Sandra organizes Truth Healing Reconciliation community forums that bring together adoptees/fostered individuals, their families, and professionals to identify post adoption issues and to identify strategies to prevent removal. Sandra’s the Elder in Residence at The Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition and a consultant/trainer for the Tribal Training Certification Program at the University of Duluth, Minnesota.
Sandra is a subject in three documentaries: The People’s Protectors, Dawnland, and Blood Memory. She is the author of "A Child of the Indian Race": A Story of Return.
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November 2 - Calina Lawrence
Topic: Honoring our past, celebrating our future
A story of adaptation through lived experiences, family history, art, curiosity, and action.
Calina is from the Suquamish Nation. She is a Coast Salish vocalist, multi-media artist, wellness facilitator, Tribal Elder Caregiver, and former foster youth.
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Now Seeking Nominees for the 2024 Unsung Hero Awards
As 2024 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. Please help us in honoring 29 more in February 2024 by nominating a parent/primary caregiver/guardian for the Unsung Hero award.
The nomination form is available in three languages (English, Spanish and Somali). A parent panel will select one honoree for each day in February and then all honorees (including their family or supporters) and their nominators will be invited to an in-person celebratory dinner in Olympia.
All nominations must be submitted by Jan. 5, 2024.
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Awareness Campaign Resources for Indigenous Victims/Survivors of Human Trafficking
The purpose of this grant is to fund activities to increase awareness of the support, services, and resources available to Indigenous persons who are survivors of labor and/or sex trafficking. This will include raising awareness on how to access such resources. One project west of the crest of the Cascade Mountains and one project east of the crest of the Cascade Mountains will be funded.
The grant period will be Dec. 1, 2023 – June 30, 2025.
Applicants may request up to $100,000.
Download application materials here.
Closing Date: Nov. 8, 2023, at 5 p.m.
Contact RFP Coordinator Trisha Smith with questions: trisha.smith@commerce.wa.gov
U.S. Dept. of State Scholarships for High School Students
Virtual National Security Language Initiative for Youth (Virtual NSLI-Y) application is now available! Virtual NSLI-Y is a U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs program that provides a beginner-level foreign language and culture experience. Eligible U.S. high school students can apply to study Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), Hindi, Korean, Russian, or Turkish. Selected finalists will receive a merit scholarship to study the target language in online classes with peers from across the U.S. for 10 weeks in January – March 2024. Application deadline is Oct. 23, 2023.
National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) is also a U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs program that provides overseas language study opportunities for high school language learners of all levels. Eligible U.S. high school students can apply to study Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), Hindi, Indonesian, Korean, Persian (Tajiki), Russian, or Turkish. Selected finalists will receive a merit scholarship to study the target language in a host country in Summer 2024 or Academic Year 2024-25. Application deadline is Nov. 2, 2023.
“Since Time Immemorial (STI):” Tribal Sovereignty Curriculum Introductory Trainings
The updated Fall 2023 “Since Time Immemorial (STI)” Tribal Sovereignty Curriculum training schedule is now available on the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)'s website. As of this date, there are three 2-hour webinars taking place in November from 4-6 p.m. and two additional full day/in-person trainings. Registration is required. Access the schedule and registration form here.
Webinar | Talking Circle: MMIP and Law Enforcement — Working Together to Bring Loved Ones Home
Join panelists at 12 p.m. on Oct. 26, 2023, as they share their insight on how to engage, educate, and partner with law enforcement in investigating Missing or Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) cases and supporting families. This free webinar is hosted by the Office for Victims of Crime’s Human Trafficking Capacity Building Center. RSVP at Webinar Registration - Zoom.
Juvenile Rehabilitation (JR) Tribal Liaison (SHPC4) Remote/DCYF
Position closes: Oct. 22, 2023, at 11:59 p.m.
Apply online: JR Tribal Liaison (governmentjobs.com)
CPS Social Service Specialist 2/3 In-Training (SSS3) - Spokane North/DCYF
Position closes: Oct. 26, 2023, at 11:59 p.m.
Apply online: CPS Social Service Specialist (governmentjobs.com)
ICW Active Efforts Specialist 2-3 In Training (SSS3) - West Seattle/DCYF
Position closes: Oct. 31, 2023, at 11:59 p.m.
Apply online: ICW Active Efforts Specialist 2-3 In Training (governmentjobs.com)
Director of the Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership/University of Washington (UW)
Position closes: Nov. 1, 2023
Apply online: EdD Faculty Director (Interfolio.com)
Gender Based Violence Advocate/The Yarrow Project
Find more information online.
To apply, send resume and cover letter to info@yarrowproject.org. Please put the specific job you are applying for in the subject line.
Sexual Assault Advocate/The Yarrow Project
Find more information online.
To apply, send resume and cover letter to info@yarrowproject.org. Please put the specific job you are applying for in the subject line.
Before the passage of the 1978 federal Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), tribal communities and families faced alarmingly high rates of removal of their children, with placements in boarding schools, foster homes, and adoptive homes. The removal of children was often unwarranted and done with deceptive and discriminatory practices.
ICWA's intent is to prevent the breakup of Indian families whenever possible and to reunite children with their families and tribal communities when children were placed out of home. A key requirement is the provision of active efforts. Active efforts (See 25 CFR 23.2; RCW 13.38.040(1)) refer to affirmative, active, thorough, complete, and timely efforts intended primarily to maintain or reunite children who are, or may be, Indian children with parents, Indian custodians, or legal guardians.
Active efforts are designed to prevent unwarranted removal of Indian children from their communities and to promote the best interests of the child. Active efforts delivery should be developed on a case-by-case basis by comprehensively assessing the parents’ strengths, needs, and tailoring the case plan accordingly.
The Alliance is in the process of updating the ICW training and will be available in 2024. In the meantime, check out our new Active Efforts infographic for more information.
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Recall Notifications for Child Care Providers
As child care equipment research evolves and develops, we want to remind you of the importance of making sure you’re receiving Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recalls.
For reference, the following WACs require licensed child care providers to be notified of and remove recalled items:
WAC 110-300-0150(1)(h) Family Home and Center Programs
WAC 110-301-0150(1)(h) School-Age Programs
WAC 110-302-0150(1)(h) Outdoor Nature-Based Programs
Additionally, the following WACs require licensed child care providers to comply with CPSC guidelines:
WAC 110-300-0146 and WAC 110-300-0165 Family Home and Center Programs
WAC 110-301-0146 and WAC 110-301-0165 School-Age Programs
WAC 110-302-0146 and WAC 110-302-0165 Outdoor Nature-Based Programs
CPSC has a subscription database anyone can sign up for that will autogenerate emails as recalls are placed. You may sign up for recall notifications here: Subscriptions | CPSC.gov.
As Licensing Division is notified of imminent recalls that may impact children, DCYF will notify child care and early learning providers. If you have additional questions about recalls, please reach out to your child care licensor.
All Generations Event | Cowlitz Indian Tribe
Oct. 28, 2023, from 3-6 p.m.
Embrace the path forward. Join the Cowlitz Indian Tribe for a time to gather and honor those whose lives have been impacted by violence.
Reserve your spot by visiting their Events Calendar.
Host a Drive or Fundraiser this Holiday Season
Support youth in foster care this fall and winter! Rally your network to support Treehouse.
- Host a drive and keep their free resource store stocked with high-quality goods! Rally your community to collect hygiene products, clothing, and other supplies.
- Host a fundraiser! Whether you set up a peer-to-peer fundraising page or organize an event in Treehouse's honor, you can help close the opportunity gap for youth in foster care.
Get more information by visiting treehouseforkids.org or reach out to drives@treehouseforkids.org for questions.
Tribal Home Visiting Program Expansion Announcement
On Sept. 28, the Administration for Children and Families at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced $24,500,000 in new awards to 34 tribes and tribal organizations to implement culturally grounded, evidence-based home visiting programs throughout the nation.
For the full press release: Major Expansion of the Tribal Home Visiting Program (hhs.gov)
DCYF Dual Language Learning Video
Dual language learning is where children learn literacy, culture, and content in two languages, typically English and a partner language spoken in the community. It is the most effective model for closing opportunity gaps, especially for children who speak a first language other than English and historically marginalized populations.
Learn more by watching the video in English or Spanish.
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