Celebrating Black History Month

Black history is American history. This day (Feb. 25) in history:

• 1870—The first Black U.S. Senator, Hiram R. Revels (1822-1901), took his oath of office.
• 1964—Muhammad Ali became heavyweight champion.
• 1975—Nation of Islam leader Elijah Muhammad died.
• 1987— National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) leader, Edward Daniel Nixon, died.
• 1989—Mike Tyson won the heavyweight title.

Events

Engagement opportunities that celebrate Black History Month:

• Join Puyallup’s first-ever community-wide Black History Celebration:
  • 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.
  • 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!
• Feb. 27, 11 a.m.-noon—Reframing Black art through Black history.
• Hey, kids! Join this free drawing class and learn what's not always included in school textbooks—the history and Art of the Black Diaspora.
• Feb. 27, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.—Zoom poetry reading.
  • Join this special Black History Month Zoom poetry reading with award-winning poet, bestselling author, civil rights activist, and essayist, Katerina Canyon.
• Feb. 27, 2-3:30 p.m.—Black Families Conference.
  • Learn from subject matter experts on a broad range of topics to support healthy students. Ask questions, engage with experts and gather resources.
• Feb. 28, 5-6:30 p.m.—Every.Black Entrepreneur International Masterminds.
  • Learn from dynamic speakers about entrepreneurship and how to use technology in business.
• March 28, 10-11 a.m.—The history of historically Black colleges and universities.
  • At this lunch and learn, we’ll discuss the rich history of 10 historically Black colleges and universities and the role they play in educating African American people.

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.

Mandy Aaberg from Palmer Scholars will discuss the Palmer Pathways Pre-Apprenticeship Program.

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.

Couldn’t attend the February Health Minister’s meeting? Read the highlights here.

Family Resources

Learning programs

• Greentrike’s 2022 spring camp is a collaborative learning experiences for preschoolers ages 3–5 years old and school-age learners ages 5–9 years old. Join classes April 4–7 that feature art, science, engineering, storytelling and adventure. Register for spring camp.
• 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.

Family activities

• If you’re a Black Infant Health participant (or were in the past), join us April 10 at 3:30 p.m. at our first 2022 Celebration of Life. We will honor families with children who have turned 1 of age since our last celebration. If you’re a Health Minister who serves a family that wants recognition for their milestone, contact RaTanya Ozolin.
• Pierce County Library System offers a calendar full of events for kids and families. These are a few great programs for parents with young children:
  • Virtual baby and toddler time—every Monday at 10 a.m.
  • Move to learn—every Monday at 11 a.m.
  • Family storytime with Miss B, Mr. Bob and Miss Holly—every Wednesday at 9:30 a.m.
  • February’s theme is grandparents.
  • Click or tap for more events.
• Find all sorts of useful information and family activities at Tacoma Public Library’s kids & families web page and register for unique craft projects or special events. Also, check out the February newsletter for fun ideas.

Food

• Abbott Nutrition announced an infant formula recall for Similac, Alimentum and EleCare brands. Learn about this recall. DO NOT use these brands of powdered infant formulas if:
• The first two digits of the code are 22 through 37; and
• The code on the container contains K8, SH or Z2; and
• The expiration date is 4-1-2022 (APR 2022) or later.

Return it to the store or contact Similac, (800) 986-8540.

• Washington State Department of Health and Safeway partnered to make SNAP/EBT shopping even better! Now, you can use SNAP benefits to buy groceries online at Safeway.com for pickup or home delivery! When you buy at least $10 of fresh fruits and vegetables—online or in your local grocery store—you get a coupon for your next trip! Use your SNAP Produce Match coupon to buy more fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) offers FREE online nutrition classes for families and children. Learn more and register.

Parenting

• Join Healthy Native Babies webinar March 16 and April 13, 11 a.m.-noon. Honor the past and learn for the future in this live streamed webinar series.
• A baby lounge is a safe space for all families with babies to connect and learn together. Schedule a virtual or in-person appointment with a health professional today!
• 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:

• 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. Learn which mask is best for you.
• 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. Submit your proposal by March 11.
• This Black History Month, take some time to learn about Black and African American contributions to mental health. Also, get mental health resources for Black and African American people.
• Learn about prenatal alcohol exposure and mental health disorders, in a new University of Washington study. The authors examine the connection between prenatal alcohol exposure and mental health issues later in life.

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.
• Do you know a Spanish-speaking person who has great interpersonal skills? PSESD Expanded Learning Programs is hiring a full time bi-lingual Family Advocate to work with East Pierce County partners to support Latinx families and students. Apply by Feb 27.
• Pierce County Developmental Disabilities team has position openings for program specialists in 3 areas: Early Support for Infants and Toddlers (ESIT), Community Outreach and Education, and Contracts/Monitoring. 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.
• 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:
  • Host a Young Adult Paid Internship.
  • Build up your work experience and earn up to $5,000.
• 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.
• 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.

Professional Resources

Training opportunities

• 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.):
  • 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.
• Join When a Pandemic & an Epidemic Collide: COVID-19 and OUD, March 9, 10-11 a.m. This webinar discussion is for anyone who provides services to people with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). We’ll support and learn from one another about changes in delivering care and how it affects the people involved. Learn more and register.
• Join Results from the 2021 WA State Syringe Services Program Survey, March 10, 1-2 p.m. Discuss 2021 survey of syringe services programs findings which includes frequency of use of fentanyl, interest in safer smoking supplies, COVID-19-related statistics, demographics of program participants, and more. Learn more and register.
• Learn how we can root our response to the opioid crisis in racial equity at the Tacoma-Pierce County Opioid Task Force Virtual Summit, March 17, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Join Creating an Equitable Recovery Environment for Clients of Color, March 30, noon-1 p.m. Learn about the Pillars of Connection team and the role they play in fighting systems of oppression and advocating for change, how to meet clients where they are, and what you can do to support a diverse team. Learn more and register.
• 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.
• 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

• 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

• United Way of Pierce County invites you to Together for ALICE: From Surviving to Thriving, a virtual town-hall, March 10, 4:30-5:30 p.m. At this free event, we’ll dive into data around equity and resilience in our community. We’ll look at the impact of the Pandemic on Pierce County. Learn more and register.
• 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.

Find more family and professional resources here.