Network News - August 22, 2008

In This Issue

Network News:

The California Afterschool Network Hires New Program Coordinator
The California Afterschool Network is pleased to announce our new Program Coordinator-Michele Hamilton. Starting August 18th, Michele will work with the Professional Learning Communities Project along with other projects to promote the vision of the Network. For the past three years, Michele has worked with the CORAL (Communities Organizing Resources to Advance Learning) Afterschool Program to provide a literacy-based afterschool program in local elementary schools. She also served as a classroom teacher and school administrator. You can reach Michele at (530) 752-7248 or email her at mvhamilton@ucdavis.edu.

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.

Legislative Update

SB 1674 (Torlakson) Passed a Full Floor Vote of the Assembly
The Senate Bill 1674 (Torlakson) passed on the Senate Floor, passed on the Assembly Education Committee and most recently passed a full floor vote of the Assembly. The bill will be returned to the Senate for amendment concurrence. The bill will then be submitted to the Governor for signature.

To view the text of this bill as it was introduced, visit. http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/07-08/bill/sen/sb_1651-1700/sb_1674_bill_2...

To view the text of this bill as it has been most recently amended, visit http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/07-08/bill/sen/sb_1651-1700/sb_1674_bill_2...

To view the Assembly Education Committee analysis of this bill, visit http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/07-08/bill/sen/sb_1651-1700/sb_1674_cfa_20...

To view the text of this bill as it was amended in Assembly on August 20, 2008 visit http://www.afterschoolleague.org/sb_1674_bill_20080808_amended_asm_v95.pdf

Funding Opportunities

California Volunteers 2009 AmeriCorps Request for Applications (RFA)
California Volunteers (CV) announces the 2009 AmeriCorps Request for Applications (RFA). Grant funding is available to assist partnerships with engaging individuals to address unmet community needs within California. The application deadline is September 18, 2008. For more information and to apply, click here

Comcast Foundation Grants
Comcast Foundation Grants are available to fund literacy, volunteerism and youth leadership development programs. Nonprofit organizations with 501 (c) (3) status operating within Comcast communities are eligible to apply. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. To apply organizations should verify that they operate within a Comcast service area and send a letter of inquiry to the Comcast Foundation. For more information and to apply, click here.

Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation (LCEF)
Nonprofit organizations with 501 (c) (3) status and public agencies operating in communities where Lowe’s stores and distribution centers are located are eligible to apply. Grant funds are available for community improvement projects. Grant amounts range from $5,000 to $25,000. Application awards are ongoing. To apply organizations will need to take an eligibility test. For more information and to apply, click here.

Samsung’s Hope for Education
Samsung’s Hope for Education is holding an essay contest for K-12 students nationwide. Students are required to write a 100-word essay about how technology benefits and assists education. Award prizes includes $200,000 in Samsung technology, software, cash grants and educational television programming. The application deadline is August 31, 2008. For more information and to apply click here.

Hooked on Hydroponics
The National Gardening Association is offering 36 grants to schools and youth organizations that are interested in engaging kids in a hydroponics project. Projects must include at least 15 children between the ages of 6 and 18 during the 2009 school year. Award recipients must also verify accommodations for award package equipment. The application deadline is September 15, 2008. For more information and to apply click here.

Technology Grants for Rural Schools
The Foundation for Rural Education and Development and the Rural Telephone Finance Cooperative (RFTC) wants to assist K-12 public schools located in rural areas serviced by the Organization for the Promotion and Advancement of Small Telecommunications Companies (OPASTCO). Grant funding is available to support the need for innovative technology in the classroom. The application deadline is September 13, 2008. For more information and to apply click here.

After School Resources

Guide to Federal Resources for Youth Development
The America’s Promise Alliance in conjunction with Civic Enterprises has produced the Guide to Federal Resources for Youth Development. The Guide contains detailed information on over 100 federal funding sources available to communities. The funding sources are categorized into five areas: Caring Adults; (2) Safe Places; (3) A Healthy Start and Future; (4) Effective Education/Marketable skills; and, (5) Opportunities to Serve. Program description, grantee eligibility and contact information is provided for each funding opportunity. For more information and to view the guide, click here

Healthy Cuisine for Kids Course
A Healthy Cuisine for Kids Course will be offered to site-based school and child care staff members on the following Saturdays: October 4, 11 and 18, 2008 at Northwood High School, Irvine, CA. Participants will learn culinary skills, techniques for preparing food, nutrition facts and safe food handling. In addition, participants will receive ½ unit college credit or Continuing Education Units for SNA certification or credentialing. The cost is $50 and space is limited to 20 attendees. Please Note: The application deadline is August 31, 2008. For more information or to register for the class, click here.

Exemplary Practices in School Nutrition
The Center for Collaborative Solutions (CCS) introduces a new publication guide for afterschool programs. The Developing Exemplary Practices in Nutrition, Physical Activity and Food Security in Afterschool Programs is designed to assist afterschool program leaders and their partners in combating the youth obesity epidemic. The guideline includes exemplary practices and indicator rubrics designed for afterschool programs to assess their progress in addressing youth obesity. The CCS also provides free Growing Healthy Children Regional Trainings. The next scheduled training is September 30, 2008 at the Marina Village in San Diego. For more information and to view the guide or register for the training click here.

After School Events

21st CCLC and ASSETs Grantee Orientations - Save the Date!

• 21st CCLC Cohort 5 Grantee Orientation - November 3, 2008 in Sacramento
• High School ASSETs Grantee Orientation - November 6, 2008 in San Diego

Upon notification of funding approval, please plan to register for the 21st CCLC and ASSETs Grantee Orientation.

California Teachers Association Institute for Teaching Statewide Conference
The California Teachers Association Institute for Teaching (CTA IFT) is hosting a Statewide Conference entitled “End the Dropout Epidemic: Focusing on What Works” on August 29 -30, 2008 in Sacramento. The conference will address strength-based strategies, protocols and examples for increasing student retention and graduation rates, the Positive Deviance Approach, the CTA IFT Grant to reduce high school dropouts as well as concepts surrounding school change. For more information or to register, go to: http://www.teacherdrivenchange.org/

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

Job Announcement

The Center for Community School Partnerships Seeks a Childhood Obesity Conference Coordinator
The Center for Community School Partnerships (CCSP), housed in the School of Education, supports and conducts applied research and program evaluation, provides training and technical assistance, and develops and delivers professional development. The CCSP is seeking a Childhood Obesity Conference Coordinator to be responsible for leadership and program management as it relates to the 2009 Childhood Obesity Conference. This position will be located in the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) in Sacramento. Applicants should have experience in conference planning, obesity prevention, marketing, fundraising and health education. The application deadline is September 2. To learn more about the Center for Community School Partnerships click here. To view more details and the position description click here

To View the application procedure, click here