DSHS Aging and Long-Term Support Administration is committed to partnering with tribes in Washington to achieve mutual goals between sovereign governments. By developing partnerships with tribes, existing Long-Term Services and Support partners and providers such as state and local government and private contractors, we believe the goal of comprehensive, culturally appropriate service delivery can be achieved.
What Tribal Navigators do:
- Assist kinship caregivers raising their relatives' children in connecting with their tribal supports and resources and locating additional resources and supports that can benefit their families.
- These resources can include:
- Health Care
- Health Care Authority Tribal relations.
- Financial
- Non-Needy Relative, In Loco Parentis, and Legal Guardian Grant (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)
- Cash and medical assistance for children who are in the care of a relative of specified degree or a legal guardian or custodian. Adults who act "in loco parentis" or in the place of a parent may also be eligible.
- You can apply for services online, by phone at 877-501-2233 or at your local Community Services Office. As with all our programs, applying is the only way to know if you are eligible.
- Non-Needy Relative, In Loco Parentis, and Legal Guardian Grant (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)
- Food
- Find local programs in your area through 211.
- STOWW:
- Food distribution program on Indian Reservations.
- Small Tribes Organization of Western Washington (stoww.org)
- Legal assistance
- Legal Advice and Referral for Kinship Care LAARK
- LAARK provides legal advice to kinship caregivers in Washington on matters related to the children in their care. Topics include minor guardianship, the child welfare system, education, housing and public benefits. Click HERE to begin our online intake form, or call the LAARK voicemail and leave a message at 206-267-7075. If you can, apply online.
- Legal Advice and Referral for Kinship Care LAARK
- Respite or short-term break from caregiving
- Find out more about Lifespan Respite in Washington.
- Emotional support.
- Training.
- Urgently needed goods and services.
- Health Care
- These resources can include:
- Assist in establishing relationships between kinship caregivers and other tribal programs, DSHS services and other providers.
- Assist kinship caregivers to keep children from entering foster care.
Map of Federally Recognized Washington State Tribes and Area Agencies On Aging
List of Tribal Kinship Navigator Contact Information
Other Helpful Resources
- Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) and Washington State Indian Child Welfare Act
- Generations United Toolkit
- Aging and Long-Term Support Administration (ALTSA) Tribal Affairs Unit Contact Information
- Links to Tribal TANF offices TTANFDirectory.pdf (wa.gov)