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One of the comments that was echoed by several parents at the SFL Retreat was, “keep the services with the child.” Often, children come into DCYF care and start receiving services, but when they are reunited with their parents the services are no longer available, although the need is still there. One opportunity to voice feedback like this is through the Kinship Care Licensing Rules development process – see below in the DCYF News section.
Stay tuned for more notes and insights from the event.
 Quotes from our Gathering
Some quotes from feedback forms at our Strengthen Families Locally Retreat and Prevention Leadership Gathering:
“What would you like to see more of in the future?...DCYF lived experience presentations.”
“Parent panel was amazing, the stories and people will stay with me.”
“This was very meaningful, deeply appreciate the inclusion and centering of those with lived experiences.”
Take 5 minutes today and share a story with us! Your story could help shape supports for Washington families. Share a story today
Flyer | FAQ for collecting stories
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A young member of the Puyallup Tribe will throw out the ceremonial first pitch during the May 12 Mariners game to celebrate Foster Care Month.
Niko, 8, will be the first tribal dependent child to be nominated and selected for this honor. He was nominated by his foster parents Jesse and Lani, who say he is excited to throw the first pitch alongside his sisters and members of his Tribe.
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Tickets for this event are available until May 10 at https://www.mlb.com/mariners/tickets/specials/we-are-family.
Thank you to the community organizations and partners that will join DCYF at the game:
Big Brothers Big Sisters, CaRES, Community and Family Services Foundation, Compelled to Care, Coordinated Care, Mockingbird, NWAE, Parks, the Puyallup Tribe, Sibling Strong, and Treehouse
New Kinship Care Licensing Rules
The Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) will develop a new WAC chapter, along with supporting policies, procedures, and a home study process for kinship caregivers, making it easier for kin to get licensed and receive support from staff.
The proposed Kinship Licensing Rules will be available for public review in December 2024 and go into effect Spring 2025. Washington State is committed to licensing 80% of its kinship caregivers by 2025.
How can I get involved?
DCYF staff, Kinship caregivers, Tribes, and CPAs are all invited and encouraged to provide feedback throughout this process.
Sign up to get involved. Fill out the Kinship Standards- Community Engagement Opportunity Form and:
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Attend Kinship Standards workshops in May and June.
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Have a 1:1 conversation with the Kinship Standards Community Engagement team.
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Provide feedback on proposed Kinship WACs, Policies, and Procedures during public comment.
We know kids experiencing out-of-home care do better in almost every area when placed in kinship care (Source: Kinship Care Research Brief). We want to be sure that all caregivers for a child or youth in foster care can be supported.
If you have any questions or feedback, email dcyf.kinshipfeedback@dcyf.wa.gov.
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Check here for news and opportunities specific to our Strengthen Families Locally communities. Send opportunities to strengtheningfamilies@dcyf.wa.gov
Spokane: UNITE: Early Learning Conference 2024. Thu, June 20 2024 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Ferris High School, 3020 E 37th Avenue Spokane Washington 99223-7738. An in-person, one-day conference providing an opportunity for early childhood educators and administrators to connect and learn together. For programs serving children ages birth to age eight in Northeast Washington's seven-county region, many of whom serve in rural, low-income and/or underserved communities. Register here ($125)
Spokane: Parental Social Connection and Isolation Survey. Are you a parent or caregiver of a child or children ages 0-5 and living in Spokane County? Or Are you currently pregnant and living in Spokane County? Spokane Regional Health District wants to hear from you about your experiences of seeking and receiving social support and connection in your community. We want to learn about feelings of belonging or isolation in your community that you may have experienced.
Sharing with us about your feelings and experiences may not benefit you directly, but it can inform programs and services in Spokane County to improve our community. Your participation is voluntary, and you may choose not to complete the survey, or skip a question if it is too difficult to answer.
As appreciation for your participation, you will have the option to enter a drawing to receive one of ten $50 electronic gift cards from Tango (with a choice from hundreds of retailers, like Amazon, Walmart, Starbucks, etc.).
Follow this link www.srhd.org/parental-connection to take the survey in your preferred language.
Spokane: Join SRDVC's Survivor's Circle of Support for a safe and inclusive healing space. This support group will offer connection, clarity and healing. Groups are on Thursdays, 2-3 pm. Email Taffy at Outreach@srdvc.org to register and for location details.
Check out these local resources on Facebook!
Health and Justice Recovery Alliance (Spokane)
Connect (Events and Opportunities)
LGBTQ2IA+ Families Then and Now 2024– Next episode is May 13 / Las Familias LGBTQ2IA+ Antes y Ahora 2024– Siguiente episodio el 13 de Mayo. Through conversations with a diverse range of panelists who identify as LGBTQIA2+ at different stages of family life, this free webinar series explores the changing landscape of LGBTQIA2+ parenting. The five-part series began on Monday, May 6, 2024, and continues through July 1, 2024. Each webinar is 1 hour followed by a 30-minute Q&A session with our panelists. All webinars have live Spanish language translation and closed captioning available. Each webinar includes live Spanish language translation and closed captioning. Learn more and register.
Surveillance Of Mothers Living In Poverty: Effects On Children, Families, And Communities. Government agencies like Child Protective Services (CPS) are tasked with protecting vulnerable children. These agencies can assist children and families in need, but based on their research, our presenters say that the work of these systems also centrally involves surveillance of families, particularly poor families of color. How do mothers and their children—often navigating conditions of poverty and racism—experience this surveillance? And why are poor moms of color much more likely to be CPS involved? In this webinar, Dr. Darcey Merritt and Dr. Kelley Fong will draw on their extensive work with mothers whose parenting has been monitored by CPS and other agencies that often threaten the families they are supposed to help. Wednesday, May 15, 2024, 11:00-12:00 Pacific. Register here
CTIPP CAN Call on Economic and Legal Basis for Child And Family Strengthening System Reform: In honor of May being National Foster Care Month, the Campaign for Trauma-Informed Policy and Practice (CTIPP) and the American Bar Association (ABA) are hosting a free webinar to discuss the history of funding and its impact on child and family strengthening systems. This free webinar aims to empower advocates and decision-makers to understand structural inequities to further promote healing and build a society that reduces trauma and its effects across the lifespan of our nation's young people and future generations. Wednesday, May 15, 2024, from 2:00-3:30pmET // 11:00am-12:30pmPT. REGISTER (free!)
Enroll in online training for Family Initiated Treatment (FIT): At Health Care Authority (HCA) we recognize the pivotal role families play in the well-being of their loved ones. Join our Family Initiated Treatment (FIT) training, an online training designed to empower parents and family members with the knowledge and skills to navigate the FIT service effectively. Learn more and register here.
Learn (Educational Resources)
Associates being added as provider type in Mental Health Billing Guide Part 1: As of July, 1 2024, licensed mental health associates, licensed social worker associates, and licensed marriage and family therapist associates will be allowable provider types in the Mental Health Billing Guide, Part 1. How to register for a billing NPI | Enroll as a health care professional practicing under a group or facility | Contact: Email HCA fee-for-service with questions.
The Bright Spots Library: Connecting family voice & practice solutions. Recommended child welfare practice by impacted parents - A new hub for parent-reviewed practices for keeping families safe and connected. View the resource here.
Birth doula benefit rulemaking initiated: In response to Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5950, the Health Care Authority (HCA) is developing rules which will outline how birth doulas can become HCA providers and be paid for providing covered birth doula services to Apple Health (Medicaid) clients. HCA filed a preproposal statement of inquiry (CR-101) on April 19, 2024. Instructions for participating in HCA’s rulemaking process are on the CR-101.
Act (Ways To Engage Right Now)
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Help Me Grow Developmental Screening Survey
Help Me Grow Washington with DCYF offers free access to online developmental screening for early care and education providers serving families.
To support the ongoing success of this free service, DCYF invites you to complete a brief 15-minute survey, which is available in English, Spanish, and Somali.
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Survey results will help DCYF learn about your awareness of developmental screening, whether this service is of interest to you, and if so, what resources or support you need to offer this service to families. The first 150 survey respondents will receive a gift card for their time.
Seeking Youth & Young Adults (ages 13-27) to help improve health and SUD services and consider new ones that meet their needs. You are invited to join the efforts of the Children & Youth Behavioral Health Work Group (CYBHWG) to improve mental health and drug and alcohol treatment services and supports for children, young people through age 25, and their families. Email if you have questions about these opportunities.
Children & Youth Behavioral Health Work Group (CYBHWG): This group makes annual recommendations to the Legislature to improve mental health and drug and alcohol-related services – and many of them get passed and funded each year! Learn more and apply
Prenatal-25 Behavioral Health Strategic Plan Advisory Group (P-25 Strategic Plan Advisory Group): This group reviews and provides input and recommendations on the development of a strategic plan to improve mental health and drug and alcohol services and supports for children and young people to age 25, including getting the word out to other young people so their voices are heard. Learn more and apply
Join the monthly discussion group: Drop in as you’re available to a monthly discussion group (subcommittee) for people ages 13-29 to give input on P-25 Behavioral Health Strategic Plan. This group will meet for the first time on Thursday, May 22, from 4-5:30. Join the mailing list
Grow (Funding and Resources)
Early Learning Facilities grants for public school districts open now. Applications are due by June 25. The 2025-2027 Early Learning Facilities (ELF) funding round for public school districts is now open. Funded projects must: Result in an increase in early learning capacity; Commit to reserving spaces for either the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) and/or the Working Connections Child Care Program (WCCC); Participate in Early Achievers; Commit to maintaining the site as an early learning facility for at least 10 years. See application materials on the ELF Webpage.
Office of Crime Victims Advocacy Domestic Violence High Risk Teams: This Request for Applications (RFA) through the Office of Crime Victims Advocacy seeks qualified organizations to establish new domestic violence high risk teams supporting cases of intimate partner violence with a high risk of lethality. This grant is for one year July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025 with potential for renewal. Closing date: June 5, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. (noon) PST. Download materials here.
Community Reinvestment Plan Homeownership Capital Accelerator: In 2022, the Legislature created the Community Reinvestment Account, setting aside funding to address racial, economic, and social disparities in communities disproportionately harmed by the historic design and enforcement of state and federal criminal laws and penalties for drug possession (the “war on drugs”). The Legislature directed the Department of Commerce to invest the funds in four program areas: economic development, civil and criminal legal assistance, community-based violence intervention and prevention services, and reentry services. As laid out in the Community Reinvestment Plan, data demonstrates that in our state, those most impacted by the war on drugs are Black, Latine, and tribal individuals and communities. Geographically, the most impacted counties are; Clark, King, Pierce, Snohomish, Spokane, and Yakima. These communities and counties will be prioritized, but not exclusively, for the distribution of awards under this funding opportunity and for the community reinvestment funds.
As part of these investments, Commerce is releasing this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). We are requesting proposals from applicants qualified and interested in receiving loan capital to reduce monthly mortgage payments and/or increase capital for Black, Latine, and tribal communities harmed by the historic design and enforcement for drug possession. For further details, see the Notice of Funding Opportunity.
If you have suggestions for what to include in this newsletter, email Joy Lile.
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