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Please note that there will be no issue of the ESIT Weekly sent out next week, Fri., Feb. 21, in observance of Presidents Day (Feb. 17), ESIT’s Parent Institute for Engagement (PIE) and State Interagency Coordinating Council (SICC) meetings (Feb. 18 - 19). The ESIT Weekly will resume its regular schedule on Fri., Feb. 28.
Thank you!
Media Recommendations
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Who Were the Navajo Code Talkers? written by James Buckley Jr., illustrated by Gregory Copeland: Learn how this heroic group of American Indian men created a secret, unbreakable code and helped the US win major battles during World War II in this new edition to the #1 New York Times bestselling series. Reading age 8 -12.
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Navajo Code Talkers (watch time 2:29): Only months after the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941 - the United States Marine Corps found itself heading to fight in the Pacific Theater - and it knew that one of the only ways to win was to maintain an impenetrable radio code that the Japanese couldn’t decipher. The English language was widely understood and would not be effective. Thus, the decision was made to recruit Native Americans who could use their language as an official radio code unable to be cracked by Japanese forces.
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“Mother Earth Won’t Lie to Us” - title from spring 2019 interview with Tiokasin Ghosthorse, Lakota Nation
Each week, DCYF ESIT Tribal Program Consultant, Brian Frisina, provides a key topic to help us get to know our Tribal Nation Partners better.
This week’s term is:
Whose Land Are You On? What to Know About the Indigenous Land Back Movement
Indigenous scholar Lindsey Schneider addresses the ill-gotten legacy of settler colonialism with an introduction to the Land Back movement: the push to return stewardship of the Earth to its rightful guardians and restore balance to ecosystems for generations to come (watch time 9:26):
Stop Confusing Tribal Sovereignty with Race
Treaties are not symbolic gestures; they are legally binding agreements between sovereign nations. Just as the United States signs treaties with foreign nations, it has entered into 374 treaties with tribal nations, affirming their self-governing status. These agreements are a clear acknowledgment that tribal sovereignty is based on political status, not race. Read full article by Levi Rickert:
Sources
Alison Lofgren, also known as Alie, serves as one of the lead Speech-Language Pathologists at Skagit Preschool & Resource Center (SPARC). Alie approaches her work with the understanding that she plays a vital role in positively influencing the families and children she supports. She recognizes families as integral members of the collaborative team and actively encourages them to share their insights about their children.
Recently, Alie helped a family get an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device to try with their child. Through this process she supported the family by ensuring all the steps were taken and the required paperwork was in place. Today, thanks to Alie’s support, this child has an effective tool to bridge his communication skills.
Alie listens to families to learn about what is going well, what needs adjustment, and what other support they might need. When a family brought up concerns about Autism, she collaborated with the child’s Family Resource Coordinator and made a referral to SPARC’s School Medical Autism Review Team (SMART) team and supported the family in getting an Autism evaluation as quickly as possible. During home visits, she fosters an environment that values the families' existing knowledge, abilities, and resources, enhancing their child's learning and development. Alie does this by actively listening to the family, slowing down and shifting gears when needed. She continuously engages with families by asking for feedback and providing appropriate resources.
As one of the leads at SPARC, Alie takes the time to meet with team members both individually and as a group to help support relationships. She excels in building strong relationships with both families and team members. Alie is a true example of the first key principle:
Families are equal partners who bring to the team skills, experience and knowledge about their child; and are the final decision makers as to what will work best for their family.
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The ESIT State Leadership team is highlighting individual providers and ESIT provider agencies that are demonstrating one or more of the Seven Key Principles in their work in a new section of the ESIT Weekly titled Key Principles in Action. This new section will help us recognize the high-quality agencies and efforts of individual providers across the ESIT statewide system. Nominators will remain anonymous (though we may contact you for more details about your nomination).
Principles
- Families are equal partners who bring to the team skills, experience and
knowledge about their child; and, are the final decision makers as to what
will work best for their family.
- Early intervention recognizes that family relationships are the central focus in the life of an infant or toddler.
- Infants and toddlers learn best through everyday experiences and interactions with familiar people in familiar settings.
- The early intervention process, from initial contact to transition, must be responsive, flexible and individualized to reflect the child’s and family’s priorities, learning styles and cultural beliefs.
- All families, with the necessary supports and resources, can enhance their children’s learning and development.
- The role of the service provider is to work in a team to support Individualized Family Service Plan functional outcomes, based on child and family needs and priorities.
- Early intervention practices must be based on the best available current evidence and research.
Read and download ESIT's Guiding Concepts.
Submit Your Nomination!
To make a nomination, please complete the form linked below:
Join the ESIT State Leadership team for the February SICC Meeting:
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Time: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
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Date: Wednesday, Feb. 19
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Teams Meeting Link
Meeting ID: 279 098 113 554
Passcode: Bk7pk9rn
- Agenda
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Dial in by phone
+1 564-999-2000,,672998631# United States, Olympia
(833) 322-1218,,672998631# United States (Toll-free)
Find a local number
Phone conference ID: 672 998 631#
Draft Minutes Posted for Review
The draft January APR meeting minutes and draft October meeting minutes have been posted to ESIT's SICC Meetings page for review. If you have any questions, edits or updates in regard to the draft minutes, or questions regarding the upcoming meeting, please contact ESIT Partnership and Collaboration Coordinator, E Renae` Antalan.
SICC Direct List
If you would like your email added to the SICC direct email list to receive the agenda and meeting materials in advance of upcoming SICC meetings, email ESIT Accountability & Quality Improvement Manager, Tammy McCauley, with the subject: Add me to SICC DL.
Upcoming 2025 SICC Meeting Dates
- Wednesday, April 16 | Virtual
- July 15 – 16| In person, Seattle area (location TBD)
- Tuesday, July 15 – PIE Graduation
- Wednesday, July 16 – SICC Meeting
- Wednesday, Oct. 15 | TBD
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Open Office Hours
The ESIT State Leadership office is pleased to announce the 90-day training and technical assistance period for the ESIT Statewide Integrated Monitoring System (E-SIMS). The entire E-SIMS Monitoring framework will rollout statewide beginning April 1 for all DCYF contracted ESIT Provider Agencies and CLA affiliated ESIT Provider Agencies.
E-SIMS Open Office Hours Q&A Sessions:
Questions? Please reach out to ESIT Accountability and Quality Improvement Manager, Tammy McCauley.
In collaboration with the State Interagency Coordinating Council Personnel and Training Sub-Committee, the ESIT State Leadership Office is pleased to announce the soft roll out of the newest ESIT Credential. This credential is for Developmental Specialists (formerly Special Educators), and Developmental Associates (formerly Paraeducators under Supervision). ESIT professionals in these roles provide special instruction on Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSPs).
This ESIT Credential will become available starting April 1 and will become required beginning July 1. Join us to learn more about the ESIT Credential for Developmental Specialists and Associates!
ESIT Agency Administrators
During this webinar we will discuss how to support your current staff through the credentialing process and considerations for hiring.
Developmental Specialists and Developmental Associates
During this webinar we will provide information about the ESIT Credential, with an opportunity to ask questions such as how this will impact your work, the application process, and qualifications. Choose one of the following:
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Accommodation Requests
To request language interpretation services, or other accommodations to fully participate in this webinar, please request accommodations here at least 2 weeks prior to the event. DCYF will make every attempt to fulfill your request.
Questions?
Please contact ESIT Workforce Development Specialist, Lori Holbrook, at dcyf.ESITtraining@dcyf.wa.gov or (360) 999-7558.
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The Division for Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children is excited to announce the inaugural Virtual Early Intervention Service Coordination Institute on Friday, May 2. Data collected from the Virtual EI SC Institute Needs Assessment is being used to plan topics, which will include offerings for service coordinators as well as those who lead them.
Some of the topics being explored include:
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Knowledge and Skills for Service Coordinators (KSSC)
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Coaching during Service Coordination
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Family-Centered Functional Outcomes
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Working with Families with Diverse Backgrounds
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Partnering with Families Following a Recent Diagnosis/Delay
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Conflict Resolution
University of Washington is currently seeking children with Down syndrome (12 - 36 months old) to participate in its research study. Eligible children must be independently sitting, but not yet independently walking.
Participants will engage in play sessions with our research team using either a partial bodyweight support system (PUMA, Enliten LLC), a powered mobility device (Permobil Explorer Mini), or no mobility aids. Families will be asked to attend 3 - 5 one-hour in-person visits at the University of Washington and one 30-minute virtual visit. For more details, please see DS Mobility Aids flyer.
Participants will receive $25 for each in-person visit and $15 for the virtual visit. Free parking is provided. If you have any questions or know families who might be interested, please contact Mia Hoffman, NSF GRFP PhD Candidate, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Washington, at miahoff@uw.edu or (614) 561-7793 (text messages preferred).
Steele Lab | IMPACT Collaboratory
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