Tribal Early Learning Fund (TELF) - Accepting Applications for FY2024-2025

June 12, 2024
Kindergarten classroom.

Updated 7/25/2024 

The Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families is excited to share a funding opportunity to support Tribal children, prenatal to five, in early learning programs around Washington state. The Tribal Early Learning Fund (TELF) is designed to provide resources to Tribal early learning programs and programs serving Tribal children so that they can better serve Tribal children in a culturally appropriate and inclusive manner.

The application deadline has been extended! 
Please submit applications by 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 9, 2024.

For information and to apply, visit: 
www.dcyf.wa.gov/tribal-relations

Awards are broken into three categories. Category 1 has a maximum award amount of $250,000, category 2 has a maximum award amount of $100,000, and category 3 has a maximum award amount of $75,000. Categories 2 and 3 have subcategories for Tribal Home Visiting and Home Visiting programs serving Tribal children with a maximum award of $50,000. Category 2 also has an opportunity for Tribal Family, Friends and Neighbors (FFN providers) with a maximum award amount of $5,000.  

The FY 2024-2025 TELF grant period runs from the time of award until June 30, 2025.

The following early learning programs are eligible to apply:

  • Category 1: Tribal Nations ($250,000)
    • Tribal Head Start 
    • Tribal Early Head Start
    • Tribal Early Childhood Education & Assistance Program (ECEAP), including Tribal Contractors and Subcontractors
    • Tribal Early ECEAP, including Tribal Contractors and Subcontractors
    • Tribal Childcare Centers
  • Category 2: Tribal Nations, Recognized American Indian Organizations (RAIO’s), Tribal/Native Serving Organizations ($100,000)
    • Tribal Child Care Centers
    •  Tribally Licensed Child Care providers 
    • Recognized American Indian Organizations (RAIOs) with an early learning program
    • Tribal/Native Serving Organization with an early learning program
    • Certified/Certified for Payment only Tribal Child Care providers
    • Sub-Category 2: 
      • Tribal Home Visiting Programs ($50,000)
      • Family, Friends, and Neighbors (FFN) providers ($5,000)
  • Category 3: Community Organization, State or Certified Child Care providers that serve tribal children ($75,000)
    • ECEAP Contractors & Subcontractors serving Tribal children
    • Early ECEAP Contractors & Subcontractors serving Tribal children
    • State Licensed or Certified Child Care providers serving tribal children
    • Sub-Category 3:
      • Home Visiting programs serving Tribal children ($50,000)

The Office of Tribal Relations (OTR) will be offering Technical Assistance office hours to assist with the application process and to answer any questions. Please join OTR for the following dates:

For questions, please contact Apolonio (polo) Hernandez, Tribal Early Learning Fund Specialist, at apolonio.hernandez@dcyf.wa.gov or (509) 564-5027.