The Office of Tribal Relations (OTR) held its annual Staff Retreat in Spokane last week. Ethios provided guidance on strengthening our team's culture, mission, and values.
"I appreciated the opportunity to spend two days with our OTR team," said Cassie Anderson, OTR Operations Manager. "It’s so valuable for us to have the in-person time to continue to build up our team. The retreat offered that opportunity, allowing us the time to work together to create our joint goals and principles."
The Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) has now released the 2024-25 Comprehensive Early Learning Services Request for Application (RFA), including expansion for ECEAP, Birth-3, ECLIPSE, and ECEAP Complex Needs Funding (CNF).
ECEAP is Washington state’s pre-kindergarten program that prepares 3- and 4-year-old children and families furthest from opportunity for success in school and in life. ECEAP provides child-centered, individualized preschool education and health coordination services on a foundation of strengths-based family support.
Complex Needs Funds (CNF) *New this year*: Specific funding designated by the Washington State Legislature to provide additional support in ECEAP classrooms to promote inclusive, least-restrictive environments, and support providers serving children with developmental delays, disabilities, behavioral needs, and/or other unique needs. Existing Birth-5 ECEAP contractors may apply for this funding annually.
B-3 ECEAP is Washington state’s comprehensive Birth-3 program for low-income children, and children with specific risk factors, also known as Early ECEAP.
ECLIPSE is Washington state’s early childhood intervention and prevention services, which are trauma-informed, healing-centered, and early learning center-based for families with children Birth-5. ECLIPSE services include therapeutic child, family, and classroom supports for eligible children currently enrolled in Early ECEAP and ECEAP.
Research shows high-quality early learning programs like ECEAP, Birth-3 ECEAP, and ECLIPSE services saves money for states over the long term by reducing the need for remedial services in schools, social services, and criminal justice.
The RFA was released on Monday, Dec. 4, 2023, and is open to current and potential ECEAP contractors.
When are Applications Due?
The Smart SheetSurvey Application is due no later than Jan. 12, 2024, by 5 p.m. (and is required to move to the next step).
The CNF Application (current ECEAP contractors only) is due no later than Feb. 1, 2024, by 5 p.m.
The Applicant Interview Period for new providers will take place between Jan. 18 and Feb. 1, 2024, established by DCYF. The interview is optional for current ECEAP contractors.
For questions about the RFA process, please email the ECEAP Expansion RFA Coordinators at dcyf.eceap@dcyf.wa.gov.
We will respond weekly to RFA questions. In addition, a Question and Answer (Q&A) document will be uploaded to the ECEAP Expansion of Services website and updated regularly throughout the RFA process (see RFA materials for more details).
Why ECEAP?
ECEAP is a high-quality preschool option for eligible children and families. You can help 3- and 4-year-old children in your community be ready for kindergarten.
If you are interested to learn more about the impact ECEAP makes on children, families, and communities, please read the ECEAP Annual Report, 2019-21.
2023-24 Child Care Complex Needs Fund
DCYF is pleased to announce that the 2023-24 Child Care Complex Needs Fund application is now available.
Eligible licensed, certified, and certified-for-payment-only child care providers and eligible license-exempt Family, Friend and Neighbor (FFN) providers can apply for the Child Care Complex Needs Fund in the WA Compass Provider Portal.
When Can I Apply?
The application is open now and will close at 5 p.m. on Jan. 3, 2024.
Before applying, all providers must have a WA Compass Provider Portal account to access the Child Care Complex Needs Fund application.
SAMHSA issued a challenge to America’s youth: Help us raise awareness about fentanyl and reduce teen overdose deaths. FentAlert: Empowering Youth for Safer Choices − SAMHSA Fentanyl Awareness Youth Challenge is an opportunity for youth, ages 14-18, to develop a community strategy to educate their peers about fentanyl and fake pills ― and prevent drug overdose deaths.
There’s a total prize of $80,000, with individual prizes up to $5,000. Youth can participate individually or as part of a team. Please review rules and judging criteria by visiting Challenge.Gov.
Indigenous Caucus for At-Home Child Care Providers
The National Indian Child Care Association (NICCA) and the National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) are building an opportunity to support development, growth, and community building for indigenous providers across the country.
Join online for these free quarterly meetings where you will be able to network, learn, and share with fellow at-home child care providers.
Webinar | Practice Informed Policy Recommendations Based on Work with Our Unhoused Relatives
-
Expand your knowledge around the complex intersections of housing insecurity, homelessness, and Gender Based Violence, hear from frontline housing advocates on what they are doing in their communities, focus on the critical need for legal assistance, and develop practice informed policy recommendations that uplift the voices of survivors.
This webinar series is intended for Native parents, families, elders, and students in Washington as an opportunity to connect with one another, hear from respected leaders and elders, and inform the direction of Native education in our state and region.
Invisible Children, Invisible Families Report
The Invisible Children, Invisible Families report is now available through the Bipartisan Policy Center. This report explores tribal sovereignty, tribal-state communication and collaboration, and AI/AN early childhood programs on tribal reservations and in urban areas, providing recommendations to help address critical issues facing AI/AN communities. Parts of this report were informed by the four-part webinar series which addressed tribal sovereignty, tribal-state relations, and child care.
Holidays Events
United Indians of All Tribes Annual Holiday Market
