Native American Heritage Month
Nov. 1 marked the beginning of Native American Heritage Month. What started at the turn of the century as an effort to gain a day of recognition for the significant contributions the first Americans made to the establishment and growth of the U.S., has resulted in a whole month being designated for that purpose.
Native American Heritage Month is celebrated every year in November to honor and celebrate the culture, traditions, history, and contributions of American Indians and Alaska Natives. This celebration is an opportunity to educate ourselves and better understand the history of our nation and its people.
DCYF has a responsibility to foster and strengthen the government-to-government relationship with our tribal partners in Washington State. We are committed to empowering tribal governments and Indigenous peoples—working alongside to protect and serve the children, families, and communities we all serve.
View the Governor's 2023 Proclamation here.
Wrapping Up the 2023 ICYF Conference
The Office of Tribal Relations hosted its 4th annual Indigenous Children, Youth, and Families (ICYF) conference on Nov. 1-2, 2023. This year's theme was Honoring Our Past, Celebrating Our Future: Healing through Native Traditions and Culture, and was offered in a virtual format. Over 300 participants were in attendance, representing a variety of sectors, including caregivers, judicial personnel, social workers, and tribal partners.
This year’s keynote speakers included Sandra White Hawk, founder of the First Nations Repatriation Institute and Elder in Residence at the Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition, and Calina Lawrence, Coast Salish vocalist, wellness facilitator, and Tribal Elder Caregiver.
A host of topics were covered over the two-day conference, from Indian Child Welfare updates to a panel discussion on ICWA and the Washington courts system, and presentations on state tribal resources and supports for children, youth, and families. A reoccurring topic included local and state responses to the fentanyl crisis impacting tribal communities throughout Washington State.
“We are incredibly grateful to our esteemed speakers and those who attended this year’s ICYF conference,” said Tleena Ives, Director of Tribal Relations. “I am heartened by the wealth of knowledge and expertise shared and the partnerships that were built and strengthened throughout this year’s event.”
For those who were not able to attend the 2023 ICYF conference, recordings of the presentations will be made available online in the coming days on the Office of Tribal Relations website at https://www.dcyf.wa.gov/tribal-relations/training.
Questions regarding ICYF and the Office of Tribal Relations can be directed to dcyf.tribalrelations@dcyf.wa.gov.
|
Fair Start for Kids Act Funding
The Fair Start for Kids Act (FSKA) directs the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) to distribute funds to promote inclusive, least restrictive environments and support providers serving children with developmental delays, disabilities, behavioral needs, or other unique needs. These funds are distributed through the Complex Needs Fund (CNF).
The 2023-24 Child Care Complex Needs Fund application will be available in the coming weeks. This is a competitive grant. If you are eligible, applying does not guarantee you will receive a grant.
The following frequently asked questions and answers are below to help plan for the application process.
When Can I Apply?
The grant application will be available soon. DCYF will notify providers by email when the application is available in the WA Compass Provider Portal.
Before the application opens, DCYF is offering an application preview so that providers have extra time to see the application questions and plan their responses. The application preview is available on the Child Care Complex Needs Fund webpage.
Who is Eligible to Apply?
Eligible providers include:
- Open licensed, certified, or certified for payment only child care providers. *
- License-exempt Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) providers who have served at least one child on subsidy in four of the last six months or two of the last three months and claim for subsidy through the Social Service Payment System (SSPS) at time of application.
*Licensed providers who are serving ECEAP slots are not eligible for the Child Care Complex Needs Fund. Instead, they should access Complex Needs Funds through their ECEAP Contractor.
To be eligible, providers must have children currently enrolled in their care who have behavioral needs, developmental delays, disabilities, or other unique needs.
What Can the Grant Be Used For?
The Child Care Complex Needs Fund may be used for:
- Adding staff members or increasing staff hours.
- Therapeutic services.
- Facility improvements to comply with ADA accessibility requirements or behavioral needs.
- Supportive and adaptive materials and equipment.
How Much Funding Can a Provider Request?
- Eligible licensed, certified, and certified for payment only child care providers can request between $5,000 and $100,000.
- Eligible Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) providers can request between $100 and $2,000.
Is Technical Assistance Available?
Individual technical assistance is available and includes guidance preparing for and accessing the application, in addition to advice on saving receipts and documentation. Providers may access technical assistance in their preferred language and by telephone, internet, or in-person. For technical assistance contact information, please see the Child Care Complex Needs Fund webpage.
Questions?
If you have questions about the grant timeline or other questions, email dcyf.childcaregrants@dcyf.wa.gov.
Healthy Start Initiative: Eliminating Disparities in Perinatal Health
The Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 application for the Healthy Start Initiative is now open on grants.gov. The purpose of Healthy Start is to improve health outcomes before, during, and after pregnancy and reduce the well-documented racial/ethnic differences in rates of infant death and adverse perinatal health outcomes.
There is $113,645,000 available for up to 103 awards.
Any domestic public or private entity can apply. Domestic community-based organizations, tribes and tribal organizations are also eligible to apply.
Applications are due on Dec. 15, 2023, by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.
King County Early Learning Facilities Grant
These grant funds aim to expand and strengthen the early learning system in King County by providing predevelopment, renovation and construction grants to center-based (not home-based) early learning providers and organizations.
Childcare facilities projects that meet the eligibility criteria and demonstrate serving prioritized population are encouraged to apply. Applicants are encouraged to apply by Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023, at 8:59 p.m. PT.
Learn more and apply online.
Early Achievers' Individualization Internships | UW Haring Center
The Early Achievers' Individualization Internships are free and available for any coaches or providers in the Early Achievers' network (i.e., CCA, ECEAP, Head Start, B3QI, etc.). Internships are offered in both English and Spanish.
Individualization Internships focus on individualizing instruction, inclusion, curriculum modifications, and positive behavior support. The 1-hour "mini extensions" build upon the knowledge learned in the internships and rotate through various topics including inclusive large groups and supporting multilingual learners in early childhood.
Register for both the individualization internships and mini extensions online.
Email jlcairns@uw.edu for questions.
Tribal Engagement Coordinator/Pacific Education Institute
Apply online: Tribal Engagement Coordinator (pacificeducationinstitute.org)
Tribal Education Specialist, Lummi Tribe/Treehouse
Apply online: Treehouse - Tribal Education Specialist Lummi Tribe (paylocity.com)
Tribal Education Specialist, Tulalip/Treehouse
Apply online: Treehouse - Tribal Education Specialist Tulalip (paylocity.com)
Project Manager, College of Education/University of Washington
Apply online: UW Human Resources (washington.edu)
Tlingit & Haida Opens Washington Office
The Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska (Tlingit & Haida) is pleased to announce it is opening a new Washington office. The 12,250 square foot office is located in Lynnwood on the second floor of the Northview Center (20700 44th Avenue West, Suite 220).
The office will house 20 full-time staff providing Child Welfare, Child Support, Community Navigator, Cultural Heritage & Education, Grants & Resources, Program Compliance (Tribal Enrollment), and Tribal Court services. A large classroom has also been dedicated for the Tribe’s Cultural Heritage & Education Division to host language, arts, cultural, and educational programs.
For questions, contact their Communications Department at (907) 463-7368 or email communications@tlingitandhaida.gov.
Image above: Ross Hunter, DCYF Secretary, and Richard (Chalyee Éesh) Peterson, Tlingit & Haida president.
|
 46th Annual Siletz Restoration Pow-Wow
Chinook Winds Casino
Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023
The Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians invites you to their Annual 46th Restoration, held at Chinook Winds Casino Resort. Grand Entry will be at 6 p.m. All Dancers and Drummers are welcome!
For more information, please contact Buddy Lane at BuddyL@ctsi.nsn.us or at 1-800-922-1399, ext. 1230 or (541) 444-8230.
Community Gathering | Seattle's Urban Native Community Center
Nov. 17, 2023, 6:30 - 8 p.m.
Bethaday Community Learning Space, White Center
605 SW 108th St., Seattle, WA
All Seattle area Native peoples are welcome to gather to create a shared vision for Seattle's Urban Native Community Center.
RSVP to crystal@headwaterpeople.com.
Food and gas cards are available for those who attend this gathering.
|
Early Childhood Courts (ECC) State Updates
Team members from across ECC Sites came together for the Specialty Courts All-Sites meeting in October. ECC Community Coordinators and State Team members participated in a half-day training session with the National Indian Child Welfare Association focused on working in partnership with Tribal communities.
Early Childhood Courts are therapeutic courts utilizing the Safe Babies™ approach in their program structure and operations. Early Childhood Courts is a portfolio of work at the Center for Children & Youth Justice.
ICWA Specialty Court in Yakima County
Yakima County has partnered with Family & Youth Justice Programs (FYJP) and Casey Family Programs to establish Washington State's third ICWA specialty court. The court will launch in early November. A kick-off training was held on Oct. 30 that was co-designed with the Yakama Tribe, Casey Family Programs, and FYJP. Almost 100 state and tribal child welfare and court professionals attended the kickoff.
Yakima County is beginning discussions around creating an active community team that would bring tribal and community partners together regularly to identify and solve gaps and barriers in services and the dependency process.
Washington Indian Tribes Today is produced by Washington Tribes, a program sponsored by the Washington Indian Gaming Association. This educational resource provides essential information about modern-day tribes in our state and what tribal governments are doing to preserve culture, sustain the environment, build communities and enrich people.
Washington Indian Tribes Today can be found online at www.washingtontribes.org/resources.
|
Reach Out and Read Podcast: What Happened To You?
Trauma in children is shockingly common — almost half of all children have experienced at least one significant traumatic experience. Yet trauma-engendered behaviors are often met with ‘What’s wrong with you?’, when, as guest Dr. Bruce Perry relates, the question should be ‘What happened to you?’ His co-authored book with Oprah Winfrey helps disentangle trauma, as well understand the powerful, protective role of healthy relationships with family, community, and culture.
Listen to the podcast online.
|
