Tribal Services & Supports at JR Facilities
Article written by Arturo Caballero, JR Tribal Liaison
Did you know that Tribal services are available to young people at DCYF’s juvenile rehabilitation (JR) facilities? DCYF contracts with the Unkitawa Reentry Program to provide services at Echo Glen Children’s Center (EGCC) and Green Hill School (GHS).
“Unkitawa” is a Lakota word meaning “Ours, Yours, Mine.” It embodies the idea that we are all equally responsible to care for one another.
GHS hosts yearly powwows and provides two Inipi (sweat lodge) ceremonies per month. The facility also provides weekly Native Circle cultural groups for residents and makes religious supplies available including medicine bags, dreamcatchers, and medicine wheels.
EGCC also provides twice-monthly groups. One group is centered around learning traditional teachings, such as beading, medicines, and the history of Indigenous peoples. The facility is working to provide sweat lodge ceremonies again soon once the ceremony area can be moved to a proper location.
Image: The Unkitawa Reentry Program organized a powwow for JR youth at GHS in the fall of 2024.
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Call for Presenters | ICYF 2025
Planning for this year's virtual Indigenous, Children, Youth & Families (ICYF) conference is underway! The Office of Tribal Relations (OTR) is currently accepting session proposals. We are looking for sessions that will build the knowledge and skills of those working with system-involved Native families.
Sessions will be held on Oct. 15, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Oct 16, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Submit your proposal to present at ICYF by filling out the Call to Presenters Form.
Seeking Qualified Expert Witnesses for Indian Child Welfare Cases
DCYF is looking for Qualified Expert Witnesses (QEW) to support tribes in providing designated QEW’s in state Indian child custody proceedings. Our priority is to engage QEWs directly named or approved by tribes to ensure culturally appropriate and knowledgeable testimony.
Why QEW Matters
Under the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), QEW testimony is required in child custody proceedings to assess whether continued custody by a parent or Indian custodian may cause serious emotional or physical harm to the child. Recent Washington State Supreme Court rulings have reinforced the need for knowledgeable and culturally competent QEW testimony in ICW cases.
Who Can Be a QEW?
- Tribal designees, elders, members, and descendants
- Tribal community members with cultural knowledge
- Professionals with deep understanding of the child’s Tribe’s culture and parenting practices
- Approved DCYF staff
What to Expect
QEW’s may provide testimony on:
- Placement decisions & case planning
- Active efforts to reunify families
- Cultural and social norms of the child’s Tribe
QEW’s may contract individually with DCYF or through a Tribe and may testify only with Tribal approval for their own Tribe or similar tribes in their region.
Where & How
- Testimony is needed in state and county courts across Washington (in-person or virtual).
- Ideally, QEW testimony is provided at the 30-day shelter care hearing, but it is required by dependency, guardianship, or termination hearings.
- Training is required (or proof of completion within the last five years).
Get Involved
If you're interested in ensuring compliance with ICWA and supporting Indian families, consider becoming a QEW! Join our upcoming virtual training.
Virtual QEW Training
June 11 & June 12, 2025
Register Here
For more information, email Sally Nahsonhoya, QEW Coordinator, at DCYFOTRQEWRequest@dcyf.wa.gov.
Early Childhood Equity Grant
DCYF is pleased to announce that the Early Childhood Equity Grant application is now available. This grant is intended to serve as a step toward expanding access to early learning statewide and transforming Washington's early learning system to make it more inclusive and equitable. The grant will support inclusive and culturally and linguistically specific early learning and early childhood and parent support programs across the state.
For more information, including frequently asked questions and contact information for technical assistance, please visit the DCYF Early Childhood Equity Grant webpage.
Family Success Parenting Conference
May 2 - 4, 2025
Great Wolf Lodge, Grand Mound, WA
Family Success NW proudly presents their inaugural conference—a gathering of parents, caregivers, and allies dedicated to supporting trauma-impacted children. Pre-register for the conference and visit Family Success Northwest for more information.
Ways DCYF Supports the Developmental Disabilities Population
There are a variety of ways DCYF supports children, youth, and adults with developmental disabilities. General resources can be found on the DCYF Website.
DCYF’s Adults with Disabilities Program Manager, Melissa Wood (melissa.wood@dcyf.wa.gov), supports DCYF staff through:
- 1:1 case consultation to review case modifications, community resources, etc.
- Trainings through The Association for Successful Parenting (TASP). Ask your DCYF caseworker to learn more.
Eligible children and youth can access Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) Home and Community Based Waivers when in a dependency proceeding. Learn how to enroll a child or youth in your care.
If you are caring for a child or youth who is eligible for DDA services and would like to learn more about accessing these services, please reach out to your DCYF caseworker or the Mental Health/Developmental Disabilities Program Consultant in your area to learn more.
Additional information can be found on the DDA website:
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Upcoming Local Events
Missing & Murdered Indigenous Peoples Awareness Powwow | Pacific University
May 3, 2025 | 12 to 10 p.m.
Stoller Center, 2331 Main St. Forest Grove
Visit Pacific Powwow | Pacific University for more information.
MMIW/MMIP Walk | Nisqually Indian Tribe
May 5, 2025 | 12 to 1:30 p.m.
Nisqually Tribal Health & Wellness Center, 4840 Journey Street SE, Olympia WA 98513
Visit Nisqually Indian Tribe :: May 5th MMIW/MMIP Walk for information.
MMIW/P Walk and Rally | Eastern Washington University (EWU)
May 5, 2025 | 12 to 4 p.m.
EWU Mall, 706 5th St., Cheney, WA 99004
Visit ewu.edu/mmiw for information.
MMIP Symposium | Yakama Nation Legends Casino Hotel
May 5, 2025
Legends Casino 580 Fort Rd., Toppenish, WA 98948
Visit Event Registration for information and to register.
In Honor of Our Children Powwow | Kelso Powwow Committee
May 17, 2025 | 12 to 9 p.m.
Kelso High School, 1904 Allen St., Kelso, WA
Free and open to the public. Visit kelsochildrenpowwow for information.
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