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Please note that there will be no issue of the ESIT Weekly sent out next week, Fri., April 18, in due to ESIT’s Parent Institute for Engagement (PIE) and State Interagency Coordinating Council (SICC) meetings (April 15-16.) The ESIT Weekly will resume its regular schedule on Fri., April 25.
Thank you!
“No right is more sacred to a nation, to a people, than the right to freely determine its social, economic, political and cultural future, without external interference. The fullest expression of this right occurs when a nation freely governs itself We call the exercise of this right Self-Determination. The practice of this right is Self-Government.”- 1989- “Indian Self-Determination the Ideal and Indian Self-Governance the Reality” – Joe DeLaCruz, 1989 Indian Self-Determination Speech
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:
Inherent Sovereignty
The sovereignty, self-governing powers, that tribes have are inherent powers.
It's Time to Take Back Our Cultural Sovereignty
David Wilkins, Lumbee Nation, has said that Tribal Sovereignty is arguably the most important, unifying concept across Indian Country. It is about more than political boundaries; it defines nothing less than our living, collective power which is generated as traditions are respectfully developed, sustained, and transformed to confront new conditions. Read full article here:
It's Time to Take Back Our Cultural Sovereignty
Media Recommendations
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At South Sound Parent to Parent (SSP2P), staying current with the latest research is essential to providing the best support for children and families. Shannon Wilcox, Early Support Program Manager, sees this as a professional duty. “We owe it to children and families to keep up to date,” she says, reflecting on Guiding Principle 7, which reinforces that early intervention practices must be grounded in current evidence.
Shannon, a trained physical therapist, earned her doctorate in PT from Marquette University, where she learned the importance of staying informed on the latest research. Before joining SSP2P, Shannon worked at Seattle Children’s Hospital, where she discovered her passion for working with infants and toddlers. Over time, she shifted her focus from perfecting a child's movement to emphasizing the functional use of those movements, such as when a child walks across the room to reach the dinner table. It was through working at SSP2P that Shannon really began to understand the value of caregiver coaching in fostering lasting change. “Coaching is the key to really seeing change,” she notes. One example of evidence-based practice at SSP2P is the implementation of the Primary Service Provider (PSP) approach. This approach requires staff training, team development, and time for collaboration. While building trust among the team took time, Shannon views it as essential for progress. “It’s a priority, so that teams can see the progress that children and families make with the support of the team,” she explains.
Shannon values her team’s culture of personal growth and advocates for ongoing training opportunities. By keeping a small caseload, Shannon stays connected to the daily work of her team. At SSP2P, staying up to date with research isn’t just a guideline—it’s a passion that allows the team to provide families with the tools and support needed for children to thrive.
Submit Your Nomination!
To make a nomination, please complete the Nomination Form. Read and download ESIT's Guiding Principles.
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The State Interagency Coordinating Council Data, Finance, Personnel and Training, Public Policy, and Service Delivery sub-committees are accepting applications from qualified individuals. Learn more and apply today:
Complete Sub-Committee Interest form!
Questions? Contact DCYF ESIT Community Collaboration Coordinator, E Renae` Antalan, at erenae.antalan@dcyf.wa.gov.
Changes to the DCYF ESIT Qualified Personnel Guidelines
After a revision process, the current Qualified Personnel Guidelines will retire June 30. New guidance was created and is now available on the ESIT Qualified Personnel Guidelines page and will take effect July 1. Learn more about the updates.
New ESIT Credential for Developmental Specialists and Developmental Associates Now Available!
The new ESIT Credential for Developmental Specialists and Developmental Associates will:
- Provide consistency across our diverse ESIT system and more accurately define how both the ESIT provider and the ESIT service supports overall child development in family friendly language.
- Create multiple pathways to current qualifications for Developmental Specialists and establish qualifications for Developmental Associates.
- Align more accurately to the necessary qualifications of both providers in our ESIT system.
- Allow flexibility for ESIT provider agencies to continue to require additional requirements for agency personnel beyond the DCYF ESIT minimums.
If you have questions, reach out to your Service Delivery and Technical Assistance Specialist or contact DeEtte Snyder, ESIT Workforce Development Manager, at DeEtte.Snyder@dcyf.wa.gov.
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Federal updates from the National Infant and Toddler Coordinators Association (ITCA) are now available, located on ESIT's provider webpage.
For questions, please contact Valerie Arnold, ESIT State Administrator, at valerie.arnold@dcyf.wa.gov.
The Early Support for Infants and Toddlers (ESIT) program is undergoing a leadership transition. We want to hear from you! Your feedback is essential in helping us improve services for infants, toddlers, and families.
As the State’s Lead Agency for Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the Department of Children, Youth & Families is committed to ensuring high-quality early intervention services.
- Your responses are confidential and will help guide improvements.
- We value perspectives from parents, state and regional partners, Tribes, and local organizations.
- Survey is available in multiple languages upon request: Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, French, Hindi, Korean, Punjabi, Russian, Somali, Tagalog, and Vietnamese.
Share Your Insights
Take a few minutes to share your insights in the survey below and make a difference!
Washington state has adopted policies and procedures to ensure public participation in the annual grant application (including any policies, procedures, descriptions, methods, certifications, assurances, and other information submitted with the application) for the Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part C funds. The annual grant application and related documents will be published in a manner to ensure circulation throughout the state for at least a 60-day period, with a 30-day opportunity for public comment and public hearings, as appropriate, during that period per 34 CFR § 303.208(b).
For Public Review
DCYF's ESIT State Leadership Office posted the following materials for public review:
Submit Public Comment Online (April 1 – May 1)
The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is committed to adopting rules – also known as Washington Administrative Code or WAC – in an open manner. We welcome your input. Please find the Public Notice located on ESIT's Provider page, on the right-hand sidebar, to find the current draft and proposed DCYF rules, and to give us your comments or suggestions:
Submit Rules Comments Online
Public Comment Virtual Hearings
Opportunities for public comment will begin April 1 and end May 1, including two virtual public hearings, to be held:
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April 17 | 1:05 – 2:05 p.m.
Join the meeting
Meeting ID: 224 598 508 668
Passcode: mV2Fi69g
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April 22 | 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Join the meeting
Meeting ID: 267 248 664 822
Passcode: ym2Wb2zS
If you would like to receive this notification in an alternate format or language, please contact Sara Foster, ESIT Administrative Assistant IV, at 360-480-2477, or dcyf.esit@dcyf.wa.gov.
For questions, please contact Valerie Arnold, ESIT State Administrator, at valerie.arnold@dcyf.wa.gov.
The Infant and Early Childhood Conference (IECC) plays a critical role in providing high-quality, evidenced-based workshops and networking opportunities for families and providers to learn, share and advocate on behalf of all young children. It will continue to be held virtually to allow for a safe and flexible learning environment. The conference provides high quality, evidenced-based workshops and networking opportunities for families and providers to learn, share and advocate on behalf of all young children. We hope that you will join us!
Attendees may earn Clock Hours or STARS Credit for participation in any live conference sessions.
Visit the IECC website for additional information.
The King County Early Support for Infants and Toddlers (ESIT) team has two current openings posted.
The Early Support for Infants & Toddlers (ESIT) Lead, PPM III– Career Service (up to 2 positions) is responsible for planning, implementing, and continuous improvement of King County’s ESIT program, annually serving nearly 7,000 birth to three-year-old children with delays or disabilities and their families, in compliance with Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Location: Andover Park W, Tukwila, WA 98188. Closing date to apply is April 12.
Apply at Early Support for Infants & Toddlers (ESIT) Lead, PPM III– Career Service.
For more information about the application process, please visit the King County job posting website.
Foster Youth to Throw Ceremonial First Pitch at April 27 Mariners Game
A multi-sport athlete, choir member, and avid Seattle Mariners fan will be throwing the ceremonial first pitch during the April 27 Mariners game to celebrate Foster Care Month. Read the full message.
DCYF Launches First Digital Media Kit for Child Abuse Prevention Month
Every April, Child Abuse Prevention Month focuses on the importance of ensuring children feel safe and protected, families are supported, and efforts to end child abuse and neglect are ongoing. To recognize this work and promote awareness, DCYF has developed a digital media kit that includes publications, videos, social media posts, and more for individuals and community organizations to use. View the full digital media kit or download the full digital media kit in English or Spanish.
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