Feb. 2– Strengthen Families Locally Weekly

Washington State Department of Children, Youth & Families sent this bulletin at 02/02/2024 12:25 PM PST

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.
strengthen families locally

In This Issue:

Updates From the Strengthen Families Locally (SFL) Team

sfl

Dear Strengthen Families Locally community,

Happy Black History Month! It’s amazing to get to celebrate Black leaders and learn more about how diverse voices have shaped our nation. The theme for 2024 is African-American History and the Arts. You can learn along with me from Anti-Racism Daily, which is offering 28 Days of Black History as a short-term newsletter this month. Check it out and sign up here!

Some other resources to learn about Black History:

Here is a statement from the Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice about Black History Month:

In recognizing Black History Month, DCYF wishes to honor the remarkable contributions made by Black and African American individuals in the shaping of this agency and the State of Washington. DCYF greatly values our staff members who have played essential roles in advancing the well-being of children and families, particularly those from marginalized backgrounds. By acknowledging and celebrating the diversity within its workforce, DCYF reaffirms its commitment to fostering an inclusive environment that values and respects the unique perspectives and experiences of its staff.

Opening with National Freedom Day on February 1st, commemorating the signing of the 13th Amendment and the abolishment slavery, Black History Month is celebrated each year throughout the month of February. Established in 1926 by historian Carter G. Woodson and originally known as “Negro Achievement Week”, the celebration aimed to recognize and honor the contributions of African Americans throughout American history, as their achievements were often overlooked or misrepresented. Woodson chose February to coincide with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln, two figures who played pivotal roles in the abolition of slavery and the advancement of civil rights. Over the decades, the week-long observance expanded into Black History Month, officially recognized by the U.S. government in 1976. In 2024, Black History Month will highlight the varied history of African American arts and artisans. This dedicated month serves as an opportunity for individuals and communities to delve into the rich tapestry of African American history, acknowledging the struggles, triumphs, and lasting impact of Black individuals on the nation's development.

As DCYF pays tribute to Black History Month, we aim to reinforce the importance of continued efforts to address systemic disparities and promote equity in all communities within Washington State. By embracing the principles of racial equity and social justice, DCYF remains committed to creating a more just and equitable society. Black History Month serves as a poignant reminder of the strength and perseverance of Black and African American individuals throughout history. We encourage our staff and friends to explore our resources and your own to learn more.

 

All the best,

Joy

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

Edit Subscription Preferences

SFL Project News

 Gear up for a 2024 Spring Retreat! We are tentatively planning on meeting near SeaTac on April 29th and 30th to celebrate Child Abuse Prevention Month, to come together and learn from one-another and the stories of families across our state.

Share a Story to Strengthen Families Locally!

sfl2

The Kindest Nation I Know

“One of the things I admire most about my culture is the kindness of the people there. Everyone greets each other with a “hello, good-day”. You simply feel seen by everyday interactions that a small but meaningful. In my small neighborhood, we had many dead-end roads, and really only two entrances to our community. Everyone knew each other. So, when I go back, I love seeing the local community that I grew up with, and it feels like nobody has aged but me (haha). I love my people and the in the beautiful culture that taught me about kindness and respect for each other.” – Washington community member

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:

code

http://ourtomorro.ws/WADCYF

Flyer   |   FAQ for collecting stories

Highlights From Around DCYF

February is Parent Recognition month in Washington state, and Parent Leadership Month nationally. And we have a pretty unique way to celebrate it! Each year we receive nominations from across the state of parents, caregivers and community members celebrating and highlighting the hard work that goes into making sure that each child has the happy, healthy and loved childhood we hope for all children. A parent panel is then invited in to review the applications and they select a honoree for each day of the month. All honorees, their families or support people, along with nominators are invited to an celebratory dinner, and are celebrated by sharing their stories in partnership with Seattle's Child magazine online. Be sure to follow DCYF on social media for those stories to be shared!

Local Corner

Check here for news and opportunities specific to our Strengthen Families Locally communities. Send opportunities to strengtheningfamilies@dcyf.wa.gov

Clallam: Community Partner Spotlight: 2024 Clallam Youth Mini-Grants Application. As part of the Youth Cannabis & Commercial Tobacco Prevention Program (YCCTPP), Kitsap Public Health District is offering mini grants to contribute to our efforts in reducing substance use among youth in the Olympic region. We are seeking applications from youth-serving organizations in Clallam County. Funding will be used to provide a pro-social event or project where youth can gain and strengthen protective factors for youth substance use. Organizations will provide activities that promote positive social involvement or build leadership and healthy coping skills for youth.  Goal: To provide youth in Clallam County with opportunities to increase protective factors for preventing substance use.  Grant proposals are due by February 26, 2024. Submit completed application or questions to melanie.greer@wsu.edu. Download the application here.

Check out these local resources on Facebook!

Other Community Resources

Connect (Events and Opportunities)

Monthly Washington Sensory Disabilities Service Drop-In Sessions. Monthly drop-in sessions to share and discuss resources related to ESIT services for children who are blind/low vision, deaf/hard of hearing, or deafblind. February 12, 1 PM – Register here  |  March 25, 1 pm – Register here

Inside a Child’s Mind: The Touchpoints of Development (Feb 2024) from Brazelton Touchpoints Center. From birth, children bring their own unique contributions to their development. Children’s temperaments, individual competencies, and cultures all influence  the child’s experience of themselves in their process of development and their experience of the people and the world around them.  In this workshop series, we explore children’s perspectives on their own developmental process from birth through preschool.  4 sessions starting Feb 15, 10 am PT. (fee) Register here

Harm reduction in practice: A learning series for applying harm reduction to adolescent care from Northwest ATTC. Learn more on the flyer. February 6th, 7th, and 8th 2024 9am – 12pm (PST) For Washington providers. Join the waitlist here

The Supporting Father Involvement (SFI) Program, also known internationally as Parents as Partners (PasP), is an evidence-based approach to increasing father involvement, engagement in co-parenting, and fostering children’s development. Are you considering expanding parent groups in your community? Contact us to learn about the Supporting Father Involvement Program! Training dates: March 4-8, 9-2 PT. Contact Mindy May for more information or view the course catalogue.

 

Learn

Children’s Home Society and Childhaven merge to form ‘Akin,’ which will continue to offer early learning services and more from the Spokesman-Review. Includes a shout-out to the new HJRA Parents for Parents program!

Earned Income Tax Credit Fast Facts: Use one or more of the following EITC facts during the 2024 filing season in your articles, flyers, speeches or presentations to better target the EITC Key Communication Messages to your audience.

 

Innovate (News and New Insights)

Charlie Health is expanding their Youth Behavioral Health programs to ages 11-34, and starting new Maternal Mental Health and Military Support programs. Charlie Health offers comprehensive virtual behavioral health programs without waitlists for youth and young adults in Washington. Place referrals here.

Imperative of NOW: Community Power and Healing-Centered Advocacy. A call for submissions about healing-centered family advocacy for a national blog and newsletter – read the call here.

Updated Apple Health IECMH Service Models Toolkit released: An updated version of the Apple Health Service Models IECMH toolkit is now available. The toolkit is intended to support those interested in receiving reimbursement for Apple Health infant-early childhood mental health services, and the latest update describes foundational components of IECMH treatment services, highlighting best practices for providers and agencies.  View the toolkit here.

 

Grow (Funding and Resources)

Behavioral Health Facilities Grants: Approximately $70 million in grants are available across three different facility types!  The Department of Commerce Behavioral Health Facilities (BHF) grant application is now open, with funding available for three categories:

  • Regional Needs
  • Children and Minor Youth
  • Intensive Behavioral Health Treatment Facility (IBHTF)

Learn more about these grants

Funding Opportunity to Expand the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion/Let everyone advance with dignity (LEAD) program. The Health Care Authority Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery is looking to award multiple contracts to entities who are able to provide LEAD services, with up to $4,000,000 available for consideration during this grant cycle to invite additional jurisdictions to launch law enforcement assisted diversion programs. Cities, counties, and tribes, subdivisions thereof, public development authorities, and community-based organizations demonstrating support from necessary public partners, may serve as the lead agency applying for funding.

Eligible entities will partner with local/Tribal law enforcement entities and other community-based organizations to provide services in alignment with law enforcement assisted diversion core principles. There is no budget minimum or maximum required for the application itself, as HCA would like to understand each entity’s cost of providing services as well as how a plan would be implemented. Funds are also available to scale existing projects, and project managers for those existing sites are encouraged to reach out to their HCA contract manager for more information about that process. View the full details of this opportunity on WEBS - Customer reference number: RFA 2023HCA33 C. Questions regarding this opportunity should be directed to the contact person listed in WEBS for this opportunity.

If you have suggestions for what to include in this newsletter, email Joy Lile.