Findings from the Strengthen Families Locally Project: Supportive mutual aid networks grow abundance mindsets naturally. SFL partners that nurtured families’ networks also sowed seeds of solidarity. They recounted numerous instances of families paying it forward, generously sharing something they were gifted with others in need afterwards.
“That spirit of generosity and that's completely unprompted by us… but there's just that natural sort of instinct to be like ‘oh no this is that I have to give back.’ That's probably one of the things that jumps to my mind when we do our food pop ups. You know families who will donate money [even though] it's free and they're just like, ‘I don't know what to do because I'm so grateful and I really need this to go on to another family and we're doing a little bit better and I just really want to see another family do well.’” - SFL Priority Project Implementor
Have a story to share? Email it to Joy Lile at strengtheningfamilies@dcyf.wa.gov.
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D.S. Settlement: The Semi-Annual Report for July - December 2024 is now available on the DCYF website.
Planning for this year's virtual Indigenous, Children, Youth & Families (ICYF) conference is underway! The Office of Tribal Relations (OTR) is currently accepting session proposals. We are looking for sessions that will build the knowledge and skills of those working with system-involved Native families. Sessions will be held on Oct. 15, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Oct 16, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Submit your proposal to present at ICYF by filling out the Call to Presenters Form.
Early Childhood Equity Grant: DCYF is pleased to announce that the Early Childhood Equity Grant application is now available. This grant is intended to serve as a step toward expanding access to early learning statewide and transforming Washington's early learning system to make it more inclusive and equitable. The grant will support inclusive and culturally and linguistically specific early learning and early childhood and parent support programs across the state. For more information, including frequently asked questions and contact information for technical assistance, please visit the DCYF Early Childhood Equity Grant webpage. (Due May 27).
Guidance for Requests from Immigration Enforcement Officials (English|Español): In this bulletin, you will find a few tips about what you can do to prepare for possible encounters with immigration enforcement.
LGBTQ2IA+ Families: Love is Love from Brazelton Touchpoints. This community conversation series provides an opportunity for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer parents and caregivers and their allies to explore some of the critical issues and challenges parents face every day, sharing solutions and successful approaches while strengthening our community. Mondays, May 5 – June 23 at Noon PST. Learn more and register here.
Culturally responsive Mental Health Assessment: This 3-hour, interactive online training will help you better understand the root of the problem by introducing you to the Neuro-Relational Framework’s stress assessments. May 6, 2025 | 9 a.m. to noon (tailored specifically for supervisors) or May 22, 2025 | 9 a.m. to Noon.
Breaking Barriers: Anti-Oppressive Practices in Perinatal Support from Perinatal Support WA. The session will equip community health care workers, lactation consultants, home visitors, doulas and other perinatal professionals with practical tools to reduce harm, challenge biases, and provide culturally responsive care that centers healing, liberation, and equity for BIPOC clients. Wednesday, June 11; 9 a.m. -5 p.m. Priority registration Klickitat county and Columbia River Gorge area.
New Data on Hispanic Children in Households With Low Incomes: A new analysis from the National Research Center on Hispanic Children & Families reports that roughly 9 in 10 Hispanic children in families with low incomes—families whose incomes fall below 200 percent of the federal poverty threshold (or the federal poverty level, FPL)—live with an employed adult.
Supporting Healthy Social, Emotional, and Relational Development from Brazleton Touchpoints: This series explores the building blocks of healthy development and offers relationship-based practices to enhance family-child relationships, boost mental health, and promote everyone's well-being. Three 2-hour workshops. Thursdays, May 1, 8 and 15; 9 – 11 a.m. PT. $200.
Strengths-based Family Engagement Workshop Series from Brazelton Touchpoints. Research shows that using a strengths-based approach to family engagement supports the well-being of the family. 5-part series begins on Tuesday, May 6, 13, 20 and 27; 11 a.m. PT. $200.
Anger Free Dad: Break free from anger and create lasting peace in your home. This 8-week course for fathers from Spokane Fatherhood Initiative (in-person in Spokane, WA.) Wednesday evenings starting May 7 – June 25.
Responding with Care: Suicide Prevention and Risk Assessment in Perinatal Mental Health from Perinatal Support WA. Participants will learn to recognize and differentiate between conditions such as anxiety, mania, and psychosis, and understand when these symptoms require urgent or emergency intervention. Tuesday, May 6; 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Register here.
Best Practices in Prevention, Identification, and Treatment of Perinatal Mood Disorders from Perinatal Support WA. Learn how to effectively identify and screen parents experiencing perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. May 28 and 29, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. in Richland, WA. Register here.
Partnering with Fathers from Brazelton Touchpoints: In this series, we discuss strategies to engage fathers in early childhood programs and family-focused services, and to support parents as co-partners. Two 90-minute workshops. Tuesdays, June 3 and 10; 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. PT. $80.
Voices for Children from the Children Alliance, with featured speaker Attorney General Nick Brown. He will discuss what it means to resist injustice, how we can strengthen the movement for equity, and how advocacy makes a difference in protecting the children and youth we care about. June 12, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Museum of Flight or online. (Free, donation suggested).
Listen to the Dads MOVE Podcast! Join Joe Saladino from Dads M.O.V.E., a non profit Dad focused organization out of Washington State as he discuss parenting issues, techniques and how to get the support you need. Listen here.
New flyer promotes over the counter birth control options! Apple Health (Medicaid) covers free over the counter birth control without prescriptions. See this new flyer for more information.
Addressing Maternal Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders: Exploring Medicaid Opportunities. This report from the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS) examines the challenges in accessing care for pregnant and postpartum women with behavioral health care needs and outlines recommendations for evidence-based, person-centered perinatal services. Read the report or View the infographic.
How can the system of care approach improve outcomes for children and families involved with child welfare? From Casey Family Programs.
Volunteer for the Perinatal Support Warm Line! Everyday volunteers provide a lifeline to parent's who are struggling and feeling alone. Talking to another parent who has been through it reduces the isolation and stigma that many new parents feel. New training May 31 and June 1, 9 a.m. – 1:45 p.m. Learn more about volunteering here.
Exploring Equitable Futures from Robert Woods Johnson Foundation. The purpose of this Exploring Equitable Futures call for proposals (CFP) is to support projects that seed new and unconventional ideas that could radically advance health equity for generations to come. Due October 15, Noon. Learn more and apply here.
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