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How can you get involved? We encourage all tribal partners, Tribal Child Placing Agencies and Recognized American Indian Organizations are encouraged to participate. Sign up by filling out the Kinship Standards- Community Engagement Opportunity form. You can:
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Attend Kinship Standards workshops in May and June.
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Have a 1:1 conversation with the Kinship Standards Community Engagement team.
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Provide feedback on proposed Kinship WACs, policies, and procedures during public comment.
Kinship Caregivers and current/former foster youth selected to attend a workshop or 1:1 conversation will be compensated for their time.
If you have questions, please contact Tribal Foster Care Licensing Consultant, Mandy.Morlin@dcyf.wa.gov or email the Kinship Program at dcyf.kinshipfeedback@dcyf.wa.gov.
Child Care and Development Fund Plan
Please join DCYF to learn about and comment on the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) Plan, its impact to DCYF early care and education programs, and how DCYF plans to implement the new CCDF rules. Commenting on the new CCDF Plan is an opportunity to share your voice on policy and implementation of DCYF’s ECE programs. The comment period ends on June 10, 2024.
CCDF Plan Public Meeting #1
May 6, 2024 | 6-8 p.m.
Register on Zoom
CCDF Plan Public Meeting #2
June 10, 2024 | 6-8 p.m.
Register on Zoom
Visit our Child Care and Development Fund webpage for more information.
Welcome Elsy Cruz, LICWAC Coordinator
My name is Elsy Cruz, and I am excited to be joining the Office of Tribal Relations as the LICWAC Coordinator. I have resided in Washington state for the majority of my life and love the PNW. I graduated from Tonasket High School in Okanogan County, then received my BA and BS in Sociology and Criminal Justice, with a minor in Ethnic Studies from Central Washington University.
I began my career in the Early Childhood Education field, working as a Parent Involvement Coordinator, Family Service Worker, and Family Service Program Manager for Head Start programs in Kittitas and Okanogan County. In 2014 I began my career in Child Welfare in Spokane county where I served as a Child and Family Service worker, and Adoption worker. In 2019 I returned home and became the Omak field supervisor, where I was given the opportunity to supervise all programs. In 2020, I made the decision to fulfill a longtime goal and became a CWTAP student at Eastern Washington University, I will graduate with my MSW in Social Work this June.
My passion lies in Child Welfare and providing children and families equitable and culturally appropriate services. To preserve families and allow children and youth to maintain that intrinsic connection with their families and culture. For the last ten years I have become familiar with ICWA, active efforts, and through this experience my passion has grown.
For the last 5 years I supervised our offices Tribal Payment Cases for the Colville Tribe, which allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of Tribal Sovereignty and how to best support our Tribal Partners. I gained a deeper insight into systemic barriers, the lack of understanding of the Indian Child Welfare Act, and why it exists. I became an advocate presenting and educating my peers as to the history and the meaning behind this work as I facilitated LICWAC each month in partnership with our local committee.
I am excited for this new venture and look forward to bringing forth statewide best practice to ensure that our Native children and families are being supported.
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Puyallup Tribe Member to Throw First Pitch at Mariners Game During Foster Care Month
A young member of the Puyallup Tribe will throw out the ceremonial first pitch during the May 12 Mariners game to celebrate Foster Care Month. Niko, 8, was chosen to serve as DCYF's First Pitch Kid, an honor given to a child or youth in out-of-home care, as part of the We Are Family Day celebration at T-Mobile Park. Read the full press release.
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 Tleena Ives, Director of Tribal Relations, speaks at We Are Family Day.
Piloting Culturally Responsive & Specific Prevention Services for Native Families
DCYF is excited to announce that on April 26, 2024, a Request for Applications (RFA) was launched to select three to six programs to pilot culturally responsive and specific prevention services to reduce entries into out-of-home care among Native children. Tribal governments, Recognized American Indian Organizations (RAIOs), and other community-based organizations that serve American Indian/Alaska Native families are eligible to apply.
The agency anticipates awarding contracts ranging in value from approximately $100,000-$200,000, for one year, with a possibility of further extension. Successful applicants will contract with DCYF to provide culturally specific or responsive prevention services such as, but not limited to, Positive Indian Parenting, Family Spirit, Healing of the Canoe, and Family Circle. The proposed program does not need to be an “evidence-based model,” nor does it need to be a program that is currently being offered.
Applications are due June 25, 2024, by 2 p.m.
Click here to view the full RFA.
To apply, visit https://pr-webs-vendor.des.wa.gov.
For assistance, contact Tessa Velasco at tessa.velasco@dcyf.wa.gov.
Electrification & Appliance Rebates for Tribal Households and Small Businesses
The Washington State Department of Commerce opened a formula funding request for the State Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates Program in February, with $12 million in funding from the Climate Commitment Act for Tribal governments and Tribal supporting entities. Approximately $9.5 million of that funding is still available to provide rebates and incentives to Tribal households and small businesses to install high-efficiency electric equipment and appliances.
The funding request form will remain open until June 30, 2024, or until funding is allocated.
Visit the Washington State Department of Commerce for information and to apply.
Capital Funding | Community Building for the Arts Project
Commerce is now accepting applications for the 2025-27 Building for the Arts grant program. These competitive grants can fund 33% of eligible capital costs, up to $2 million, for acquisition, construction, and/or major renovation of capital facilities. This grant opportunity is available to all tribes and nonprofit organizations with emphasis on performing arts projects, art museum projects, and cultural organization projects.
Applications are due by 5 p.m. on June 27, 2024.
All applications must be submitted electronically through ZoomGrants.
FY24 National Community Courts Initiative
The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) seeks to support efforts by state, local, and federally recognized American Indian tribal governments to establish and enhance community courts in their jurisdictions. For information and to apply, visit ojp.gov.
Application Open - Youth Arts Leadership
The Washington State Youth Arts Leadership program convenes an annual cohort of youth, ages 16-19, to build community among their peers, gain leadership and communication skills, and explore arts careers with mentors in the field. Youth leaders receive a stipend for their participation.
Youth ages 16-19 may apply directly to this program. Mentors, teachers or community members may also nominate a youth artist from their communities; once nominated, youth will be contacted to complete the entire application in order to be considered.
Nomination/Application Deadline: July 11, 2024, at 5:00 p.m.
Learn more and see the application: arts.wa.gov/youth-arts-leadership-program
Qualified Expert Witness (QEW) Training
June 11-23, 2024 | Virtual
The Oregon Dept. of Human Services is offering a virtual QEW training, aimed at building a foundation for states and Tribal Nations to provide QEW testimony on child welfare cases involving Tribal children and families.
To register, contact Kristen Potts at kristen.l.potts@odhs.oregon.gov.
Race Equity Series with
Matika Wilbur
Friday, June 7, 2024 | 6 p.m. | Seattle Town Hall
Join for an inspiring evening with Native American photographer and educator, Matika Wilbur. This is a free community event. Please register by visiting: Changing the Way We See Native America | Town Hall Seattle
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ICW CFWS Social Service Supervisor 5 (SSS5) - Spokane/DCYF
Position closes: May 15, 2024, 11:59 p.m.
Apply online: ICW CFWS Social Service Supervisor 5 (governmentjobs.com)
Native American Inquiry Specialist (SSS3) Olympia/DCYF
Position closes: May 16, 2024, 11:59 p.m.
Apply online: Native American Inquiry Specialist (governmentjobs.com)
ICW Active Efforts Specialist 2-3 (SSS3) - Bremerton/DCYF
Position closes: May 20, 2024, 11:59 p.m.
Apply online: ICW Active Efforts Specialist 2-3 (governmentjobs.com)
Foster Care Assessment Program Social Worker/UW Medicine, Harborview Medical Center
Apply online: http://www.uw.edu/jobs
FY 2024 Head Start Funding Increase
President Biden signed the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024, into law on March 23, 2024. The funding level for programs under the Head Start Act is $12,271,820,000, an increase of $275 million over FY 2023. This funding level provides all Head Start, Early Head Start, and Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership grant recipients a 2.35 percent cost-of-living adjustment.
Each eligible recipient will receive a Notice of Award specifying its COLA increase and instructions for how the funding must be applied. Read more here.
Office of Head Start Tribal RFI Listening Session for Leaders and Stakeholders
May 22, 2024 | 2-3:30 p.m. ET
Join the Office of Head Start (OHS) for a virtual listening session on the Request for Information (RFI): Office of Head Start Tribal Programs recently published in the Federal Register. The RFI invites public comment on rules, regulations, and current training and technical assistance supports that are available to the American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) Head Start programs.
Research Opportunity with Tribal Early Childhood Research Center
The Tribal Early Childhood Research Center is launching a pilot study to test a new measure of Indigenous early relational wellbeing. The center is recruiting up to two Tribal Home Visiting programs to serve as partner sites in this pilot study. All participants will be compensated for their time. To learn more about this opportunity, please contact Chelsea Wesner at chelsea.wesner@cuanschtuz.edu.
Supporting Family Economic Well-Being | Home Visiting Project
The Supporting Family Economic Well-Being through Home Visiting (HomeEc) project is seeking home visiting programs that are interested in enhancing their support for family economic well-being. Selected programs will be invited to participate in a proposed formative evaluation with experienced researchers to co-create and pilot test practices intended to improve families’ economic well-being through home visiting programs.
Visit the Administration for Children and Families (hhs.gov) for more information and submission details. The call for information will be open until June 15, 2024.
Foster Care Support Nights
May 1, 2024 | 5:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Fostering as Part of a Team - Part 2
Powwow Etiquette
June 20, 2024 | 5:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Fostering as Part of a Team - Part 3
Storytelling
All trainings are offered in-person or virtually.
For information, email FosterCare@UnitedIndians.org.
Upcoming Community Events
All My Relations Pow wow
May 17 - 19, 2024
Skagit Valley College
for information: Visit Skagit Valley College
Pow wow at the Falls
May 25 - 26, 2024
Spokane Convention Center
For information: www.inlander.com
Delta Park Pow wow
June 14 - 16, 2024
Portland, Oregon
For information: Delta Park | Portland.gov
DCYF Partners with Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska for Child Welfare Services
DCYF is proud to announce a new partnership with the Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska (Tlingit & Haida) to provide Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) services. This agreement strives to support positive outcomes for tribal children by strengthening Native families and reuniting children with their relatives and communities.
Visit our "What's New" blog for more information about this exciting partnership!
A Message from Shana King, Parent Mentor, ICWA Law Center on Prevent Child Abuse Month
Visit NCJFCJ to read more from a parent mentor at the ICWA Law Center regarding Prevent Child Abuse Month (April) and how they draw on "lived experience" to serve children and families.
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