Announcements
ECEAP Definition of an Indian Child
We will be participating in several roundtables to work on creating the definition of an Indian Child that will be used for ECEAP enrollment. We would like to invite tribal leaders to complete the survey if you are unable to attend, or feel free to provide written feedback.
Early Childhood Matters Podcast: Sovereignty and Tribal Governance Connections
In Recognition of Native American Heritage Month
Welcome Message
Loni Greninger, Tribal Leader with the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, welcomes you in a good way to Native American Heritage Month. Enjoy this welcome message.
The Office of Tribal Relations 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 & early learning.
Contract
DCYF contracts with all 29 Federally Recognized Tribes in Washington State to provide Indian Child Welfare (ICW) and Independent Living (IL) services to their members. Each Tribe that has a contract with DCYF must provide Quarterly Expenditure Reports (QER) and an Annual Report at the end of the fiscal year.
Reporting Forms
Centennial Accord
DCYF is working with the 29 federally recognized tribes in Washington to create its state agency Centennial Accord plan. Once complete this plan will be posted here.
Advisory Groups
House Bill 1661 which created DCYF, mandated the creation of a new stakeholder advisory mechanism and external review protocol, with a report on this due to the Legislature in December 2018. Until that time, these existing advisory bodies will continue to meet and consult with DCYF.
- Indian Policy Early Learning Committee
- Indian Policy Advisory Committee
- Tribal Policy Advisory Committee
Consultation Policy
The purpose of this policy is to direct the procedures that reflect the government-to-government relationship of Washington State federally recognized tribes and the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). This policy follows a government-to-government relationship in seeking consultation and participation by representatives of tribal governments in policy development and service program activities in a manner that complies with Chapter 43.376 RCW and the Washington State 1989 Centennial Accord.