Sept. 15 – Strengthen Families Locally Weekly

Washington State Department of Children, Youth & Families sent this bulletin at 09/15/2023 02:15 PM PDT

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strengthen families locally

In This Issue:

Updates From the Strengthen Families Locally (SFL) Team

sfmomandchild

This week we are going to focus on Social and Emotional Development of Children as a protective factor.

Social and Emotional Development of Children means that parents understand where a child is at in their ability to regulate emotions, form secure attachments and explore and learn about their world. Of course, every child, every family and every situation will look a little bit different, and it’s important to remember there is a wide range, impacted by family, community and culture.

Children confident in their emotions are more likely to have healthier behaviors, peer relationships and a higher capacity to respond to stress. Families equipped with this developmental knowledge are more likely to have improved relationships and bonds within the family, and parents will find it easier to make informed parenting decisions and decrease their own stress regarding their children.

Some milestones are clear and concise and often related to the physical aspect of a child’s development – things like sitting, crawling, walking and fine motor skills. But others, no less important, include social and emotional milestones, like self-awareness, are harder to pinpoint.

SFL Resources

SFL Website

SFL Partner Onboarding Packet

Share a Story to Strengthen Families

Share Your Story Here

Community Planning Meetings

Email for meeting links.

Stevens and Ferry Counties
First Wednesday of each month
2-4 p.m.

Bremerton
Third Thursday of each month 
1-2:30 p.m.

Spokane
Third Monday of each month
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Port Angeles and Sequim
Fourth Thursday of each month
12:30-2:30 p.m.

Contact

Joy Lile, PhD
Strengthening Families Locally Coordinator
360-688-4956
joy.lile@dcyf.wa.gov

Strengthening Families WA
Family Support Programs Division

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Oftentimes these harder to observe milestones like social emotional competence, can be key indicators at what might be going on at home. Children often reflect back what they see and take their cues from the adults in their lives. When they don’t get the emotional response they are looking for, it can cause emotional outbursts. Showing your child respect and understanding in moments when they feel misunderstood, upset, or frustrated and/or validating their emotions and guiding them with trust and affection can help enhance the parent/child bond, which in turn can lessen parental stress during heightened emotions.

Think about it – Have you seen the still face experiment? Watch it here. Humans crave emotional connections with others, even early on. Think about how the infant reacts. How would your child react? How can you lift their day with positive emotions? Would that lift your day too?

All the best,

Kyra

SFL Project News

DCYF is hosting a second meeting with Strengthen Families Locally, on Sept. 22 to introduce Strengthen Families Locally partners to the newly launched DCYF Prevention Dashboard. This meeting has the same content as the meeting on Sept. 14, and you don’t need to attend both. To help us follow-up with participants after the meetings, we are asking that you register in advance using the link(s) below.

When: Sep 22, 2023 10:00 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Register in advance for this meeting:

https://dcyf.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZElfuCsqDMvGtRG1MS-V-JTHRSyElwz7Fu5

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Share a Story to Strengthen Families Locally!

Mother and child

Struggling child in the school system

When my daughter was in school she was struggling in every subject I would be told she’s just lazy or she talks too much. Never was it about the educational system or the teachers always about my daughter. I decided to have her tested at the Native Clinic, she was diagnosed with ADHD, has trauma from generations past. This i feel is passed down from my Grandma being put into Boarding Schools. I was frustrated and decided to teach my daughter every part of her IEP, teach her rights and let her know her voice does matter. She matters.- Washington parent

 

Like this story? Share your own!

We hope to continue to build the story collection and make sense of the experience across Washington during the next year of Strengthen Families Locally. Please share a story today to center the lived experiences of families in Washington State:

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http://ourtomorro.ws/WADCYF

Flyer   |   FAQ for collecting stories

Highlights From Around DCYF

DCYF Joins Instagram and Threads

DCYF has officially joined Instagram and Threads @wadcyf. Stay connected by following for resources, stories, and updates. 

We will highlight the important work of staff, initiatives, and programs that support the youth, children, and families of Washington State.

Follow us @wadcyf!

  

 

Local Corner

Check here for opportunities specific to our SFL communities. Send more opportunities to Kyra.Ingraham@dcyf.wa.gov.

Other Community Resources

Connect (Events)

Save-the-Date Nov. 1 - 2, ICYF 2023 Conference: Save-the-date for the 4th annual Indigenous Children, Youth & Families (ICYF) Conference on Nov. 1-2, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This year's theme is Honoring Our Past, Celebrating Our Future: Healing through Native Traditions and Culture.

The two-day, virtual conference supports workers and the community with information about practice and policy. Caregivers, judicial personnel, social workers, and tribal workers are welcome to attend.

Register for this free, virtual event by visiting www.dcyf.wa.gov/ICYF-2023.  

The full conference program with a list of presenters will be shared in the coming weeks.

Telling Your Story with a Purpose: An interactive training by Jeremy Kredlo, Fierce Advocacy founder, and Matthew Rickmon, director of the Washington State Fathers Network, a program of Kindering.

For parents, caregivers, self-advocates, and non-profit leaders. Learn how to communicate your story and your message, quickly and concisely, to policy makers and the public.

Presented by Washington Statewide Leadership Initiative, whose mission is to elevate family voice: provide connections so that family voice is respected, amplified, and heard in order to support Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs and their families at all levels in Washington.

Sept. 28 | 9:30 a.m. - 2: 00 p.m.

Register Here

Learn (Educational Resources)

Wildfire Smoke Information: Wildfire season in Washington can happen between July to October. It is important to learn how to keep you and your loved ones safe from the effects of wildfire and outdoor smoke. The Washington State Department of Health has put together a webpage that covers frequently asked questions about what to do for wildfire smoke and the possible impacts it can have.

Learn more and read the recommendations

Children’s Trust of South Carolina’s Learning Thursdays – Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences October 5, 10:00 AM EST – 11:30 AM EST Learning Thursdays raise awareness of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and protective factors, including positive childhood experiences, that help to address ACEs. Register today!

2023 LLN Hispanic Heritage Month Virtual Lunch & Learn Events: To celebrate the 2023 Hispanic Heritage Month, the Latino Leadership Network is organizing a series of three lunch and learn Zoom webinars. These webinars are open to all; you don't have to be Latine nor a member of LLN to participate.

You will need to register for each lunch and learn separately at least 24-hours in advance to be able to access the meeting link. We encourage you to register early as space is limited. A recording of some of these presentations will be available in the Latino Leadership Network’s YouTube channel at the end of Hispanic Heritage Month. 

If you have any questions, please contact lln@ofm.wa.gov.

Event 1: The History of US - From Migration to Immigration

Thursday, Sept. 21 | The History of US - From Migration to Immigration | 12 – 1 p.m. | Register

Many immediately associate our Latine community with the immigration narrative. Let’s be reminded that ours is a story of migration, community, and resilience. Presenter: Herminia Esqueda, DSHS

Event 2: Connection to the Land and Access to the Outdoors

Thursday, Sept. 28 | Connection to the Land and Access to the Outdoors | 12 – 1 p.m. | Register

Vamos Outdoors Project will be joining Latino Leadership Network to present their work in connecting Latine, Migrant, Multilingual, and Newcomer youth and families in Whatcom and Skagit counties with outdoor and academic programs. This work contributes to the breaking down of barriers which have prevented these communities from accessing outdoor recreation, while also supporting many facets of youth development. Presenter: Andra Nordin, DNR and Vamos

Event 3: The World Roots of Latine Music

Thursday, Oct. 5 | The World Roots of Latine Music | 12 – 1 p.m. | Register

In this presentation, we will discuss the world roots of contemporary Latine (both Latin American and US Latine) music including influences from North African, Sub-Saharan African, Middle Eastern, Romany, Iberian, and Native American musical traditions. Presenter: Nohemy Solórzano-Thompson, DSB

Innovate (News and New Insights)

Imagination Library of Washington: "The mission of the Imagination Library of Washington is to foster a love of reading among young learners by ensuring equitable access to free monthly books mailed directly to their homes from Dolly Parton's Imagination Library."

Imagination Library provides families with free monthly books to eligible households to help develop quality and inclusive home libraries. Their vision is to inspire youth to find a love for reading.

Learn more and view eligibility

Grow (Funding and Resources)

WSDA Farm to School Purchasing Grant: The WSDA Farm to School Purchasing Grant is a competitive reimbursement grant available to schools and childcare centers for the purchase and use of Washington-grown foods in child nutrition programs.

Applications are due by Sept. 25, 2023, by 5 p.m.

For information and to apply, visit Grants | Washington State Department of Agriculture. 

 

If you have suggestions for what to include in this newsletter, email Kyra Ingraham.