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Between 1819 and the 1970s, the United States implemented policies establishing and supporting Indian boarding schools across the nation. The purpose of federal Indian boarding schools was to culturally assimilate American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian children by forcibly removing them from their families and Indian Tribes, Alaska Native Villages, and Native Hawaiian Community. Removal coincided with Indian territorial dispossession.
In June 2021, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland announced the Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative, a comprehensive effort to recognize the impacts of these policies and address the resulting intergenerational trauma. The Initiative released an investigative report detailing more than 400 boarding schools across 37 states, including Washington, between 1819 and 1969, that were part of the federal Indian boarding school system.
This year, Washington State’s Attorney General formed the Truth & Reconciliation Tribal Advisory Committee to further study how our state can address its troubling past. The Committee will hold public listening sessions across the state beginning in January 2024.
“Now is not the time to be complacent,” said Tleena Ives, DCYF’s Director of Tribal Relations. “The only way to move forward – to heal and to learn from the atrocities faced by Indian children and families in the past – is to recognize the ongoing struggle for Indigenous self-determination. We are proud of the work happening in Washington State to address tribal sovereignty, notably our state’s dedication to upholding Native rights under the Indian Child Welfare Act. A huge accomplishment has been recent changes made in ECEAP, allowing priority points for children who have a relative who attended an Indian Boarding School.”
All the best,
Joy
Joy Lile is back from parental leave and working half-time through the end of 2023.
Progress
Recently my teacher at school told me about a group that I can join for youth to come and share their experiences and help make the school better. I did my first conference call this past week and was able to voice things that have happened to me at school, from teachers, staff, security ect. How some of the staff are racist or how they purposefully get kids in trouble and act like they don't do anything wrong. I am glad I have a place and my peers have a place to come and be safe and not have retaliation. I feel like when I say things to other staff at school they always take staffs side. I wish that more kids would come and hopefully this changes how things are done. - Washington student
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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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DCYF Accepting Nominations for Unsung Hero Award:
The Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is accepting nominations for its Unsung Hero Awards, which will recognize 29 exceptional parents, caregivers, and guardians in February during Parent Recognition Month.
“Caring and nurturing of young children is critical for their future success in life,” says DCYF Secretary Ross Hunter. “The Unsung Hero Awards recognize parents, caregivers, and guardians who are exceptional at applying the five Protective Factors and ensuring the youngest children in our state are given the best chance at success.” The 5 Protective Factors are 1.Parental Resilience, 2. Concrete Supports in Times of Need, 3. Social and Emotional Competence of Children, 4. Social Connections, and 5. Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development.
Unsung Hero nominations must be submitted by Jan. 5, 2024. The nomination form is available in English, Spanish, and Somali at www.dcyf.wa.gov/hero. Nominations can be emailed to strengtheningfamilies@dcyf.wa.gov. DCYF will recognize honorees and their supporters in February. Each will be spotlighted with a photo in Seattle’s Child magazine.
Since 2011, DCYF has recognized more than 330 Unsung Hero recipients. To learn more, visit Strengthening Families Washington.
Check here for news and opportunities specific to our Strengthen Families Locally communities. Send opportunities to strengtheningfamilies@dcyf.wa.gov
Bremerton and Port Angleles/Sequim: Olympic Region Equity Community of Practice: This newly formed collaborative works to address and advance equity through shared learnings, best practices, and a shared vision of a healthier, more equitable region. Learn more here.
Spokane: Circle of Security classes: The Circle of Security Parenting™ program is based on decades of research about how secure parent-child relationships can be supported and strengthened. This program provides support and knowledge for parents as they navigate the emotional needs of their children There will be THREE virtual classes starting in January, 2024! Mondays 12:30-2pm staring 1/22, Tuesdays 4-5:30pm starting 1/23, Fridays 1:30-3pm starting 1/26. Please contact Danielle Allen if you have any questions or are interested in joining the next class. | www.deeplyconnectedparenting.com | danielleAllen@deeplyconnectedparenting.com | (509) 931-1309
Check out these local resources on Facebook!
Connect (Events)
Improving Our Response to Families Experiencing Domestic Violence: November 28, 2023, 2 p.m., EST. Unresolved trauma can have challenging behavioral and emotional impacts including aggression, self-harm, and depression. Without the right support, adoptions or foster care placements can disrupt, reinforcing children’s experience of loss and lack of safety. Learn how FosterAdopt Connect’s in-home Behavioral Interventionist (BI) program provides intensive one-on-one services to children who struggle with behavioral and emotional management. Behavioral Interventionists work with children on neuro-developmental activities that help to re-wire negative neuropathways in the brain. Learn from their work and join us in conversation about how to best support youth with unresolved trauma. Register here.
Standards of Quality for Family Strengthening & Support from the National Family Support Network. December 14 and 15. This Certification Training details how the nationally-adopted Standards of Quality for Family Strengthening & Support can enhance work with families through focus on 5 areas of practice: Family Centeredness, Family Strengthening, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Community Strengthening, and Evaluation. Register here. Registration closes 12/4.
Trauma-Informed Leadership for Schools: The 7th Annual Creating Trauma-Sensitive Schools Conference (#TSS2024ATN) has something for schools and community organizations looking for ways to help children become more resilient and ready to learn. With over 70 workshops, three keynotes, a town hall and so much more. Feb 19-23 in Dallas, Texas and online. Learn more here. Registration closes 12/15.
Learn (Educational Resources)
Protective Factors Framework in Practice: How A Trauma-Informed Approach Strengthens Families: As an educator, it’s one thing to understand terms like “trauma” and “adverse childhood events” when working with students. But when you witness those events, and the lasting impact they have on a child, it changes how you think about trauma forever. And many of us educators can recall an example of how trauma impacted everyday life, either in the students we serve or even in our own lives. Read the full article.
Updated Community Risk Profiles: Risk and Protection Profiles for Substance Abuse Prevention for Washington State and its Communities. A comprehensive time-series collection of data related to substance use and abuse, and the risk factors that predict substance use among youth. Data are organized and presented within a risk and protective factor framework used across the state by substance abuse prevention planners. Data are available at the school district, locale, county and state level. Download the data here.
Innovate (News and New Insights)
The Prevention Services Clearinghouse has new ratings for the following programs and services: Autism Parent Navigators; Celebrating Families!™; Family Foundations; Maternal Early Childhood Sustained Home-visiting®; Parent-Child Assistance Program; Parent-Child Care; Strong Foundations’ Wellbriety & Celebrating Families!™; Washington State Kinship Navigator Program. You can also visit their website for more information about the Prevention Services Clearinghouse’s standards and procedures and to see answers to frequently asked questions.
Grow (Funding and Resources)
None this week
If you have suggestions for what to include in this newsletter, email Joy Lile.
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