Children’s Books for Disability Pride Month
July is Disability Pride Month. This month commemorates the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA, a major milestone in the path towards equal rights for Americans of all abilities, was signed into law in July of 1990. At Kids Co., we welcome and celebrate kids of all different abilities:
Children’s Books for Disability Pride Month
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“We were Nations before 1924. We are Nations still. They called it "citizenship." Our Sovereignty was written in the land. Our identity lives in our language, our songs, and our ancestors.
WE ARE STILL HERE.”- Kanipawit Maskwa Standing Bear Network, John Gonzalez , Taíno/Pimicikamak journalist, activist
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:
The Doctrine of Discovery and its Grip on Indigenous Lands
First Nations perspective Canada
The doctrine acted as international law and outlined principles to justify European expropriation and colonization of lands and resources despite the presence of non-Christians or Indigenous Peoples. It said Peoples who were not Christian were not people and the lands they occupied were “terra nullius” or vacant and open to “discovery”. APTN News asked experts to help explain the doctrine and whether it can be rescinded, renounced or revoked. Watch to learn more (watch time 7:27):
The Doctrine of Discovery and its Grip on Indigenous Lands
This is Indian Country
There were 100 million Native/indigenous people who lived on this Northern American continent…now we are the smallest minority group. Most people are unaware of the history of the land they live on and the original people who are still here! We’ve all been sold the bill of goods in our history books! And it’s time to set the record straight [...] As we travel together, we will learn about the history of the land but more important we will meet unique and talented Native people of today! (watch time 2:03):
This is Indian Country
Book Recommendation
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Custer Died for Your Sins: An Indian Manifesto by Vine Deloria Jr.: "The Indian world has changed so substantially since the first publication of this book that some things contained in it seem new again." Indeed, it seems that each generation of whites and Indians will have to read and reread Vine Deloria’s Manifesto for some time to come, before we absorb his special, ironic Indian point of view and what he tells us, with a great deal of humor, about U.S. race relations, federal bureaucracies, Christian churches, and social scientists. This book continues to be required reading for all Americans, whatever their special interest.
Sources
Thanks to everyone who was able to join the July 16 SICC meeting! The July draft meeting minutes and materials will soon be posted on ESIT's Meetings page.
Soon to be Posted
- Draft July Meeting Minutes
- July Meeting Materials
SICC Direct List
Sign Up for SICC DL if you would like your email added to the SICC Public direct email list to receive meeting materials in advance of upcoming SICC meetings.
Questions?
Contact ESIT Community Collaboration Coordinator, E Renae` Antalan.
Upcoming SICC Meetings
2025 Dates
Accommodation Requests
ASL, live captioning, and other accommodations to fully participate in this webinar are available to you upon request. Please submit the Training and Event Access Support request form at least two weeks prior to the event. DYCF may not be able to fulfill requests made less than two weeks in advance.
Request Access Support
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ESIT is excited to share that recruitment is officially open for PIE (Parent Institute for Engagement) Cohort 8!
PIE is a powerful opportunity for families who are passionate about advocacy, leadership, and equity in early intervention. Through this program, families connect, grow, and influence systems of support for infants and toddlers with developmental delays and disabilities across Washington State. Follow the link below to apply:
PIE Cohort 8 Application
Application Deadline: Sept. 25
Notification of Acceptance: Week of Sept. 29
Flyers are available for providers and partners to distribute to families.
To request flyers, application links, or for any questions, please contact Vanessa Allen, Family Engagement Coordinator. For more information about PIE, visit the ESIT Parent Rights page.
Let’s continue building strong family leaders, one cohort at a time.
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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
- Monday, July 28 | 10 – 11 a.m. | Registration
- Wednesday, July 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
Accommodation Requests
ASL, live captioning, and other accommodations to fully participate in this webinar are available to you upon request. Please submit the Training and Event Access Support request form at least two weeks prior to the event. DYCF may not be able to fulfill requests made less than two weeks in advance.
Questions?
Email ESIT's Resource Allocations Manager, Kali Wraspir, at kali.wraspir@dcyf.wa.gov.
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DCYF and King County are partnering to host an ongoing meeting space to support ESIT Providers who work with immigrant and refugee families. The space will provide best practice training, guidance, resources, and reflective practice to ESIT Providers, in response to the evolving needs of families. Providers will have the opportunity to process, connect, and reflect with one another.
This statewide group will be held on the fourth Monday of each month, 9:30 - 11 a.m. The August session will include training, discussion, and reflection about family safety planning. We will be exploring resources from DCYF and community organizations, as well as their use within ESIT.
Who should attend?
Any Provider who works with immigrant and refugee families! We recommend any ESIT staff, especially those who support the intake/referral, service coordination, and evaluation/assessment process, to attend. Registration is open now!
Monday, Aug. 25 | 9:30 - 11 a.m.
Supporting Providers Working with Immigrant and Refugee Families
Accommodation Requests
ASL, live captioning, and other accommodations to fully participate in this webinar are available to you upon request. Please submit the Training and Event Access Support request form at least two weeks prior to the event. DYCF may not be able to fulfill requests made less than two weeks in advance.
Questions?
Contact Technical Assistance Specialist, Molly Stryker, at molly.stryker@dcyf.wa.gov or King County Program Manager, Norma Renteria Lobo, at nrenteri@kingcounty.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.
The Lead IDEA Leadership Academy is a no-cost, year-long leadership development program (starting October 2025) designed for local early intervention program directors dedicated to improving services and outcomes for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families.
The Academy provides:
- Differentiated, expert-led learning grounded in the IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act),
- Tailored coaching based on roles that meets program directors where they are,
- Access to research-based tools and resources, as well as a collaborative national community of peers focused on enhancing early childhood intervention services and supports.
Priority consideration is given to applications received by Aug. 15. A letter of support from a supervisor is required to apply. Learn more and apply:
Lead IDEA Leadership Academy
2025-2026 Leadership Academy Application
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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