Network News - September 26, 2008
In This Issue
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Network News
Leadership Team Establishes New Nutrition and Physical Activity Committee: Join Today!
The California Afterschool Network Leadership Team is pleased to announce the creation of the new Nutrition and Physical Activity Committee. This committee will create a forum for individuals who are concerned with the issues of nutrition and physical activity in after school programs. The committee will be co-chaired by Leadership Team members, Arnell Hinkle of CANFIT and Howard Jacobs from Save the Children. Given the increased attention surrounding the health and well-being of youth, the Network sees this new committee as a platform for collective work. The first telephone conference is scheduled to occur in early November. More details will be published soon. To register as a member of this committee, click here
The Network is Still Accepting Peer-to-Peer Mentee Applications!
The California Afterschool Network’s Peer-to-Peer Mentoring project will match experienced site directors with newer site directors in each region to help newer site coordinators increase their program’s quality. Mentees will receive a small stipend to participate in this professional development opportunity. 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
Legislative Update on AB 1526 from the Network Policy Committee
In connection with the budget, the State Legislature passed by a large margin AB 1526, which, if signed into law by the Governor, would put an initiative on the ballot to repeal Proposition 49’s guarantee of after-school funding. Such a measure would give the legislature authority in future budgets to cut, or even eliminate, after-school funding.
This is a stand-alone measure that, while one of several budget “trailer” bills, is not technically linked to any other budget proposals.
While the Governor has signed the budget and most of the trailer bills, the Governor is expected to veto this measure. As of now, he has not yet acted on the measure (although there have been some reports mistakenly suggesting he actually signed the bill). He has until the end of September to sign or veto bills. Generally, while the Legislature has authority to override vetoes with a 2/3 vote, the Legislature does not attempt to override vetoed legislation.
Calls or letters to the Governor to thank him for his continued support for after-school programs are certainly appropriate, but no immediate action is necessary. We will keep you posted about further developments and about any actions being taken by after-school advocates as this issue develops.
The Network Policy Committee is following this issue very closely and will inform the field as new information arises.
Network Policy Committee Co-Chairs:
- Jennifer Peck, Executive Director, Bay Area Partnership for Children & Youth
- Brian Lee, Deputy Director, Fight Crime: Invest in Kids California
- Ana Campos, President & Executive Director, After-School All-Stars
Funding Opportunities
Disney Minnie Grants GYSD 2009
The Walt Disney Company and Youth Service America are offering grants of up to $500 to support youth-led service projects addressing important issues in their community. These grants support youth (ages 5-14) in planning and implementing service projects in accordance with Global Youth Service Day (GYSD); April 24-26, 2009. Teachers, older youth (15-25), and youth-serving organizations are eligible to apply if they engage youth in planning and implementing the project. The deadline to submit applications is October 30, 2008. For more information and to apply click here
California Coastal Commission’s WHALE TAILS℠ Grants Program
The California Coastal Commission’s WHALE TAIL℠ Grants Program is currently accepting proposals for coastal and marine education projects. Grant money is available for programs that teach California’s youth and the general public to value and take action to improve the health of California’s marine and coastal resources. Applicants may request up to $50,000, and 25-50% of the funding will be allocated in small grants under $10,000. Non-profit organizations, schools as well as government agencies are encouraged to apply. Applications must be postmarked by November 15, 2008. To learn more about the grant or to apply click here
Lorrie Otto Seeds for Education (SFE) Fund
The Wild Ones organization is currently offering the Lorrie Otto Seeds for Education (SFE) Fund. Grant funds are available for the purpose of establishing outdoor learning centers within the USA and Canada. Projects should be child-centered and develop outdoor classrooms or create native plant landscapes. Eligible applicants include schools, nature centers, non-profit organizations as well as not-for-profit places of learning including houses of worship. Awards range from $100 to $500. Applications must be postmarked by November 15, 2008. To learn more about the fund or to apply, click here
After School Resources
Free “Use That Book!” Webnairs offered by the Center for Afterschool Education at Foundations, Inc.
The Center for Afterschool Education at Foundations Inc. launches free “Use That Book!” webnairs. The webnair is designed to help staff access afterschool style guides. The first webnair is a 45 minute interactive presentation on GraffitiWall. This presentation will be held on October 16, 2008. Participants will receive a tour of the book and participate in a question and answer session. The Center offers additional free webnairs throughout the 2008-2009 calendar year. The topics are based on the Center’s publications and include: Global GraffitiWall, Academic Content, Afterschool Style: A Notebook and Guide, Afterschool Style in Practice: 25 Skill Building Meetings for Staff and English Language Learning in Afterschool. To learn more about the webnairs and to register, click here
After School Events
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
21st CCLC and ASSETs Grantee Orientations - Registration
Dates have been set and registration is available for the Cohort 5, 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grantee Orientation. This 21 Century Community Learning Centers Grantee Orientation is mandatory for all 21st CCLC Elementary and Middle School Grantees starting in 2008-2009 (Cohort 5). Cohort 5 Grantees will receive registration priority, but all 21st CCLC Grantees are welcome.
21st CCLC Cohort 5 Elementary/Middle School Grantee Orientation
November 3, 2008 in Sacramento.
For more information and to register for the Orientation, click hereHigh School ASSETs Grantee Orientation
November 6, 2008 in San Diego
For more information and to register for the High School Orientation, click here
Please plan to register for the 21st CCLC and ASSETs Grantee Orientation.
Foundations, Inc Beyond School Hours® XII National Conference
Foundations, Inc. is hosting the Beyond School Hours® XII
National Conference and Winter Institute from February 11 to 14, 2009
in Burlingame, CA at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport. The conference will provide participants with professional development, funding and programming strategies as well as opportunities to discuss research, curriculum, evaluation, and program improvement. Attendees can also visit model after school program sites in the San Francisco area and observe best practices in action. To learn more about the conference or to register, click here.
After School Research
Out-Of-School Time (OST) Evaluation Resources
The Harvard Family Research Project announces two new resources in out-of-school time (OST) evaluation. The first resource is the Research Update 3: Using Evaluation to Inform OST Programming and Serve Older Youth. This Research Update focuses on how programs use evaluation to shape program improvement and planning as well as demonstrate their program’s value. The report also examines the benefits of out-of-school time to older youth and their families. This free resource is only available online. To learn more about this resource, click here.
The second resource is the Out-Of-School Time Program Research and Evaluation Bibliography. This bibliography includes citations for all the out-of-school time (OST) program evaluations and research studies currently tracked by the Harvard Family Research Project. To view the bibliography and learn more about the research studies, click here.