In this Issue:

• Take five minutes to build a stronger after school support system
• Network News
• Trainings and Events
• After School Policy
• After School Funding Opportunities

Take Five Minutes to Build a Stronger After School Support System in California

We need your help!! Once a year the California Afterschool Network conducts a needs assessment of the field in order to understand current technical assistance needs The results of the survey will be used to inform the work of the Network and other afterschool organizations. We will share all survey results with you in an upcoming electronic newsletter. The survey should take you no longer than 5 minutes to complete. Together we are building a strong system of support for all of California’s afterschool programs. Thank you in advance for your help.

Deadline is February 10, 2011

Take the 5 minute survey to build a stronger after school system in CA

Andee Press-Dawson

Executive Director

Network News

Apply to Join the California Afterschool Network Leadership Team!
The California Afterschool Network is currently accepting applications to fill limited available positions on its Leadership Team. Leadership Team members are a geographically and professionally diverse body representing multiple voices of the field. They are referred to as Network Leaders, and they operate as the primary governing body of the California Afterschool Network. Leaders commit to a three-year term during which they offer their unique expertise and perspective to inform the strategic direction of the Network based on the needs of the field. If you value the work of the Network and can uphold the necessary commitments to shape its future, you are encouraged to apply! The Network especially seeks Superintendents and members of the CA County Superintendents Education Services Association CCSESSA; individuals representing municipalities who are focused on out-of-school time; and those with a particular focus in public health, summer learning, or Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) as it pertains to out-of-school time. The application deadline is February 25, 2011.

Learn more and apply for the California Afterschool Network Leadership Team

The Network Receives Funding to Increase STEM Learning in Out-of-School Time
With generous support from the S.D. Bechtel Jr. Foundation, The Noyce Foundation, and the Samueli Foundation, the Network will create a comprehensive strategic plan to increase high quality Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) learning in out-of-school time (OST). In the coming months the Network will create a comprehensive plan that includes a communications plan to advocate for STEM learning in OST, a plan to address OST workforce challenges in offering STEM learning opportunities, and create an infrastructure to connect OST programs to appropriate resources, curricula, partners, and professional development opportunities.

Get Involved! Respond to the After School Program Director Survey for a Chance to Win an iPad
As a vital step in the planning efforts, the Network will deploy an OST Program Director Survey in the coming weeks. The survey is intended to reach Out-of-School Time Program Directors, Site Directors, Front line staff, Executive Directors, Grant Managers, Regional Leads, and Education Directors. The purpose of the survey is to identify resources that OST programs are using to provide STEM learning opportunities for youth in out-of-school time environments. Please plan to complete the survey or ensure that the appropriate individuals within your organization and network complete the survey. All survey participants will be entered into a drawing for a free iPad. Stay tuned! The program Director Survey will be deployed next week.

California Rural After School Summit a Success!
On January 15, 2011 the California Afterschool Network Rural programs committee hosted its second Rural After School Summit. The purpose of the 2011 Rural After School Summit was to educate and inform participants on the rural perspective in order to garner champions for rural after school programs. The Summit highlighted the successes and challenges of rural after school programs, demonstrated the need for sustaining rural programs, and provided opportunity for participants to make recommendations to strengthen rural programs. The morning session highlighted the importance of after school programs in rural environments and included perspectives from the California Department of Education, school administrators, after school practitioners, youth, and after school advocates. The afternoon offered the opportunity for small group discussions and the creation of recommendations to strengthen rural programs. Discussions ranged in topic and included allocation issues, transportation, and advocacy. Recommendations from the summit will be released in a report later this month. Find out more and access resources from the Rural After School Summit. Congratulations to the Rural Programs Committee.

Join a Free Network Policy Telephone Update on February 9th
More information below.

Trainings and Events

Register Now for the Amp Up! Middle School Conference
Please join us for the only conference in California that focuses specifically on middle school after-school programs! The Amp Up! Middle School Conference will feature over 50 workshops for program staff, directors,
middle school site administrators, and technical assistance providers. We invite you to become inspired by our keynote speaker, Dr. Marcus Nelson, and enjoy unique Networking opportunities at the three conference receptions along the spectacular Mission Bay in San Diego! We hope to see you at the Bahia Resort Hotel March 8-10, 2011 for this one of a kind professional development opportunity.

Register Today!

Win A Trip to San Diego for the Childhood Obesity Conference
Apply now for an all-expense paid trip to attend the Childhood Obesity Conference, one of the nation’s largest, most influential collaboration of leaders dedicated to addressing childhood obesity! The June 27 to July 1, 2011 conference is open to youth leaders ages 14 to 18 and their adult allies. It’s easy to apply, please click here to download an application and for further details. Deadline is March 18, 2011.

After School Policy

Join a Free Network Policy Telephone Update on February 9th
The California Afterschool Network Policy Committee invites you to join a free telephone-based policy update on Wednesday February 9, 2011 from 10:00 – 11:00. This update will feature Brian Lee, California Deputy Director with Fight Crime Invest in Kids. Mr. Lee, also the co-chair of the Network Policy Committee, will offer a succinct overview of State and Federal policy issues affecting the out-of-school time field. Learn more and participate in this free informational telephone policy update.

Inform Policy Makers About the Importance of After School Programs
Many new policy makers joined the ranks of the California Legislature following the recent elections. There are ten new members of the CA State Senate, and 28 new members of the CA State Assembly. New legislators serving their first term in the legislature filled 29 of those 38 openings. Whether your district is staffed with new or experienced legislators, this is a perfect time to contact your state legislators and utilize the step-by-step information in the Network Advocacy Toolkit to invite legislators for an afterschool site visit. Site visits allow legislators to see first hand the benefits of after school programs. During your communications and visits with your legislators, be sure to show them the current data on publicly funded after school programs by political district from the California Afterschool Network Afterschool Programs Database. Learn more about California’s new legislators and find out legislators serving on education committees.

Access Current Data on CA Publicly funded After School Programs
The California Afterschool Network maintains a current database of publicly funded after school programs. Find out how many publicly funded after school programs there are in California by program type (ASES, 21st CCLC, High School ASSETs). Search for numbers of after school programs are in each region, county, school district. Users are able to drill down and link to data at the school level. The Network also maintains a current database of after school programs by state or federal political district.

State budget Proposal
State Budget Proposal – Governor Brown released his proposed 2011-2012
budget on January 10, 2011. The proposed budget does not threaten Proposition 49/ASES funding, which may only be reduced via ballot initiative. However, it does call for $750 million in cuts to the child care subsidy system which serves many school-age students before and after school, as well as during the summer. These cuts include elimination of subsidies for eleven and twelve year olds, reduced reimbursement rates, and narrowed income-eligibility levels (from 75% of State Median Income, to 60%). The budget also proposes returning Proposition 10 (First 5 Commissions) and Proposition 63 (Mental Health Services Act) to the ballot in order to redirect some of their funding to other programs.

Funding Opportunities

CDE After School Education and Safety (ASES) Funding – Deadline Feb 15, 2011
The California Department of Education (CDE) has After School Education and Safety (ASES) renewal funds available for programs that are created through partnerships between schools and local community resources to provide literacy, academic, enrichment and safe, constructive alternatives for students in kindergarten through ninth grade. Learn more at CDE ASES Funding.

Fuel Up to Play 60 – Deadline Feb 15, 2011
Fuel Up to Play 60 is giving up to $3,000 to K-12 schools that increase awareness of and access to nutrient-rich foods and physical activity opportunities for students.
Access Fuel Up to Play 60

The Blue Man Group – Deadline Feb 15, 2011
The Blue Man Group is awarding up to $5,000 and a trip to NYC for students in grades 5-9 who create their own original instruments out of everyday objects as they learn about math, music, art, or science.
Find out more at Blue Man Group Invent an Instrument Contest.

The Gannett Foundation – Deadline Feb. 16, 2011
Provides funds for grass roots educational programs such as after school tutorial programs and at-risk youth programs. Multiple grants ranging between $1,000 and $5,000 each. Please learn more at The Gannett Foundation.

U.S Department of Health and Human Services and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease – Deadline Feb. 18, 2011
Multiple awards of up to $175,000 each to fund organizations that propose creative and innovative programs that focus on the development of science education for K-12 students in research areas relevant to the mission of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Please learn more at NIAID Science Education Awards.

Mantis Awards for Community and Youth Gardening Projects – Deadline
March 1, 2011
Mantis is providing 25 programs with a Mantis Tiller/Cultivator to charitable and educational garden projects that enhance the quality of life in their host communities. Please learn more at Mantis Awards.

The National Science Foundation – Deadline March 11, 2011
There are 15 awards totaling $5 million dollars to design and conduct exploratory development of new models of STEM (Science, technology, engineering and mathematics) Learn more at Transforming STEM Learning.

The Roads to Reading Initiative - Deadline March 30, 2011
Donates books to literacy programs in small and rural low-income communities. Please learn more at The Roads to Reading Initiative.

The American Academy of Dermatology – Deadline April 22, 2011
Multiple grants of $8,000 each to provide permanent shade structures designed to provide ultraviolet ray protection for outdoor public spaces frequented by children under the age of 18. Please learn more at Shade Structure Program.

American Psychological Foundation – Deadline May 1, 2011
Multiple awards of up to $20,000 each to support high quality education in psychology and to nurture the next generation of psychologists currently enrolled in high school psychology. Please learn more at Psychology Pre-College Grant Program.

National Inclusion Project – Deadline Oct. 31, 2011
Up to $20,000 to support recreation programs for children with special needs. Please learn more at Let’s All Play.

The NAMM Foundation – Deadline: Rolling
Provides musical instruments to students with a demonstrated need and the school and organizations that serve them. Multiple awards ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 each. Please learn more at The WannaPlay Fund.

The Fender Music Foundation – Deadline: Rolling
Multiple awards ranging from $500 to $5,000 worth of instruments and equipment to provide music instruction for people of any age who would not otherwise have the opportunity to make music. Please learn more at The Fender Music Foundation.

GTECH – Deadline Rolling
Provides nonprofit community agencies and public schools with state-of-the-art computer labs. There are multiple awards of up to $15,000 worth of computers, online technology and computer software. Please learn more at GTECH After-School Advantage Program.