Investing in Our Children
Our Tribal School is an immense source of pride for our people - more and more of our students are earning their diplomas and graduating. While we celebrate this success, we must also recognize what’s missing. Too many of our young people leave school unprepared for college, careers, and the world beyond.
Our children and our families deserve to feel safe, supported, and seen. Once we can address those needs, they will thrive. Our kids need and deserve than packets to learn - they need connection, mentorship, and wraparound care. Parents shouldn't dread a call from school, and kids shouldn't be sent home constantly.
It’s time we strengthen our Tribal School, uplift our educators, and ensure every Muckleshoot student has the foundation to rise strong and move into the next stage of their lives prepared.
Child and Family Services
Care for families begins before MCFS Intervention. We need:
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Non-judgmental spaces where parents can seek help, share challenges, and access cultural teachings/spiritual healing
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Wraparound Care Teams: Bring together Tribal social services, behavioral health, and education staff to help struggling families holistically.
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Early Family Support Programs for struggling parents
For children that are in MCFS care, we need to strengthen and reinforce our policies. Case loads for PALs should be low so that each PAL can spend time working with families. MCFS should be holding Cultural Competency and Trauma Informed Care for foster parents. The Youth in care should be empowered to inform policy through an Advocacy Board.
Our children are sacred. When any child is in foster care, it is not just a family responsibility but a community responsibility to make sure those children are still connected to their family, their roots, their community, and their resources.
Whatever the investment is, it is worth it.