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Hello May! As the days grow warmer and longer, and summer sunsets draw near, we at CAN are excited to welcome May with well wishes for everyone. We also celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month—a time to honor and uplift the rich, diverse histories and contributions of AANHPI communities.

Welcome back to our Policy Newsletter!

If you’re new here or missed a recent edition, you can catch up on past newsletters and policy updates here. 

There’s been a lot of movement in both state and federal policy over the past few months. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the constant stream of updates and the questions they raise about the work we care so deeply about. Our families and communities are feeling this too, and that’s completely understandable.

Youth Voice Week (March 24-28, 2025) is a national celebration dedicated to uplifting the voices, leadership and lived experiences of young people. The Afterschool Alliance describes this week as follows: “Youth are at the center of high-quality afterschool and summer programs. Their voices are powerful and they must be heard.

In some good news this January, we were appreciative to see that the Governor’s Budget Summary, which was released on January 10, 2025, and reminded us that the Governor is following up with his dedication to serving our students and families in California by protecting ELO-P with a $435 million increase. 

As many of us wrap up the year and prepare to sign off to spend intentional time with our loved ones and those who will continue to support our children and families during the holidays, we’d like to remind everyone to take a moment to acknowledge what was done this year to serve our youth. 

November is here, and so much has already happened! The elections have concluded, and now we begin to analyze and understand the changes that will come on January 1, 2025. You can read our election results post for results on the state propositions and election resources.

As we embrace the Back to School season, our partnership with the Statewide System of Support (SSEL) empowers us to help OST practitioners and educators throughout the state set the stage for success. Together, we provide the tools and resources to support a strong start and a successful year ahead. Below are a few capacity and community-building opportunities you don’t want to miss to help Set Up for Success! 

Resources & Upcoming Events

National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated every year from September 15 to October 15. This month, we honor the contributions of Hispanic and Latinx communities in shaping our world—not only in history, art, and culture but also in the fields of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM).  

From artists such as Frida Kahlo, known for her deeply personal and emotional art, to scientists such as Ellen Ochoa, the first Latina astronaut to go to space, the fusion of Hispanic culture and STEAM has sparked creativity, resilience, and innovation. This collective of trailblazing engineers, scientists, and artists continues to inspire the next generation of thinkers and creators, breaking barriers, and driving innovation forward. 

Happy Hispanic Heritage Month!

As summer break ends, the CAN Team wishes children, youth, families, OST practitioners, and educators a great 2024-25 school year! Whether you’re a student, teacher, or parent, here’s to a school year full of growth, learning, and success!

Shout out to the Youth Development practitioners who play a crucial role in shaping the lives of young people. Youth development isn’t just a job—it’s a mission. Thank you for being a beacon of hope and support for so many.