Welcome Stephanie Mosley, Region 6 ICW Consultant/Tribal Liaison
My name is Stephanie Mosley. I am honored to serve as the Region 6 Indian Child Welfare Consultant and Tribal Liaison within the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF).
I am an enrolled member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, Sicangu Lakota Oyate (a.k.a. “Burnt Thigh People”) located in Rosebud, SD. I grew up on the Rosebud Sioux Reservation.
My experience of growing up on an Indian Reservation, and being immersed in my family’s culture, combined with experience of living off the reservation has given me a wide perspective and understanding of the challenges faced by Native Families on and off the reservations.
The Rosebud Sioux Reservation will always be the place I call home. After high school I joined the military and it’s been quite the adventure since. I lived on the east coast, to the west coast and even overseas for 8 years prior to my family’s arrival in Washington State, July 2011. My husband of 22 years and I have 2 amazing daughters and an adorable cat.
Throughout my professional career, I have worked with families in various capacities, but child welfare is where my passion lies. My paternal grandmother was a social worker on our reservation. She was also a very well-respected medicine woman. I watched her working tirelessly with families while embodying and honoring the spirit of the Indian Child Welfare Act. Her dedication and passion for the work is what I strive to carry on.
I started my career in child welfare working in the Child Protective Services investigations unit, then I transferred to Child Welfare Family Services, this led to my previous role as the active efforts’ quality practice specialist for region 6. I worked with various tribes and tribal families in each of my roles. I enjoy learning their histories, traditions, and cultural activities. They make this place, Washington State, feel like my home away from home.
I am excited and honored to be a part of the Office of Tribal Relations amazing team.
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New Kinship WAC Chapter is Ready for Public Comment
After months of partnership between Tribes and the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), the new Kinship Washington Administrative Code (WAC) Chapter located at this link is ready for public comment. Email any comments to dcyf.rulescoordinator@dcyf.wa.gov through Friday, January 17, 2025.
In the fall, Tribal partners collaborated with DCYF during two Roundtable discussions, developing important new WACs aimed at better supporting Tribal children. DCYF welcomes any feedback on the simplified WAC chapter and is pleased to highlight the new WAC 110-149-0140, which outlines additional requirements designed to meet the unique needs of Indian children. We extend our deepest gratitude to the Tribal partners who actively participated in this process, offering invaluable guidance in the creation of the Kinship WACs to ensure they align with the needs of the Tribal community.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact the Kinship Project Team at dcyf.kinshipfeedback@dcyf.wa.gov or contact Mandy Morlin, Tribal Foster Care Licensing Consultant at mandy.morlin@dcyf.wa.gov.
Seeking Native Kinship Caregiver Input for Kinship Licensing Standards
Bloom Works is seeking Native Kinship Caregivers to provide input on new Kinship Support Materials that are being created as part of the new Kinship Licensing Standards.
Complete the online interest form to participate in January interview sessions.
Kinship caregivers who are selected to provide feedback will be offered $100/session for their time and participation. Participants will be given a choice of compensation delivery method: either via email or a physical card sent by mail 5-7 business days following the session.
Kinship caregiver feedback is requested for new materials in development which include:
- Kinship licensing checklist
- Payments and reimbursements
- Kinship Rules & Requirements
- Permanency outcomes overview
What to Expect at Interview Sessions:
Kinship caregivers will review the new materials, then will explore questions like:
- How useful or valuable do kinship caregivers find this content?
- How easy is it to understand and intuitively organize the information?
- How do kinship caregivers find the voice and tone of the content?
- How easily can caregivers access information that is presented on web pages given the devices (computer, phone, tablet) and medium (online, print) that are available or most comfortable for them?
Questions? Contact the project team by emailing dcyf.kinshipfeedback@dcyf.wa.gov.
American Indian Endowed Scholarship
Applications are available now to apply for the 2025-2026 American Indian Endowed Scholarship (AIES) awards. AIES helps students with financial need who have close social and cultural ties to an American Indian community in Washington State. Please distribute this announcement widely to anyone who may be interested in this scholarship. The deadline to apply is March 3, 2025.
Visit American Indian Endowed Scholarship | WSAC for details and to apply.
2025-26 FAFSA & WASFA Now Open
A family of four making up to $131,000 can qualify for WA Grant.
High school seniors and others can now apply for financial aid for the 2025-26 academic year, as both the federal FAFSA and state WASFA applications are available. Students who apply for financial aid are far more likely to attend college or training. For 2025-26, a family of four making up to $131,000 can qualify for state financial aid in Washington. Keep reading on our website.
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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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.
Comprehensive Qualified Expert Witness (QEW) Training
This 2-day virtual 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 provides an overview of the history and impacts of colonization on Native American and Alaska Native children and families that led to the passage of the 1978 Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), an introduction to federal and state ICWA policy, an overview of DCYF dependency cases, and a detailed look at QEW purpose, qualifications, and procedures.
Participants will review two precedent-setting cases for Washington state and understand how QEW testimony can impact court cases. This training is comprised of 9.5 hours of group learning, including 3.5 hours of simulation for court testimony.
Training Dates:
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Feb. 5-6, 2025 | Virtual
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April 15-16, 2025 | Virtual
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June 11-12, 2025 | Virtual
To register:
For questions, contact Sarah Lewis at szlewis@uw.edu or visit OTR Training webpage.
DCYF Updates Mandatory Reporter Training
DCYF has recently updated its Mandatory Reporter training to highlight the distinction between families in need of support versus child abuse and neglect, and the importance of connecting those families to resources.
The updated training includes:
- Distinctions between poverty and neglect and available resources that mandatory reporters can use to help families
- Modules that address bias with the opportunity to learn how biases contribute to systemic racism
- Videos highlighting the impact of child abuse and neglect reports
- Knowledge checks that allow mandatory reporters to practice complex, real-life scenarios in a no-risk environment
Read more to learn about the updated publications, webpages, and eLearning.
2025 NW Children's Foundation Forum
Jan. 23, 2025 | Virtual
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. PT
Attendees will learn the latest research on the role of the nervous system in healing trauma, building resilience, and preventing burnout; develop an expanded understanding of a culturally responsive and expressive arts approach to healing; and gain practical tools and skills they can apply immediately to their own work. Register by visiting the NW Children’s Foundation Forum website.
Inaugural Family Success Parenting Conference
May 2 - 4, 2025
Great Wolf Lodge, Grand Mound, WA
Family Success NW proudly presents their inaugural conference—a gathering of parents, caregivers, and allies dedicated to supporting trauma-impacted children. Pre-register for the conference (includes workshops and 4 meals) and receive early access to the discounted hotel room at Great Wolf Lodge!
Healing of the Canoe Monthly Webinar
Beginning today, Healing of the Canoe trainer Nigel Lawrence will host a monthly webinar series every second Tuesday of the month at 10 a.m. Advanced registration is not required. Join their Facebook page for updates and reminders or log in with this Zoom link.
Legal Liaison Program Specialist (Program Specialist 3) - Region 2/DCYF
Position closes: Jan. 16, 2025, 11:59 p.m.
Apply online: Legal Liaison Program Specialist
Kinship Navigator - Joan B. Poliak Seattle Office/Casey Family Programs
No Closing Date
Apply online: Casey Family Programs Job Opportunities
OTR Active Efforts Resource Fair
OTR is hosting a series of virtual Active Efforts Resource Fairs. A wide range of service providers from Tribes, The Alliance for Child Welfare Excellence, state agencies, and private agencies have been invited to present their resources on a platform consisting of virtual booths.
The Active Efforts Resource Fair simulates a live fair, allowing visitors to visit each booth at their own pace. During the live Fair, service providers may meet participants in real time via individual or group chat or through a webinar format such as Zoom or Webex. Each service provider may have multiple hosts in their booth. They can display digital handouts, videos, contact information, as well as training and job opportunities. When the Fair is not live, those who have registered may return to the platform to review information contained in the booth.
The OTR Quality Assurance team hosted the first Active Efforts Resource Fair on Nov. 4, 2024, which focused on serving Indigenous children and their families in regions 1, 2, and 3. Twenty-four service providers hosted a booth. Mother Nation booth host Jessica Parker (Makah Nation) noted that she appreciated the opportunity to visit other booths and learn about their resources and that the live interaction helped her make meaningful connections with Tribal, private agency and state partners.
The OTR Quality Assurance Team will host two more virtual Resource Fairs. The next one will be on Feb. 6, 2025, and will focus on services and supports to Tribal children and their families in regions 4, 5 and 6. The final resource fair will be held on May 13, 2025, and will include statewide services and supports. More information to come!
These Resource Fairs are designed to help service providers make connections across our service array as well as to provide information and resources to DCYF to support their ability to provide active efforts in accordance with the state and Federal Indian Child Acts.
If you have questions or feedback, please contact the OTR Quality Assurance team at dcyfdlotricwacasereview@dcyf.wa.gov.
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Developmental Disabilities Administration Waiver Services
Engrossed 2nd Substitute House Bill 1188 was passed in the 2023 Legislative Session, making it possible for eligible children and youth to access Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) Home and Community-Based Waivers when in a dependency, or a dependency proceeding.
Learn More:
Reach out to your Mental Health/Developmental Disabilities Program Consultant; they are available to support you.
Community of Practice
Join Healthy Native Youth’s Community of Practice virtual gatherings held the second Wednesday of each month at 10-11:30 a.m. Sessions include new resources and opportunities to engage with native professionals in the field. Visit Community Of Practice - Healthy Native Youth for information.
Winter Indigenous Film Showcase
Feb. 16-22, 2025
Seattle, WA
Daybreak Star Radio is proud to announce the first annual Winter Indigenous Film Showcase, a week-long festival dedicated to amplifying the voices and stories of Indigenous, First Nations, and Native American filmmakers. This free-to-attend event will feature a wide range of films, from narrative and documentary to animated works, spoken word productions, and web series, each crafted by Indigenous storytellers from across the Americas. Visit Daybreak Star Radio for more information.
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