bədaʔčəɬ

Mission: Provide a strong and healthy foundation in the best interest of the child to achieve an immediate and lasting positive change in their life.

In Lushootseed, the traditional language of Coastal Salish People, the word bədaʔčəɬ means, "our children". Significantly, this concept is depicted in a single word because, traditionally, children were considered sacred gifts to the entire community. The Tulalip Tribes bədaʔčəɬ program, formerly Indian Child Welfare, works creatively to design integrated services promoting family and cultural preservation, health, and resiliency in its children and families.

bədaʔčəɬ has developed multiple programs for children and families and established numerous agency partnerships both on the reservation and in the larger community.

Services Provided:

• Prevention work through Child Protective Services (CPS) to keep children and families together
• Ongoing case management for parents and youth in need of care
• Placement support services to link caregivers to Tulalip resources
• Visitation for youth in need of care
• Guardianship social workers to connect families with services, cultural, and family
• Christmas event for caregivers, parents, and youth

If a youth needs to be placed in an out-of-home dependency, bədaʔčəɬ holds a Family Team Decision Meeting to involve families in determining placement in the child's best interest. bədaʔčəɬ follows a placement priority to keep the youth within their family and community. Placement priority is

• Relatives or persons who qualify as a relative (fictive kin= when parents request that their children remain with a relative of their choice)
• Tulalip Tribal member who is not a relative
• Other Native who live within the boundaries of the Tulalip Reservation
• Non-Native home located within Tulalip Reservation boundaries
• Other Native located outside of Tulalip Reservation
• Non-Native located outside of Tulalip Reservation

Those wishing to provide placement for a Youth In Need of Care must complete a background check and a home study before the youth is placed. In certain situations, a may be required. We need more tribal placement homes for both long-term and emergency placement and homes to provide respite care for our Tulalip Youth In Need of Care so they can stay within our community.

The current government-to-government agreement with DCYF provides for co-investigation of CPS investigations. bədaʔčəɬ excerpts full jurisdiction for CPS investigations that involve Youth In Need of Care placed within the boundaries of the Tulalip Reservation.

To report concerns of child abuse or neglect, call the CPS Intake line at 1-866-END-HARM.

When bədaʔčəɬ youth are set to turn 18 and age out of foster care, they become eligible for a voluntary program offered by the State of Washington called Extended Foster Care (EFC). This collaborative partnership between the Tribes and the State ensures youth aging out of foster care can transition to independence at their own pace. While this could look different for each youth, the idea is to help them successfully transition to independence and self-sufficiency.

Youth participating in EFC can choose to remain with their placement until age 21 or choose a different independent living option while continuing to receive support services that typically end when they turn 18. These services can help youth successfully transition to independence.

Support services include:

• A monthly stipend to help with living expenses
• Support with placement options, such as Independent Living
• Transition planning support
• Accessing community resources
• Help to locate service providers and set up appointments
• Resume building and job searches

bədaʔčəɬ has established a process that allows for families with an open Child Protective Services (CPS) case or current Youth In Need of Care (YINC) dependency who are concerned about an individual beda?chelh staff member and/or the CPS or YINC dependency process to express these concerns.

The bədaʔčəɬ Advocacy Committee works in partnership with bədaʔčəɬ to protect and cultivate the best remedy for children who have been abused or neglected or are otherwise in need of care to prevent the break-up of their family. To be eligible to schedule a meeting with the bədaʔčəɬ Advocacy Committee, you must have either an active Youth In Need of Care dependency or guardianship matter. To schedule a meeting with the committee, you must complete the Release of Information and submit it to the email below-

Looking for Placement Homes

We need your assistance in providing temporary and long-term placement for our youth. Becoming a tribal foster parent is another way you can help uphold our Tulalip traditions and ensure that our tribal history and values continue for future generations. For more information, please get in touch with our office at 360-716-4047.