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To read news from the state networks or to learn more about a newly released publication please see our updated news stories below. National Institute on Out-of-School Time - Summer Series 2008 July 14-17, 2008 Boston, MA Seminars for Afterschool Program Professionals include: Register for the Summer Series by July 1! June 2008 After School Partnerships for Success Conference Presented by the Connecticut State Department of Education June 13, 2008 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford Additional information and registration can be found at: The Connecticut Afterschool Network web site. Keynote speaker: James Garbarino, author of the books, Raising Children in a Socially Toxic Environment (1995), Parents Under Siege: Why You Are The Solution, Not the Problem in Your Child's Life (2001), and And Words Can Hurt Forever: Protecting Adolescents from Bullying, Harassment, and Emotional Violence (2003) Grant Opportunity: A mini-grants application will be released at the conference with the opportunity to apply for up to $2,000 per award. These mini-grants will support community conversations that focus specifically on raising awareness of the importance of the relationship between the school principal and after school programs. If you're interested in holding a community conversation you should attend this conference. Who should attend? K-12 School Principals, Teachers, Social Workers/Guidance Counselors, Parent Liaisons, Faith-Based Organizations and Community-Based Organizations, After School Directors and Program Staff, Family Resource Center Staff, Work Force Boards, Parent Groups and others interested in after school programming. May 2008 Eastern Regional Conference on After-School May 8 - 9, 2008 Baltimore, MD The After-School Institute and Maryland After-School Partnership are hosting the Fourth Annual Eastern Regional Conference on After-School at the Sheraton Baltimore City Center Hotel (100 W. Fayette Street, Baltimore 21201). This year's conference theme is Quality Programming for Older (Middle and High School) Youth. Over 500 people are expected to attend this exciting 2-day event, which will be filled with workshops, institutes, and site visits to after-school programs. Visit the After-School Institute web site for additional information about this event. National City Afterschool Summit May 12 - 14, 2008 Washington, DC Join mayors, city council members, senior municipal staff, school board members and school superintendents from across the nation for this exciting learning and networking opportunity. Municipal leaders who attend will learn how partnerships with schools to expand afterschool options for children and youth can serve as a key strategy for improving public safety and education. Participants will also explore leadership strategies for strengthening citywide systems of high-quality afterschool programs, learn about city-state partnerships that generate funding for local afterschool efforts and meet with congressional representatives to discuss the importance of afterschool programs in their communities. Register at the National League of Cities web site. Afterschool for All Challenge May 13 - 14, 2008 Washington, DC The Afterschool Alliance and the National League of Cities will host the Afterschool for All Challenge in Washington, D.C. The event will include two days of workshops, speakers, advocacy opportunities and fun for hundreds of afterschool providers and leaders from around the country and some of the parents and children they serve. Additional information can be found on the Afterschool Alliance web site. Kansas Out-of-School Time Celebration May 29, 2008 Salina Holiday Inn Hotel and Convention Center Salina, KS The Kansas Enrichment Network invites you to celebrate another successful year for out-of-school time programs in Kansas. Join out-of-school time staff, program directors and Kansas Enrichment Network partners from across the state to celebrate successes. Celebration activities will include opportunities to network with out-of-school time providers and Kansas Enrichment Network partners, lunch, program recognition, and much more. Go to the Kansas Enrichment Network web sitefor additional details about the Celebration as well as registration information. April 2008 Connecticut After School Network Annual Spring Conference April 5, 2008 Frenchtown School in Trumbull, CT The goal of the conference is to address the training needs of after school professionals and provide information that will enhance the quality of after school programs. It is also a wonderful chance to network with others in your profession. This year there are 20 different workshops offered, including a Director's Roundtable discussion. Additional details can be found on the Connecticut After School Network website. 7th Annual South Carolina Statewide AfterSchool Conference April 7-8, 2008 Columbia, South Carolina Building Connections through the After School Experience The South Carolina Afterschool Alliance will host more than 500 after school administrators and providers at its annual conference on April 7-8, 2008 at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, 1101 Lincoln Street, Columbia, South Carolina. This year's conference will address issues that enhance the quality of after school programs in the state. Afterschool programs, schools and community organizations use this event to: Montana Afterschool Conference Celebrating Montana: Making the Most of What You�ve Got April 10-11, 2008 Improve the quality of afterschool programming for the youth in your community by attending the Eighth Annual Afterschool Training Conference. Afterschool program professionals who receive ongoing training and support are more successful in offering higher quality care to the children they serve, and programs often experience less turn-over when they invest in quality training for their staff. This conference also creates a valuable networking opportunity in joining together with other people from the afterschool field while learning new skills or refining the skills used each day. This conference has become one of the largest gatherings of afterschool program professionals and advocates in Montana. 2008 National Conference hosted by The Center for Summer Learning at Johns Hopkins University. April 17 - 18, 2008 Albuquerque, New Mexico This conference will challenge you to plan, implement, support and advocate for high-quality summer programming in your community and nationwide. SouthWest Afterschool Leaders Symposium April 25 and 26 Mesa, AZ Invest a Friday afternoon and all day Saturday looking at your vision for the future and how the support of others can help make that happen. outreach skills to make it happen, Visit Southwest AfterSchool Leaders Symposium for more information and to register. Coalition for Community Schools National Forum: Community Schools for All April 30 - May 2 Portland, OR The National Forum will bring together a diverse group of leaders from the fields of education, youth development, health and human services, family support, neighborhood and community development, government, philanthropy and others who work at the local, state and national levels. Best of Out-of-School Time Conference April 30 - May 2 Palm Springs, California The BOOST conference is one of the nation's largest and most recognized conferences for after school and out-of-school time professionals. This extraordinary event will rejuvenate your passion and boost your direction for quality programming. Experience an invigorating blend of networking and teambuilding opportunities, exceptional workshop presenters to learn and grow with and the latest trends and research in out-of-school time programming. Connect with over 100 Exhibitors sharing the newest resources, products and services to enhance your programs. Have an opportunity to experience guest speakers, special events, and entertainment that will inspire you to create change. March 2008 North Carolina Center for Afterschool Programs presents: SYNERGY 2008: Welcome to the world of afterschool: your passport to success March 3-5, 2008 Greensboro, NC SYNERGY 2008 features over 50 workshops, 30 vendors, networking receptions, and a special Pre-Conference opportunity on afterschool funding, sustainability, and quality enhancement. NC CAP developed SYNERGY to: 2008 National AfterSchool Association Conference March 12-14, 2008 Fort Lauderdale, FL The National AfterSchool Association conference is the preeminent professional development experience for afterschool professionals in the country. For twenty years, the NAA conference has been the place to connect with colleagues and learn the latest of what you need to know and be able to do to serve children in high quality afterschool and summer programs. February 2008 Youth Community Connections Partners with MnSACA at the 21st Annual Minnesota School-Age Care Alliance Conference St. Paul RiverCentre, St. Paul Minnesota - on February 1 and 2, 2008 The conference will have workshops and discussion on �Creating Our Future.� On Friday they will focus on �Foundations for Our Future,� with many of the sessions directed toward professionals who are in leadership and managerial positions. Saturday, they will focus on �Pathways to Our Future� and celebrate the direct care that is given to children and youth on a daily basis in their state. Both days will have options for all who work in out-of-school time settings. Visit the Minnesota School-Age Care Alliance website for more details and registration. Beyond School Hours XI: Bringing Learning to Life Conference February 14-17, 2008 - Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront, Jacksonville, Florida For 10 years, Foundations� trademark Beyond School Hours conferences have brought afterschool educators together to share ideas about quality programming for children and youth. Dr. Maya Angelou, distinguished author and world renowned poet, will return as their special guest keynote on Friday, February 15, 2008. Discover the latest professional development, funding, and programming strategies. Get inspired by dynamic workshops and institutes, presented by experts in the field. Discuss research, curriculum, evaluation, and program improvement. Visit model afterschool program sites in Jacksonville to see best practices in action. Get the latest tools and trends in our exhibit hall featuring quality vendors. Refresh, renew, and have fun connecting with hundreds of afterschool educators and stakeholders. 2008 PEAK Afterschool Workshop Series February 28-29, 2008 - Kansas City, MO May 1-2, 2008 - Denver, CO McREL and the National Partnership for Quality Afterschool Learning are pleased to announce the 4th annual PEAK (Practices that Engage and Attract Kids) Afterschool Event � coming to two major Midwestern cities in 2008! This year, Denver, Colorado, and Kansas City, Missouri, will host two-day workshops that are packed with great ideas for academically enriching your program. Together, these workshops provide extensive professional development in four academic areas: Mathematics & Science and Arts & Literacy. January 2008 2008 National Network of Statewide Afterschool Networks Meeting State teams from the National Network of Statewide Afterschool Networks will convene on January 28-31, 2008, in Tucson, Arizona. December 2007 TRANSITIONS - 5th Annual Youth Practitioners Summit December 5-7, 2007 Albuquerque Convention Center Join youth practitioners as they explore innovative ways to support successful transitions for New Mexico youth. These include the transitions from home to school; from school to community; across ages and stages; from the margins to the center; and, of course, from deficits to assets. This year's Summit will again feature presentations and interactive workshops led by New Mexico youth practitioners, including "youthful" youth practitioners, local and national leaders. For more information, go to: New Mexico Forum for Youth in Community. November 2007 California Afterschool Network: Maps Document Created for Afterschool programs in Linguistically Isolated Communities The California Afterschool Network recently released a new map documenting after school programs in linguistically isolated communities. Detail area maps reveal that substantial numbers of schools in linguistically isolated communities have received state or federal after school funding. These maps illustrate that after school programs have the potential to serve as an important resource for English learners and their families, as well as English-speaking students whose parents do not speak English. However there are still many unfunded schools located in regions where a high percentage of school-age children live in households with limited English speakers. YouTube Contest Opens to North Carolina Afterschool Programs North Carolina Center for Afterschool Programs encourages afterschool programs to participate in its first ever afterschool video contest, using YouTube. Middle and high school-age students can win the opportunity to receive professional video training, have their video turned into a PSA that will be distributed statewide, and have their videos placed on the NC CAP website. �We want to know what your afterschool program is all about, and why you love it,� said Rachel Chapin, NC CAP Project Coordinator. �You don�t need a lot of technical ability to win this contest, just creativity.� The first place winner will receive professional video training and have his/her video turned into a PSA. The winner may also choose one of his/her afterschool counselors to receive free registration to NC CAP's annual summit, SYNERGY. NC CAP will also put links to up to 10 videos on their website. The contest deadline is December 1, 2007. Go to YouTube's website to learn more about this contest. October 2007 The Afterschool Impact: Making Every Minute Count Congressional briefings on "The Afterschool Impact: Making Every Minute Count" were held Friday, October 19 to highlight new afterschool research findings and make the case for A New Day for Learning. Thank you to all the networks who personally reached out to your senators and representatives to attend the briefing. As a result, we had excellent attendance at the briefings. As part of a briefing Dr. Deborah Lowe Vandell from the University of California, Irvine shared the latest findings from the Study of Promising Afterschool Programs. The research provides important findings on the benefits of high-quality afterschool programs. For a copy of the longer report, visit Resources on Afterschool and click on �research and evaluation.� Overview A new study conducted by researchers at the University of California, Irvine, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Policy Studies Associates, Inc. and supported by the C.S. Mott Foundation finds that regular participation in high-quality afterschool programs is linked to significant gains in standardized test scores and work habits as well as reductions in behavioral problems and substance use. These benefits can help offset the negative impact of unsupervised conditions in the afterschool hours. The two-year study followed almost 3,000 low-income, ethnically-diverse elementary and middle school students from eight states in six major metropolitan centers and six smaller urban and rural locations. Programs offered an age-appropriate mix of academic enrichment, tutoring, recreational, arts, community-based service, and other activities. Lights On Afterschool Lights On Afterschool 2007 was a great success, thanks to everyone's efforts. In all, 7688 events called attention to afterschool programs. Check out photos and event highlights on the Afterschool Alliance website. The Arizona Center for Afterschool Excellence announces it's 2007 Afterschool Conference Join your peers at the 2007 Afterschool Conference on Saturday, October 20, in Mesa, Arizona. Stay ahead of the curve in providing the best afterschool programming for the children and youth you serve. More than 30 best practice workshops including: * Site Management * Physical Activities * Arts & Literacy * Behavior Management & Discipline * Public Policy & Advocacy * Program Evaluation The Bridge from School to Afterschool and Back: Inspiration Improvement Innovation Join School's Out Washington for their 2007 Bridge Conference on October 22 & 23, 2007, at the Vancouver Hilton and Conference Center in Vancouver, Washington. This inspirational two-day conference brings together innovative leaders dedicated to improving the effectiveness of afterschool programs in helping children and youth experience success in school and in life. The core component of this conference focuses on strengthening the partnership between afterschool programs and schools. The audience is a dynamic blend of professionals striving to create opportunities for children and youth to become productive and happy citizens. September 2007 2007 Network Lead Meeting In September 2007, the National Network of Statewide Afterschool Networks launched the new, annual Network Lead Meeting. Formerly known as the Coordinators meeting, this gathering was designed to bring together those responsible for leading their Statewide Afterschool Network. The meeting took place September 26-28, 2007 in Washington, DC, at the Omni Shoreham Hotel. Materials from the meeting can be accessed on the meeting resources webpage! August 2007 Congratulations to Massachusetts! The Massachusetts Afterschool Partnership is pleased to announce that the legislature and Governor approved a $1 million increase to the After School and Out of School Time grant program for FY08, doubling the funding from last year to a total of $2 million. This grant program prioritizes partnerships between schools and community-based organizations. Learn more July 2007 2007 Summer Learning Day a Resounding Success! Summer Learning Day was celebrated on July 12 around the country with more than 145 events in 34 states, including a National Policy Forum on Capitol Hill sponsored by Senator Barack Obama (D-IL), Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), and Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT). The National Policy Forum was held before a large audience of Congressional staff, public policy leaders and summer program providers and included appearances by three Members of Congress. The Center welcomed Senator Sanders who spoke about the Summer Term Education Program for Upwards Performance. STEP UP would provide a major federal investment to create high-quality summer learning programs in grades K-3. Senator Sanders spoke about the many benefits of summer programs and challenged the audience to advocate for increased funding for education programs across the country. The forum included a panel discussion featuring four Excellence in Summer Learning Award winners who talked about their programs and answered questions from the audience. Congratulations to Kansas on securing funds for Middle School Afterschool Senator Laura Kelly led the push for the Kansas Middle School Afterschool Activity Advancement Grant (KMSA3) this year and was successful in securing $400,000 of new state funds for this grant. The grant focuses on serving youth in grades 6th-8th every day that school is in session. Programs can write for the grant ($25,000 with a CASH match required) to support all three of the following: physical activity, career/higher learning opportunities and academic enhancement. June 2007 NC CAP Invites Programs to Map Communities, Engage Students as Afterschool Advocates During the Regional Afterschool Summits in June, NC CAP unveiled an afterschool mapping partnership with Youthline America, a mapping agency working to build a national youth network for youth and run by youth. With guidance from trained adults, youth from participating afterschool programs will go out into their communities and discover businesses, institutions and afterschool programs. By mapping their communities, young people become aware of both the resources and needs in and outside of their communities. Along the way, they gain many skills, including leadership, teamwork, interview skills, computer skills and more. As students build a map and assessment of their communities, they will also learn to become community advocates. NC CAP will work with participating programs to equip students with skills necessary to approach their local elected officials and community leaders about the need for high quality afterschool programs and enriching activities in their communities. To join the mapping project, contact Jamie Knowles Great News from Montana Montana passed legislation this session dedicating $250,000 in state money for afterschool. House bill 677, sponsored by Representative Elsie Arntzen, provides funds for prevention and after-school programs focused on at-risk youth. A Banner Year for Afterschool in Iowa! The Iowa Afterschool Alliance membership worked incredibly hard this year to ensure their legislators knew about the need for afterschool and the IAA�s recommendation that the General Assembly appropriate $4 million for afterschool in Iowa. And their hard work paid off tremendously! The IAA is thrilled to report that $3.5 million will be available for afterschool! Legislators voted this year to make $1 million available for grants for afterschool. In addition, $2.5 million of new funding was appropriated for supplemental educational strategies that schools can use to ensure kids are keeping up with their peers academically. Before and afterschool programs are mentioned as a specific example of such a strategy in the legislation. May 2007 National League of Cities City-State Partnerships for Afterschool Audioconference Hear about how your network can connect to city leaders and the benefits for developing partnerships with cities as Zelda Quiller Waymer (South Carolina Afterschool Alliance), Maxine Quintana (Denver Mayor�s Office for Education and Children) and Beth Unverzagt (Oregon ASK) discuss �City-State Partnerships for Afterschool: Working Together Towards Success�. Minnesota�s Governor Approves Funding for Afterschool, Summer and Year-Round Opportunities for Children and Youth! In May, 2007, Governor Pawlenty signed the E-12 Budget Bill into law, allocating $5.375 million over two years for afterschool community learning opportunities grants. Youth Community Connections attributes much of this victory to the McKnight Foundation for offering the State of Minnesota a Challenge Grant for Afterschool. This grant was pivotal in securing funds for afterschool, summer and year round opportunities this legislative session. April 2007 School's Out Washington celebrates a "victorious session for afterschool" Seattle, WA. The 2007 legislative session came to a close on Sunday, April 22, with great results for children and families. Included in the 2007-2009 biennial budget is $3 million for grants to afterschool programs. This is a huge celebration, as it is the first time ever that Washington has dedicated state funds to afterschool. Center for Summer Learning National Conference Provided by the Georgia Afterschool Investment Council Atlanta, Georgia April 19-20, 2007 This two-day conference will challenge participants to plan, implement, support and advocate for high-quality summer programming in your community and nationwide. Connect with summer program providers, teachers, school administrators, researchers and policymakers while attending engaging sessions on: Join the Afterschool for All Challenge! Washington, DC April 23-24, 2007 Make plans to join the Afterschool Alliance and advocates from across the country for the Annual Afterschool for All Challenge. The two-day program will include special topic forums, networking sessions, the Breakfast of Champions and visits to Capitol Hill offices. At the Breakfast of Champions they will honor afterschool champions, including Michael Vick, NFL star and supporter of afterschool. The Challenge will offer the opportunity to network, share advocacy ideas and meet with Congressional leaders. Time will be allocated for meeting with others from your state and to prepare for meetings with Members of Congress. A special track of events for youth advocates is also being planned. March 2007 Promising Practices - Proven Strategies Conference March 7-9, 2007 Promising Practices � Proven Practices, Strengthening Youth, Families and Communities through Quality Extra Learning Opportunities, a conference on Extra Learning Opportunities sponsored by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, will be held at the Hilton Harrisburg. This conference will bring together practitioners who support children, families and communities by providing supervised environments during non-school hours. Last year over 490 participants took the opportunity to learn about and discuss the research, policies and practices that can improve or enhance Extra Learning Opportunities in the Commonwealth. For more information about this conference or to register, please click here. Congratulations to PlusTime NH for receiving the 2007 Corporate Fund Award for Excellence in Non-Profit Management The Corporate Fund panel selected PlusTime NH as one of this year�s winners for several reasons. PlusTime NH has shown steady and systematic growth, striking an interesting balance between providing services and funding locally, as well as calling attention to the afterschool issue nationally. More information regarding the award can be found at The Corporate Fund. Press Release: Two New Hampshire nonprofits recognized for exceptional management practices CONCORD, NH (March 8, 2007) � The Laconia Area Community Land Trust, Inc., of Laconia, and PlusTime NH, of Chichester, were named the 2007 winners of The Corporate Fund Award for Excellence in Nonprofit Management at an event held today at the Bedford Village Inn. The Laconia Area Community Land Trust assists low- to moderate-income families to secure affordable housing and PlusTime NH supports the development of after-school programs. The Corporate Fund Award for Excellence in Nonprofit Management is awarded annually to those organizations demonstrating exemplary nonprofit management practices. �The Corporate Fund recognizes that nonprofits are largely responsible for protecting and preserving those things most precious to us � quality care for our children and elders, a clean and healthy environment and access to the culture that enriches our lives, to name just a few,� said Jill H. Wurm of Verizon, chair of The Corporate Fund. �Through this award program, we recognize that investing in a nonprofit�s infrastructure makes for a stronger organization better able to deliver on its mission. When nonprofits are stronger, the lives of all New Hampshire citizens are improved.� The Corporate Fund is an initiative of 12 New Hampshire corporations in partnership with the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation. Last year, The Corporate Fund awarded nearly $160,000 in grants and provided training and technical assistance to improve the stability and effectiveness of New Hampshire nonprofit organizations. The 2007 Corporate Fund members are: Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Bank of America, Citizens Bank, Comcast, Fidelity Investments, Hitchiner Manufacturing Company, Inc., Lincoln Financial, Markem Corporation, Northeast Delta Dental, Public Service of New Hampshire, TD BankNorth, and Verizon. The New Hampshire Charitable Foundation has been working to improve the quality of life in our communities since 1962. It builds and manages a collection of funds, totaling nearly $400 million, created by individuals, families and corporations for charitable purposes. In 2006, the Foundation awarded approximately $30 million in grants to nonprofits and scholarship funds to students. Based in Concord, the Foundation roots itself in communities across the state through seven regions including Lakes, Manchester, Monadnock, Nashua, North Country, Piscataqua and Upper Valley. For more information about the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, visit www.nhcf.org or call (603) 225-6641. PEAK After-School Two-Day Workshop: Literacy and Arts March 8-9, 2007 This hands-on workshop will take an in-depth look at evidence-based literacy and arts afterschool practices. Participants will: South Carolina 6th Annual After School Conference Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center March 19-20, 2007 This year's theme �Building Tomorrow�s Future Today� and workshops are designed to promote quality after school programs that will prepare our children to meet the challenging demands of our changing world. The conference agenda is filled with workshops that highlight strategies for creating caring and supportive environments that provide inspiration, discovery and connections for our children and youth. National AfterSchool Association Annual Conference March 21-23, 2007 The National AfterSchool Association's 19th Annual Conference will be held in Phoenix, AZ with pre-conference events beginning on March 20. The NAA Conference will feature panel discussions such as equity issues in after-school science and math, creating a roadmap for reauthorization of 21st CCLC, workforce development and effective board governance. Connecticut After School Network Annual Spring Conference Frenchtown Elementary School, Trumbull, CT March 31, 2007 The goal of the conference is to address the training needs of after school professionals and provide information to enhance the quality of after school programs. It is also a wonderful chance to network with others in your profession! If you need further information, please call 203-483-1846 or email monicabw@sbcglobal.net. February 2007 PEAK After-School Two-Day Workshop: Math and Science February 22-23, 2007 McREL and the National Partnership for Quality Afterschool Learning announce the 3rd annual PEAK (Practices that Engage and Attract Kids) Afterschool workshops. The first workshop of the series is in Kansas City, MO and offers in-depth professional development covering math and science. Directions for our Youth: Dropout Summit February 27, 2007 Directions for our Youth and The Black, Latino and Asian Caucus of the New York City Council will host a summitat Baruch College on the topic of dropouts. Keynote speakers will be educator and author Jonathan Kozol and Pedro A. Noguera, author, TASC board member and director of the NYU Metropolitan Center for Urban Education. January 2007 2007 National Network Meeting The 2007 National Network Meeting was held January 29 - February 1 in Newport, RI. Teams from each of the 32 statewide afterschool networks were invited to join together to share ideas, resources, and strategies for achieving the collective goals of the networks on governance, funding and quality of afterschool programs. As the national network grows, the annual meeting has evolved. The 2007 meeting featured cross-network learning opportunities where each participant came to the table as expert and learner. December 2006 Afterschool Funding in Oregon Governor�s budget bolsters schools, health care, public safety, and clean energy Today Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski presented a �Hope and Opportunity Budget� for the 2007-09 biennium, with significant new investments in public education, children�s health, law enforcement and criminal justice, and the development of renewable energy. The Governor's budget proposal includes a new targeted investment through a partnership between the Oregon Department of Education and the Oregon Commission on Children and Families to implement a community schools initiative. This investment is part of the Governor's effort to make "every school a community school" in Oregon. The funding ($1 million) will provide grants for up to five communities to implement a community schools initiative. Moving Forward Together 4th Annual NM Youth Practitioners Summit December 5-7, 2006 Albuquerque Convention Center Join them as they move forward together toward positive outcomes for New Mexico�s youth. The Summit will feature presentations by national and local leaders, interactive workshops, and a resource pavilion to support positive youth and community development throughout New Mexico. National Youth Development Symposium December 4 - 7, 2006 The 7th Annual National Youth Development Symposium will be held at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers from December 4-7, 2006. To expand the Symposium, formerly sponsored by the Region 5 Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration, into a national conference, the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals (NAWDP) and the Great Lakes Employment and Training Association (GLETA) invited NYEC to be a co-sponsor of last year�s symposium which attracted over 600 workforce development, youth development, and education professionals nationwide from across the country. Based on last year�s success, NYEC will again co-sponsor this conference and will introduce a NYEC PEPNet Track, featuring the PEPNet Quality Standards, PEPNet Awarded programs, and additional NYEC resources. November 2006 Illinois After-School Partnership Out-of-School-Time Workforce Study Recognizing that quality staff members are one of the most important factors in delivering effective services, the The Illinois After-School Partnership determined that one of its priorities should be to enhance and coordinate the professional development system for the out-of-school-time workforce in Illinois. A study was undertaken to gather data on the nature and need of the current workforce in Illinois. The final report and executive summary have been recently released. National Community Education Association Annual Conference November 29 - December 2, 2006 The National Community Education Association will hold its annual conference at the Nugget Hotel in Reno, Nevada from November 29-December 2, 2006. This annual conference will shocase community education as a way for people to enhance their lives, communities, and schools through learning and collaboration. Afterschool programs are one of five program areas that will be addressed at the conference. October 2006 The Bridge from School to Afterschool and Back: Responsive Rich Relevant October 23-24, 2006 The conference serves to connect administrators, educators, policy makers and leaders concerned wiht the field of afterschool. The convening will be held in Vancouver Hilton and Conference Center. September 2006 SYNERGY: Windows of Opportunity September 20-22, 2006 The North Carolina Center for Afterschool Programs (NC CAP) will host its annual statewide summit at the Joseph S. Koury Convention Center in Greensboro, NC. The conference will feature over sixty workshops, a pre-conference sustainability strand and an evening reception featuring a youth panel. 2006 Coordinators Meeting of the National Network of Statewide Afterschool Networks September 25-26, 2006 Westin Arlington Gateway in Arlington, VA The 2006 Coordinators Meeting of the National Network of Statewide Afterschool Networks will feature in-depth professional development workshops designed to build the skills and knowledge of key network leaders. All statewide afterschool networks are invited to bring 2-3 representatives involved in the day-to-day operations of the network. 2006 C.S. Mott Foundation Grantees Meeting September 27, 2006 Westin Arlington Gateway in Arlington, VA Every two years the C.S. Mott Foundation invites the grantees working on afterschool issues to meet together. Participants will have an opportunity to: Georgia Afterschool Academy Georgia was selected to be the next state for an intensive 2 day professional development opportunity for front- line providers of afterschool-youth development programs. Invited by the C.S. Mott Foundation, Georgia worked with Academy Partners that includes Citizen Schools, Community Network for Youth Development, CACE at Foundations, Inc., YouthLearn, and Gary and Eve Moody who were formerly with Arnold�s All-Stars. These national experts offered an intensive, multi-day institute that equips participants with skills, knowledge, and take-home-and-do techniques for effective afterschool education. GAIC, in partnership with Bright from the Start: Department of Early Care and Learning, Georgia School-Age Care Association and United Way of Metro Atlanta, led a committee to invite staff and stakeholders to participate in this event in September in Georgia. In only two and a half weeks of open registration, Georgia reached the 100 person limit for this training. August 2006 Afterschool Funding in South Carolina As a result of an effort to include the SC Afterschool Alliance Board of Directors and other key state players in a sustainability planning process, an idea emerged from a key state leader in education to have the SC General Assembly earmark some funds for the SC Afterschool Network to help create a statewide technical assistance system for afterschool in South Carolina. This entailed working through the details with this leader who heads up the SC Education Oversight Committee, securing the buy-in of the State Superintendent of Education and and the SC Governor's Office, and monitoring the legislative process should questions arise. The effort was successful and now the SC Afterschool Alliance has a $250,000.00 appropriation to produce a model of voluntary quality standards for out-of-school programs, develop a directory of technical assistance, and identify gaps of service. While this is an annual appropriation, the discussions with the key players made it clear that this appropriation will be needed for several years. What made this a little bit easier to accomplish was that the earmarked funds were used for a multiyear study that was ending. So securing the earmark for the work of the Alliance involved transferring some existing education funds and repurposing the earmark. Other networks may want to be on the look-out for similar opportunities in their state. The sustainability planning process of the Finance Project and the advice on state policy funding tricks and skills of Terry Peterson were very helpful to the SC Afterschool Alliance. The SC Afterschool Network's efforts to build understanding of the importance of after school and out of school time opportunities helped spark interest in the SC Legislature to increase the "Homework Centers/Afterschool" line item in the SC State budget. The existing line-item "Homework Centers/Afterschool" was increased from $6.8 million in 2005-06 to $10.58 million for 2006-2007. As part of the SC Afterschool Alliance efforts to build interest in after school and summer learning among key policymakers, the SC Alliance also developed a position statement that recommended including after school and summer learning opportunities in any remedy being proposed to resolve the education finance lawsuit that is taking place in the state. This may have helped with securing some success in the items above because this statement helped establish the Alliance as a credible go to source for ideas and information. Afterschool Funding in North Carolina The North Carolina General Assembly has created new sources of funding available for creating or sustaining afterschool programs. North Carolina's recently enacted budget includes $113.2 million in new money from which local education agencies can draw in funding school-based afterschool programs. $27 million has been added to the Disadvantaged Student Supplemental Fund (DSSF), which has been increased from $22.5 million to $49.5 million. The allotment of these funds is no longer confined to the initial 16 pilot districts. This year all of the state's 115 districts qualify for the funding, which is based on the number of students in a school system who are DSSF eligible. The funds, which are directed at school improvement, can be used to create afterschool programs and to provide transportation to them. Because approved uses of the funds, intended for intervention strategies, are limited, the DSSF allotment is a significant opportunity for afterschool advocates. Of the $113.2 million, $41.9 million will be directed toward 80 local education agencies in 70 low wealth counties. This additional appropriation brings total Low Wealth funding to $178 million per year. Low Wealth funds, aimed at creating a more equitable position for counties with low tax bases, have great flexibility and can be used for local priorities, including afterschool programs. The remaining newly available funds are the result of a restoration of the Discretionary Reduction funds school districts were required to return to the state last year. The return of these funds gives systems more breathing room for expansion. Local advocacy will be key because ours is an education system that features local control. NC CAP will use a pre-conference day in September to inform afterschool advocates about new funding possibilities and will feature information on this "Window of Opportunity" (with appreciation to Steve Fowler). To set the stage, all superintendents and school board members will have been sent a case statement outlining the cost effective benefits of a 5-year statewide pilot afterschool program. July 2006 Afterschool Study Visit July 8�15, 2006 London, England Big Picture, in partnership with NJSACC, is running a unique international study visit to the UK. This opportunity is designed specifically for afterschool leaders, policy makers, directors and practitioners from the US. The week will consist of a mixture of presentations, visits to schools and children�s centers in London and meetings with leading afterschool, extended elementary, middle and high school and early childhood (infants to aged four) center policy makers and practitioners from across the UK. Based in the heart of London, at historic Greenwich, you will also have the opportunity to take part in arranged cultural visits and have free time to explore all that London has to offer. June 2006 Larned A. Waterman Iowa Nonprofit Resource Center During the month of June 2006, the Larned A. Waterman Iowa Nonprofit Resource Center is offering a day-long training for nonprofits around the State. The Governor�s Nonprofit Task Force created the Iowa Principles and Practices for Charitable Nonprofit Excellence. They provide great guidelines on how to operate a nonprofit in an efficient and positive way. The attached brochure gives the dates and places of the Principles and Practices training as well as the registration process. PEAK Afterschool Conference! June 14 � 16 Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning (McREL) in partnership with the National Partnership for Quality Afterschool Learning is hostsing the PEAK (Practices that Engage and Attract Kids) Afterschool workshops in Copper Mountain, Colorado. The conference will provide you with opportunities to learn practical strategies for ensuring peak performance in your afterschool programs. This year�s event is sure to be an energizing and exciting learning/networking opportunity. May 2006 Afterschool For All Challenge May 23-24, 2006 Join the Afterschool Alliance and advocates from around the country for the 5th Annual Afterschool for All Challenge in Washington, DC on May 23 and 24. This year the Alliance is partnering with the National League of Cities to hold joint networking sessions, a Breakfast of Champions, and visits to Capitol Hill offices. Workshops will address afterschool for older youth, math and science, election-related advocacy, and more. Time will be allocated to meet with others from your state and to prepare to meet with Members of Congress. There will be special events for youth who attend. National City Afterschool Summit May 22-24, 2006 The National League of Cities' Institute for Youth, Education and Families will host the first-ever National City Afterschool Summit in Washington, D.C., to highlight the leadership of local elected officials to provide quality afterschool programs for youth. Municipal leaders will have an opportunity to learn more about the strategies that cities are using � and can use � to invest in afterschool programs, improve the quality of existing programs, to sustain them over time and to strengthen partnerships between cities and schools, communities and states to move the afterschool agenda forward. Discussions and leadership panels about these topics will highlight best practices and provide examples of systemic change in cities large and small. This is an exclusive event for city leaders and state municipal league leaders only. Be sure to inform your local elected officials about the Summit as we hope to convene as many decision-makers as possible. Senior municipal leaders are welcome to attend. NLC is inviting members of the Congressional Afterschool Caucus to meet with city officials at the pre-Summit VIP dinner. Action for Healthy Kids Phone Symposia To register please send an email with title and date of symposia to stateteams@actionforhealthykids.org. Connecticut Secures $4 million for Afterschool The Connecticut afterschool line item in the State Department of Education budget was increased to $3.1 million, which will fund the new competitive grant program for afterschool programs, and provide funding for planning and coordination, training and technical assistance around afterschool issues. In addition, the Department of Social Services will receive more than $1 million in new funding for after school initiatives, although at this time I have not seen the details on exactly how this would be allocated. Governor launches 'Oregon After School for Kids' Portland, OR�Addressing a summit on helping school children succeed through better cooperation with communities, Governor Ted Kulongoski announced the launch of �Oregon After School for Kids��or �OregonASK��a statewide network that will help provide after-school opportunities for thousands of kids. �This is a statewide effort,� the Governor said. �Every child, school and community has much to gain from it. The network will build bridges between leaders of schools, communities, businesses and families.� An Oregon juvenile crime prevention grant funded planning of OregonASK, the Governor said, while actual funding to operate the network came from the Mott Foundation and resources supplied by the Oregon State Child Care Division. Upgrading afterschool time and out-of-school time is a high priority for the state, the Governor said. �The best way I know to achieve this goal is to link our schools with families and businesses.� The Governor praised efforts under way in communities throughout Oregon to improve education through �community schools,� a term that includes afterschool programs and out-of-school programs with cooperation from local governments, businesses, state agencies and individuals. Among these are Medford�s Kids Unlimited program, McMinnville�s After-School Program and Portland�s Schools Uniting Neighborhoods�or �SUN� schools. �I�m proud to say the State of Oregon has been a partner in many of the existing programs. But we can do more. That�s why I�ve made expanding the community school model a key strategy toward helping families and students succeed,� the Governor said. The Oregon Department of Education, the Commission on Children and Families, the Department of Human Services, the Department of Community Colleges and Workforce Development, and the Child Care Division have all begun to work together to create a statewide approach to supporting community schools, the Governor said. The effort involves developing guiding principles, providing incentives and pooling money to pay for community school activities. The overall goal, the Governor explained, is to enhance academic performance, close the achievement gap, reduce high-risk behavior among kids, and engage students, families and communities as contributors to the academic and social well-being of Oregon�s youth. April 2006 Linkages to Learning Institute: Sustaining and High Quality Afterschool Programs April 18-20, 2006 The objective of the Institute is to assist after-school programs with sustaining and strengthening their programs. In-depth sessions will feature: The registration is now open. 2006 Effective Strategies Institute, Alternative Programs for Everyone: Pathways for Success April 1-4, 2006 The 2006 Effective Strategies Institute will be held at the Downtown Marriott Hotel in Des Moines, IA. More than 50 concurrent sessions, three general sessions, and three pre-Institute workshops have been planned for educators and community leaders who work with youth in at-risk situations. March 2006 South Carolina's 5th Annual After School Conference March 26-28, 2006 Themed �Advancing Knowledge, Transforming Lives,� the conference is designed to promote the expansion of quality after school programs that provide safe havens for children, help improve academic success and offer positive social interaction in a healthy environment. To register download this form. Center for Summer Learning National Conference 2006: Enhancing Summer Learning in All Settings March 23-24, 2006 The national conference will be held in Baltimore, Maryland. The sessions will focus on: 1) Summer and afterschool academic intervention with Camelot learning; 2) examining quality in summer programs; 3) sustainability planning for summer learning programs; and 4) year-round youth development with inquiry and project-based summer learning. Helping America�s Youth: Engaging At-Risk Students March 21, 2006, 8:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. ET The broadcast will explore the Helping America�s Youth Initiative, with a special emphasis on what schools can do to engage children in their studies, promote healthy behaviors and prepare students for successful lives after graduation. The program will feature a special videotaped message from U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings, �best practices� in positive youth development, and a conversation with educators, researchers and community leaders to explore key issues Healthy Eating Research Grants March 7, 2006 Healthy Eating Research is a national program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation that supports research to identify, analyze and evaluate environmental and policy strategies that can promote healthy eating among children and prevent childhood obesity. Special emphasis will be given to research projects that will benefit children in the low-income and racial/ethnic populations at highest risk for obesity. Grants for Service-Learning Projects March 6, 2006 Learn and Serve America, part of the Corporation for National and Community Service, has released a Notice of funding Opportunity for grant funds to support school-based, community-based, higher education and tribal and U.S. territory service-learning projects. The grant competition is to promote the development and sustainability of high-quality community-based service-learning programs in youth-serving community organizations across the nation. New Hampshire 21st Century Community Learning Center Bidders Conference March 1, 2006 The 21st CCLC Bidders Conference will be take place Wednesday, March 1 at the New Hampshire Department of Education. The out of school time funds provided are intended to: February 2006 Des Moines Advancing Youth Development Training February, 2006 Providing skill development around common outcomes, youth participation, recognizing preconceived ideas, the core characteristics all young people need and the core competencies necessary to work effectively with young people, this training is a �must-have� for novice and veteran youth workers. For more information, click here. Rigorous Evaluations of Promising Afterschool Programs Request for Proposals: Pre-Bidders' Conference February 13, 2006 The Southwest Educational Development Laboratory (SEDL) in Austin, TX held a Pre-Bidders' Conference for the USDE contract ED-03-CO-0048. Excellence in Summer Learning Award February 10, 2006 The Excellence in Summer Learning Award recognizes an outstanding summer program that demonstrates excellence in accelerating academic achievement and promoting positive development for young people between kindergarten and twelfth grade. Award includes: national recognition, increased press opportunities, conference presentations and complimentary registrations, professional development opportunities for staff and increased publishing opportunities. January 2006 Cable's Leaders in Learning Awards Cable's Leaders in Learning Awards honor U.S. policymakers, educators, community leaders and administrators who demonstrate vision, innovation, action and transformation in K-12 education, in schools and in other informal learning settings, such as after-school programs. Impossible Choices January, 2006 A follow-up report to the 2004 houshold survey by the Afterschool Alliance found that the unmet need remains significant. In 2004, the report found just 6.5 million American children in afterschool programs. By contrast, some 14.3 million children are unsupervised in the afternoons, and the parents of 15 million said their children would participate in an afterschool program if one were available. Yet, the most recent 21st CCLC data indicate that only one million children and youth are able to benefit from 21st CCLC funded afterschool programs, leaving millions more without afterschool programs that keep kids safe and offer enriching learning opportunities. Washington Governor Includes Afterschool in Supplemental Budget January 23, 2006 As part of an effort to improve academic performance and decrease high school dropout rates, Washington Governor Christine Gregoire will propose nearly $40 million in her 2006 supplemental budget to help struggling students. If approved later this month, funds would be distributed to Washington school districts to support afterschool and summer school programs, seminars, and tutoring sessions. November/December 2005 NC CAP Afterschool Institute Conference The Afterschol Academies� three-day NC CAP Afterschool Institute Conference perpared staff of all educational backgrounds to create high-quality, content-righ active learning opportunitites, build professional skills and embrase their role as afterschool educators. Facilitated by national leaders in the afterschool field, these intensive trainings are designed to equip front line staff and supervisors with skills, knowledge and take-home-and-do techniques, including: understanding afterschool teaching, youth evelopment principles, linking to standards and school day content, project-based and active teaching and planning for deliberate laerning. October 2005 Georgia Out-of-School Time Summit Sponsored by GPYI and its partners, the 2005 Georgia Out-of-School Time Summit gathered people who support and promote out-of-school time programming for Georgia's Youth. For more information, please visit Georgia Summit. September 2005 Massachusetts School-Age Coalition 8th Annual Statewide Conference "Our Time is Now!" The MSAC Conference is the premier event for out of school time in the Bay State. This year, for the first time, the MSAC conference was held over two days. The first day was a Leadership Day geared to directors and administrators with three tracks: Management, Policy and Advocacy and Learning in Afterschool. The General Session was held on the Saturday, and there was also a special Middle School Track for both days. August 2005 New Mexico Out-of-School-Time Network 3rd Annual Youth in Community Summit The New Mexico Out-of-School-Time Network hosted 3rd Annual Youth in Community Summit "Moving Quality: Connecting the Dots" scheduled for December 14-16, 2005. The focus was on moving quality across New Mexico's development field. The summit featured expert presentations by national and local leaders, and provided for interactive workshops and showcasing, some of which will be led by youth. The Bridge From School to Afterschool and Back: Equity, Opportunity, Success The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Oregon Department of Education, the National Partnership for Quality Afterschool Learning, School�s Out Washington and the School Age Care Education and Recreation Program held The Bridge From School to Afterschool and Back: Equity, Opportunity, Success October 24-25, 2005. July 2005 Preventing Bullying and Relational Aggression The Illinois Center for Violence Prevention�s (ICVP) tenth annual conference, vision-action-change: Preventing Bullying and Relational Aggression, focused on the issue that youth ages 8 � 15 have identified as their biggest problem This event consisted of 23 workshops looking at bullying and its prevention through lenses of culture, age, geographic context and gender, including a parent forum and youth-led workshops. June 2005 Moving Towards Success: Framework for After-School Programs Framework for After-School Programs is now available from Collaborative Communications Group. The Framework is a working document developed by a committee of preeminent researchers, evaluators and program experts with funding from the C.S. Mott Foundation. It describes a theory of change approach to help guide the thinking and implementation of program goals and elements, outlines a broad range of desired participant outcomes to consider and discusses conditions most suitable for achieving positive results that meet the needs of the after-school participants. May 2005 Jodi Grant Joins the Afterschool Alliance as Executive Director Jodi Grant will be joining the Afterschool Alliance as Executive Director. Currently at the National Partnership for Women and Families, Jodi has a strong history of advocating for children and families, both in and outside of government. Prior to joining the Afterschool Alliance, Jodi Grant worked at the National Partnership for Women & Families, where she helped successfully defend the Family & Medical Leave Act before the U.S. Supreme Court, advised the Bush Administration on proposed regulatory changes to the law, and advanced work and family initiatives at the state and national levels. She built a number of strong, enduring coalitions that brought together business, women's, children's, religious, senior and other groups. Jodi has held several prominent positions on Capitol Hill, where she worked closely with the business and other communities, forging broad alliances that addressed education, school safety, the digital divide, workplace and women's issues and health care. She has learned first hand how critical it is to be able to work on both sides of the aisle in Congress and in State Houses and she has first hand experience in doing just that. She also served as liaison between a congressional committee and the National Governors' Association, working with Republican and Democratic governors. Jodi graduated with honors from Yale University in 1990 and received her law degree from Harvard University. The Missouri Afterschool Network Will Now be Supported by $75K Per Year From the State�s General Revenue To read the entire House Bill No. 2 click here. April 2005 NGA Awards State Grant to Enhance Extra Learning Opportunities for Students April 29, 2005 Ten states will receive grants to hold statewide governor�s summits designed to spur state-level leadership for support of extra learning opportunities (ELOs), the NGA Center for Best Practices announced here today. ELOs provide young people ages five to 18 with a variety of activities, which promote learning and positive development beyond the traditional school day. Such opportunities include academic supports and tutoring, service learning, organized sports, homework help, arts and music, volunteering and community service. ELOs may occur before school, after school, weekends, over holidays or during the summer. Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Missouri, New York, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin will each receive $10,000 from the NGA Center, with support from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, to host these ELO summits. Summits will be held during 2005 and the winter of 2006. In 2004, 12 governor�s offices hosted similar summits, which generated new public and private partners for state ELO efforts. An independent national review panel chose states based on submissions that demonstrated each governor�s commitment to ELOs and summit objectives. Each summit will convene public and private leaders to devise a shared agenda for improving the quantity and quality of ELOs in the state. Summits also will emphasize opportunities for collaboration that strengthen the links between ELOs, improved student academic performance, positive youth development and supports for working families. Recently, the state role in ELOs has increased significantly. Because of NCLB, states now control the federal 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) initiative, which awards competitive grants to local entities, including school districts or community-based organizations. Prior to NCLB, the U.S. Department of Education provided funding directly to local school districts. State administration of the program allows states to promote a cohesive ELO agenda, coordinating CCLC efforts with other supporting federal and state programs. Mathematica Evaluation of 21st Century Community Learning Centers April 18, 2005 The Department of Education and Mathematica Policy Research released the third and final phase of Mathematica's evaluation of 21st Century Community Learning Centers. To read more see the executive report. February/March 2005 The Governors Speak � 2005: An Interim Report Based on the State-of-the-State Addresses of 28 of the Nation�s Governors February 23, 2005 To read the full report click here. |
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