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

Grant Opportunities: 

Tribal Early Learning Fund (TELF)
Round 3

DCYF is excited to share that a third 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 for the third round of funding are due by 5 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 2, 2024.

• Apply online

Supporting documents:

• Application Packet (pdf)
• Request for Application (RFA)
• Frequently Asked Questions 
• Resource List
• Budget Justification (example)
• Budget (example)
• IECMHC Budget Justification (example)
• IECMHC Budget (example)

The following early learning programs are eligible to apply:

• Category 1: Tribal Nations ($150,000)
  • 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 ($75,000)
  • 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 ($50,000)
  • 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 will be offering technical assistance office hours to assist with the application process and to answer any questions:

• Wed., Oct. 23, 2024, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. | Zoom Link
• Wed., Oct. 30, 2024, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. | Zoom Link
• Wed., Nov. 6, 2024, 9 a.m. to 11 a.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.