CAN Newsletter – Our Commitment to Whole Children, Whole Families, and Whole Communities
April 15, 2021
Thank you for all the work you do each and every day for the children, youth, families, schools, and communities of California. As schools reopen, as we all prepare for summer, and as we continue to support the healing and recovery of those we serve and who need it most, we and those we serve also continue to endure so much.
We are heartbroken by acts of violence involving law enforcement, students, and community members in Minnesota, Virginia, and Tennessee. We acknowledge that these acts can add to the trauma and stress that already exists for those we serve. We hope you find useful resources below to support staff, children, youth, and families through these challenging times.
At CAN we will not rest until we attain equitable, just communities, where everyone is well known, well cared for, and prepared to thrive. We know that our efforts to advance positive youth development are only truly attainable when they take place in the context of these more equitable conditions. We remain committed to our advocacy and technical assistance to support safe, equitable, culturally relevant, anti-racist environments for thriving children and families. We thank you for all you do every day to do the same.
Resources to Support Educators:
- Learning for Justice: Don’t Say Nothing- Responding to Police Violence
- Teaching the Hard Histories of Racism: Five principles to guide educators as they broach difficult topics in their classrooms — with students of all ages.
- Exploring Equity: Race and Ethnicity The role that racial and ethnic identity play with respect to equity and opportunity in education.
Additional resources can be found in CAN’s Statement in Solidarity with Black Lives shared in June 2020.
In This Newsletter:
Register Today! A Whole Child Approach to the AB86 Expanded Learning Opportunities (ELO) Grant Convening
For ALL California Educators and Education Leaders!
Wednesday, May 5, 2021: 9:00 AM- 3:00 PM
The CA AfterSchool Network is excited to collaborate with the CA Department of Education, Expanded Learning Division, and the CA Collaborative for Educational Excellence to offer ALL CA Educators and Educational Leaders, of all sectors, an opportunity to participate in a free virtual convening, to support A Whole Child Approach to the AB86 ELO Grant.
Registration and Convening Details
Whole Child Health and Wellness Strategic Direction and Call to Action
April 2021
CAN is excited to release our Statement of Strategic Direction Toward Equity-Driven Whole Child Health and Wellness. This document is a culmination of the work of the Whole Child Health and Wellness Collaborative (consisting of multi-sector stakeholders from health, mental health, social services, substance use prevention/intervention/treatment, education, expanded learning, and child and family advocacy) throughout 2020. The multi-sector-informed Statement of Strategic Direction outlines a vision where every child is well known, well cared for, and well prepared to thrive. The statement also includes ”shared equity strategies” that can be implemented from the state to the site-level through cross-sector partnership with Expanded Learning Programs to meet critical needs and advance Whole Child Health and Wellness. It is accompanied by a shorter Call To Action.
Upcoming Webinar: Expanded Learning Opportunities Grant Plan
Thursday, April 15, 2021; 2pm PST
The California Department of Education will be hosting an upcoming webinar to review the development of, and requirements for, the Expanded Learning Opportunities Grant Plan.
Grant Extensions for Fiscal Year 2020-21
The California Department of Education, Expanded Learning Division is pleased to announce that the fiscal year (FY) 2020–21 After School Education and Safety, 21st Century Community Learning Centers, and the 21st Century High School After School Safety and Enrichment for Teens Program Grants will be extended until December 31, 2021.
School Site Substitutions for FY 21-22
The California Department of Education (CDE), Expanded Learning Division, is providing the following guidance on school site substitutions for the fiscal year (FY) 2021–22. This guidance may be updated annually and should be responded to accordingly.
Annual Performance Report (APR) Spring 2021
CDE is announcing the opening of the 2020–21 Annual Performance Report (APR) windows for submission.
Submission Windows
Summer 2020: Open May 5, 2021 to June 29, 2021 (Reporting data for May 1, 2020–August 31, 2020)—Grantees operating a summer program (summer/supplemental funding) need to complete this report. If you did not run a program during this time, please mark your sites inactive.
Expanded Learning Opportunities Grant
On March 5, 2021, the Governor signed AB 86. This statute, amongst other provisions, provides funding to eligible local educational agencies (LEAs) to implement learning recovery programs.
To be eligible for funding, LEAs must implement a learning recovery program, that at a minimum, provides supplemental instruction, support for social and emotional well-being and; to the maximum extent permissible under the guidelines of the United States Department of Agriculture, meals and snacks to specified student groups (as defined in California Education Code Section 43522) who have faced adverse learning and social emotional circumstances.
Policy Updates on Program Flexibility & AB86
Fireside Chat: April 2, 2021
Join us for our 27th fireside chat! In this chat, Heather Williams and Michael Funk discuss several important policy updates on program flexibility for the 2021-2022 school year and on implementation and support of the AB 86 Expanded Learning Opportunity Grants.
USDA Announces Healthy School Meals Through Summer
The USDA is extending waivers that allow all schoolchildren to receive healthy meals until September 30. The Washington Post explores how this extension will impact the estimated 12 million kids currently experiencing food insecurity in the United States.
ED COVID-19 Handbook
Miguel Cardona, Secretary of Education, shares a COVID-19 handbook released by the Department of Education to help implement guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Together, these guides will provide more evidence-based strategies for schools to minimize disruptions caused by school closures, especially for the most vulnerable students and communities and address the impact of COVID-19 on educational opportunity across communities.
Together We Rise, Together We Thrive: Navigating High School in a New Era
Student Voice is is partnering with the Center for Public Research and Leadership (CPRL) and Minds Matter NYC to release Together We Rise, Together We Thrive: Navigating High School in a New Era.
In this resource, students can find tips direct from high schoolers about how to take care of themselves and stay organized, connected with friends, and on top of their academics during the pandemic.
Expanded Learning Time; An Ed Trust Brief
Research shows expanded learning time (ELT) is one approach to helping historically underserved students catch up to meet high standards. ELT encompasses programs or strategies implemented to increase the amount of instruction and learning students experience. ELT strategies are included in afterschool, summer, and in-school programs.
The Education Trust has published a new brief entitled Expanded Learning Time that focuses on ELT programs that significantly increase the amount of new math and/or English language arts instruction delivered to students.
Podcast: Summer Learning’s Promise: a First Step to Post-Covid Healing
Tune in to EdSource’s latest This Week in California Education podcast episode where co-hosts John Fensterwald and Louis Freedberg hear from guests Jennifer Peck, president and CEO of Partnership for Children and Youth, an organization championing high-quality learning opportunities, and Amanda Reedy, administrator of Gilroy Unified’s Power School and after-school programs, to look at opportunities and options for expanded summer learning.
How Can Federal COVID Relief Be Used for Safe and Sustainable School Reopening
The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) provides just over $170.3 billion to education, and on March 24, $81 billion was made immediately available to support safe and sustainable school reopening efforts. President Biden’s infrastructure plan may also provide funds to help repair crumbling classrooms, build new public school buildings, expand broadband, and upgrade educational infrastructure.
The Cradle to Career Guide to Federal Relief Funding for Kids During and Beyond COVID-19
Children’s Funding Project has released their updated guide in response to questions many of you had about leveraging emergency funding to support children, youth, and families.
This new update incorporates new funding from all six federal relief acts including the American Rescue Plan, and guidance for the child and youth fields on navigating these new dollars.
Upcoming Webinar: Peer Mentoring: Youth Resilience & Community Building
Wednesday, April 21, 2021; 12:00 PM PST
Join California School-Based Health Alliance for their upcoming webinar on how a school site in Oakland implemented a peer-to-peer mental health mentoring program. The presenters will share an overview of the program, how it got started, and how they maintain the program.
The Students for Equitable Education Summit
Saturday, April 24, 2021; 8:00AM PST - Virtual
What are young people experiencing in classrooms today? What do educators see in their students? The Students for Equitable Education Summit hosted by Digital Promise aims to explore these questions and more to engage students, strengthen dialogue and collaboration between students and school staff, and spur a collective commitment to advance inclusive, anti-racist classrooms.
Upcoming Webinar: Cultural Crossroads: Exploring the important intersection of summer program training & design with the critical need to address race, equity, and inclusion
Wednesday, April 28, 2021; 11:00 AM PST
Breakthrough Collaborative has assembled a Race Equity Diversity & Inclusion (REDI) Workgroup of program leaders, staff, former teaching fellows and instructional coaches to host a webinar showcase the important role that Summer and extended learning programs play in providing a safe space for student learning and exploration, especially for BIPOC students.
Upcoming Webinar: Creating Protective Communities
Thursday, April 29, 2021; 9:00 AM PST
How can we make sure OST is truly a safe space for youth in our communities? The New Mexico Out-of-School Time Network is hosting an upcoming webinar to provide an opportunity for participants to reflect on the messages received about safety as adults and other factors that can lead to sexual violence in our communities.
Grant Opportunity: Dr. Seuss Foundation
Deadline: May 1, 2021
The Dr. Seuss Foundation is seeking applications for its grant program to support improved literacy that introduces new skills and knowledge in the multi-layered worlds of the arts and humanities, health and well-being, animal welfare, and the environment.
Deadline for Letter of Intent submission: May 1, 2021, 5:00 PM PDT
For more information including the grant application process, visit www.drseussfoundation.org
Mind Out Loud
May 4-6, 2021; 3:30-5:00pm
Wellness Together School Mental Health, in partnership with the San Diego County Office of Education and the California Department of Education will host Mind Out Loud – a free three-day virtual event on May 4-6, 2021 from 3:30-5:00 p.m. for middle and high school students to convene and boldly discuss mental health.
Connect with peers, hear from well-known speakers, be equipped with practical tools on increasing awareness and advocacy for your friends, and reduce the stigma associated with mental health.
State and Federal Support for Expanded Learning Programs
Since the pandemic began, state and federal governments have appropriated billions in funding to reopen school campuses and provide expanded learning opportunities to support students’ social-emotional and academic recovery.
CA3 has developed a chart to help program providers advocate for funding as they plan for this summer and beyond. The chart lays out the different sources and types of funding from both the state and federal governments for expanded learning programs.
Apple Expands Free Professional Learning To Teachers
To help educators bring creativity to every lesson, Apple is offering free, self-paced professional learning with Apple Teacher Portfolio. Explore Everyone Can Create guides with new skills building activities.
Webinar Recording: Addressing the Impact of COVID-19 through Summer Learning and Enrichment
WestEd held a webinar to explore how summer learning and enrichment programs can be beneficial in meeting the social, emotional, mental health, and academic needs of students.
Listen to the discussion that describes how American Rescue Plan funds can be used to support program design and implementation, and how these opportunities can be made available this summer and beyond by building district capacity, through philanthropy and community-based partnerships.
Expanded Learning Partnerships to Meet Students’ Diverse Needs
Three new PACE commentaries join a larger series of PACE publications expanded learning partnerships and learning hubs can play an important role in supporting students now and throughout pandemic recovery.
Start Preparing for #SummerLearningWeek!
July 12-16, 2021
Summer may look different this year, but summer isn’t canceled. Summer programs are adapting and innovating to ensure students have the support and quality learning opportunities they need this coming summer.
National Summer Learning Week, hosted by the National Summer Learning Association is a celebration dedicated to elevating the importance of keeping kids learning, safe, and healthy every summer, ensuring they return to school ready to succeed in the year.
Check Out CAN’s Other Newsletters!
Access the CAN newsletter archives to view past newsletters today! You may be interested in some of our other newsletters as well: