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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.
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.
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.
