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The Washington Fatherhood Council is a group that works together to reduce poverty and inequality by helping fathers feel included and supported. The council helps improve state services for dads, connects fathers to helpful resources, and engages dads with real-life experience to help guide their work.
The council was created in 2018 and includes many people—fathers, organizations, researchers, and advocates. They work together to raise awareness about the important role fathers play and to encourage communities, agencies, and policies to include fathers in meaningful ways.
While DCYF has been a partner in this work from the start, recent budget cuts at DSHS threatened to end this important work. DCYF is excited to announce that we are now supporting this work as much as we can manage with existing staffing.
This will include the convening of the Fatherhood Council as well as the Dad Allies Provider Learning Series.
You can receive information about the Fatherhood Council and the Provider Learning Series by subscribing to the new link. We are also currently working to bring over website materials to the DCYF website, which will include past trainings as well as other opportunities to engage with fathers.
Our first hosted Provider Learning Series is coming up soon, and registration has just opened for the second one. You can register for both below.
New Washington State Maternal Mortality Report – Including Dads in Prevention
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025
Maternal mortality has a deep and inequitable impact on loved ones and communities left behind. So, how do we prevent it? This session will discuss data, findings and recommendations from the Washington State Department of Health’s October 2025 Maternal Mortality Review Panel report. Washington’s MMRP reviews deaths of Washington residents in pregnancy through one year postpartum to identify deaths that are pregnancy-related and preventable, and to make recommendations to prevent future deaths. From decision-makers to dads, knowledge can help everyone understand what’s needed to prevent maternal mortality.
Partnering with DCS and the Prosecuting Attorneys to Establish Parentage in Washington State
Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
The SFWA team is proud to announce this year's funded programs for our Community Based Child Abuse Prevention work.
We are continuing our work with community based perinatal mental health initiatives. This includes new partnerships with Chelan Douglas Health District, Grant County Health District, Joyce L Sobel Family Support Center, Refugee & Immigrant Connections Spokane (RICS), and Shades of Motherhood Network.
In addition, we are supporting Community-Minded Enterprises with a Resilient Families Play and Learn Group, Multicultural Child and Family Hope Center with Stepping Stones Triple P parenting classes, South Sound Parent to Parent with Holland classes and Yakima Memorial Hospital with Expanding Support for Families of of Children with Disabilities Through Community Resource Trainings.
Ballmer Group Announces Grant to Fund Up to 10,000 More ECEAP Slots
The Ballmer Group Philanthropy recently announced a new grant that would fund up to 10,000 additional seats for Washington’s Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) for the next 10 years.
Read the full message in Español and Soomaali.
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Positive Indian Parenting Funding Opportunity Announced
The Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is excited to announce a funding opportunity to provide Positive Indian Parenting (PIP) services.
DCYF is seeking bids from Federally Recognized Tribes, Recognized American Indian Organizations (RAIOs), and other Native Serving Organizations. DCYF anticipates awarding 5-10 contracts, valued at approximately $100,000 per contract, for one year, with the opportunity for continued funding.
This opportunity aims to honor and uplift the strengths, cultural traditions, and parenting practices of American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) families by expanding access to culturally responsive parenting supports.
The Request for Qualifications and Quotations (RFQQ) was posted on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, and will be open until Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, at 2 p.m. Pacific Time.
To learn more, visit the DCYF What’s New blog.
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Washington Celebrates Adoption of Foster Youth, Children
Communities across Washington are celebrating the adoption of children and youth out of foster care during special ceremonies this month, as they join the nation in celebrating Adoption Day.
Since Jan. 1, 2025, more than 400 children and youth have been adopted in Washington state. This month, dozens of families will finalize their adoption in courthouses, from Seattle to Spokane.
Read more in Español.
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The Powerful Impact of Parent Partners in a Major Research Project: The Children’s Trust Fund Alliance’s 11th Annual Birth Parent National Network (BPNN) Virtual Convening. By attending the convening, you will gain a deeper understanding of the Center’s Quality Improvement Center on Helplines and Hotlines, their research activities and early findings; as well as have an opportunity to contribute directly to this meaningful work. Dec. 2, 2025 10 a.m.– noon.
Youth Thriving Through Co-Design: Creating Systems of Belonging. Live Online Workshop | Dec. 3, 2025. Join the National Equity Project for a 3-hour virtual interactive session to help you collaboratively design systems where young people truly thrive.
Reflecting and Responding: Staying in Relationship When Behavior Challenges Us. This workshop will provide practical tools and strategies that complement your existing behavior management techniques, ensuring that your responses promote learning, growth and relationship deepening opportunities. Dec. 9, 9 a.m. – noon, $100.
Navigating the Perinatal Journey: Mental Wellness Tools for Every Step. Health Care Authority (HCA) is pleased to share a new toolkit designed to help providers and partners support the mental health of pregnant and postpartum individuals.
News
Celebrate Dads on the Continuing Journey: Creating Our Path Forward. Register Now for the Seventh Annual Fatherhood Summit and Second Annual Dad Allies Awards: celebrating fathers and inviting us to create our path forward for the Washington Fatherhood Council. Sept. 18, 2025, Bethaday Community Center, Seattle.
Washington For All: Your One-Stop Spot for Community Resources from the Washington Office of Equity. Washington for All is a new, accessible website that connects you to resources and services available to Communities in Washington State.
Preliminary report into Indian boarding schools lays the groundwork for dismantling harmful policies: "The Attorney General’s Office (AGO), under the guidance and leadership of a Truth and Healing Tribal Advisory Committee, released a preliminary report on the history of Indian boarding schools in Washington, outlining next steps the committee and the AGO will undertake as they aim to help policymakers address the harmful legacies of these institutions." Read the full press release.
Self-Care is Critical for Caregivers with Unique Challenges: November is National Caregivers Month. Caring for individuals with disabilities or complex medical needs can be emotionally and physically draining, making intentional self-care essential for long-term well-being. Simple practices like mindfulness, getting enough sleep, going for a walk, or taking a few deep breaths can help reduce stress and build resilience. Read more about self care for caregivers from PAVE.
Racial Equity Resources
Washington State History Museum Opens ‘This is Native Land’ Exhibit: "A new permanent exhibit honoring Native American history debuted in the Washington State History Museum in Tacoma on Sunday. The exhibit, “This is Native Land,” is in the museum’s Great Hall of Washington History." Read the full Seattle Times article.
Two Rivers Documentary Film: “Two Rivers,” an award-winning documentary that was produced in 2003, tells the true story of a Native American Reconciliation group that began in the home of Glenn and Carolyn Schmekel in Twisp in 1997.
Governor Bob Ferguson signed an executive order at his first Centennial Accord meeting, hosted by the Cowlitz Indian Tribe. The press release says: "It requires agencies to take a number of measures to engage with tribes, establishes training requirements for state leadership and employees, and requires agencies — including the Governor’s Office — to establish Tribal consultation policies." You can read the press release on the Governor's website.
New Resources for Tribal/State Case Managers & ICWA Advocates: The National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA) has announced several new resources to support compliance with the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) and responding to the needs of Native children and families. These include the ICWA Quick Resource Guide and Resources for Parents Facing Incarceration, and their Children, Families, and Caregivers.
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