorsement registration, membership, and processing fees. The Washington Association of Infant Mental Health offers different levels of endorsement credentials and provides recognition of specialized knowledge in professionals working with families and young children. It is an internationally recognized credential and is for anyone who works with families and young children in the fields of early care and education, prevention and early intervention, home visiting, the medical and behavioral health professions, child welfare, mental health, policy and advocacy, research and others. Learn more about the WA-AIMH endorsement here.
Scholarship Opportunities
If interested in applying for WA-AIMH endorsement scholarship opportunities:
WA-AIMH also offers information sessions in order to ask questions, gather details and gain a better understanding of the endorsement process. Endorsement support is available Mondays, 10 – 11 a.m., and Tuesdays, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
