While going over the policy, Tania kept in mind how the changes would not only impact the tribes but the families as well. This goes to show the diligence in Tania’s work to make sure that the tribes and families are taken care of and advocated for.
Tania is talented, compassionate, and amazing at what she does. In her free time, she enjoys baking, cooking, and spending time with her family. She also enjoys being on the water paddleboarding and fishing. Tania has a positive impact on everyone she works with, and we are grateful to have someone like her within the DCYF community. Thank you, Tania!”
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Farewell to Debbie Lynn, Deputy Regional Administrator, Region 6
"It has been an honor to work with tribes, especially in Region 6, on behalf of children and families for the last 35 years. I have appreciated the collaboration and partnership in the ICW meetings, 7.01/10.03 meetings, and the day-to-day work. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and culture, and your patience when we didn’t always get it right. We are all working towards the same thing, making things better for children and families and we are stronger together. I have great memories of times working with tribes. Special thanks to Aliza Brown at QIN, Kathiryn Horne at Shoalwater Bay and of course Liz Mueller. Relationships with the tribes have always been of great value in Region 6, and that will continue."
Tribal Early Learning Fund (TELF) Spotlight
In April, DCYF’s Office of Tribal Relations was able to award $2.1 million in funding to early learning programs across the state. Below is another great example of how one of our awardees utilized TELF funding.
Squaxin Island Tribe Child Development Center
Located in Region 6 and serving approximately 50 Tribal children, the Squaxin Island Tribe Child Development Center utilized TELF funding to support tribal language education. The center collaborated with a Squaxin artist, Taylor Krise, to create vibrant signage throughout the facility, and had custom shirts designed for staff that featured five different Lushootseed phrases.
By bringing art and Lushootseed print language into the building, children are immersed in their language and culture. With every engraved animal you see spelt in Lushootseed comes a tribal story, steeped with knowledge and cultural teaching for the children, families, and the community to see and feel. It is the center’s hope to foster healing through embracing art and language – a powerful form of cultural restoration that can have impacts for generations to come.
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 Written in Lushootseed, shirts read: "Good day," "Be sharing," "Take care of yourself," "Be kind," and "I am joyful."
OSPI Outdoor Learning Grant Program
Dream big with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) Outdoor Learning Grants. Students across the state are benefitting from these grants for Educational Service Districts, school districts, and schools.
- Do you need gear, training, planning time, equipment, or resources to build an outdoor learning area?
- Would you like to partner with a community-based organization, but need funding to support their services?
- Project examples from last year include outdoor classroom seating, school gardens, stormwater projects, salmon habitat restoration projects, and more!
For information, visit the Outdoor Learning Grant webpage or contact Sheila Wilson at sheila.wilson@k12.wa.us if you have any questions about your application.
2024 Indigenous Children, Youth & Families (ICYF) Conference
October 16-17, 2024 | 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The ICYF conference is a free, online event which gathers caregivers, tribal partners, caseworkers, early learning providers, and juvenile rehabilitation staff to learn together and improve our shared practice.
This year's theme is Achieving the Gold Standard: Tribal Champions and Best Practices. Over the two-day conference, champions in the field will have an opportunity to share with participants the innovative work that they are doing to support Native families.
To register:
1. Log in or Create an Account on the UW Alliance catalog.
2. Under the Courses tab, search for DCYF Indigenous Children, Youth and Families Conference 2024.
3. Click on the blue “Take course” button to register.
Please note: Zoom links will be shared via email closer to the event date.
For more information, contact the Office of Tribal Relations at dcyf.tribalrelations@dcyf.wa.gov or visit www.dcyf.wa.gov/ICYF-2024.
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Native Early Childhood Development Webinar Series
The Administration for Native Americans (ANA) is partnering with the Office of Early Childhood Development on a 4-part webinar series on Native Early Childhood Development. This series focuses on key strategies and initiatives to support the optimal growth, development, and well-being of Native children and families. This series is part of ANA’s Native Early Childhood Initiative.
Register to attend the webinar.
SESSION 2: Strategies for Supporting the Success and Well-being of the Native Early Childhood Education Workforce - Sep. 5, 2024
SESSION 3: The Power of Data in Native Early Childhood Development – Strategies for Effective Data Use and Impact - Oct. 3, 2024
SESSION 4: Native Early Childhood Development Funds – Maximizing Impact Through Flexible Funding Strategies - Nov. 7, 2024
Webinar | Culture as Prevention: Using Elders to Enrich Child and Youth Programs
Thursday, Sep. 19, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
In this free webinar, participants will learn more about how several Tribes are utilizing Tribal Elders within their programs, as well as the Americorps Senior Program which connects Elders as volunteers with Tribal programs which need them. The training is the result of a partnership between DOJ's Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention and the National Indian Country Training Initiative.
Register to attend this webinar.
Indigenous Youth Participatory Action Project Opportunity for SAMHSA Region 8 & 9 Community Partners
The YouthScan Project (a program of YouthRoots) in partnership with SAMHSA Region 8 & 9, will be facilitating virtual workshops in which youth share insights on issues affecting youth lives, and ideas for positive impact. Youth insight shared during the workshop about issues that matter most to the community will inform a youth-led event, which workshop participants will be invited to attend!
All Indigenous youths, ages 14-24, are invited to share their voices. All participants will receive a $50 gift card. Please email morgan.seiler@samhsa.hhs.gov for information.
Visit the YouthScan Project page for more information.
ICW Active Efforts Specialist 1-3 In-Training (SSS3) - Mt. Vernon
Position closes: Aug. 31, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.
Apply online: ICW Active Efforts Specialist 1-3 In-Training (governmentjobs.com)
Call for Applications for the Native Children's Research Exchange Scholars Program
NCRE Scholars is situated within the Native Children’s Research Exchange (NCRE) network. NCRE brings together researchers studying child development from birth through emerging adulthood in Native communities. NCRE Scholars provides career development support and mentoring to early career investigators and late-stage graduate students interested in research on substance use and disorder and Native child and adolescent development.
Eligible applicants include junior faculty, post-doctoral fellows, and late-stage doctoral students in psychology, sociology, public health, social work, anthropology, education, or related disciplines. Applicants must intend to pursue a research career focused on substance use and disorder and Native child and adolescent development.
Applications are due by Sep. 9, 2024. For more information, visit www.ncrescholars.org.
Webinar | Leveraging Extension and University Engagement: Developing and Implementing Novel Projects Using Transdisciplinary Approaches
Sep. 9, 2024 | 1 p.m. EDT
Join the USDA for a webinar looking at how Land-grant University administration can support faculty and staff in adopting transdisciplinary approaches and leverage the power of engagement. Hear from top university administrators about the challenges of such work and the opportunities to overcome them and discuss how to navigate multifaceted projects that support inclusivity and diverse perspectives to address the complex challenges facing food and agricultural systems today.
Register to attend.
Turtle Talk | Collectively Raising Indige-babies
Hosted by the Brazelton Touchpoints Center, this unique series explores the many ways in which families help their children grow their Native identities and connections with land, while navigating diverse systems of care and learning.
Three Fridays from Sep. 13 through oct. 18, 2024 | 12 to 1:30 p.m.
Learn more and register for this series for free.
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