Indian Policy Early Learning members discuss upcoming transition, DEL programs

The Indian Policy Early Learning (IPEL) advisory group met for their most recent meeting on November 16, 2017 to provide input on upcoming changes to early learning in Washington. The meeting, hosted by the Squaxin Island Tribe at the Little Creek Casino and Resort, was attended by representatives from 23 of Washington’s 29 federally recognized tribes and 16 elected tribal leaders.

The meeting began with a joint discussion with the Department of Social and Health Services’ (DSHS) Indian Policy Advisory Committee (IPAC) about future changes at DEL. Notably, the two committees discussed the transition to the new Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), which DEL will join next summer. Children’s Administration, which is currently a part of DSHS, will also become part of the new department.

DCYF Secretary Ross Hunter engaged with IPAC and IPEL members in a discussion about how DCYF and Washington’s tribes will work together moving forward. Secretary Hunter acknowledged that government policies have had a disproportionate and negative impact on children of color, and particularly tribal children.

“We can’t do this without partnerships with the tribes,” he said of the transition.

Tribal representatives expressed a hope to see a deeper understanding from DCYF of what tribal sovereignty is and how tribal governments function. Some also sought stronger government-to-government relations, in part through the hiring of staff members at DCYF who understand and have empathy for tribal communities and children.

With the new DCYF, “we have an opportunity to create a durable working relationship” with the tribes, Secretary Hunter said.

After the joint DCYF discussion, IPEL members remained to conduct their regular meeting. They heard updates from several DEL programs and offered input on proposals from DEL staff. Some of these programs seek to work collaboratively with tribal nations through the hiring of people to work specifically with tribal communities.

Washington’s Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP), which offers free early learning programs to low-income families across the state, hopes to expand access to the program to more tribal communities. Currently, ECEAP serves 225 tribal children in 8 programs. Through the creation of an IPEL workgroup, DEL hopes to build an ECEAP program that works for more tribal families.

The tribes’ input was also sought on how to do consultation for an upcoming deadline for the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF), a federal and state partnership program that funds child care programs for low-income families.

The next IPEL meeting has not been scheduled but will take place in early 2018. To keep up to date on IPEL activities, visit DEL’s Tribal Nations webpage. Contact DEL Tribal Liaison Tleena Ives at tleena.ives@del.wa.gov to be added to the IPEL e-mail list.

A Community Approach to Tribal Early Learning in WA

In order to remain tightly focused on early learning, and to promote shared supports within the tribal nations, the Indian Policy Early Learning (IPEL) work group was established in 2013 to advise the Department of Early Learning (DEL) and assure quality, comprehensive delivery of early learning services to American Indians and Alaska Natives in Washington State.

DEL enlists the help of IPEL to provide guidance regarding
early learning initiatives that affect children statewide.

The committee is modeled after the Department of Social and Health Services’ Indian Policy Advisory Committee (IPAC), and guides DEL’s implementation of the Centennial Accord and DEL’s policies that impact tribes. Each of the 29 Federally Recognized Tribes of Washington are entitled to appoint one delegate and alternates to participate as members. IPEL meets quarterly and has recently provided guidance to DEL on the state’s Child Care Development Fund plan and the roles and responsibilities of DEL’s new Tribal Liaison position.

In a recent IPEL meeting on the Tulalip Reservation, committee chair (Patty Eningowok of the Suquamish Tribe) lead a detailed discussion around emergent and ongoing issues associated with tribal early learning. Topics included:

• recent federal changes in critical funding streams, 
• state level changes outlined in the recently passed Early Start Act, and 
• a tour of a newly constructed tribal early learning facility. 

Eningowok has served as the Chair of IPEL since its inception. Between discussions, she had a moment to talk about the value of IPEL and the successes of the group. 

“IPEL has created more opportunity for resource sharing among the tribes and has given an opportunity for equal representation of all the tribes in broader early learning discussions.” Further, Eningowok acknowledged the importance of family engagement in tribal early learning, recognizing that “each tribe is focused on family preservation, but is faced with a unique sense of history and culture that is specific to the tribe, IPEL has created a venue where we can talk about our common goal and recognize that each of us has a unique set of challenges as we pursue that goal.”

Also in attendance was Jacki Haight of the Port Gamble S’Klallam tribe. Jacki is thankful for IPEL because, as she states, “our voices need to be heard.” Jacki has been a part of tribal early learning for decades and brings a great sense of history and purpose to the work.

 “IPEL has allowed tribes to deepen their understanding of not only their own unique challenges in providing quality early learning, but also the challenges faced by other tribes as well.”

A strong relationship between the Department of Early Learning and the tribes is important as the state makes bold steps towards ensuring quality early learning opportunities for all kids in Washington. Bette Hyde, DEL’s director, has served as the liaison between the tribes and the agency.

“Quality for all truly means quality for ALL, regardless of where you live or your ethnic or national identity,” Hyde said. “My time with the tribes has help me to understand what it means to be a tribal provider of quality early learning and the unique circumstances faced by each tribe.”

Moving forward, the agency will soon designate a dedicated full time staff person to the role of tribal liaison.

“While I have enjoyed my time as the agency liaison, there is so much work to be done that a dedicated full time staff person is needed to continue to build cooperative relationships with each of the 29 federally recognized tribes in our state,” Hyde said.

To view DEL's web pages on tribal relations, go here: Tribal Nations.