Wa.we, friends, family and community members,
Spring showers bring summer flowers as well as the promise of post-pandemic life. At DIFRC we have been blessed to be able to support so many families most impacted by the virus and loss of income. As we see more community members vaccinated, we see the return of family gatherings, community events, new jobs, in-person schooling and so much more. We are grateful to all who have walked along with us at DIFRC through the darkest parts of the pandemic and we look forward to seeing you soon.
We also want to share our prayers with all who have been heartsick after learning about the graves of 215 children found at the Kamloops Indian Residential School in British Columbia, Canada. We grieve along with relatives of the Tk’emlups te Secwépemc First Nation--and all nations--who have learned of these lost children and hope families and communities can soon be reunited.
Tara Manthey, Executive Director
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Get Vaccinated!
We are thrilled to see vaccination rates going up for everyone 12 years of age. Every person who gets vaccinated is one more person protecting our elders and our community a step closer to all being together again in person. If you have questions about the COVID-19 vaccines, or to make an appointment to get vaccinated, please contact Denver Indian Health and Family Services at 303-953-6604 or 720-591-0090.
If you need help getting to an appointment, call Patrick Kills Crow here at DIFRC at 720-500-1001.
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On Capitol Hill
On Tuesday, April 27 DIFRC staff testified at the Colorado State Capitol in support of House Bill 21-1151, which would allow child welfare agencies to recognize foster homes certified by federally recognized tribes. The bill was passed by the legislature and signed by Gov. Jared Polis in May. At the hearing, Tara Manthey spoke on behalf of the board and staff in support of the bill in order to increase the number of Native homes available to foster Native children involved in the child welfare system. DIFRC staff members Johnny McCraigie and Alisiana Medina shared powerful personal testimony about growing up in foster homes and the importance of ensuring foster youth have strong connections to American Indian and Alaska Native cultures and heritage. We are grateful to the sponsors and our partners at the State of Colorado for this innovative idea.
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Native American Housing Circle
DIFRC is honored to staff and support the Native American Housing Circle, a coalition of Native-led and Native-serving organizations, community members, and allies. NAHC was formed in early 2019 as a community-led response to the disproportionate rate of Native American homelessness and housing instability in the Denver Metro area.
NAHC has three areas of work in improving housing opportunities for Native Americans in the Denver Metro area: Assisting our Native relatives in accessing supports, services, and housing; advocating for better services for Native relatives in existing systems; and exploring new opportunities for culturally responsive housing in the future.
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Homelessness Prevention
DIFRC is committed to keeping community members housed as the pandemic wanes and federal and state protections for renters expire. Please reach out to us if you or someone you know is facing eviction because of unpaid rent due to income losses during the pandemic. We can connect community members to resources to pay arrears and prevent homelessness. Reach out Joshua Emerson, Housing Navigator, at jemerson@difrc.org or 720-500-1004.
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Staff Spotlight: Alisiana Medin
New to the DIFRC team, Alisiana Medina is the Resource and Referrals Specialist. She helps community members connect with services and supports available to them in the community.
“What I like about working with DIFRC is that we are culturally respectful and keep culture and traditions alive, along with helping the community from an array of backgrounds and their walks in life,” she said.
When she’s not working you’ll find Alisiana adding to the list of the five fourteeners she’s climbed, rock climbing, white water rafting, zip-lining, snowboarding, watching scary movies, painting, or practicing the piano. You can reach Alisiana at amedina@difrc.org or 720-500-1010.
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We are hiring a Family Engagement Specialist! |
DIFRC is looking for a caring and thoughtful individual to help keep American Indian and Alaska Native families strong, whole and healthy. We are adding a new Family Engagement Specialist position to support the work of our dedicated Family Engagement team. Please share this announcement with your community! |
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DIFRC Community Update
Move over John Grisham, DIFRC’s former board member David Heska Wanbli Weiden published a crime novel called Winter Counts and is a finalist in the Edgar Awards. You can read about his success in Westword’s article here. Be sure to check out the DIFRC Facebook page for our upcoming book club information.
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MMIW – A Day of Action and Remembrance
DIFRC staff members Johnny McCraigie, Alyssa Willie and Caroline Rapp traveled to Colorado Springs last month to participate in a march and event to bring attention to the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Children. Thank you to Haseya Advocate Program for hosting this event and inviting us.
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ICWA Corner
Our family engagement specialists are thrilled to announce that in-person visitation with families is back. Supervised visits are for the parents of children that have been removed from the home. During the pandemic, visits have been conducted virtually but now DIFRC is excited to allow visits in our offices or elsewhere in the community.
The Indian Child Welfare Act, or ICWA, is a United States federal law that governs jurisdiction over the removal of Native American children from their families in custody, foster care and adoption cases. It gives tribal governments exclusive jurisdiction over children to help the children preserve and remain close to their culture. It also requires governments to provide “active efforts” to reunify families by supporting them with parenting classes and more. Learn more about ICWA and its role in preserving Native families at www.NICWA.org.
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Summer Meals for Kids
Remote life caused a strain in a number of ways but especially to families depending on school lunches to help feed their kids. Pandemic EBT is a program created by Congress in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act which makes sure that families receive extra food funds for children who are remote or hybrid learning. Discover meal sites around the Denver area at KidsFoodFinder.org or contact the Hunger Free Colorado Food Resource Hotline 855-855-4626.
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How You Can Help Support DIFRC
Our success over the past two decades demonstrates that our services play a vital role in protecting American Indian and Alaska Native children and strengthening their families, especially as we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. As we expand services after the pandemic, we hope you can continue your support.
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