DCYF Awards $2.4M to Fund Early Learning Programs for Tribal Children
Nearly two dozen tribal-serving organizations, including 11 Tribal Nations, are receiving a total of $2.4 Million in funds from DCYF to provide early learning programs to Tribal children.
DCYF distributed the Tribal Early Learning Funds (TELF) to tribes and tribal-serving partners on April 1. The agency awarded 23 applicants, for a requested total of $2,442,536.
TELF is designed to provide resources to ensure early learning programs can best serve Tribal children, ages prenatal to five, in an inclusive and culturally appropriate manner.
“We are incredibly excited to see these dollars being put toward Tribal children and families,” said Tleena Ives, DCYF Director of Tribal Relations. “A connection to one’s community and culture is integral when looking at long-term physical, mental, and emotional health. These funds will go a long way toward our agency’s mission to support and protect children and youth so they may thrive.”
These funds will serve an estimated 1,453 students and Tribal families across Washington State.
“Bringing [indigenous] activities and learning opportunities into my child care facility will help in revitalizing the traditional language, foods, and activities into our daily living and bring the traditional lifestyle ways back into our homes that are being lost,” said one Tribal-licensed child care provider.
For information about TELF, visit www.dcyf.wa.gov/tribal-relations.
Governor Signs New Laws Supporting Tribes
On March 26, 2024, Governor Inslee traveled to Tulalip, Wash., to sign nearly a dozen bills, joined by many members and children of the Tulalip Tribe and state lawmakers.
Bills were signed covering a variety of critical topics, including opioid prevention and education, language access in schools, financial supports, and safety and security.
 Governor Inslee, state lawmakers, and members of the Tulalip Tribe gather for bill signing on March 26, 2024.
Read the following articles for more details:
Inslee signs a bundle of bills advocating for Washington tribes and fighting opioid epidemic | The Spokesman-Review
KUOW - 'Overturning historical trauma.' Tulalip Tribes celebrates new laws supporting Native education in Washington schools
DCYF Recognizes Child Abuse
Prevention Month
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month!
DCYF is joining with other states and organizations across the U.S. to celebrate and recognize the extraordinary support that parents, caregivers, and community members provide to children every day to help children succeed.
Learn about ways to participate in this year's awareness activities by visiting our What's New blog.
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Native Farm to School Grant
Native Farm to School is a youth-centered food sovereignty project under First Nations Development Institute’s Nourishing Native Foods and Health Program. A new USDA Food and Nutrition grant of $500,000 will support the project, “Native Food Sovereignty for Native Youth,” and Native Farm to School programs across Indian Country. The project incorporates traditional foods and practices, language, land stewardship, and Indigenous knowledge into their education programs. Applications due April 30, 2024, at 5 p.m. Mountain Time.
Visit the First Nations Development Institute for information and to apply.
Victims of Child Abuse and Neglect Initiative Grant
The Wash. Department of Commerce is seeking proposals from qualified organizations, tribes, and tribal organizations to provide direct services to victims of child abuse and neglect.
The grant period will be two years, lasting from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2026.
Proposals due April 29, 2024, at 5 p.m. PST.
Visit the Washington State Department of Commerce for information and to apply.
National Tribal Learning Session
Join HRSA's Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs (IEA) for a national webinar designed to enhance Tribal partner knowledge of HRSA priorities, programs, technical assistance resources and funding opportunities in Indian Country. This webinar will examine the impact of substance use in maternal health within Tribal communities and how HRSA grants and resources are being utilized.
The event, "HRSA IEA National Tribal Learning Sessions: Addressing Substance Use in Maternal Health Within Tribal Communities" is scheduled for April 18, 2024, from 2 to 3 p.m. (ET).
Register online.
CIRCLE-HV Cross-Site Research Opportunity
The Center for Indigenous Research Collaborations and Learning for Home Visiting (CIRCLE-HV) is currently seeking home visiting programs focused on serving Indigenous communities for the CIRCLE-HV Cross-Site Research Study. The CIRCLE HV project anticipates partnering with eight agencies and compensating them for their help planning the study, coordinating data collection, and sharing findings over the next three years. Reach out to Erin Geary (geary@jbassoc.com) by April 15, 2024 to learn more!
Tribal Early Learning Fund Specialist (MA3) - Statewide/DCYF
Position closes: April 10, 2024, at 11:59 p.m.
Apply online: Tribal Early Learning Fund Specialist (governmentjobs.com)
Enterprise Portfolio Manager (WMS1) - Olympia/DCYF
Position closes: April 12, 2024, at 11:59 p.m.
Apply online: Enterprise Portfolio Manager (governmentjobs.com)
Community and Tribal Engagement Lead (MA 5) –Interagency Council on Health Disparities/DOH
Position closes: April 14, 2024, at 11:59 p.m.
Apply online: Washington State Department of Health (governmentjobs.com)
Foster Care Supports
The United Indians Indian Child Welfare (ICW)-Foster Care Program is a Child Placing Agency (CPA), located at Daybreak Star Cultural Center in Seattle, WA. The ICW-Foster Care program is licensed through DCYF regional licensing to assist Native American families who wish to become licensed to provide foster care. Our program assists non-Native American families currently caring for Native American children.
Visit unitedindians.org for information about 2024 Foster Care Support Nights.
April 18, 2024 | 5:30 to 8 p.m. | Casey Family Programs, Seattle, WA
Contact FosterCare@UnitedIndians.org for information.
Indigenous Girls' Movement
The Indigenous Justice Circle and Population Council’s Girl Center have the pleasure to invite you to a hybrid event on the sidelines of the 2024 United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.
April 15, 2024 | 1:30 p.m. ET (hybrid) | Register online
Virtual Events | National Indian Child Care Association
NAFCC-NICCA Child Care Provider Indigenous Caucus
April 9, 2024, 5:30 to 7 p.m. PDT |Register
Join the Indigenous Caucus that will bring together child care providers who identify as Indigenous and/or are serving indigenous communities in the US to share, learn, and grow.
Tribal CCDF Administrators Third Tuesdays (April 2024)
April 16, 2024, 3 to 4 p.m. EDT | Register
Join the Indigenous Caucus that will bring together child care providers who identify as Indigenous and/or are serving indigenous communities in the US to share, learn, and grow.
Upcoming Community Events
Yakama Treaty Days
Join the Yakama Nation on June 7, 2024, for Treaty Days at the Yakama Nation Cultural Center. This year's theme is Make Your Ancestors Proud. Visit visityakima.com for more information.
20th Annual Traditional Pow Wow
Everyone is welcome for this free traditional pow wow, scheduled for Saturday, May 25, 2024, at Monroe High School, in Monroe, Wash. For Pow Wow or vendor information, contact Mars Miller at (360) 793-0279 or (425) 359-8935, or email millerm@monroe.wednet.edu.
Welcoming the Whales
April 12, 2024 | La Push, Wash.
Contact events.assistant@quileutetribe.com for information.
UW Spring Pow Wow
April 13-14, 2024 | Seattle, Wash.
Visit Powwow | First Nations @ UW for more information.
Annual Native American Parent Association of SW WA Pow Wow
April 20, 2024 | Clark College, Vancouver, Wash.
Visit visitvancouverwa.com for information.
Changes to Head Start Eligibility Criteria
"The President has signed a fiscal year 2024 (FY24) spending bill, funding Head Start programs through the remainder of the fiscal year with additional funds for a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). It also changes eligibility criteria for Regions XI and XII — American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) and Migrant and Seasonal Head Start (MSHS) grant recipients."
Visit house.gov to read the bill in detail.
Puyallup Tribe to host Youth Canoe Journey from July 31 to Aug. 5
"Canoe Journey is taking shape differently in 2024 than in previous years."
Puyallup Tribe (puyalluptribe-nsn.gov)
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