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Embrace Diversity by Jahla Brown, DCYF ESIT Partnership & Collaboration Specialist.
"You can't separate peace from freedom because no one can be at peace
unless he has his freedom."
- Malcolm X, American Muslim minister, human rights activist and prominent figure during the civil rights movement.
Please note that there will be no issue of the ESIT Weekly sent out next Fri., Feb. 23, in observance of Presidents Day, Mon. Feb. 19, and due to ESIT's February Parent Institute for Engagement (PIE) and State Interagency Coordinating Council (SICC) Meetings being held that week. The ESIT Weekly will resume its regular schedule on Fri., March 1. Thank you!
50th anniversary of Boldt Decision, Feb. 12
50 years ago, Federal Judge George Boldt handed down the ruling giving tribes fishing rights that they had already been given in treaties signed over 150 years ago. Hear from surviving renegades and warriors who fought in the fish wars and help convince Judge Boldt that the tribes were right (watch time 1:46):
Billy Frank Jr., a member of the Nisqually Indian Tribe and chair of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission, speaks at the 40th anniversary celebration of the Boldt Decision (watch time 9:21):
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“No right is more sacred to a nation, to a people, than the right to freely determine its social, economic, political and cultural future, without external interference. The fullest expression of this right occurs when a nation freely governs itself. We call the exercise of this right Self-Determination. The practice of this right is Self-Government.” - Joe De La Cruz, Quinault Indian Nation, quote from Indian Self-Determination the Ideal and Indian Self-Governance the Reality, 1989.
Each week, DCYF ESIT Tribal Program Consultant, Brian Frisina, provides a key topic to help us get to know our Tribal Nation Partners better.
This week’s term is:
Self-determination is an expression often used in discussion of indigenous goals. However, the meaning of self-determination varies among Indigenous Peoples, scholars, international documents, and nation states.
The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous peoples uses the expression of self-determination for Indigenous Peoples but qualifies the expression. The Declaration does not recognize the right of Indigenous Peoples to seek recognition as a nation state or to withdraw from the nation-state that is currently occupying indigenous territories. Most Indigenous Peoples are not ready or do not want to take on nation-state status, since most indigenous nations are small, not market-based, and cannot compete politically, economically, or militarily with nation states. Most Indigenous Peoples are not dreaming of taking over the nation-state, or even seceding from the nation-state, but they dislike that nation-states have considerable political, legal and economic control over their communities, territory, and cultural orientations.
Read more about What Is Indigenous Self-Determination and When Does it Apply?
Tribal sovereignty is a phrase we often hear, but what does it really mean? In this video created by Native Governance Center and the Minnesota Humanities Center, you'll learn about how Tribes exert their sovereignty to govern their citizens and why sovereignty matters (watch time 2:36):
American Indian History Timeline
The American Indian History Timeline illustrates events, policies, legislation and laws relating to Indian land tenure from 1598 to the present:
A History of Federal Indian Policy
The indigenous nations' struggle to retain and exercise a measure of their original political independence in the face of persistent and, at times, oppressive federal policies aimed at the forced Americanization and coercive assimilation of tribal citizens forms the bulk of the story in this book. But there is more to it. The federal government's policies, most of which were aimed at the absorption of Indians, have had a discernible if variable impact on tribal nations, variable in part because these policies themselves were ambivalent-created at different times, by different individuals and administrations, for different purposes, and for varied tribal nations. And as a result of the undulating and unpredictable nature of history, combined with the interaction between the force of federal policies and the responses of indigenous nations to those policies, Native America is, not surprisingly, vastly different today than it was in 1900, 1800, or 1700.
Read more to learn a general overview of the major policies and laws, and indigenous responses to those directives, from the early American period to the present:
Sources
50th anniversary of Boldt Decision is Feb. 12, published Feb. 12, 2024, updated Feb. 12, 2024, © 2024, king5.com.
Billy Frank Jr. speaks at Boldt 40, posted by to Vimeo by NW Treaty Tribes, posted Feb. 12, 2014, © 2024 Vimeo.com, Inc.
What Is Indigenous Self-Determination and When Does it Apply? ICT, An independent, nonprofit news enterprise,© 2 024.
What is Tribal Sovereignty? Posted to YouTube by Native Governance Center, Nov 6, 2020.
American Indian History Timeline, Indian Land Tenure Foundation, Little Canada, MN.
A History of Federal Indian Policy, by David Wilkins, 2011, posted by Bioneers.
We are looking for an ESIT Data Management System (DMS) Data Coordinator to join our ESIT State Leadership Team!
As the ESIT DMS Data Coordinator, you will be responsible for establishing and maintaining procedures that support systems, training, technical assistance related to data use and data systems that promote high quality, accurate, statistical reporting for state and federal compliance, and program accountability and ongoing quality improvement activities. This position closes Mon., Feb. 26.
Click below to learn more about this position and apply:
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We are looking for an ACORN Training and Technical Assistance (TA) Coordinator (MA4) to join our ESIT State Leadership Team!
As the ACORN Training and TA Coordinator, you'll provide advanced professional analysis on complex data collections and report issues impacting early support services and ESIT program policies and procedures statewide. You'll ensure early intervention provider agencies comply with state and federal early intervention data-related laws and regulations. You'll coordinate and manage complex data management structures, co-create training materials, and lead process improvement procedures that support the ongoing and effective statewide use of ACORN. You'll also work with external organizations to monitor proposals and identify potential changes to data-related state policies and procedures. This position closes Tues., Feb. 20.
Click below to learn more about this position and apply:
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The February SICC meeting is just around the corner! Please join us virtually:
Wed., Feb. 21 | 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. | Agenda
For Review
The draft October 2023 and draft January APR 2024 meeting minutes have been posted to ESIT's SICC Meetings page for review. If there are needed edits to either the October or January meeting minutes, please email Will Moncrease Jr.
SICC Direct List
If you would like your email added to the SICC direct email list to receive the agenda and meeting materials in advance of upcoming SICC meetings, email Will Moncrease Jr., with the subject: Add me to SICC DL.
Questions?
Please contact DCYF ESIT Partnership & Collaboration Manager, Will Moncrease, Jr., at will.moncrease@dcyf.wa.gov.
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County Lead Agency (CLA) and Direct DCYF-Contracted ESIT Provider Representatives:
*CLAs, please share with your contractors*
During this webinar, we will review and answer questions about the new ESIT Practice Guide- Pathways to Services for Infants and Toddlers Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.
ESIT providers of deaf/hard of hearing supports will be in attendance to talk about their work and answer questions from attendees.
This will not be a training on how to work with children who are deaf or hard of hearing. We will be presenting an overview of ESIT DHH-related services and the ways to connect families to those services. We hope you can make it!
Wed., February 21 | 3 – 4:30 p.m.
American Sign Language interpretation and live transcription will be available during this event.
For questions, please contact Maia Thomas, at maia.thomas@dcyf.wa.gov or (360) 599-0794.
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Do you work at a local ESIT Provider Agency and bill public and/or private health insurance for ESIT Services? You are invited to join a newly formed Insurance Billing Support Group!
What is the Insurance Billing Support Group?
This informal peer-to-peer collaborative space will be limited to those who are engaged in billing at the local ESIT program level, meeting the fourth Monday of each month. We hope to connect as peers, exchange ideas, and collaborate to find solutions to common challenge such as:
- What have you found to be the best coding to use for specific services?
- What strategies have worked for following up on denied claims?
- What procedures does your agency have in place to ensure timely filing?
A little about the facilitator
My name is Marsha Smith and I work for Steps, formerly Toddler Learning Center. We serve Island County, San Juan County and Anacortes. I have worked here for almost 6 years, and before this my experience came from the financial industry and working in the Island Hospital billing department. My love for numbers and money has helped me be a great advocate for families and staff. I enjoy sharing what I know, and most of all learning from my peers who do the same work.
Join us this month!
Mon., February 26 | 2 p.m.
Questions?
Can’t attend but interested in future events? Have questions? Email Marsha Smith, at Marsha.S@takingstepstogether.org.
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In collaboration with the State Interagency Coordinating Council Personnel and Training Sub-Committee, the ESIT State Leadership Office is pleased to announce the soft roll out of the new ESIT Credential for Family Resources Coordinators (FRCs) beginning in February to introduce and field test the process. A firm roll out for the credential requirements is planned for July 1, following a 90-day communication cycle starting April 1.
Beginning February 1, newly hired Family Resources Coordinators (FRC) will receive an ESIT Credential once they complete all initial training requirements and submit a credential application.
This Initial ESIT Credential replaces the previous FRC registration and will signify all initial training requirements have been met and that the FRC is qualified to provide service coordination. Caseloads can continue to be assigned after FRCs complete Step 1 of the training requirements.
All other FRCs who have previously completed the training required at the time they were hired are encouraged to apply for the ESIT Credential. There is no need to complete additional training. Original FRC training completion will be verified as part of the application process.
The Initial ESIT FRC Credential Guidance can be found on the ESIT In-Service Training Framework webpage.
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FRC ESIT Credential Webinar
Join us for a Q&A Webinar where you can learn more about the ESIT Credential for FRC’s!
March 11 | 2 – 3 p.m.
Questions?
Please contact ESIT's Workforce Development Specialist, Lori Holbrook, at dcyf.ESITtraining@dcyf.wa.gov.
The Washington State Department of Health, Early Hearing Detection, Diagnosis and Intervention (EHDDI) program worked with ESIT, family resources coordinators (FRCs), early support providers, deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) adults, audiologists, and a family-to-family support organization to create three training modules.
The training modules provide FRCs and ESIT Professionals with information and resources that are helpful when working with children identified as deaf or hard of hearing and their families. The trainings focus on the following topics:
- Special Providers and Services
- Knowledge Building
- Bias Awareness
These trainings are great for FRCs and ESIT Professionals who are new and for those who don’t work with many children who are deaf or hard of hearing.
To access the trainings, please visit the EHDDI WaPortal page.
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Upcoming
Full descriptions of each training including registration information is available in the 23-24 Ongoing Professional Development and Calendar.
- Foundations of Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health | February 21 (5 sessions)
- Leading Through Conflict and Change | February 29 (4 sessions) 2 spots left!
- Promoting First Relationships Drop-In Session | March 19
- Promoting First Relationships (PFR) Level 1 | March 20 (4 sessions)
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These Reflective Consultation groups are facilitated by either Carol Good, MSW, LICSW, IMH-E or Kimberlee Shoecraft, MSW, LICSW, SUDP, IMH-E. Participants may count these hours towards Reflective Supervision hours for the Washington Association of Infant Mental Health endorsement. Please email endorsement@wa-aimh.org for more information regarding endorsement requirements.
Exciting news! ESIT has openings in our Reflective Consultation groups offered through the University of Washington. Reflective Consultation is monthly, protected time that gives providers the opportunity to explore their work with families and young children in a safe, supportive space. It offers a time to think about their own needs, and to think about the emotional needs of both parents and children. It also provides an opportunity to hear and learn other perspectives. Participants report feeling increased joy and competence in their work, and increased empathy for the families they work with. Reserve your spot as soon as possible!
Provider Group Openings
- First Tuesday of the month | 4 – 5 p.m.
- First Wednesday of the month | 1 – 2 p.m.
- Second Wednesday of the month | 1 – 2 p.m.
- Third Wednesday of the month | 9 – 10 a.m.
- First Thursday of the month | 3 – 4 p.m.
Reserve Your Spot!
Please contact dcyf.ESITtraining@dcyf.wa.gov. This training opportunity is being offered as part of our State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP) and ESIT provider course fees are covered by DCYF/ESIT. These groups are for ESIT providers only.
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The Washington State Department of Health, Early Hearing Detection, Diagnosis and Intervention (EHDDI) program worked with ESIT, family resources coordinators (FRCs), early support providers, deaf and hard and hard of hearing (DHH) adults, audiologists, and a family-to-family support organization to create three training modules. The training modules provide FRCs and early support providers with information and resources that are helpful when working with children identified as deaf or hard of hearing and their families. The trainings focus on the following topics:
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Special Providers and Services: Discusses DHH specialized programs and supports, and special considerations when working with children who are DHH with additional disabilities.
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Knowledge Building: Provides information about diversity in the DHH community, describes hearing levels, and technology options available.
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Bias Awareness: Provides information about communication opportunities, recognizing biases, and ways to support diverse families.
To access the trainings, please visit the EHDDI WaPortal page:
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These drop-in sessions are for ESIT providers only. Providers must have received PFR Level 1, 2, or 3 training to attend.
Join ESIT providers from across Washington State and PFR Trainer Carol Good to discuss embedding the PFR consultation strategies into your everyday coaching practices.
Tues., March 19 | 9:30 – 11 a.m.
Upcoming Drop-in Sessions
- Mon., April 22| 9 – 10:30 a.m.| Register
- Tues., May 21| 2:30 – 4:00 p.m.| Register
- Thurs., June 27| 2:30 – 4:00 p.m.| Register
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Check out the new professional development video detailing information about some of the wonderful training opportunities available at no cost for ESIT Service Providers and Professionals! In this video you’ll hear from leadership members from both the University of Washington (UW) and the Washington Association for Infant Mental Health (WA-AIMH) detailing important information about many training opportunities.
This video shares information about:
- Infant Family Relational Health (IFRH) and Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) training opportunities
- The benefits of gaining knowledge in these areas, including the WA-AIMH Endorsement and Reflective Consultation
- Where to go for more information
UW PFR and WA-AIMH Professional Development Opportunities (watch time 11:52):
For more information or to register for these training opportunities, please visit the 23-24 Ongoing Professional Development and Calendar Document.
Questions? Email dcyf.ESITtraining@dcyf.wa.gov.
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Mark Your Calendars!
Please make plans to attend the 2024 Infant and Early Childhood Conference (IECC), hosted completely virtual via Zoom!
May 6 – 10
For conference information please visit www.ieccwa.org.
IECC plans to offer STARS Credit and Clock Hours for this event.
The purpose of the IECC Conference is to provide opportunities for families and service providers to come together to learn, share and advocate on behalf of all young children, especially those with developmental delays, disabilities and/or other special health care needs.
IECC Partnership Opportunity
IECC is so thankful for its many community partners. Due to their support IECC has been able to shift its platform and offer the conference registration complimentary for all attendees the past few years. If your organization would be willing to partner with us please email the conference coordinator, Amanda Cardwell directly at amandacardwell@frontier.com.
DCYF ESIT has funding available for ESIT Service Providers to offer scholarships to assist with covering costs related to WA-AIMH endorsement registration, membership, processing fees, and annual renewal fees. There are limited scholarship opportunities available. Each application is reviewed on an individual basis and applying does not guarantee an award of funds. The Washington Association for Infant Mental Health offers different levels of endorsement credentials and provides recognition of specialized knowledge in professionals working with families and young children. It is an internationally recognized credential and is for anyone who works with families and young children in the fields of early care and education, prevention and early intervention, home visiting, the medical and behavioral health professions, child welfare, mental health, policy and advocacy, research and others. Learn more about the WA-AIMH endorsement here.
Scholarship funds must be accessed by June 30 or applicants will need to re-apply after July 1.
Scholarship Opportunities
If interested in applying for WA-AIMH endorsement scholarship opportunities:
Information Sessions
WA-AIMH offers information sessions in order to ask questions, gather details, and gain a better understanding of the endorsement process. To schedule time with the endorsement coordinator or for other endorsement inquiries, please contact endorsement@wa-aimh.org.
WA-AIMH has Spanish support available for applicants going through the endorsement process. Please contact Veronica Rosa at veronica@wa-aimh.org for additional information.
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Join us in learning and celebrating with Dr. Serena Wieder!
This free presentation with DIR® Co-Creator Dr. Serena Wieder will explain the Developmental, Individual Difference, Relationship-Based Model (DIR®) at a basic level, introducing the key concepts and foundations of this dynamic model and its application to addressing emotional and cognitive development.
Illustrating DIR’s multidisciplinary integration in educational, family, clinical, and research settings, Dr. Wieder provides a broad look at the importance and efficacy of the Model, in a way that no one else can: from the perspective of the Co-Creator. Join us for an unparalleled introduction to DIR®, and learn about all the opportunities that Profectum has to offer you on your DIR® journey.
Thurs., March 7 | 5 - 6:30 p.m. | Live Online via Zoom
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For some of us, using puppets in our DIRFloortime work can be intimidating. Our own self-consciousness can sabotage our use of puppets in our therapeutic work. In this insightful Newsflash, André Zirnsak invites us to put down that self-conscious attitude and begin to use puppets to help individuals progress in their developmental journey through their Functional Emotional Developmental Capacities (FEDCs.)
Puppet Play as a Supporting Tool
To use puppets in DIRFloortime, we need to be aware of the fact that it is first about us and then about the puppet. That means, we need to make ourselves familiar with this tool before we can use it effectively. How can we do that? It can be useful to choose one puppet for yourself and consider these questions to guide your selection for self-reflection:
- Which puppet do I like and why?
- Which puppet feels good on my hand?
- Which puppet could embody some character traits as an exaggeration of myself?
- Which character traits do I want to exaggerate with my puppet (being a little cheeky, shy, grumpy etc.) and why?
- Which kind of voice do I want to choose for my puppet and why? Or do I need a puppet which is not able to speak and just make sounds?
After choosing a puppet for yourself, try it out in front of a mirror. Because if you are not into it, your play partner will not be either.
We can use puppets at different FEDCs. André Zirnsak, Diploma in Special Needs Education Play & Play-Therapist, invites us to take another look at puppets as the perfect tool to use in DIRFlootime, check out ICDL DIRFloortime® to learn more about André and Puppet Play, on Instagram:
Questions? Contact andre.zirnsak@gmx.de.
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This course will be a mixture of video observation of infants, PowerPoint, and discussion to help participants define, observe, and reflect on ways to understand and support the infants who are growing and developing in their care. The course will be held on Zoom.
March 11 | 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. | $150
Keys to Infant Caregiving is a research-based program for professionals that provides essential information on newborn and infant behavior. Participants will learn about infants and their captivating ability to interact and engage in relationships with their parents, caregivers, childcare providers and how that impacts the care they receive. Participants will learn about how infants’ internal states influence their behavior and how to help infants regulate. They will learn how to read the very young infant’s cues and how to foster relationships in the childcare setting that promote the infant’s social, emotional, and cognitive growth while completing routine tasks like feeding and diapering an infant.
The course will be a mixture of video observation of infants, powerpoint, and discussion to help participants define, observe, and reflect on ways to understand and support how infants in their care are growing and developing within the daily interactions they are engaging in.
This course will help you:
- Describe the observable behaviors of the six infant states and how that impacts the care they receive,
- Identify state-related behaviors during routine caregiving activities,
- Demonstrate your knowledge of the infant’s regulatory capabilities through the identification of cues- both engagement and disengagement,
- Identify ways of interacting with infants to support emotion regulation, language, and social development.
Your fee covers tuition and Keys to Infant Caregiving study guide. This training is eligible for 3.75 Professional CEUs and STARS.
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Join Washington Sensory Disabilities Service (WSDS) consultants (representing Washington State School for the Blind-WSSB and Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Youth-CDHY), and other sensory statewide partners, as they host 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. Each drop-in session will have a topical focus and will offer opportunities for open questions on any topic.
For those who may need accommodations for active participation, please complete this form to assure appropriate accommodations are arranged.
March Planned Topic
Effective teaming strategies when working with BLV and DHH specialists on IFSP teams with Kerianne Christie (CDHY) and Jessica Chandler (WSSB):
March 25 | 1 p.m.
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Emergency Broadband Benefit Funds Available
The WA Office of Broadband has funds available to assist families with internet costs. More details on this benefit and how to apply are located here.
Discounted Internet Service Available to Low-Income Households
The federal Affordable Connectivity Program offers eligible households a high-speed internet plan for no more than $30 per month. More details on this program and how to apply are located here.
Digital Navigation Toolkit Available
Digital Health Navigators are individuals who address the whole digital inclusion process - connectivity, devices, and digital skills - to support community members and provide access to healthcare. The National Consortium of Telehealth Resource Centers (NCTRC) has released a new toolkit that provides helpful resource links relating to digital navigation.
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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)
Grant Fund Usage
Grant funds can be used for new construction, renovation, and acquisition. Funded capital projects must result in an increased number of beds or increased outpatient capacity, depending on facility type.
The competitive funding round is open to nonprofits, for-profit businesses, public entities, and Tribes who are either a community hospital or a community-based behavioral health provider.
Application Process
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Applications opened: Tuesday, December 12, 2023
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Pre-applications due: Monday, January 29, 2024, at midnight
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Final application due: Monday, February 12, 2024, at midnight
Application must be submitted through ZoomGrants. Each category has its own ZoomGrants link, which can be found on the BHF website.
Before beginning an application, please review the Program Guidelines, Notice of Funding Opportunity, and Frequently Asked Questions documents found on the BHF webpage.
Questions?
Technical assistance available until Thurs., February 8, at: BHFInquiry@commerce.wa.gov.
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Workshops offered by the Infant Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) Workforce Collaborative are free for professionals who serve or support children prenatal to five and their families enrolled in Apple Health (Medicaid).
- IECMH Clinical Workshops are designed for clinical professionals involved in mental health assessment and diagnosis for children birth to five.
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IECMH Community Workshops are intended for all professionals who support the social-emotional well-being of babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and their families, as well as expecting families.
For more information visit:
CEUs and/or STARS hours are provided for most workshops.
Questions? Contact admin@wa-aimh.org.
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