CAN Newsletter – Back to School, Back to Growth
August 13, 2025
As summer comes to a close and a new school year begins, the CAN Team sends warm wishes to children, youth, families, educators, and out-of-school time (OST) professionals for a successful and fulfilling 2025-26 school year. Whether you are returning as a student, teacher, parent, or practitioner, we hope this year brings new opportunities for learning, growth, and meaningful connections!
The beginning of the school year is also the perfect time to plan for your own professional growth.
Take a moment to revisit the Quality Standards for Expanded Learning in California and explore how Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) can help strengthen your programs. Setting clear goals now can lead to high-quality experiences for youth, families, and your team throughout the year. The Quality Standards are available in English and Spanish – download a copy today!
- Explore the rest of our print-ready publications that you can download to print at your convenience!
Mark your calendars for professional development opportunities this school year!
- Registration is OPEN for the 2026 Site Coordinator Symposium in Long Beach, CA. Grab your early bird tickets today!
- Save the Dates for our Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 ExL Academies! Formerly known as the ELO-P Academies, the ExL Acadmies continue our commitment to providing technical assistance and support to the Expanded Learning field, including ELO-P, ASES, and 21st CCLC programs.
- Register for 2025-2026 ExL Office Hours! We have dates secured for Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring ExL Office Hours for this school year - don’t miss out on getting the latest information on Expanded Learning.
Cheers to this school year! We hope to share space with you this year!
In This Newsletter:
Symposium 2026: Early Reg, Partner Spots, Hotel Block & Workshop Proposals
February 4, 27-28, 2026
We are excited to announce key updates and opportunities for the 9th Annual 2026 Site Coordinator Symposium in Long Beach, CA!
Presented by the California AfterSchool Network, in partnership with the Site Coordinator Network, and supported by the California Department of Education Expanded Learning Division. The Symposium is your place to grow, connect, and thrive! Dive into sessions that elevate Site Coordinators, Direct-Service staff, and Leadership with strategies to strengthen programs and build lasting supports. Join us virtually and/or in person for powerful learning, networking, and community-building… plus plenty of fun!
Fall 2025 EXL Academy Coming Soon!
Sept 16, 18, 30 & October 1
Save the Dates for the Fall 2025 EXL Academy! The California AfterSchool Network, in partnership with the California Department of Education’s Expanded Learning Division, is excited to co-host the Fall 2025 Expanded Learning (EXL) Academy!
Formerly known as the ELO-P Academy, the EXL Academies continue our commitment to providing technical assistance and support to the Expanded Learning field, including ELO-P, ASES, and 21st CCLC programs.
Join the Ecosystem Advisory Team!
Interest Form
Are you passionate about shaping the future of expanded learning in California and beyond? The Ecosystem Advisory Team is a key workgroup supporting the co-creation of the Ecosystem Plan, California’s third iteration of the Expanded Learning Strategic Plan.
We are inviting 120-130 deeply rooted community leaders and credible messengers to join us. Members will participate in three large-group convenings, build meaningful cross-sector relationships and offer high-level input that strengthens the vision and strategies of the Ecosystem Plan. This plan seeks to position Expanded Learning as a cornerstone of California’s Education. Health, and Human Services ecosystem.
Attorney General Site Visit
Napa Valley
CAN was proud to co-host a meaningful summer program site visit on July 10, 2025, at Bel Aire Elementary School in Napa with leaders from the California Attorney General’s Office, California Volunteers, Napa Valley Unified School District, and the Napa County Office of Education. This visit aimed to gather input from local leaders and the Napa community regarding the impacts of funding cuts to their AmeriCorps programs.
Happy CANniversary to our CAN Team Staff!
August 2025
August is an entire month of multiple CAN Staff Work Anniversaries, called ‘CAN’niversaries. Our team is a collective of humans who hold various roles to support the work of CAN and the Expanded Learning and Out-of-School-Time fields. Join us in celebrating the team below.
2025-26 Statewide EXL Events & Convenings
Save the Dates!
Mark your calendar for our 2025-26 Statewide EXL Events & Convenings – including seasonal (Summer, Fall, Winter & Spring) EXL Office Hours, the Fall 2025 EXL Academy, and the Spring 2026 EXL Academy.
Before & Afterschool Advisory Committee Meeting
August 19, 2025
You’re Invited! The California Department of Education Expanded Learning Division is excited to announce that the upcoming Before and Afterschool Advisory Committee Meeting will be live-streamed for the first time, making it easier than ever for expanded learning professionals across the region to stay informed and engaged.
2024–25 Annual Outcomes Based Data for Evaluation and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Report
Due Tuesday, September 30, 2025
The 2024–25 Annual Outcome-Based Data for Evaluation and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Report is due Tuesday, September 30, 2025.
Please read the full content of this post, as it contains important instructions for submitting this report. Please ensure all contacts are current in the After School Support and Information System (ASSIST).
Fiscal Year 2025–26 ASES Universal Final Intent to Award
The California Department of Education recently shared an important announcement to Applicants for the After School Education and Safety (ASES) Universal Program.
The Expanded Learning Division (EXLD) is pleased to announce the posting of the Final Intent to Award (ITA) for the ASES Program located on the California Department of Education (CDE) website: Funding Results: After School Education and Safety (CA Dept of Education).
Attendance Recovery Resources
August 2025
School districts statewide are preparing to implement California’s new Attendance Recovery policy, which helps LEAs recover lost ADA funding and learning by offering extra academic support outside school hours. Attendance Recovery programs are optional and can be offered in conjunction with ELO-P to realize fiscal efficiencies and expand student access to ELO-P. Below are a few resources to support the development and implementation of these programs.
Now Accepting Applications: National Mentoring Summit Scholars Program
Deadline: Monday, September 1, 2025
The Karina Nova Scholars Program is a professional development opportunity for emerging leaders in the mentoring field. Selected scholars receive complimentary registration to the 2026 National Mentoring Summit in Washington, D.C. (February 3–6, 2026) and a $1,300 stipend to support travel, lodging, and related expenses.
In addition to attending the Summit, scholars participate in tailored networking and learning sessions designed to elevate their leadership in the mentoring space.
CYBHI Fee Schedule Updates for Certified Wellness Coaches
Wednesday, September 10, 2025; 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is hosting a webinar to review updates to the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) Fee Schedule Program Manual.
This session is especially important for Certified Wellness Coach employers in schools and affiliated organizations.
PD Opportunity: Making Math Meaningful
Wednesday, September 24, 9:30 AM PST
Looking for ways to make math more meaningful in your after school program? Join the ACRES team on Sept 24 for a free, live, 45-minute virtual workshop at 9:30 AM PT /12:30 PM ET! Discover practical math resources to equip your staff/team with tools that go beyond homework help.
Questions? Email acres@mmsa.org.
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.
- Subscribe today!
CAN STEAM Newsletters
- Get informed about the Million Girl Moonshot project and access other STEAM resources.
- Subscribe today!
CAN Policy Newsletter
- Get informed about policy-related content, including national, state, and local updates, that supports our Expanded Learning programs.
- Subscribe today!