Tribal Relations

The Office of Tribal Relations (OTR) has two primary roles:

• Support the delivery of DCYF services that are of high quality and culturally sensitive.
• Ensure tribes can access DCYF services in a timely manner.

Our office coordinates, monitors, and assesses DCYF’s relationships with tribes and Recognized American Indian Organizations (RAIOs), working to enhance and improve government-to-government relationships. Our goal is to assist the collective needs of Tribal Governments and RAIOs to assure quality and comprehensive program service delivery in the areas of child welfare and early learning.

Resources

• Office of Tribal Relations Overview Booklet
• Program Manager Contact List
• DCYF Offices & Regional Map
• Map of Federally Recognized Indian Tribes in Washington State

Grant Opportunities: 

Tribal Early Learning Fund (TELF)

DCYF is excited to share that a fourth round of Tribal Early Learning funding (TELF) is available to tribal early learning programs and tribal-serving organizations. This funding opportunity supports tribal children, prenatal to five, in early learning programs across Washington state in a culturally appropriate and inclusive manner.

Applications are due by 5 p.m. on Monday, March 31, 2025.

Apply online

• TELF Grant Application (.pdf)
• Request for Application (RFA)
• RFA Timeline 

Helpful Resources

• TELF Frequently Asked Questions 
• Budget Justification Example
• Budget Example (Excel)

Technical assistance office hours are available:

• Wed., Feb. 26, 2025, 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. | Zoom Link
• Tue., March 4, 2025, 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. | Zoom Link
• Thu., March 13, 2025, 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. | Zoom Link

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