What’s working in family support and strengthening around Washington state? See what parents and providers have to say.
Findings from the Strengthen Families Locally Project: Truly listening to lived experts loosens restrictive systems. Several SFL partners opened up and asked parents with lived expertise to advise them on their organizational practices. Doing so was enlightening. Parents pushed for more flexibility to unblock their freedom to choose.
“I've been so impressed to watch these nonprofit community leaders really listen and be like, ‘ohh yes, with your expertise, we're gonna shift our approach.’ And that makes a lot more sense … being able to just get the funds into the family's hands, that was a big conversation.” – SFL Priority Project Partner.
Have a story to share? Email it to Joy Lile at strengtheningfamilies@dcyf.wa.gov.
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Washington Caregivers Recognized During Parent Recognition Month. DCYF honored 28 Unsung Hero Award recipients in February – one for each day of the month – as part of Parent Recognition month. Read the full message (Spanish).
Pinwheels for Prevention: Each April, people across the country join together during National Child Abuse Prevention Month to help raise awareness and promote ways we can all help to strengthen families in our communities. For how to order pinwheels, read the full message.
New DCYF ECEAP Annual Report: DCYF recently released the 2023-24 ECEAP Annual Report showing the difference ECEAP makes in child development, kindergarten readiness, child health, and family resilience and well-being.
Tribal Early Learning Funds Now Available: 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, March 31, 2025. Visit DCYF's Tribal Relations webpage for information and to apply.
March is Women's History Month: March is Women’s History Month, which commemorates and encourages the study, observance, and celebration of the vital role of women in American history.
March is Developmental Disability Awareness Month: Each March, the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) and our partners work together to create a social media campaign highlighting the many ways in which people with and without disabilities come together to form strong, diverse communities.
Serving on Groups Training: This training will give you tools to strengthen your knowledge around how these groups function and how you can use your strengths and lived experiences better to impact positive change in the children and youth behavioral health community. In-person trainings across the state are available March through June. See the website for more information.
Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Act Community Involvement pilot: Join us for an upcoming community session to provide your input on Commerce’s environmental justice assessments for programs and projects that could impact your community. March 18 and 20. View the bulletin for more information and to register.
Strengths-based Family Engagement Workshop Series: Learn strategies that you can immediately apply to your work to help create a strengths-based mindset in your work with families. March 20 – April 17, Noon PT. Cost: $200 per seat.
Parenting While Black, Episode 3: Black Parents and Black Mental Health: Join us as we talk about raising Black children in today’s world, and how the daily acts of parenting—both joyful and challenging – affect our mental wellbeing. Next conversation: March 24, Noon-1 p.m.
Diversity Equity Inclusion Belonging (DEIB): Creating a safe space in the workplace. Support the ongoing dialogue of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) conversations designed to discuss the intersectionality of diversity and workforce inclusion. March 25, 1-2:30 p.m.
Demystifying Federal Funding: Nonprofit Questions Answered. This session provides a foundational overview of how the U.S. government collects revenue, then allocates and distributes funding, addressing common misconceptions along the way. March 26, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Workforce Well-Being and Resilience During Times of Change. This four-part webinar series will equip leaders and supervisors with foundational knowledge and skills to help their teams manage uncertainty and interpersonal conflict so they can create a healthy and resilient organizational culture. March 26, 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Touchpoints in Libraries: This 28-hour online course supports effective family/caregiver engagement in libraries. Live sessions, eight Thursdays, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., April 3, 10, 17 and 24; May 1, 8, 15 and 22.
Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) and Early Relational Health (ERH) in Washington: Referral and Care Coordination Overview. This interactive workshop focuses on the IECMH field from a relationship-centered, diversity-informed, healing-forward, and developmentally focused perspective. April 9, 9 a.m.-Noon.
Washington State Children's Behavioral Health Statewide Family Network parent and caregiver virtual meeting: Join us for a dedicated space for parents and caregivers of children, youth, and young adults experiencing behavioral health challenges. Tuesdays, April 15, June 17, Aug. 19, Oct. 21, Dec. 16, 6 - 7:30 p.m., virtual.
Integrated Care Conference. The theme of the Integrated Care Conference is integrated care across the lifespan: serving the behavioral health needs of all ages. June 5-6 in Seattle.
Annual Outreach Academy for Homeless Outreach Professionals: The annual Outreach Academy gathers homeless outreach professionals to share knowledge and share experience to strengthen community and catalyze change. Thursday, June 12 and Friday, June 13 in Tacoma. View the flyer and contact info.
Are you looking to learn more about Apple Health Coverage? You or your family may qualify for free or low-cost Apple Health (Medicaid) coverage that includes primary care, emergency visits, maternity services, pediatric care, dental services, vision care, prescription medications, and more. Health Care Authority resources available.
State Affordable Housing Annual Progress Report now available: This report provides the latest data on housing affordability in Washington. Read the full report here: AHAB 2025 Annual Progress Report.
Prenatal-to-3 Legislative Trends: Check out a sampling of the legislation that Prenatal-to-3 is tracking across the country, grounded in the evidence-based recommendations of the Prenatal to 3 Policy Roadmap about childcare, Medicaid, and state minimum wage. See the March briefing here.
Perinatal Psychiatry Consultation Line for Providers: Perinatal PCL is a free, state-funded program providing perinatal mental health consultation, recommendations and referrals for Washington state providers caring for pregnant or postpartum patients. Call us at 877-725-4666 or email us at ppcl@uw.edu. See the website for more information.
UNITE Early Learning conference in Spokane - Call for Proposals: Submit proposals now! June 6-7 at Spokane Community College. Learn more and submit proposals.
Community Health Plan of Washington (CHPW) is looking for Advisory Council candidates: CHPW is Washington’s only non-profit, community-based Apple Health managed care organization committed to supporting Washington’s communities. Council members will play a vital role in ensuring that health equity remains at the forefront of CHPW initiatives.
Child Care Partnership Grant: The Washington State Department of Commerce is offering one-year grants to help local communities assess child care needs and develop actionable plans to increase child care availability statewide. The grant can help communities prepare to apply for future funds to address child care and early learning construction projects. The application period closes on April 17, 2025. For more information and to apply, visit the Washington State Department of Commerce webpage.
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