Request for Tribal Feedback on the New Kinship Home Study Guide
DCYF will be holding Kinship Home Study Guide discussions on April 16 and April 22, 2025, to gather feedback from Tribal leaders or a designee. This feedback will help to ensure that kinship home study assessments are completed by DCYF staff in a culturally responsive manner.
A Dear Tribal Director letter and corresponding calendar invites were delivered to Tribal partners on March 12, 2025.
DCYF is creating new licensing standards for kinship caregivers by developing a new Washington Administrative Code (WAC) Chapter 110-149 and supporting materials based on the Recommended Standards of National Organizations. The new standards will allow DCYF to issue child-specific licenses to kinship caregivers, eliminate the need to use non-safety exemptions, reduce barriers, and improve equity for kinship caregivers to become licensed. The new streamlined kinship home study will continue to focus on the most crucial questions that support the needs of the child and the kin caregiver’s ability to meet those needs.
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.
For questions, please email dcyf.kinshipfeedback@dcyf.wa.gov or contact the Office of Tribal Relations Operations Manager, Mandy Morlin, at mandy.morlin@dcyf.wa.gov.
DCYF Mid-Session Legislative Update
DCYF is hosting a webinar from 3 to 4 p.m. on Thursday, April 3, 2025, to provide updates on the 2025 Legislative Session. You will hear updates on the funding included for DCYF in the proposed House and Senate budgets and other proposals affecting DCYF. There will be an opportunity to ask questions.
If you cannot attend the live webinar, slides from the presentation will be available on the DCYF Government Affairs webpage a few days afterward.
Join Here
Access Code: 884 5186 4250 | Passcode: r+DR4W
Call in Number: 253 215 8782 | Passcode: 049286
Tribal Early Learning Funds Now Available
DCYF is excited to share that a fourth 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, March 31, 2025.
Visit DCYF's Tribal Relations webpage for information and to apply.
ICW Social Service Specialist 2-3 In Training (SSS3) - Spokane North/DCYF
Position closes: March 28, 2025, 11:59 p.m.
Apply online: ICW Social Service Specialist 2-3 In Training | Career Pages
Child Support - Case Manager/Puyallup Tribe of Indians
Position closes: March 28, 2025
Apply online: Child Support - Case Manager | Dayforce Jobs
Tribal Affairs Director (Government Relations Manager 3)/Oregon Department of Human Services
Position closes: April 1, 2025
Apply online: Oregon Job Opportunities
Financial Freedom Fair | Volunteers Needed
Saturday, April 5, 2025 | 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Great Wolf Lodge, Grand Mound, WA
Volunteers are needed for the upcoming Financial Freedom Fair. All Tribal and non-Tribal community members are invited. Contact the Chehalis Tribe at ctlf@chehalistribe.org or call (360) 709-1648.
Financial Freedom Fair
Saturday, April 5, 2025 | 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Great Wolf Lodge, Grand Mound, WA
The Chehalis Tribe is hosting the 4th annual Financial Freedom Fair. Learn about homeownership, credit management, banking and investing, and more. Visit the Financial Freedom Fair webpage for information and to register.
Returning from the Stars: A Birthworker Conference
April 25-26, 2025
Olympia, WA
The Center for Indigenous Midwifery is hosting Returning from the Stars, a birthworker conference focused on Indigenous healing traditions, family wellness, and postpartum care. The conference is intended for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) birth workers, including doulas, midwives, lactation support specialists, healers, and other community caregivers.
There is no cost to attend. Visit Indigenous Midwifery for information and to register.
Moon Medicine Teachings for BIPOC Youth
The Center for Indigenous Midwifery is hosting a series for BIPOC youth ages 11-15. Learn about sacred anatomy and the body's natural rhythms, plant medicines and comfort measures for menstrual discomforts, and much more. Visit Indigenous Midwifery for information.
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 and visit Family Success Northwest for more information.
March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
Celebrate Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month to raise awareness about the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in all facets of community life, as well as awareness of the barriers that people with disabilities may still face when connecting to their communities.
Did you know?
- In the state of Washington there are approximately 1.3 million adults living with a disability.
- There are currently more than 900 children and youth, ages 0-21, with an intellectual or developmental disability, who are involved in the child welfare system.
- Approximately 22% of parents with a cognitive disability have Child Welfare involvement, nationwide. These parents are at an increased risk of having parental rights terminated.
Eligible children and youth can access Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) Home and Community Based Waivers when in a dependency proceeding.
To learn more about DDA enrollment for a child or youth in your care, please talk with your DCYF Caseworker or DCYF's Mental Health/Developmental Disabilities Program Consultants.
Upcoming Local Events
Rising Generations Traditional Powwow
Saturday, April 19, 2025
Clark College O'Connell Sports Center, Vancouver, WA
The Native American Parent Association of Southwest Washington invites you to join the annual traditional powwow. The event is free and open to the public. Visit Rising Generations Traditional Pow Wow 2024 for information.
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