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“Though many non-Native Americans have learned very little about us, over time we have had to learn everything about them. We watch their films, read their literature, worship in their churches, and attend their schools. Every third-grade student in the United States is presented with the concept of Europeans discovering America as a "New World" with fertile soil, abundant gifts of nature, and glorious mountains and rivers. Only the most enlightened teachers will explain that this world certainly wasn't new to the millions of indigenous people who already lived here when Columbus arrived.” ― Wilma Mankiller, Every Day Is a Good Day: Reflections by Contemporary Indigenous Women
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:
After 400 Years: It is Time to Honor the Treaties
"No easy answer exists when more than 574 federally recognized Indian nations exist across the country, each with distinctive colonization histories. Still, they share one common demand of the United States, and that is to honor the treaties." Read full article:
After 400 Years: It is Time to Honor the Treaties
Doctrine of Discovery
Oren Lyons speaks on how the European settlers used the Doctrine of Discovery to usurp the homelands of the Native peoples. This is part of a series of 8 short testimonial films [...] and creates the space for the Iroquois to tell their story as they strive to uphold the traditions and the legacy of their people, while also protecting the central tenants of their people and their relationship and care for the Earth (watch time 5:59):
Doctrine of Discovery
Book Recommendation
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Indians of the Pacific Northwest: From the Coming of the White Man to the Present Day by Vine Deloria Jr.: Prior to the onslaught of the Europeans, the Puget Sound area was one of the most heavily populated regions north of Mexico City. The Native Americans who lived there enjoyed a bounty of seafood, waterfowl, and berries, which they expertly collected and preserved. Detailing the associated culture, technologies, and techniques, Vine Deloria Jr. explains in depth this veritable paradise and its ultimate demise. Raising the possibility that the utopian lifestyle enjoyed by the Indians of the Pacific Northwest might have continued in perpetuity had Europeans not sought a Northwest Passage.
Sources
Shelly Choi, Infant Mental Health Therapist on the Northwest Center ESIT team, exemplifies all seven ESIT guiding principles through her deeply compassionate and skillful work with families. Her commitment to equity, family-centered practices, and building strong relationships is especially evident in a recent case supporting a refugee family of six living in overcrowded conditions.
When Shelly learned that the family’s living situation was impacting their well-being, she offered coaching and emotional support. Shelly’s support helped the family successfully relocate to a clean and spacious space better suited to their needs. The family is able to fully engage in services and the caregivers are now able to engage in their own educational journeys. Shelly’s work reflects the ESIT principles in action: she partners with families in meaningful ways, respects their cultural identities, and empowers caregivers as the experts in their children’s lives. Her holistic approach addresses the full ecosystem around a child—strengthening not only developmental outcomes but also caregiver mental health and family stability.
Shelly has been described as a professional who is knowledgeable, resourceful, and deeply committed to her work. Shelly’s practice demonstrates the power of relationship-based, family-centered early supports that prioritizes equity and inclusion!
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Principles
Submit Your Nomination!
The ESIT state leadership team plans to highlight individual providers or 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). To make a nomination, please complete the form linked below:
Nominate an ESIT Program or Colleague
The July SICC Meeting is right around the corner! Join us virtually:
Wednesday, July 16 | 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. | Agenda
Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 236 377 011 954
Passcode: ST22iK98
Dial in by phone
+1 564-999-2000,,140953936# United States, Olympia
(833) 322-1218,,140953936# United States (Toll-free)
Find a local number
Phone conference ID: 140 953 936#
April SICC Materials Posted
For Review
SICC Direct List
Sign up if you would like your email added to the SICC Public direct email list to receive meeting materials in advance of upcoming SICC meetings: Sign Up for SICC DL.
Questions?
Contact ESIT Community Collaboration Coordinator, E Renae` Antalan.
Upcoming SICC Meetings
2025 Dates
Request Access Support
Request support including ASL or other language interpretation, live captioning, or other services needed to fully participate in, and access, an event. It is often included with registration information.
DCYF may not be able to accommodate requests made less than two weeks prior to the event. Fill out the form in the link below.
Request Access Support
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*CLAs and ESIT Provider Agencies, please widely share with your ESIT contractors*
ESIT's Resource and Sustainability Team is hosting several Fiscal Learning Opportunities! Priority registration will be given to budget/fiscal staff.
Budget Sessions
Budget Sessions will include guidance on completing your organization’s FY26 ESIT Budget Projection using the instructions and template within the Fiscal Workbook.
Dates and Times
- Tues., Jul. 22 | 9 – 10 a.m. | Registration
- Mon., Jul 28 | 10 – 11 a.m. | Registration
- Wed., Jul 30 | 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. | Registration (for County Lead Agencies & their affiliated ESIT Provider Agencies)
Revenue/Expenditure Year-End Report Sessions
Year-End Revenue/Expenditure Report Sessions will include guidance on completing your organization’s FY24 ESIT Revenue & Expenditure Year-End Report using the updated instructions and template within the Fiscal Workbook.
Dates and Times
- Tuesday, Sept. 9 | 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. | Registration
- Wednesday, Sept. 10 | 9 – 10 a.m. | Registration
- Tuesday, Sept. 23 | 10 – 11 a.m. | Registration for County Lead Agencies and their affiliated ESIT Provider Agencies
Fiscal Workshops
Fiscal Workshops will include guidance on the following topics:
- Part C Purpose and Fiscal Requirements,
- State Lead Agency (SLA) Responsibilities, and
- ESIT Fund Sources and Contracts.
* Workshops are two hours. All workshops will cover the same material (no need to attend all four).
Dates and Times
Questions?
Email ESIT's Resource Allocations Manager, Kali Wraspir, at kali.wraspir@dcyf.wa.gov.
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The ESIT Family Resources Coordinator (FRC) Credential guidance document has been updated, on ESIT's Qualified Personnel Guidelines webpage, to include FRC Scope of Practice. The addition clarifies and creates a statewide standard for service coordination, a core IDEA Part C service that supports children and their families in accessing Part C services through case management and coordination of all ESIT services and supports. Secondly, the scope of practice defines and clarifies the role of the FRC during eligibility evaluations, initial and ongoing assessments, and Promoting First Relationship (PFR) curriculums with families. The following Technical Assistance Brief is available on the Contract Materials page:
Technical Assistance Brief 24-02 Family Resources Coordinator Scope of Practice
Questions?
Contact ESIT Service Delivery and Technical Assistance Manager, Laurie Thomas, at 360-789-5705, or email Laurie.Thomas@dcyf.wa.gov, or ESIT Workforce Development Manager, DeEtte Snyder, at 360-831-7252, or email DeEtte.Snyder@dcyf.wa.gov.
Spread the Word about Free/Low-Cost Child Care
Many families living in Washington state qualify for free or low-cost child care, but they may not know about it. You can help by sharing information with parents, caregivers, and your community.
The Washington State Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF) has put together a toolkit with ready-to-use materials that make spreading the word easy!
Visit www.dcyf.wa.gov/childcare/toolkit to access printable flyers, sample social media posts, and email templates.
Whether you work directly with families or want to help your community stay informed, these resources make it easy to connect families to the support they need.
Want to know more about the Working Connections Child Care Subsidy Program? Visit www.dcyf.wa.gov/childcare or call 844-626-8687. Help is available by phone in multiple languages.
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Washington State Hands & Voices offers family support to parents/caregivers of children who are deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing. We are pleased to share these new resource materials for families and professionals to learn about our Guide By Your Side (GBYS) program. These materials are for you, whether you are a parent navigating the early stages of your child’s hearing journey or a provider supporting families along the way.
We believe families should never have to navigate this journey alone. These materials are tools to ensure that families are supported with compassion and respect, and that professionals are equipped to build strong, informed partnerships.
This information Packet Contains
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PATHWAYS TO SUPPORT SERVICES
A Family’s and Professionals Overview to Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) Early Intervention in Washington State. An easy-to-follow guide for understanding how and when to connect to GBYS, and how it works in partnership with Early Support for Infants and Toddlers (ESIT).
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12 KEY RIGHTS: “What rights do I have while guiding my child’s early education journey?”
A family-centered explanation of the 12 rights outlined in the Joint Committee on Infant Hearing’s 2007 Supplemental Early Intervention Goals. Explanation of the Guide By Your Side program on the back.
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TALKING POINTS: A PROVIDER’S SCRIPT TO THE GUIDE BY YOUR SIDE (GBYS) PROGRAM
Simple, supportive language professionals can use to introduce GBYS to families with clarity and confidence.
Family Friendly and Professional Materials
For more information, visit the Guide By Your Side Program webpage. Materials are available in English and Spanish.
Download the Guide By Your Side flyer to access the GBYS QR code.
Questions?
Contact Christine Griffin at gbys@wahandsandvoices.org.
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