DCYF Seeking Local Indian Child Welfare Advisory Committee (LICWAC) Members
What is LICWAC and what does a member do?
Local Indian Child Welfare Advisory Committee (LICWAC) members serve in an advisory capacity to DCYF caseworkers and supervisors by recommending culturally appropriate case plans and services for Indian families.
What is the time commitment?
LICWAC staffings typically occur once a month in increments of 30 to 45-minute slots. The number of cases being heard varies by office and region. LICWAC usually occurs via Zoom video calls giving LICWAC members added flexibility. Per the committee’s request, meetings can also occur in person.
How do I find out more? What is the next step?
Potential LICWAC members must complete volunteer paperwork, including signing a confidentiality statement. Members must be appointed by local Tribes or Tribal serving agencies. LICWAC members are provided with initial training and will have opportunities for other training opportunities.
Please contact Elsy Cruz, LICWAC Coordinator, at elsy.cruz@dcyf.wa.gov for more information or visit our LICWAC webpage.
Online Community Child Care Forum
Join DCYF for an online Community Child Care Forum from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. This is a great opportunity to meet DCYF leadership, connect with local licensing administrators and licensors, get the latest updates, ask questions, and share your experiences.
Dec. 3, 2024 | 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Registration Link
This event will be hosted in English, Spanish, and Somali. If you have questions, or require an alternate format for this information, need language interpretation services, or need another accommodation or modification to participate in this event, contact dcyf.communityengagement@dcyf.wa.gov.
Call for Presenters | 2025 Children's Justice Conference
Children’s Justice Conference
May 6-7, 2025 | Tacoma, WA
The presentation submission period for the 2025 Children’s Justice Conference (CJC) is now open. Submissions will be accepted until Jan. 15, 2025. Visit the CJC website for conference information and to submit a presentation proposal. If you have questions regarding the submission process, please contact Karolyn Smith at karolyn.smith@dcyf.wa.gov.
Family First Prevention Services Act Prevention Plan | Public Comment Period
Washington state’s 2024-2029 Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) 5-Year Prevention Plan is now available for public comment. The prior plan expires this year.
FFPSA was signed into law in 2018 to help children stay with their families and caregivers by providing services that strengthen families.
The new plan outlines how Title IV-E federal funds can be utilized to provide prevention services including mental health treatment, substance abuse prevention and treatment, and in-home, parent skill-based programs. It also includes recently available policy flexibility, priorities identified through a recent community engagement process and current prevention-focused work in progress at DCYF.
DCYF is positing this current 5-Year Prevention Plan draft for public comment for 14 days – until Dec. 9, 2024. Following the public comment period, the plan will be submitted to the Children’s Bureau, under the Office of the Administration for Children and Families for approval.
You can send your feedback in a couple ways:
Tribal Early Learning Funding Available
DCYF is excited to share that a third round of Tribal Early Learning funding (TELF) is available to tribal early learning programs and tribal-serving organizations. This funding opportunity supports tribal children, prenatal to five, in early learning programs across Washington state in a culturally appropriate and inclusive manner.
Applications are due by 5 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 2, 2024.
For information and to apply, visit the Office of Tribal Relations webpage.
Comprehensive Qualified Expert Witness (QEW) Training
Dec. 5-6, 2024 | Seattle, WA
This two-day, in-person training is intended to give participants the information they need to provide Qualified Expert Witness (QEW) testimony in DCYF Indian Child Welfare cases. The training is comprised of 9.5 hours of group learning, including 3.5 hours of in-person simulation for court testimony.
Registration is required:
If you have questions, contact Sarah Lewis at szlewis@uw.edu.
Positive Indian Parenting | Train-the-Trainer
DCYF is offering Positive Indian Parenting (PIP) Train-the-Trainer trainings at no cost. Trainings are designed to prepare facilitators to educate and support Native parents using a culturally specific approach.
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Jan. 13-16, 2025 | 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. | Virtual Training
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March 3-6, 2025 | 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. | Virtual Training
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May 20-22, 2025 | 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. | In-Person Training
Visit OTR's Training webpage for training details and to register or download our Training Flyer.
If you have questions, or require an alternate format for this information, need language interpretation services, or need another accommodation or modification to participate in this event, please contact Shannel.Squally-Janzen@dcyf.wa.gov.
Kurt Grinnell Aquaculture Scholarships for Indigenous Students
The Kurt Grinnell Aquaculture Scholarship Foundation (KGASF) is actively soliciting scholarship applications at this time. To qualify, students or prospective students must be:
- An enrolled Member of a Tribe or First Nation, or a Member of a Metis, Inuit, Alaska or Hawaiian Native group; and
- Be enrolled to study at a university, community college or a technical or trade institution.
In addition, students should be pursuing or planning to pursue a degree or certificate focused on one of the following:
- Aquaculture
- Fisheries
- Natural resource management
- A field closely related to the above subjects and must have a demonstrated interest in aquaculture.
Visit Scholarship - Application • Kurt Grinnell Aquaculture Scholarship Foundation for information and to apply.
Open Rank Associate Professor, Professor of Native American and Indigenous Studies, Department Chair/University of Colorado
Apply online: cu.taleo.net/careersection
Tribal Early Learning Fund Spotlight
Nisqually Indian Tribe’s Birth-to-Five Head Start
The Nisqually Indian Tribe’s Birth-to-Five Head Start serves approximately 84 students. As a TELF grantee, they focused on the following priorities: elder and storytelling in the classroom; outdoor based education; traditional music and art; curriculum adaptation and supplements; and mental health supports.
- Chief Leschi was a master horseman, drawing from this traditional and historical storying of Chief Leschi. The center partnered with a horse ranch to provide culturally relevant equine therapy for students with IEPs/IFSPs. Along with providing mental health services, traditional storytelling was incorporated into visits with the horses, while also discussing historical context—Nisqually is a horse culture!
- TELF funding was used to purchase outdoor classroom equipment. Children visited the Head Start Garden throughout the school year where they heard stories about native plants and tended to the weeds.
- Their language department helped to update curriculum to include the Nisqually language. Special attention was given to naming native plants that children may see when on nature walks or in the garden. Flash cards were created for different age groups and included names for animals and plants. A memory game and color book were also developed. Parents were given copies and encouraged to use with their children at home.
- Harvesting cattail was a cultural activity for children in the fall. The children learned how to strip the cattails and hang them to dry. In the spring, students are lead through a weaving activity. Their woven items are used as gifts for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.
- The program intends to hold parent workshops to discuss how to make and use medicine. Throughout the year, they will harvest plants according to the Nisqually culture and use them to make lip balm, sunscreen lotions, soaps, etc.
Needs Assessment for Native American Parents in WA State
The Washington State Department of Health’s Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Division is conducting a comprehensive needs assessment to better understand the experiences, challenges, and resources needed by Native American parents in Washington state. This data will be used to support the development of targeted solutions that uplift and serve the community effectively.
Governor's Office of Indian Affairs Transition
The Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs (GOIA) Craig A. Bill will be departing his position when the Governor’s term ends on Jan. 15, 2025. Craig A. Bill was first appointed GOIA Director by Governor Gregoire in July 2005 and was re-appointed by Governor Inslee in March 2013. As Director, he has served as an advisor on tribal issues and liaison between the state of Washington and Indian Tribes and tribal organizations for the Governor’s Office.
Visit GOIA | Governor's Office of Indian Affairs (GOIA) for more information.
Amara's Family Connections Program
Amara's Family Connections Program supports children and families who are going through the dependency process. Amara serves parents, caregivers, and extended family members throughout Washington state, including parents who are incarcerated.
To refer a parent or caregiver, email fcp@amarafamily.org. Caseworkers can also simply fill out this referral form. Visit Family Connections Program - Amara for more information.
With Bullitt Prize, two brothers plan to restart Lummi Youth Canoe Family
"The Lummi Youth Canoe Family took its last journey in 2019. Now, two brothers are trying to revive the group." Read the full article: KUOW - With Bullitt Prize, two brothers plan to restart Lummi Youth Canoe Family
Tribal Youth Resource Center Launches New Podcast Series
The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention funded Tribal Youth Resource Center Podcast has posted the first episode in its Grandma Says ... Culture series. This episode highlights the healing impact of Tribal culture, arts, and language on Tribal communities, youth programs, and justice-involved youth.
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