Press Releases
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Eastern Navajo celebrates elders
CROWNPOINT, N.M. – Elders participated in a special day designated just for them at the Eastern Navajo Fair Elderfest. With the theme, “Show and Shine from the East,” the Eastern Navajo Fair kicked off the Navajo fair season with activities that included the Elderfest and Just Move It walk and run on July 23, 2026. The Navajo Division for Children…
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Walkers carry message that Every Child Matters
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – The Navajo Division for Children and Family Services (NDCFS) joined the Every Child Matters Awareness Walk on July 20, 2026, from the Navajo Nation Museum to the Navajo Nation Council Chamber. The walk was organized by the Missing and Murdered Diné Relatives (MMDR) Task Force to bring awareness to missing and murdered relatives and to honor…
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Suicide Prevention focus of conference
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The Navajo Treatment Center for Children and Their Families (NTCCF) shared knowledge and experience on preventing suicide using cultural methodology during the inaugural Native American Suicide Prevention and Awareness Conference. The conference was hosted by the Fort Defiance Indian Hospital Board – Health Promotion Disease Prevention July 9-10, 2026, with the theme, “Stronger Together: Honoring Life and…
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NDCFS celebrates resilience of Navajo people
WINDOW ROCK – The Navajo Division for Children and Family Services (NDCFS) celebrated the Fourth of July by honoring Navajo resilience, sharing cultural teachings, and building skills with the next generation at the Youth Resilience Camp. The Camp featured Cody Jesus and other professional bull riders presenting to youth as part of the Preserving Navajo Families Initiative. They showed the…
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NDCFS supports legislation advocating to protect children’s rights
WINDOW ROCK – The Navajo Division for Children and Family Services (NDCFS) applauds the approval of Legislation No. 0114-26 by the Naabik’iyáti’ Committee, “Condemning Any Action by a State or State-Licensed Agency that Denies Navajo Children in or Entering Custody the Right to Participate in Traditional Diné Ceremonies, Prayers, and Spiritual Practices.” The NDCFS’s Navajo Indian Child Welfare Act Program…
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NDCFS honors Diné Pride Week
WINDOW ROCK – The third week of June each year is proclaimed Diné Pride Week by the Navajo Nation to celebrate LGBTQ+ relatives. The Navajo Nation Council approved resolution CJY-63-20 in July 2020 recognizing that “lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and two-spirit people are important to our livelihood and diversity since time immemorial.” Diné Pride Week is to protect citizens…
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ABNDN dedicates tent at annual convention
The Navajo Division for Children and Family Services (NDCFS) joined the Azee’ Bee Nahaghá of Diné Nation (ABNDN) for its 60th Annual Convention at the ABNDN Spiritual Site in Chinle, Ariz., from June 18-20, 2026. The theme for the Convention was, “Azee’ Hinaah Dinisingo Bik’ehgo Naasha.” On June 20, the ABNDN dedicated its new tent, which was made possible through…
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Diné Action Plan Advisory Group Chair selected
The Diné Action Plan (DAP) Advisory Group selected Sonlatsa Jim as the new chairperson during its quarterly meeting on June 18, 2026. Jim, who is the Deputy Director of the Navajo Division for Children and Family Services (NDCFS), served as the DAP co-chair since December 2023 before being selected as the chair. “I thank the DAP Advisory Group for their…
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Dedication and perseverance central to success
Being a champion takes dedication and perseverance. That is what attendees at the Job and Training Expo learned on June 16, 2026. More than 120 people attended the first expo hosted by the Navajo Division for Children and Family Services (NDCFS) at Chinle High School. Featured speakers President Buu Nygren and Professional Bull Rider Cody Jesus provided motivational remarks, encouraging…
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Navajo Division for Children and Family Services provides update on VAPA
The Navajo Division for Children and Family Services (NDCFS) provided a report to the Health, Education, and Human Services Committee (HEHSC) on the effort to amend the Vulnerable Adult Protection Act (VAPA) on Monday, June 15, 2026. The NDCFS worked on revising the VAPA with partners over the last year. NDCFS Deputy Director Sonlatsa Jim informed the Committee that the…
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Navajo Division for Children and Family Services highlights economic contributions
The Navajo Division for Children and Family Services (NDCFS) presented on its economic impact during the Navajo Economic Summit on June 10, 2026. The Economic Summit, hosted by the Navajo Division of Economic Development (DED), was held June 8-10, 2026, with the theme, “Our Resources, Our Responsibilities.” NDCFS Executive Director Thomas Cody and Delegated Program Manager Marlinda Littleman explained how…
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Navajo Division for Children and Family Services makes impact at annual conference
Staff from the Navajo Division for Children and Family Services (NDCFS) attended the 46th National Indian and Native American Employment and Training Conference (NINAETC) June 1-4, 2026 to gain valuable training in topics related to the Public Law 102-477. The theme for the conference was, “Exceeding the Vision, Expanding the Possibilities.” NINAETC is a national organization whose members are grantees…