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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.
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
Connect with CAN at the 2022 BOOST Conference!
Hey BOOSTers, are you ready for some fun at the 2022 BOOST Conference?! WE ARE!
CAN is excited to continue as one of the many amazing sponsors of the BOOST Conference coming up in just a few weeks in Palm Springs from April 26 - April 29.
There are many ways to connect with the CAN team at BOOST. Below are some of the engagement opportunities for you to partake in! We can’t wait to hang out with all of our EXL/OST friends in PERSON. See you soon!
Universal PreKindergarten (UPK) Office Hours
Upcoming Office Hours: March 30, 2022, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
The California Department of Education,
Early Education Division (EED) is excited to announce weekly
Universal PreKindergarten (UPK) office hours.
The EED will be hosting virtual office hours on Wednesday
afternoons targeted for local education agencies (school
districts, charter schools, county offices of education) so that
attendees can come and ask questions and receive technical
assistance about UPK implementation. The first 15 minutes will be
a quick review of UPK and the latest developments.
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.
Registration is Now Live! ELO-P Planning Workshop
Wednesday, January 19, 2022; 9:00 AM -11:00 AM
Registration for the ELO-P Planning Workshop event is now live!
The ELO Program Planning Workshop will provide the latest details on the Expanded Learning Opportunities (ELO) Program. The two hour workshop will consist of two 1 hour sessions, each with the majority of the time spent in an interactive breakout session. Feel free to join for just one or both of the sessions:
- Session A: 9:00 – 10:00 AM
- Session B: 10:00 – 11:00 AM
CAN Newsletter – Happy New Year!
January 13, 2022
Happy 2022! The California AfterSchool Network team would like to wish each and every one of you a happy and healthy new year!
We are grateful for a new year and new opportunities, and we realize the year has started off quite bumpy with the COVID 19 Omicron variant and its impacts on California communities and across the nation. We are hopeful things will start to settle down and improve enough to allow schools and programs to effectively and appropriately support children, youth, and families in our CA communities.
Early Release and Late Arrival Guidance Revised
December 17, 2021
The Policy Committee of the Expanded
Learning Division has revised the guidance for the Late
Arrival and Early Release policy as required in the
California Education Code (EC). The
previous guidance was more restrictive than
the EC supported. The revised guidance is now
aligned with the EC and includes Frequently
Asked Questions and Promising Practices.
Save the Date! ELO Program Planning Workshop
Wednesday, January 19, 2022: 9:00 AM -11:00 AM
Mark your calendars, and don’t
miss out!
FAQ Update & Interview with Moreno Valley & Jurupa USD
Fireside Chat: December 10, 2021
Join us for our 38th fireside chat. In this chat, Heather Williams from the California AfterSchool Network is joined by Michael Funk and Sterling Williams from the Expanded Learning Division of the California Department of Education and two LEA Leaders:
- Lisa Broomfield, Director of Equity and Access, Moreno Valley USD
- Kimberly Corbin, Director of Curriculum and Assessment, Jurupa USD
Michael provides a couple quick updates on the FAQ’s and Lisa and Kimberly discuss how their districts are planning to leverage their ELO-P funding.
STEAM Newsletter – Applying Engineering Mindsets through Math and Science
December 21, 2021
December is always a special time
of year. It is a chance to reflect on all of the successes of the
year and explore how we might be able to do more as we head into
the new year.
With this in mind, Million Girls Moonshot is highlighting STEM learning with an engineering mindset this December! Utilizing this mindset allows us to explore the unknown while applying skills and knowledge we already have – like math and science. Activating an engineering mindset pulls directly from these skills and allows us to solve real-work and relevant challenges.
ELO-P Program Plan Guide is Here!
Fireside Chat: December 2, 2021
Join us for our 37th fireside chat. In this chat, Heather Williams from the California AfterSchool Network is joined by Michael Funk and Sterling Williams from the Expanded Learning Division of the California Department of Education. Heather, Sterling, and Michael walk through the just-released Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELO-P) Program Plan Guide.
- Access the ELO-P Program Plan Guide: https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/ex/documents/elopprogplanguide.pdf
- Access the Quality Standards for Expanded Learning in California: https://www.afterschoolnetwork.org/post/quality-standards-expanded-learning-california
- Register for the Dec 8th small/rural district event with CCEE – Transforming Education in CA: 2021 Budget Act Investments and Opportunities: https://ccee-ca-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_4dfA585jSe-LNtrzCVrIcg
Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELO-P) Program Plan Guide Released!
December 1, 2021
The California Department of Education (CDE) Expanded Learning Division has announced the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELO-P) Program Plan Guide has been posted on the CDE Webpage at https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/ex/documents/elopprogplanguide.pdf
ELO-P Updates & Interview with Akilah Byrd of Alameda COE
Fireside Chat: November 22, 2021
Join us for our 36th fireside chat. In this chat, Heather Williams from the California AfterSchool Network is joined by Michael Funk from the Expanded Learning Division of the California Department of Education and Akilah Byrd, current Region 4 Director of Expanded Learning Programs out of the AlamedaCounty Office of Education and a former principal. Heather and Michael share some updates on the ELO-P funding and chat with Akilah about her experiences as a principal leveraging Expanded Learning at her school sites.
Access the funding details for Expanded Learning Opportunities Program including LEA Apportionment amounts: https://www.cde.ca.gov/fg/aa/pa/elop.asp
Access the CDE ELO-P webpage: https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/ex/elopinfo.asp
