Network News - August 1, 2008

In This Issue

Network News:

Network Policy Update Telephone Workshop Now Available Online
On July 28, 2008 Network Policy Committee Co-Chair Brian Lee, Deputy Director of the California office of Fight Crime Invest In Kids offered a telephone workshop updating participants on the latest in California after school policy. In the workshop Mr. Lee informed participants of the State Legislature’s Budget Conference Committee proposed language for a budget trailer bill that, if passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor would put an initiative to the voters to end the guaranteed continuous appropriation for the After School Education and Safety (ASES) program beginning in 2009-2010. Mr. Lee also offered an update on two pieces of after school legislation, the release of the next 21st Century Community Learning Centers Request for Proposals (RFP), and addressed questions from statewide participants. To learn more about the policy issues outlined above, and listen to the recorded telephone workshop, click here.

Thank you for Peer-to-Peer Mentor Submissions! Mentee Slots Still Available!
The California Afterschool Network would like to thank statewide after school site directors who have submitted applications to become Network Peer-to-Peer Mentors. Mentor site directors will work with mentee site directors in their region to help improve program quality and create an avenue to share ideas and resources regionally. The Network is currently reviewing mentor applications and will inform applicants regarding next steps within the next two weeks.

The Network is Still Accepting Peer-to-Peer Mentee Applications!
The Network is still accepting a limited number of applications on a first come first served basis for Mentees in its peer-to-peer mentoring project. To learn more about the project, and to apply to be a mentee, click here.

Technical Assistance (TA) Providers Survey

California TA Providers that take the CASTA survey are eligible to win an iTunes gift card!
The California After School Technical Assistance (CASTA) Project is seeking to gain a statewide perspective of the Technical Assistance (TA) field and its needs. CASTA will use the data from this survey to design the support that will be offered to TA providers (i.e., trainers, coaches, mentors, consultants etc.) who work with After school programs in California. As resources will be limited we are looking for input from TA providers on what topics, training or training of trainers YOU would find most useful in building YOUR capacity to provide quality TA to after school programs.

So, if you are a trainer, coach, mentor or consultant dedicated to supporting after school programs, please take 8-10 minutes to complete this survey by 8/13/08: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=y5tmZVwquKei08GIBSstyw_3d_3d

On 8/15/08, two of the survey respondents will be picked randomly, and will be rewarded with a $50 iTunes gift card! Make sure you include your contact information.

Funding Opportunities

Funding to Establish or Expand 21st CCLC After School Partnerships
Current recipients of 21stCCLC grants that will provide services in the 2008-2009 school year that apply in partnership with one or more state-approved SES provider, serve students in a local educational agency (LEA) that is identified by its state as in need of improvement or corrective action during the 2007-2008 or 2008-2009 school year, and serve students enrolled in at least one Title I school identified as in need of improvement, corrective action or restructuring during the 2007-2008 or 2008-2009 school years are eligible to apply for U.S Department of Education funding to establish partnerships between supplemental educational services (SES) programs and 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21stCCLC) projects to increase the academic achievement of low-income students in Title I schools. The application deadline is August 12, 2008. For more information and to apply, click here.

Gannet Foundation Grants
Local non-profit organizations providing special initiatives not provided in regular school budgets in the California communities of Palm Springs, Visalia, Salinas, and Sacramento are eligible for Gannet Foundation funding in the areas of social/human services and health benefiting disadvantaged members of their community. Deadlines to submit applications are August 15, 2008 and February 15, 2009. For more information, and to apply click here.

Pay It Forward Mini-Grants
Pay It Forward Mini-Grants are designed to fund one-time-only service-oriented projects identified by youth as activities they would like to perform to benefit their school, neighborhood, or greater community. Projects must contain a "pay it forward" focus - that is, they must be based on the concept of one person doing a favor for others, who in turn do favors for others, with the results growing exponentially. The maximum award for these mini-grants is $500.00 and the application deadline for the current grant period is September 15, 2008. For more information and to apply, click here.

Lego Children’s Fund Grants
Non-profit organizations and educational organizations that support early childhood education and development, technology and communication projects that advance learning opportunities, and sport or athletic programs that concentrate on underserved youth are eligible to apply for Lego Children’s Fund Grants. Grant amounts are between $500.00 – $5,000.00. Applications are accepted quarterly with the next deadline on November 1, 2008. For more information and to apply, click here.

Grants for Native Plant Landscaping
Schools, nature centers and other non-profit and not-for-profit places of learning including houses of worship are eligible to apply for Lorrie Otto Seeds for Education grants. The grants will provide funding only for the purchase of native plants and seed to be used in an educational setting. The application deadline is November 15, 2008. For more information and to apply, click here.

After School Resources

CalSAC Professional Development Resources
The California School-Age Consortium (CalSAC) provides free site level training on a variety of subjects relevant to after school program staff. Recently CalSAC added eight new two hour training modules that are free to all California after school programs. CalSACs most recent training offerings explore the topics of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Cultural Sensitivity. Trainings are available as two-hour modules and programs have the opportunity to utilize multiple modules as part of an all-day on-site training. For more information and to request free CalSAC training, click here.

Education Activity Resources
Education.com maintains a free online library of K-12 education activities in the topic areas of reading, writing, math, science, test preparation, and outdoor activities. Activities can be browsed by activity, grade level, and topic. To view this online education activity library, click here.

After School Events

Celebrate Lights on Afterschool!
Lights On Afterschool (LOA), a project of the Afterschool Alliance, is celebrated nationwide to honor the importance of after school programs for America's children, families and communities. This year the 9th annual Lights on Afterschool will be held on October 16, 2008. Last year over one million Americans celebrated Lights on Afterschool at over 7,500 nationwide events. This year, the Empire State Building will be lit up on October 16, 2008 in honor of the event, sending a message that it is important to America’s children and youth to keep the lights on after school. To find out how to participate, locate LOA event ideas, access free resources, and to register your lights on celebration, click here.