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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.
Let’s Talk About Universal Expanded Learning Programs
October 18, 2021
The ELO-P funding is an exciting opportunity – moving California closer to offering Universal Expanded Learning Programs! However, we know our field and the broader educational systems are faced with many challenges daily and it can be hard to navigate the waters of all that is happening! We wanted to provide a couple of quick resources to help support Expanded Learning programs as they work with their district partners.
Follow Up Interview with Santa Ana USD re ELO-P
Fireside Chat: October 15, 2021
Join us for our 35th fireside chat. In this follow up 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 Santa Ana Unified School District as they share about the new Expanded Learning Opportunities – Program (ELO-P) and how they are leveraging this exciting opportunity and funding to support students in their district in truly innovative and integrated ways.
SAUSD attendees include:
- Diana Torres, Director of Elementary Education
- David Richey, Executive Director of Support Services
- Jennifer Cisneros, Director of Extended Learning
For more details on the SAUSD Planning Process check out
Fireside Chat #34.
STEAM Newsletter – Celebrating Girls in STEM!
October 21, 2021
This October we are celebrating girls and women in STEAM! “Let’s reimagine who can be an engineer; who can build; who can make. Let’s reimagine the future,” is the mission of the Million Girls Moonshot (MGM). As we celebrate the women in this field, it’s a perfect opportunity to explore MGM’s four transformative practices:
Just Released: Preliminary Entitlements for the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program
Fiscal Year 2021–22
The California Department of Education (CDE) has published preliminary entitlements for the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program for the Fiscal Year 2021–22 as of Friday, October 8, 2021.
The estimated entitlements are available on the CDE website at http://www.cde.ca.gov/fg/aa/pa/elop.asp
CAN Newsletter – Happy Autumn!
October 13, 2021
As we say goodbye to summer and start to transition into winter, we welcome the Fall Season. The leaves begin to change color, the weather gets a bit colder and the sun sets earlier in the day. October also marks National Disability Employment Awareness and National Youth Substance Use Prevention Month.
CAN Health & Wellness Newsletter – Centering Healing in Schools
September 28, 2021
Welcome to CAN’s second installment of our revamped Health & Wellness Newsletter! We will continue to share content surrounding the Whole Child Health and Wellness Vision and initiative, our Health and Wellness Action Team, as well as other approaches that prioritize the cumulative wellness of students in our Expanded Learning programs.
STEAM Newsletter – Systems A Go for Fall!
September 21, 2021
Welcome to the September installment of CAN’s STEAM Newsletter! This month Million Girls Moonshot is focusing on tools and resources for Networks, programs, and partners to relaunch the Moonshot and plan for capacity-building events for programs and families this fall!
Expanded Learning Rate Increases for FY 21-22
In June, Governor Newsom approved the state
budget allocating additional dollars to the After School
Education and Safety (ASES), 21st Century
Community Learning Centers Elementary/Middle
(21st CCLC), and the 21st CCLC
High School After School Safety and Enrichment for Teens
(ASSETs) program grants, for a rate
increase effective July 1, 2021.
We’re Hiring A Program Specialist!
Join the CAN Team!
CAN is excited to announce we are hiring a Program Specialist to join the CAN team!
The Program Specialist will be a part of our Equity and Quality team, but will help support the work of the entire organization. In many ways, the CAN team operates like a small startup where every day is an adventure!
For this role, we are looking for someone with the following qualities:
Interview with Santa Ana USD and Their ELO – Program Planning Process
Fireside Chat: August 31, 2021
Join us for our 34th 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 Lupita Cruz, Jennifer Cisneros, and Emily Wolk from Santa Ana Unified School District as they share how they have engaged in an intentional planning process around the new Expanded Learning Opportunities Program.
#CASTEAM21 Pre-Con is Today!
Wednesday, September 1, 2021, 3:00 PM- 6:30 PM PST
Join us for an afternoon of
thought-provoking keynotes, engaging peer-led breakouts, and some
special announcements about the CA STEAM Symposium in October!
2021 Expanded Learning Opportunities STEAM Back-To-School Pre-Conference
Register Today!
Wednesday, September 1, 2021,
3:00 PM- 6:30 PM PST
Presented by Chevron
CAN, in partnership with the California Department of Education’s Expanded Learning Division and the California STEAM Symposium co-hosts, is excited to announce the virtual 2021 Expanding Learning Opportunities with STEAM Back-To-School Pre-Conference.
This exciting partnership builds on our community belief STEAM learning happens everywhere and at any time of the day. The event will explore opportunities for collaboration between community-based organizations and the TK-16 system. CAN and partners are excited to support our education community as we all strategically plan to use the monumental education budgets focused on early education, social-emotional learning, teacher pipeline, and Expanded Learning. Participants will also learn more about the new Expanded Learning Opportunities Program established in July 2021 by AB 130.
The current registration for both events is only $185!
- Individual event rates start at $75 for the Pre-Conference, and
- $145 for the California STEAM Symposium.
Access Pre-Conference Registration and Details!
CAN Newsletter – Reflecting on the Workforce
September 14, 2021
This month we are focusing on the Expanded Learning Workforce with highlights from our Paving the Way event this past August.
2021 Expanding Learning Opportunities with STEAM Back-To-School Pre-Conference
Wednesday, September 1, 2021, 3:00 PM- 6:30 PM PST
Presented by Chevron
CAN, in partnership with the
California Department of Education’s Expanded Learning
Division and the California STEAM
Symposium co-hosts, is excited to announce the
virtual 2021 Expanding Learning
Opportunities with STEAM Back-To-School
Pre-Conference.
This exciting partnership builds on our community belief STEAM learning happens everywhere and at any time of the day. The event will explore opportunities for collaboration between community-based organizations and the TK-16 system. CAN and partners are excited to support our education community as we all strategically plan to use the monumental education budgets focused on early education, social-emotional learning, teacher pipeline, and Expanded Learning. Participants will also learn more about the new Expanded Learning Opportunities Program established in July 2021 by AB 130.
The current registration for both events is only $185!
- Individual event rates start at $75 for the Pre-Conference, and
- $145 for the California STEAM Symposium.
Access Pre-Conference Registration and Details!
STEAM Newsletter – Environmental Literacy and Revving up for Fall
August 17, 2021
As schools and OST programs return and welcome students, educators, families, and communities to the 2021-2022 school year, we recognize the unique times we continue to work through. While we continue to experience the COVID pandemic and its layers of challenges, unfortunately, regions of Northern California are also currently experiencing destructive wildfires. These fires are damaging homes, schools, communities, and ultimately impacting the environment. Our hearts, thoughts, and support are extended to our OST family and communities affected by these fires.
FAQ’s Released for the New Expanded Learning Opportunities Program
Fireside Chat: August 12, 2021
Join us for our 33rd 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 as they discuss the first round of FAQ’s for the new ELO-P and provide additional context for what these FAQs mean for new and existing programs.
Reference: CDE
Expanded Learning Opportunities Program FAQs
Updates on the New Expanded Learning Opportunities Program
Fireside Chat: August 6, 2021
Join us for our 32nd 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 as they discuss key updates on the new Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELO-P).
It is the intent of the new ELO-P to work with existing ASES and 21st CCLC programs to ultimately provide a single comprehensive expanded learning program for students in CA. FAQs to address some of the biggest initial questions are nearly final and likely to be released early next week. Another fireside chat will be filmed and released with the posting of the FAQs.
Reference: AB
130 (the Education Trailer Bill)
CAN Newsletter – Back to School!
August 10, 2021
Happy 2021-2022 School Year! As we approach the close of the Summer Break, we welcome the Back to School season! Despite the challenges of operating schools and programs during the pandemic and its highs and lows, OST educators continue to rise to the occasion, and support children, youth, families, and communities.
Welcome to Tammy Wang, our AmeriCorps VISTA!
July 27, 2021
We are delighted to have Tammy Wang join the CAN team!
Tammy will be supporting the Whole Child Health and Wellness work of the California AfterSchool Network.
