|
|
March 2024 Issue:
 Background
Deaf History Month, observed from March 13 to April 15, honors the contributions of the deaf community, marking milestones like the establishment of the first permanent school for the deaf in 1817 and the recognition of American Sign Language in 1960.
It provides a platform to celebrate achievements, raise awareness about deaf culture, and advocate for the rights of the deaf community, fostering inclusivity, and dispelling misconceptions.
Terminology
Sign Language: Language expressed by movements of the hands and face.
American Sign Language (ASL): The primary language of people who are deaf and hard of hearing living in North America.
deaf: Refers to individuals with severe to profound hearing loss. This is different from Deaf with a capital “D,” which describes a person who identifies as part of a cultural minority group, rather than as a person with a disability.
Books
-
Listen: How Evelyn Glennie, a Deaf Girl, Changed Percussion by Shannon Stocker
-
My First Book of Baby Signs: 40 Essential Signs to Learn and Practice by Lane Rebelo
-
The Story of Helen Keller: A Biography Book for New Readers by Christine Platt
|
|
|
|
Every March, during Social Work Month, the nation celebrates the compassionate individuals that work daily, face to face, with our communities. This year’s theme is, "Empowering Social Workers” highlighting the importance of supporting and showing appreciation for people in this profession.
Thank you to the social workers who:
- Keep children safe
- Empower foster youth
- Support parents in sobriety
- Assist families in reunification
- Lend an empathetic ear
- Learn and honor family cultures
- Genuinely care about the families they serve
Read more about DCYF caseworkers and their efforts to help children, youth, and families thrive.
If you would like to recognize a caseworker who has made an impact on you or the children and youth we serve, email dcyf.recognition@dcyf.wa.gov.
|
DCYF is looking for a child or youth to throw a ceremonial first pitch during this year's We Are Family Day on Sunday, May 12 at T-Mobile Park.
To be eligible, the child or youth must:
- Have experienced foster care during the past 12 months.
- Be at least 5 years old.
- Be prepared and comfortable standing in front of a large crowd of people and throwing a baseball to home plate.
Nominations must include:
- The young person’s first name and age.
- Information about why you think they are a good candidate for this opportunity.
- Caregiver name(s) and contact information.
If you know a child or youth that would like to be considered, please email Melissa Almanza at Melissa.Almanza@dcyf.wa.gov by Friday, March 8, 2024. The selected nominee will be asked to complete a photo release with appropriate signatures.
We Are Family Day is a chance to watch a Seattle Mariners baseball game while supporting and celebrating the foster, kinship, and adoptive families in our communities. If you'd like to attend, get your tickets at https://www.mlb.com/mariners/tickets/specials/we-are-family.
|
The new foster care reimbursement rates for licensed caregivers went into effect Jan. 1, 2024.
Watch the January 2024 Project Update Presentation to learn about the new caregiver supports level determination process.
Upcoming Caregiver Payments Virtual Sessions
Attend if you have any questions about invoicing, setting up Direct Deposit or registering for the Provider Portal. During these Zoom sessions you can ask specific and/or technical questions and get one-on-one support from DCYF staff. Call-in number is (253) 215-8782, links are below.
Meeting dates:
|
DCYF has expanded the Language Access Services Team and team members have been hard at work drafting a Language Access Plan (LAP). The goal of the Plan is to promote equity and inclusion and offer language access services in a consistent manner across all DCYF divisions and offices.
The project team is looking for feedback from our partners, tribes, and families regarding the initial Plan and ways to improve it. Consider joining us during an information session and taking our survey. Your voice is critical.
Please complete the survey by Sunday, Mar. 31, 2024.
Survey for external partners, tribes, and families: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/W6NDZC2
Questions? Contact the Language Access team at dcyf.languageaccess@dcyf.wa.gov
|
DCYF is guided by five agency values, one of which is inclusion. DCYF caregivers are encouraged to live this value by keeping children in their care connected to their family’s beliefs and culture. This can be done through a variety of ways including national observances and holidays.
Read the Caregiver’s Guides Volume 1.
DCYF is proud to publish its first Caregiver’s Guide that shares history, terminology notable figures and books for 13 different celebrations throughout the year from Three King’s Day to Native American History month, caregivers and their children/youth can learn and appreciate diversity all year long.
|
Background
March is Women’s History Month, which commemorates and encourages the study, observance, and celebration of the vital role of women in American history. From science to politics, Women’s History Month is a chance to reflect on the trailblazing women who lead the way for change.
Notable Individuals
Susan B. Anthony: A women’s rights activist and American social
reformer, who played a critical role in the women’s suffrage
movement, helping to lead the way for women to vote.
Fannie Lou Hammer: A powerful voice of the civil and voting
rights movements and a leader in the efforts for greater
economic opportunities for African Americans.
Dolores Huerta: Co-founder of the United Farm Workers
Association, Dolores is one of the most influential labor
activists of the 20th century and a leader of the Chicano
civil rights movement.
Books
-
A is for Awesome!: 23 Iconic Women Who Changed the World by Eva Chen
-
Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly
-
Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls: 100 Tales of Extraordinary Women by Elena Favilli
|
Family Education & Support Services hosts the annual Washington State Voices of Children contest for children and youth, ages 5-19 years of age being raised now or in the past by a relative, other than their parents and the Voices of Kinship Caregivers.
They are invited to write a short essay, poem, or submit a drawing that depicts how living with their kinship caregivers or caring for a kinship child has made a positive difference in their life.
Each child or caregiver who enters the contest may have their artwork or written submissions included in a booklet called “Voices of Children” and “Voices of Kinship Caregivers” (without their last name or location identified). Learn more and apply today at 2024-VOC-Application-editable.pdf (familyess.org)
All entries must be submitted or postmarked by April 15, 2024.
|
The Alliance for Professional Development, Training, and Caregiver Excellence
-
Foster Care: A Means to Support Families — March 25, 10 a.m. to noon
This course helps you understand the child welfare experience from the perspective of the child’s parents and supports finding compassion for parents and the challenges they may be facing. Strategies to nurture children’s relationships and communication with their parents are covered. Register Here
• The Inherent Strengths of Kinship Families — First Session, March 5, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. This six-part training series was developed by Dr. Joseph Crumbley for kinship caregivers. The series takes a strength-based perspective in outlining different topics that are unique to kinship families and providing strategies for caregivers. Register Here
Learn about all the upcoming classes at https://risewiththealliance.org/home/caregiver-training-schedule_march-2024/
Sign up to get these notices sent right to your inbox or explore the training calendar.
Coordinated Care
Please consult their website for monthly training webinars and events: https://www.coordinatedcarehealth.com/members/foster-care/medicaid-events.html
|
|
|
|
|
|
