The Office of Tribal Relations (OTR) is dedicated to enhancing the well-being of tribal youth and families across Washington state by ensuring the effective implementation of culturally responsive practices and adhering to state and federal ICWA laws. OTR collaborates with Washington state tribes to provide access to training and resources in partnership with state entities. Training and professional development are essential for building capacity within tribal communities.
Upcoming Trainings
DCYF is offering Positive Indian Parenting (PIP) Train-the-Trainer courses at no cost. These courses prepare facilitators to educate and support Native parents using a culturally specific approach. Trainings provide participants with a manual that contains instructional materials for eight PIP sessions, each grounded in traditional Native teachings about child rearing.
Organizations interested in providing PIP to their community are encouraged to register. Registration preference will be given to Tribes, Native Serving Organizations, and Recognized American Indian Organizations in Washington state.
Please complete the Registration Form to sign up for a course listed below:
- Virtual: Jan. 12-15, 2026
- In-Person: March 3-5, 2026 | Port Angeles, WA
- In-Person: May 2026 (location and date to be announced)
For questions, please contact Shannel.Squally-Janzen@dcyf.wa.gov.
This 2-day virtual training is intended to give participants the information they need to provide Qualified Expert Witness (QEW) testimony in DCYF Indian Child Welfare cases. The training provides an overview of the history and impacts of colonization on Native American and Alaska Native children and families that led to the passage of the 1978 Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), an introduction to federal and state ICWA policy, an overview of DCYF dependency cases, and a detailed look at QEW purpose, qualifications, and procedures. Participants will review two precedent-setting cases for Washington state and understand how QEW testimony can impact court cases. This training is comprised of 9.5 hours of group learning, including 3.5 hours of simulation for court testimony.
For questions, contact Sarah Lewis at szlewis@uw.edu.
The Indian Child Welfare (ICW) Policy training reviews the recent revisions that have been made to Washington State ICW policies and procedures. The training covers the history of ICW in Washington State, including the state’s 40-year partnership with our 29 Federally Recognized Tribal Nations and our shared goal of improved outcomes for Indian children and families involved in the child welfare system.
How to access the training:
Visit The Alliance’s training page for a list of training dates. Non-DCYF staff will need to request enrollment to register.
Tribal partners are encouraged to complete the 30-minute online ICW training prior to attending the in-person training. Sign into The Alliance website and search for "DCYF Indian Child Welfare (ICW) Policy Roll Out (eLearning)" to take the course. We recommend using Chrome to access this online training.
For more information, please contact Brandy Otto at brandy.otto@dcyf.wa.gov.
Oct. 15 & 16, 2025 | Virtual
Restoring Balance: Healing Ourselves and Strengthening Our Communities
The ICYF conference is a free, virtual event which gathers caregivers, tribal partners, caseworkers, early learning providers, and juvenile rehabilitation staff to learn together and improve our shared practice.