OTR Staff Volunteers at the Puyallup Youth Tribal Canoe Journey
Article written by Shannel Squally-Janzen, Tribal Prevention Services Specialist
There were many vendors and resource booths at Canoe Journey and OTR had the opportunity to have a resource booth set-up. We provided information about the upcoming Positive Indian Parenting Trainings we will be hosting, Tribal Listening Sessions by DCYF about in-home services provided, and drug facts provided by Juvenile Rehabilitation. OTR staff volunteered in different locations throughout Canoe Journey. They passed out water bottles to all the participants to keep them hydrated, assisted elders with any needs they had, worked the OTR booth to provide resources, and helped anywhere else needed.
From Shannel: "I continue to see the importance of having our culture as a huge part of our lives, the healing that takes place here is unimaginable. We need to continue to provide these spaces for our communities because they are so critical to every aspect of our lives.”
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Tribal Early Learning Fund (TELF) Spotlight
In April, DCYF’s Office of Tribal Relations (OTR) was able to award $2.1 million in funding to early learning programs across the state, serving as many as 1,453 Tribal children and their families. This funding, known as the Tribal Early Learning Fund (or TELF), supports Tribal children, ages prenatal to five, in early learning programs around Washington state and provides the opportunity for programs to incorporate programming that fits their needs as defined by them and their communities over the entire school year.
TELF is an exciting funding option as it is not prescribed. Funds can be utilized by programs to build capacity and resources so that they can better serve Tribal children in a culturally appropriate and inclusive manner.
Now in its second year, OTR is pleased with successes to date and looks forward to great work to come. To highlight FY23-24 awardees, we will be including TELF spotlights in the OTR newsletter for the remainder of this year.
Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribal Early Childhood Education Head Start & Early Head Start
Located in Region 5 and serving approximately 85 Tribal children, the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribal Early Childhood Education program utilized TELF funding in a variety of ways, successfully meeting priorities identified by OTR for this funding. Below are some highlights:
Incorporating Indigenous Foods
- Held a rattle-making class to support participation at community song and dance gatherings in the Longhouse.
- Purchased fresh shrimp from tribal fishermen and served a shrimp dish at their Head Start Honoring event.
- Hosted an Oyster Burn demonstrating the process for gathering and cooking oysters. The demonstration was recorded, and 87 parents watched the video!
Elders & Storytelling in the Classroom
- Elders attended a variety of events including the Canoe Wagon Awakening and were invited into the classroom to read and tell stories to students. In 3 months, 40 elders came to the Early Childhood Center.
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Culturally Responsive Books & Materials
- Purchased 70 sets of clappers and 50 small rattles from Tribal artist to use at weekly song and dance in our long house.
- Purchased cedar bark for weaving and basketry gathered by a father enrolled in our Early Head Start and cedar head bands were made for 21 children.
Tribal Language Education
- Created S’Klallam language materials, including language posters with quotes in S’Klallam that were given to families and disseminated throughout the community.
- Children were able to stand up and lead songs, dances and introduce themselves and their families in the S’Klallam language at our Head start honoring/graduation event.
Outdoor Based Education
- Purchased supplies for outdoor play and education, including storage units for outdoor gear, sun hats for children and staff, canoe wagons, outdoor play canoes for playgrounds, and arbor purchased for cultural roots garden.
To learn more about TELF, contact Apolonio (polo) Hernandez, Tribal Early Learning Fund Specialist, at apolonio.hernandez@dcyf.wa.gov or visit OTR’s website.
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Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and People Summit
Sep. 10 - 11, 2024
Silver Reef Casino
4876 Haxton Way, Ferndale, WA
The Washington State MMIWP Task Force is hosting its 3rd MMIWP Summit. It will be two full days of MMIWP family members, advocates, community service and resource providers, law enforcement agencies and more sharing their efforts to address the MMIWP crisis within Washington State.
Register online.
For questions, please contact tribalpolicy@atg.wa.gov.
Interested in presenting at this year's summit? Fil out the Presenter Application Form online.
Webinar | Understanding State Public Health Guidance on High-potency Synthetic Opioids in Child Dependency Cases
Sep. 13, 2024 | 12 to 1 p.m.
Join the Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts’ Family & Youth Justice Programs for an informative and crucial webinar featuring experts from the Department of Health who will present on the recently released Public Health Guidance on High Potency Synthetic Opioids.
Register online for this free webinar.
Legal Liaison (WMS02) Multiple locations Statewide/DCYF
Position closes: Aug. 15, 2024, 11:59 p.m.
Apply online: Legal Liaison (governmentjobs.com)
Legal Liaison Program Specialist 3 (PS3) - Multiple Locations Statewide/DCYF
Position closes: Aug. 15, 2024, 11:59 p.m.
Apply online: Legal Liaison Program Specialist 3 (governmentjobs.com)
Join Community Child Care Forums
Child care providers have asked for opportunities to share with DCYF and receive answers to their questions concerning child care policy, rules, and other relevant topics. In response, DCYF will host community child care forums across the state. Our August forum dates include:
Olympia Forum:
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Time: 6 to 7:30 p.m.
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Date: Monday, Aug. 19, 2024
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Location: 1500 Jefferson St SE, Room 1213, Olympia, WA 98501
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Parking: Visitor parking is available at the 1500 Jefferson building and across the street at the Jefferson & Maple Park Parking Lot. All metered parking is free after 5 p.m.
- Register here
Mount Vernon Forum:
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Time: 6 to 7:30 p.m.
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Date: Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024
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Location: McIntyre Hall Performing Arts and Conference Center, 2501 E. College Way, Mount Vernon, WA 98273
- Map and directions
- Register here
Can’t make it in person? A virtual forum will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m., Dec. 10, 2024. Register here. To ensure we can accurately plan for interpretation needs, please register only for the location you intend to attend. Please make sure you have the correct location and city before registering.
These forums are open to licensed child care centers, licensed family homes, outdoor nature-based providers, and school-age providers, including certified providers who may be located on tribal lands.
Visit the Community Child Care Forums webpage for information on additional forum dates and locations. For questions, email dcyf.communityengagement@dcyf.wa.gov.
Cost of Quality Care and Market Rate Study Report
DCYF is excited to release its 2024 Cost of Quality Care and Market Rate Study Report. The report works as an essential tool for Washington state when establishing Working Connections Child Care subsidy reimbursement rates paid to providers serving children receiving subsidy benefits. For more, visit DCYF's Child Care and Development Fund webpage.
MMIWP Task Force Site Visits
Maternal Mortality Review Panel Across WA Action Development Project
Aug. 7, 2024 | 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Pour House, 202 S. Main St., Colville, WA
Virtual option available
starting with lunch at 1130-12 and presentation beginning at 12-2pm The Maternal Mortality Review Panel (MMRP) Across WA Action Development Project is inviting patients, providers, and community members from rural, Eastern Washington, to come together to brainstorm and propose actionable plans and solutions to address and reduce maternal mortality in our area. The convening is organized by the University of Washington and sponsored by the Department of Health.
Register online for this free event.
Native Resource Hub & Native & Strong Lifeline
The Native Resource Hub exists as a central resource point for those affiliated with the Native American and Alaska Native Communities. This resource is available statewide to assist in a variety of ways, giving special attention to culture and community connection.
If you are an Indigenous person and in crisis, there are Native counselors available 24/7 for confidential support. Call 988 and dial option 4.
Tribal Services | VOAWW
Indian boarding school investigation puts billion-dollar figure on genocidal policy
"The Department of the Interior has released the long-awaited final volume of its investigation into the genocidal Indian boarding school era."
Indian boarding school investigation puts billion-dollar figure on genocidal policy - Indianz.Com
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