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The purpose of the California AfterSchool Network is to increase access to high-quality out-of-school time programs that support success for all children and youth.

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News and Events

We are committed to providing you with the resources and tools necessary to build high quality out-of-school time programs in California. Keep up to date with all the latest news and events.

Health and Wellness Newsletter
A colorful sign with the words "You belong"

Health & Wellness Newsletter – Mental Health Awareness Month
May 23, 2023

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. As the arrival of spring brings blooming flowers and joyful moments, it’s crucial to take a moment to focus on our own mental health and well-being. Embracing self-care is not only essential, but also encouraging to witness more people prioritizing their mental health, breaking the stigma, and promoting awareness.

CAN Newsletter
Human hands holding a heart

CAN Newsletter – A Reminder to Take Care of Yourself
May 11, 2023

Happy Mental Health Awareness Month! According to Youth.gov., “It is normal for children and youth to experience various types of emotional distress as they develop and mature. For example, it is common for children to experience anxiety about school, or youth to experience short periods of depression that are transient in nature.” However, when symptoms persist, it may be time to seek professional assistance. 

STEAM Newsletter
Photo of Shyla Raghav posing in front of a wall with information about different types of birds

STEAM Newsletter – Flying High with Innovation!
May 16, 2023

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPI Heritage Month)! This year’s theme for AAPI Heritage Month is Advancing Leaders Through Opportunity. The Million Girls Moonshot and all of its partners will be celebrating the successes of innovative AAPI computer scientists, engineers, and other STEM professionals.

Explore some of the amazing work that has been contributed to the field of STEM by exploring this month’s IF/THEN ambassadors down below!

STEAM Newsletter
Photo of scientist looking at a microscope

STEAM Newsletter – Exploring the World and Your Genes!
April 27, 2023

April 25th was National DNA Day! Every year since 2003, scientists, biologists, and genetics enthusiasts come together to observe National DNA Day, celebrating the discovery and research into DNA and the scientific advancements that helped make progress possible. National DNA Day encourages people to learn more about the science that makes them genetically unique. Help youth feel unique and special with the following resources to use all month long! 

Health and Wellness Newsletter
Four elementary students examine plants

Health & Wellness Newsletter – Celebrating National Nutrition Month!
March 28, 2023

Welcome to this edition of CAN’s Health & Wellness newsletter! March is National Nutrition Month! National Nutrition Month is an annual campaign created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and 2023 is the 50th year of celebration! During the month of March, everyone is invited to learn about making informed food choices and developing healthful eating and physical activity habits.

CAN Newsletter
Cartoon image of 3 women with the text "women's history month"

CAN Newsletter – Celebrating Women’s History Month
March 14, 2023

Happy March and welcome to the CAN Newsletter! If you are new here, we are happy to have you join the CAN Family! CAN celebrates the incredible women and folks who identify as women – who are youth developers and community educators! The strong, courageous, creative, intelligent, resilient, and inspiring women and sheroes who go above & beyond to support youth, families, and communities in being the best they can be. We see you, we hear you, and we stand in solidarity with you! 

STEAM Newsletter
Three female math teachers collaborate

STEAM Newsletter – Celebrating National Mentoring Month!
January 18, 2023

Happy New Year! Welcome to the first installment of the CAN STEAM newsletter for 2023! This January, we are celebrating National Mentoring Month, a national celebration of the role models and mentors that have made monumental differences in the lives of so many.

Listed as one of Moonshot’s four transformative practices, role models and mentors play a significant role in showing young women what is possible for them in STEM. 

CAN Newsletter
Happy New Year 2023

CAN Newsletter – Chapter 1 of 2023!
January 12, 2023

Happy New Year! A new year, a fresh start, and infinite possibilities! The CAN Team is looking forward to the next year and all of the awesome work, we, educators and practitioners in Expanded Learning / Out-of-School-Time will do together. As we jump into the second half of the school year and continue supporting children and youth in our communities, it is important we care for ourselves. 

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Interview with CA EXL Leadership Awardees #3

Interview with CA EXL Leadership Awardees #3
Fireside Chat: December 13, 2022

Join us for Fireside Chat #49!

In this chat, Heather Williams from the California AfterSchool Network is joined by Michael Funk, Director of the Expanded Learning Division of the California Department of Education (EXLD). This chat continues a series of chats with California Expanded Learning Leadership Awardees who were recognized earlier this year during the annual Lights On Afterschool celebration. In this inspirational chat we are joined by:

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Interview with CA EXL Leadership Awardees #2

Interview with CA EXL Leadership Awardees #2
Fireside Chat: December 6, 2022

Join us for Fireside Chat #48!

In this chat, Heather Williams from the California AfterSchool Network is joined by Michael Funk, Director of the Expanded Learning Division of the California Department of Education (EXLD). This chat continues a series of chats with California Expanded Learning Leadership Awardees who were recognized earlier this year during the annual Lights On Afterschool celebration. In this inspirational chat we are joined by:

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Interview with CA EXL Leadership Awardees #1

Interview with CA EXL Leadership Awardees #1
Fireside Chat: November 29, 2022

Join us for Fireside Chat #47!

In this chat, Heather Williams from the California AfterSchool Network is joined by Michael Funk, Director of the Expanded Learning Division of the California Department of Education (EXLD). This chat kicks off a series of chats with California Expanded Learning Leadership Awardees who were recognized earlier this year during the annual Lights On Afterschool celebration. In this first inspirational chat we are joined by:

Health and Wellness Newsletter

Health & Wellness Newsletter – Prioritizing Health this Season
November 22, 2022

Welcome to this month’s Health & Wellness newsletter! As we enter this holiday season, it is important to prioritize all aspects of your health: physical, mental, and emotional.

As the days get shorter and the nights get longer, check in with your community. Seasonal depression, or it’s clinical term: Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), is a type of depression that occurs with the changing of the seasons that affects up to 10% of the United States population.

STEAM Newsletter

STEAM Newsletter – Broadening STEM Access for All
November 15, 2022

A student looks for a chemical reaction in a beaker during an experiment.November is a busy month full of celebration. It is National Native American Heritage month and November 8th was National STEM Day. As a partner of Million Girls Moonshot, the California AfterSchool Network is helping close the gap to make STEAM learning more equitable and accessible to marginalized and all youth. All month long we honor the contributions of Indigenous peoples past and present to STEM.