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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.
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.
CAN Newsletter – Heading Back to School!
August 9, 2022
Hello and welcome to the CAN Newsletter! For those who are new to the CAN Community, we would like to take an opportunity to introduce ourselves. The California AfterSchool Network’s mission is to provide the resources and support needed by the OST field and its partners across sectors to build high quality OST programs that improve the lives of California’s most vulnerable children, youth, families, and communities. CAN is “of the field and for the field,” is a catalyst of quality, a vehicle for advocacy, and a conduit for communications.
ELO-P Interview with Region 1, Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma-Marin
Fireside Chat: July 25, 2022
Join us for our 44th Fireside Chat!
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) and two special guests from Region 1:
- Melea Meyer, Region 1 STEAM Hub/ SSEL County Lead, Continuous Improvement: Innovation and Development
- Michelle Edwards-Heery, Executive Vice President, Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma-Marin
This chat includes a quick update on the ELO-P apportionment rates for fiscal year 2022-23. We also dive into what LEA and CBO (community based organization) partnership can look like to support ELO-P implementation in a wide range of settings.
STEAM Newsletter – To The Moon, Back, and now…Beyond
July 19, 2022
It was exactly 53 years ago astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin made history when they became the first human beings to set foot on the moon. This month the Million Girls Moonshot and all of its parters commemorate that “giant leap for mankind” as it remains one of humanity’s greatest achievements. We look to the future, to the next generation of engineers and scientists. What will be their “giant leap”? And most importantly, how do we support young people on their journey in STEM?
CAN Newsletter – Summer is Here!
July 12, 2022
Happy Summer! For young people, summer can be full of outdoor play, camp experiences, trips, and vacations. However, for some youth and their families, especially those in underserved or under-resourced areas, summer might not include opportunities for those camp-like experiences or vacations.
Budget is Signed! and Other Leg Updates
Fireside Chat: July 1, 2022
Join us for our 43rd Fireside Chat! 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),.
The 22-23 budget has been signed! Hear the latest on what it means for the Expanded Learning in California. We also cover the latest on two pieces of legislation related to our Expanded Learning programs.
Access Budget and Legislation Information referenced below:
Use Your Voice in the Power of Us 2022 Workforce Survey!
Millions of professionals and volunteers work with young people every day in the many settings where youth play, learn, and grow outside of the school day. Yet, we have little collective information about this essential workforce. You can help change this!
STEAM Newsletter – Engineers and The Great Outdoors
June 28, 2022
For the month of June, the Million Girls Moonshot and all of its partners celebrate the amazing work that women engineers around the world are doing to support lives and livelihoods every day. This month, we are highlighting resources that program providers and others can utilize to profile the best, brightest and bravest women in engineering, the inventors and innovators who dare to be part of the solution and are helping to build towards a brighter future!
CAN Newsletter – Celebrating with Pride!
June 24, 2022
June is a month to celebrate many things! It marks the end of the school year and the start of Summer Learning opportunities. It’s also the start of a new season and includes a special day to reflect on and acknowledge Juneteenth. Lastly, June celebrates Pride Month!
CAN Health & Wellness Newsletter – Improving Adolescent Mental Health
May 24, 2022
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. As we continue to live in the “new normal,” we have become aware of the unprecedented mental health crisis affecting our youth as well as adults. Use this month to learn about mental health and how to fight the stigma to help the ones in your community get the resources they deserve.
This month’s newsletter shares many resources on mental health: how to prioritize one’s mental health, resources for the classroom, and more.
ELO-P: May Revise Budget & Policy Updates
Fireside Chat: May 18, 2022
Join us for our 42nd Fireside Chat! 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), and two of his staff: Sterling Williams and Jen Taylor.
Hear the latest on the Governor’s proposed May Revise budget and updated Trailer Bill Language and what it means for the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program!
While there’s lots of exciting news, there is also more action needed to ensure the success and sustainability of Expanded Learning programs in California – be on the lookout for more info coming soon!
CAN Newsletter – Celebrating AAPI Heritage and Mental Health Awareness Months!
May 12, 2022
Happy Asian American and Pacific
Islanders Month!
Asian American and Pacific Islander folks have contributed significantly to many facets of American culture and society, including science and medicine, literature and art, sports and recreation, government and politics, and activism and law. (Read More)
ELO-P Discussion with Region 6
Fireside Chat: April 7, 2022
Join us for our 41st Fireside Chat! In this inspiring 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, and a few of the amazing folks from Region 6 including members of the System of Support team and local providers including:
- Kelly Faustino, Education Programs Consultant, CDE Expanded Learning Division
- Danielle Jones, Afterschool Planning Coordinator | System of Support for Expanded Learning County Lead; Stanislaus County Office of Education | Prevention and Expanded Learning Programs
- Junior Cueva, Director of Operations, Boys & Girls Clubs of Tracy
- Tony Lomeli, Director, Student Support Services, Modesto City Schools
The Region 6 crew digs into how they are leveraging the opportunities of the moment, including unprecedented funding, to meet the individual needs of children, youth, and families.
Chat Resources
Interview with Oak Valley UESD
Fireside Chat: March 9, 2022
Join us for our 40th fireside chat. 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, and Heather Pilgrim, Superintendent of Oak Valley Union Elementary School District.
Heather and Michael provide a few reflections on conversations
they’ve had with districts regarding ELO-P implementation and
then chat further with Heather Pilgrim about her challenges with
ELO-P and how she is started to navigate through the
implementation process and leverage the opportunities available
with the ELO program.
CAN Newsletter – Celebrating Women’s History Month!
March 9, 2022
Every year in March, we celebrate women, their achievements, and their tremendous contributions to our society. Women’s History month also includes International Women’s Day which is observed on March 8th across the world. Each year the National Women’s History Alliance chooses a theme for Women’s History Month and this year, the theme for 2022 is “Women Providing Healing, Promoting Hope.” Women educators across California, especially in our Expanded Learning and Out of School Time programs, have gone above and beyond to create inclusive enviro
STEAM Newsletter – Introduce a Girl to Engineering!
February 15, 2022
Welcome to this month’s installment of our STEAM Newsletter! This February, we are celebrating Black History Month, Engineer Week – Reimagining the Possible (February 20-26), and Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day (February 24)!
CDE Update on Grant Reduction Suspension
January 21, 2022
The Expanded Learning
Division (EXLD) has received communications
from the After School Education and Safety as
well
as 21st Century Community Learning Centers grantees
across the state requesting the suspension of grant reductions
for 2022 due to ongoing external circumstances. The
EXLD has heard you and understands the challenges of
COVID, workforce shortages, and the impact current circumstances
are having on attendance resulting in the concern regarding
future grant reductions.
Expanded Learning Policy Updates & Interviews with District Leaders
Fireside Chat: January 14, 2022
Join us for our 39th fireside chat. 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 and leaders from three different LEAs:
- Jennifer Collier, Expanded Learning Coordinator, Galt Joint Union Elementary School District
- Julie Boesch, Ed.D., Superintendent/Principal, Maple Elementary School District
- Julie McCalmont, Coordinator, Expanded Learning Programs, Oakland Unified School District
- Priscilla Parchia, Program Manager, Expanded Learning ExLO, Oakland Unified School District
Heather and Michael provide a couple quick policy updates and our LEA leaders discuss practical ideas about how their districts are planning to leverage their ELO-P funding.
Governor’s Proposed Budget for 2022-23
January 12, 2022
Governor’s Proposal Has Billions
in Education & Other Child Investments
On Monday, January 10, California Governor Newsom released his proposed budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-23.
With unprecedented funding available for CA’s budget, there are again significant increases in the K-12 budget and other budgets that support California’s children and families.
A few highlights specifically for Expanded Learning include:
STEAM Newsletter – Happy New Year!
January 18, 2022
The start of a new year is a perfect opportunity to reflect on past achievements and upcoming goals for the future.
We debuted our STEAM newsletter in February of last year and since then, we have continued to share resources to encourage STEAM learning. This year, we hope we can continue to further the collective goal of providing a million more girls with STEM learning opportunities and transform the communities we live in for a better tomorrow.
