Celebrating Black History Month
After much debate—about 70 days—the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Civil Rights Act Feb. 10, 1964. Following a 50-day filibuster, the U.S. Senate approved the Civil Rights Bill June 19, 1964. In July, President Lyndon Johnson signed it into law.
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 made discrimination (race, color, religion, national origin and sex) illegal for federally funded public accommodations, employment, and programs across the United States. And it was much longer before people honored, observed and followed this historical piece of legislation.
Food for thought: Why was there much resistance to pass a law that would make discrimination illegal?
Events
Engagement opportunities that celebrate Black History Month:
- Experience a rebirth with community and new friends at the Northwest Naturals Expo, Feb. 18-20.
- Enjoy a narrated dining experience, exploring black cuisine, culture, and community from Africa to the Americas with Sharing Roots, Feb. 19, 5:30-11 p.m.
- The Liink Black Biz Market and Mixer is a great way to discover local makers and artists and meet them face-to-face, Feb. 20, noon-5 p.m.
- Celebrate Black History Month with Seattle Fashion Group International, featuring 3 Seattle Black fashion designers, Feb. 22, 6-9 p.m.
- Join Puyallup’s first-ever community-wide Black History Celebration:
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Feb. 25, 6-9 p.m.—Pre-Event Seminars
- A light meal.
- Fellowship.
- A COVID-19 update from Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department.
- A conversation about mental health in the Black Community.
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Feb. 26, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.—The Celebration Event
- African drumming and storytelling.
- Student Photography.
- Black Community Mapping.
- Black Merchants Fair.
- Community Conversations.
- Fun music.
- New Orleans Cajun and Creole Cuisine from Velvet's Big Easy.
- And much more!
February’s Black History Month programs and celebrations are only the beginning of our racial equity and justice work. Learn more about Black History Month.
Health Ministers Meeting
Join us Wednesday, March 2, 10-11 a.m. for our Health Ministers/Black Infant Health meeting.
Join us on Zoom from your computer, tablet or smartphone. You can also dial in using your phone: tel:+12532158782,,94132471470#,,,,*108595#
Meeting ID: 941 3247 1470 Passcode: 108595
Contact Taleema Love if you have agenda items to add, questions about the agenda or would like to present your agency at an upcoming meeting.
Family Resources
Learning programs
- Pierce College joined the Urban League scholarship family. Now they offer an award for 6 students each school year! This is such a wonderful opportunity for students who attend local colleges. Learn how you can apply for one of these $2,500 scholarships.
- Puget Sound Educational Service District (PSESD) Early Head Start accepts referrals all year. Learn more and apply. If you want to refer expectant moms and families with children birth to 3, get their permission, then email their contact info to abeckvold@psesd.org. She will help them complete the application over the phone. Or you can fill out an application with them and email it to abeckvold@psesd.org or fax or text it to (253) 778.7820.
- Early Head Start offers a free childcare program for families who qualify. Child Care Resources (CCR) care for children birth to 3 years of age and works with:
- Families Experience homelessness.
- Pregnant women of color.
- Foster care families.
- Children with a disability.
- Low-income families.
- Undocumented families.
CCR provides connection and growth through quality childcare services throughout King and 14 locations throughout Pierce County. Share a flyer: English, Spanish, Somali, Vietnamese, Chinese.
Family activities
Pregnancy support
- Are you a woman of color who has experienced the loss of a child through miscarriage, stillbirth, TFMR, or infant death? Join a Return to Zero Hope virtual support group! It is important for women of color to feel a connection to others who have experienced a similar loss, and to talk about their loss in a safe space. Learn more and register.
Parenting
- A baby lounge is a safe space for all families with babies to connect and learn together. New baby lounges start today, Feb. 15! Schedule a virtual or in-person appointment with a health professional.
- If you plan to file for legal immigration status in the U.S. someday, you and your family can still use many public assistance programs without fear. Learn about the Public Charge Rule (English) (Spanish).
- Dad’s Connect is a great opportunity to meet other dads, form relationships, and make connections. Have a conversation with fathers and father figures. Learn more and register for a session:
- Feb. 16, 6:30-8 p.m.
- April 20, 6:30-8 p.m.
- June 15, 6:30-8 p.m.
- Aug. 17, 6:30-8 p.m.
COVID-19
- COVID-19 testing helps protect you, your family, your friends, and your community. It's also more available than ever before. Find a testing location.
- Masks remain an important tool to keep us safe from infection. If you’re 5 or older, you must wear a face covering indoors in public spaces and outdoors in crowds of 500 or more people. Gov. Jay Inslee extended the state’s mask order to require masks be worn indoors in public spaces regardless of vaccination status. Read more.
- The COVID-19 vaccines are the most effective tools to limit the spread of COVID-19. Everyone 5 and older is eligible to get vaccinated. Find your free dose today at tpchd.org/vaxtothefuture.
Behavioral Health
- Pierce County Human Services anticipates receiving Behavioral Health and Therapeutic Courts Tax (BHTC) funds for Behavioral Health Treatment and Services. This Request for Proposal (RFP) solicits qualified bidders to provide behavioral health treatment and services to Peirce County residents. Programs must address the funding targets identified in the 2021 Behavioral Health Improvement Plan. Funding for this grant applies to July 1, 2022-Dec. 31, 2023. Questions? Join a workshop Feb. 16, 10 a.m.-noon.
- The Family, Youth and Community Outreach and Education Strategies (FYCOES) program helps youth and their families address challenges like family conflict and anger management. FYCOES uses research to implement effective ways to help people prevent and solve problems. They identify behaviors to change, then support and coach youth to make and maintain positive change.
Employment
- Are you experienced in Maternal and Child Health and passionate about supporting mothers and their children? If this sounds like the position for you, Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department invites you to join the Strengthening Families Division as a Regular, Full-time (1.0 FTE) Public Health Nurse I, with our Maternal-Child Health Program. Our nurses make a profound difference in the lives of low-income, first-time parents and their children. Apply by Feb. 27.
- Are you a planner who believes healthy community planning is a collaborative approach to improve public health? Do you excel at forming partnerships? If so, Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department invites you to apply to join the team as a Healthy Community Planning Coordinator - Health Promotion Coordinator III (HPC III). Apply by March 6.
- Bates Technical College is hiring a Family Support Specialist. This person plans, organizes, performs, directs and assesses all work related to maintaining an outreach, recruitment and enrollment process through the year. Learn more and apply.
- Rainier Scholars seeks a Director of Programs to provide direct support to Tacoma students and families for their front-end academic intensive programming. Learn more and apply.
- United States Postal Service (USPS) is hiring. Learn about current career opportunities.
- Washington State Department of Health is hiring. Learn about current job opportunities.
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Hire Pierce County—Next Gen Edition (HPC—NextGen) matches Pierce County young adults, with businesses to intern up to 30 hours per week (up to 16 weeks) for $15 per hour. HPC—NextGen runs through June 30. Learn more if you want to:
- Children’s Alliance is seeking a staff person to compliment and support the ELAA Director during the 2022 legislative session. Submit a letter of interest describing qualifications to job@childrensalliance.org.
- New Adventures Children’s Center at MultiCare Health System is hiring all Early Learning Teacher positions. Learn about current job opportunities. Questions? Contact Kara Cornforth.
- The Maternal Coalition is hiring a Program Coordinator to partners across the organization to propel its work. They encourage People of Color and those who have experienced systematic marginalization to apply.
- Do you dream of owning your own business? Enterprise for Equity wants to support your journey to entrepreneurship. Join an upcoming workshop or event and take advantage of this wonderfully unique opportunity.
Give back
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Orientation to Organizing for Health Justice is an introductory overview and basic understanding of the 6 practices of community organizing using a real example of a health justice campaign. Join Leading Change Network Feb. 15, 9 a.m.-noon and learn about organizing with a special focus on building power within communities to achieve health justice. Learn more and register.
- Every 2 years, Tacoma Public Schools conducts a survey with families, students and staff. The survey drives improvements to create better learning and work environments. Share your ideas now through Feb. 23.
- The 21-Day Equity Challenge is a powerful opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of how inequity and racism affect our lives and our community.
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Read articles and blog posts and get book suggestions.
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Listen to podcasts and the Spotify "Soundtrack 4 Justice" playlist.
- Watch
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Challenge your awareness.
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Follow activists, educators, organizations and movements on social media.
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Get tips to help guide you.
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Act to challenge the status quo.
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Reflect on what you learn and how you feel.
- The new year brings a time for reflection and positive change. Share your thoughts about National Institute for Children’s Health Quality (NICHQ)! Your feedback in this brief survey will help drive improvements across this organization.
Professional Resources
Training opportunities
- Department of Health (DOH) is reaching out to people who have experienced health inequities or racism in the health care system. They also invite advocacy groups and health care professional associations to attend. Each session has space for 250 attendees. If a session fills up, consider attending another one. We want to hear from you!
- Tuesday, Feb. 15, 5-6 p.m.
- Thursday, Feb. 24, 10-11 a.m.
Join the meeting on your computer or mobile app Or call in (audio only) +1 564-999-2000,,114577531# Phone Conference ID: 114 577 531#
- Join Zero to Three Feb. 16, 2-3:30 p.m. for The Psychology of Pregnancy and Early Parenthood. Gain an overview of the psychology of pregnancy including key concepts around development and identity, and issues surrounding complicated pregnancies, prematurity, and loss. Learn more and register.
- Join Washington Family Engagement’s Parent Leadership Training Institute (PLTI), beginning Feb. 19, 9 a.m.-noon. It is a free, 12-week online course for teaches parents, community members and professionals working with families. Learn about systems and develop civic, leadership, and public speaking skills. Register: English | Spanish
- Join Doula Support 101 Feb. 23, 11 a.m.-noon to hear from local Pierce County doulas about the support doulas provide to families for birth, postpartum, and beyond! Register here.
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BUILD hosts many conferences, meetings, and webinars throughout the year–including the annual QRIS conference. See what's coming up at BUILD and from our partners. Upcoming webinars (11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.):
- Feb. 16—Cross-Systems Engagement.
- March 16—Prevention.
- April 20—Head Start and Child Care for Children in Child Welfare.
- May 19—Family First Prevention Services (FFPSA) Opportunities for Early Childhood Programs.
- Save the date: March 17, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.—Tacoma-Pierce County Opioid Task Force Virtual Summit.
- Learn how a health equity task force in Kansas helped mobilize services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sign up for Preventive Medicine Grand Rounds. Earn free CEs through Oct. 5, 2023.
- Cooper House invites BIPOC home visitors and other direct service staff to join a monthly FAN Community of Practice, which includes 4 monthly sessions. Each session is 90-minutes and has space for up to 8 FAN practitioners. You must identify as a person of color to participate in this Community of Practice. Each session is 10-11:30 a.m. the fourth Thursday of Jan.-April. Register here.
- Perinatal Support Washington is hosting Group Peer Support (GPS) consultation groups for those who have taken GPS training through Perinatal Support Washington. Attend these FREE virtual groups the second Tuesday monthly or the third Wednesday monthly, through June 2022.
- Join Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence (WSCADV) April 7, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. for a FREE home visitors training. Learn concrete strategies for supporting survivors and families. This training is only for people who have already attended WSCADV’s Domestic Violence Training.
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Register today for Southwest Perinatal Education Consortium’s virtual conference We See You: Compassionate Strategies for Perinatal Nurses April 22, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
- ECHO Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Wraparound connects community healthcare providers with children and young adults with IDD behavioral health specialists. To join, you must commit to 90-minute learning sessions on the second and fourth Wednesday monthly, 8:30-10 a.m. Learn more. Questions? Contact echoiddd@uw.edu.
Funding opportunities
- The Foundation for Tacoma Students invites a call for proposals for the second annual Charting Our Future Learning Conference, scheduled April 4-6. The conference is an annual gathering of educators, system leaders, and community members to disrupt historical oppression and create a socially just future for Tacoma’s youth and young adults. The deadline for proposals is Feb. 18.
- Commerce's Early Learning Facilities (ELF) program will open a new funding round for eligible childcare providers in early March. Grants are for minor renovations to existing buildings used by childcare providers licensed or certified by the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) on or before January 1, 2020. Register for an info webinar Feb. 18, 12:30-2 p.m. to learn more.
- Do you have an idea that could help people stay healthy, productive and socially connected? Apply to the National Academy of Medicine’s Catalyst Award to earn $50k to fund your idea! Learn more and apply by Feb. 28.
- Are you an artist or cultural producer who lives in unincorporated King County? Apply for 4Culture’s recovery fund! Look for grant guidelines and application at 4culture.org/covid-19. 4Culture offers opportunities for other kinds of cultural funding and support in King County throughout the year.
- Search grants for Community Health Workers or the Public Health Scholarship Program (PHSP).
- The Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) announced licensed and certified childcare providers can apply for the Child Care Stabilization Grant. Apply in the Compass Provider Portal by June 30 at 11:59 p.m. If you’re a license-exempt Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) provider, apply on the DCYF FFN Stabilization Grant website. Questions? Email dcyf.stabilizationgrant@dcyf.wa.gov.
Give back
- Washington Nonprofits commits to providing access to high quality learning for our colleagues across Washington. Each year, they organize more than 150 online courses, designed to deliver practical skills and tools on key topics, such as nonprofit board, finance, legal basics, and fundraising. Here’s what’s new in 2022. Learn how you can become a member of Washington Nonprofits.
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