CAN Newsletter – Autism Awareness Month
April 12, 2023

CAN Newsletter
Autism Awareness image - tree with colorful puzzle pieces

Welcome to our CAN Newsletter! This month we are highlighting Autism Awareness Month! Did you know on April 2nd, the entire world celebrates World Autism Day? This day kicks off Autism & Neurodivergent Awareness Month. This month, we invite folks to join us in building our capacity & increase awareness of how neurodiversity’s many strengths and talents improve society for everybody. Neurodivergent is a non-medical umbrella term that describes people with variations in their mental functions and can include conditions such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or other neurological or developmental conditions such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Learn more

In Expanded Learning and Out-of-School (OST) Programs we have the opportunity to empower children, youth, and adults on the spectrum. As community educators, we have the privilege and the responsibility to support all learners by braiding inclusive learning environments and high-quality equitable learning opportunities. Below is a list of considerations to raise awareness and acceptance, in alignment with the Quality Standards for Expanded Learning Programs:

  • Increasing understanding of neurodivergent learners via professional development (QS 7: Quality Staff)
  • Building community amongst core learning day, OST programs, and families to support children and youth with ASD. (QS 9: Collaborative Partnerships)
  • Creating a sense of belonging by facilitating equitable and inclusive learning opportunities and environments (QS 1: Safe & Supportive Environment)
  • Supporting the unique needs of each young person with compassion, care, and high-quality opportunities (QS 6: Diversity, Access, and Equity)

Additional resources are included in this newsletter. Lastly, we would be remiss to not mention our Equity blog, specifically a blog from October 2021 written by Nat Rosales, our CAN Coordinator in Policy & Outreach, as they document their journey with ASD and list some pretty cool resources. Learn more here.  

In This Newsletter:

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Graphic with flowers and a picture of Lupita saying "Happy 2nd CANniversary"

Happy 2nd CANniversary to Lupita Perez!
April 7, 2022

April 7th was Lupita’s second CANniversary! Lupita joined the CAN team in 2021 as a Coordinator for the Equity & Quality team. Lupita supports workforce initiatives and the Site Coordinator Network, and was also promoted to Specialist for the Equity & Quality team.

Thank you for all of the amazing work you do, Lupita! We are so lucky to have you on the team! 

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CDE logo

Reducing Chronic Absenteeism for Foster Youth
Monday, April 24, 2023; 10:00 AM PST

Join the CDE Student Achievement and Support Division Integrated Student Support and Programs Office and the Mount Diablo Unified School District for their upcoming webinar on reducing chronic absenteeism for foster youth. Attendees will learn how the district built a multi-tiered system of support for this group of students and the effects it has had on attendance rates in a short period of time. 

Register today!

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Autism Awareness Month

April is Autism Acceptance Month!

April is Autism Acceptance Month and April 2nd was World Autism Day! The goal Autism Acceptance Month is to encourage the acceptance of autistic individuals where they are. 

CAN’s Coordinator for Policy & Outreach, Nat Rosales, wrote a blog post for our Equity Evolution on their experience with navigating the professional world as an autistic adult as well as their own journey in unlearning ableism.

Explore these other resources on how you can celebrate Autism Acceptance Month and help create a more accessible and equitable world for students with Autism and other disabilities: 

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Check Out Our Other Newsletters!

Access the CAN newsletter archives to view past newsletters today! You may be interested in some of our other newsletters as well:

CAN Health and Wellness Newsletters

  • Get informed on the connections between afterschool and Whole Child Health and Wellness.
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CAN STEAM Newsletters​

  • Get informed about the Million Girl Moonshot project and access other STEAM resources.
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CAN Policy Newsletter

  • Get informed about policy-related content, including national, state, and local updates, that supports our Expanded Learning programs.
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