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DCYF's Early Support for Infant and Toddlers (ESIT) Program, in the department's Partnership, Prevention and Services Division, is accountable to meet all requirements of Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the early intervention program for infants and toddlers with disabilities or developmental delays. The program is positioned under the Assistant Secretary of Partnership, Prevention and Services, and reports to the Director of Family and Community Support.
The ESIT Senior Administrator (WMS03) supports the DCYF Strategic Plan for building a comprehensive Birth-8 system, to achieve kindergarten readiness outcomes associated with strong developmental services offered through the ESIT system. In this role, you will support cross system work to ensure the integration of ESIT with other early learning, health, and family support initiatives within DCYF and identify opportunities to enhance services, develop strong infrastructure, and leverage partnerships across state agencies. The closing date for applications is Thursday, Sept. 4.
Please review by clicking on the hyperlink below for your own consideration and share with others you think may be interested:
Apply for ESIT Senior Administrator (WMS03)
Good by Alexs Pate, illustrated by Tequitia Andrews
“At the heart of everything is you. And you are Good just as you are.” Award-winning author Alexs Pate reminds readers of the inner Good found inside each of us. This Good is the source of joy, hope, laughter, and dreams. But what happens to that Good when life offers up big challenges—the kind that can make us forget about our Good and instead choose Trouble? With poetic and lyrical language, Pate shows readers that even when Trouble comes calling, Good is at the heart of everything they are.
Listen to it read aloud by Capstone (1:11):
GOOD by Alexs Pate
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DCYF Launches New DCYF Data Webpage
The Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families’ (DCYF) most frequently requested data is now at your fingertips!
DCYF launched a new DCYF Data webpage where media professionals and the public can find and download infographics featuring relevant data points specific to DCYF’s services, programs, and divisions.
Read the web article to learn more.
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Washington Continues to Offer Free to Low-Cost Early Care and Education to Families in Need
As you may be aware, the federal government has announced a policy change related to several federal funding streams, including Head Start, that could impact the ability for undocumented families to access educational programs for young children.
We are still assessing the impact of this federal policy shift. However, families — regardless of their immigration status--continue to have access to the following free to low-cost child care and early learning programs offered by the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF).
View this bulletin to learn more about Working Connections Childcare (WCCC) and ECEAP.
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Washington State Makes it Easier for Relatives to Become Licensed Caregivers
The Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) launched new licensing standards that make it easier for relatives to become licensed caregivers, which provides additional supports to care for children and youth in foster care.
The new Kinship Licensing Standards — launched July 1 — include 50% less forms for applicants to fill out.
The new standards also established a kinship home study with less questions than the current community foster care licensing process.
Read more by visiting our What's New Blog.
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Sign Up for the New JR Family Newsletter and Alerts
DCYF knows that when families stay connected and support young people in Juvenile Rehabilitation (JR), this produces better outcomes and more successful futures.
To that end, this month, DCYF is launching the JR Family Newsletter for families and friends of those in juvenile rehabilitation. The online newsletter will contain information about programs, safety, and news, and serve as a tool to help better connect you all with what is going on in JR.
To learn more and to subscribe, visit the What's New blog.
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“Since the beginning, Native Peoples lived a life of being in harmony with all that surrounds us.”
-Nowa Cumig by Dennis Banks
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:
Tribal Lifeways
Tribal Lifeways—the traditional ways in which tribal people have lived since time immemorial, including religion, culture, recreation, economy, and all that encompasses a tribal society. Lifeways differ from tribe to tribe.
Vocabulary Key
(for On Sovereignty Article)
Since Time Immemorial: Tribal Sovereignty in Washington State
On Sovereignty
We might think of a nation as being a lot bigger and maybe far across the sea. Each nation has different languages, religions, customs and holidays from our own.
Some people find it hard to believe that such nations are right here in the United States. But they are here. In what is now called Washington State, there are over 29 distinct Indian nations, each with its own government, citizens, laws, and traditions.
Read full article by Carol Craig (Yakama) and Shana Brown (Yakama descendant):
On Sovereignty
Indigenous Lifeways
As an indigenous women led organization we ensure our matriarchal indigenous beliefs are instilled in all programming we conduct.
Grounded in this traditional knowledge and wisdom as well as respectful land-based practices and ceremonies, we proactively utilize modern tools and resources to help build individual and community capacity to restore health and balance for all people and our environment.
We are working to revitalize and preserve our native languages, traditions and cultures. We are deeply rooted in the frontlines of activism, engaging with our communities in proactive response to climate adaptation; cultivating green pathways in local economic development; and building capacity for both individuals and the community.
Learn more about Indigenous Lifeways, their mission and trainings:
Indigenous Lifeways
Sources
The purpose of the IDEA Part C Provider Agency Data Profiles (AKA - State Report Cards) is to provide transparent, accessible information about how each ESIT Provider Agency is implementing early intervention services for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families. These Data Profiles include key data such as child outcomes, state performance on compliance and results indicators, and provider agencies’ progress toward established targets. This information can be used to understand how well the state supports early development, identify areas needing improvement, guide policy decisions, and promote accountability and equity in early intervention services.
Available on ESIT's ACORN (Access to Child Online Records Network) Data Management System page: SPP/APR ESIT Provider Agency Data Profiles FFY17-23.
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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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SICC Member Application
The Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is recruiting members for two open positions on the State Interagency Coordinating Council:
- (1) Public or private provider of Early Intervention Services,
- (1) Member of the State Legislature.
Apply on the Governor's website, and under 'Board Information,' select Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities and Their Families, State Interagency Coordinating Council:
Apply here for SICC board
SICC Sub-Committees Application
The SICC Data, Finance, Personnel & Training, Public Policy, and Service Delivery Committees are accepting applications from qualified and interested individuals:
Complete Sub-Committee Interest form
If you have any questions, please contact DCYF ESIT Community Collaboration Coordinator, E Renae` Antalan.
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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.
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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The current cohort of Tribal Early Learning Initiative (TELI), which started in early 2022, will end in December 2025. In addition to providing universal technical assistance to 41 TELI Network Tribes, Administration for Children and Families (ACF) has been partnering with 8 TELI Collaborative Tribes to provide intensive support to assist them in planning and carrying out their priorities to improve efficiencies and be more responsive to the needs of young Native children and their families. The new TELI cohort will run from January 2026 to December 2028 and will emphasize food security and nutrition. To learn more about TELI, view the TELI informational flyer.
To apply to participate in the TELI Collaborative, please fill out the Statement of Interest and submit to TribalECD@acf.hhs.gov by Friday, Oct. 31.
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Are you an early intervention provider with experience working with children with neurogenetic conditions? Pixi is especially interested in reaching providers that work with families who are less represented in research studies in neurogenetic conditions. If you're interested in sharing more about your experience, please join us for a virtual interview.
Participation may include:
Zoom interviews: answering questions about your experiences working with diverse families of children (1 hour).
Web-based questionnaires (15 minutes).
Participants will be compensated for their time.
Interested in learning more? Reach out to Sam Scott, at sjscott@rti.org, call 919-248-8533, or complete the online information form.
For more updates, subscribe to these newsletters:
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