COVID Policy
Budget Updates on New Expanded Learning Opportunities Program
Fireside Chat: July 9, 2021
Join us for our 31st 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 key updates on the education budget, including AB 130 (the Education Trailer Bill) and the new Expanded Learning Opportunities Program.
Budget Updates & Discussion on Supporting Older Youth
Fireside Chat: June 8, 2021
Join us for our 30th 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 Anthony Urias, Site Coordinator, and Brad Lupien, President & CEO from arc.
In this chat, we discuss key updates on the education budget, which has now passed out of the Assembly and Senate Subcommittees Finance committees, and how they impact our Expanded Learning Programs, including an increase to the ASES and 21st CCLC Daily Rate to $10.75 and $3.3 Billion in new funding for an Expanded Learning program similar to ASES to support TK-6 programs.
We continue to celebrate the unprecedented investment in Expanded Learning – recognizing the essential role of these programs to support our youth, families, and communities. We also recognize that there is still the need to ensure these dollars are structured in such a way to truly leverage the investment and support our staff and all of our youth, including middle and high school students.
Access the newest report on Promoting Protective Factors in California’s Afterschool Programs.
Budget Updates
Fireside Chat: May 26, 2021
Join us for our 29th 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 several members of the California Afterschool Advocacy Alliance.
In this chat, we discuss key updates on the education budget, which has passed out of the Assembly and Senate Subcommittees on Education Finance, and how they impact our Expanded Learning Programs, including an increase to the ASES and 21st CCLC Daily Rate to $10.75 and now a proposed $2.5 Billion in new funding for an Expanded Learning program similar to ASES. We continue to celebrate the unprecedented investment in Expanded Learning - recognizing the essential role of these programs to support our youth, families, and communities.
We also recognize that there is still the need to ensure these dollars are structured in such a way to truly leverage the investment and support our staff and youth. There are more than enough resources to stabilize existing programs and serve more students.
We need your help to:
- Support the Senate and Assembly’s proposal for daily rates (per pupil funding) for state and federally-funded programs.
- Ensure that we don’t leave out middle school and high school students.
- Build strong and sustainable community partnerships.
Text Your Budget Leaders
Text “CAAFTERSCHOOLWORKS” to 52886 or visit https://p2a.co/PlSXYSk to direct calls and tweets to key decision-makers.
Sign-On Letter Info:
Add your organization to the sign-on letter (http://bit.ly/MayReviseSOL), by sending your information by noon on Friday 5/28. Send this information to ben@partnerforchildren.org:
- Organization
- Signatory’s name
- Title
- Logo
Updates on Governor’s Budget Proposal
Fireside Chat: May 21, 2021
Join us for our 28th fireside chat. In this chat, Heather Williams from the California AfterSchool Network and Michael Funk from the Expanded Learning Division of the California Department of Education are joined by Jennifer Peck of the Partnership for Children and Youth.
In this chat, we discuss key updates on the budget that impact our Expanded Learning Programs, including the Governor’s proposal for $1 Billion in funding for a new program and the ASES Daily Rate.
We celebrate the unprecedented investment in Expanded Learning - recognizing the essential role of these programs to support our youth, families, and communities. We also recognize that there is still the need to ensure these dollars are structured in such a way to truly leverage the investment and support our staff and youth.
Stay tuned for a sign-on letter, social media language, and other tools to help elevate your voice!
AB86 Information & Resources
The California Legislature provided $6.6 billion in the Assembly Bill 86 COVID-19 relief package, including $2 billion for In-Person Instruction (IPI) Grants and $4.6 billion for Expanded Learning Opportunities (ELO) Grants. Governor Newsom signed AB 86 on March 5, 2021.
There is no application required to receive AB 86 funding. In May 2021, eligible entities will receive an apportionment that represents 50 percent of their allocation for both the IPI and ELO Grants. In August 2021, eligible entities will receive the remaining 50 percent of their allocation, less any reduction or forfeiture of IPI Grants described below.
Below are some key resources to learn more about the AB86 ELO Grants:
Policy Updates on Program Flexibility & AB86
Fireside Chat: April 2, 2021
Join us for our 27th fireside chat. In this chat, Heather Williams from the California AfterSchool Network and Michael Funk from the Expanded Learning Division of the California Department of Education 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.
Access More AB86 Details:
Expanded Learning Opportunities Grant (AB 86) Plan Template and Instructions has Posted
March 26, 2021
The California Department of Education (CDE) has posted the Expanded Learning Opportunities Grant Plan template and instructions on the CDE’s website here: https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/he/hn/covidreliefgrants.asp. The Expanded Learning Opportunities Grant Plan must be completed by local educational agencies (LEAs) as a condition of receiving an Expanded Learning Opportunities Grant.
Interview with Monterey Peninsula Unified School District
Fireside Chat: March 11, 2021
Join us for our 26th fireside chat. In this chat, Heather Williams from the California AfterSchool Network and Michael Funk from the Expanded Learning Division of the California Department of Education are joined by Dr. Francine Ann Stewart from Monterey Peninsula Unified School District. We discuss practical ways that MPUSD has addressed COVID-19 challenges including prioritizing enrollment, policies and procedures including COVID exposure notifications that keep students and staff safe, staffing challenges and planning for summer. Access related materials discussed during the chat:
Elk Grove USD & Updates on AB86, Audits, Waivers, and Flexibility
Fireside Chat: March 5, 2021
Join us for our 25th Fireside Chat. In this chat, Heather Williams from the California AfterSchool Network and Michael Funk from the Expanded Learning Division of the California Department of Education are joined by Erin Sipes and Athena McQuarry from Elk Grove Unified School District. We discuss several important policy updates on the signing of AB86 (in particular section 43522 of the bill), program flexibility, waivers, and audits, and the group chats about their learning hubs and planning efforts.
Access the full text of AB86 on Leg Info.
SB 86 Update & Summer Planning with Oxnard
Fireside Chat: February 19, 2021
Join us for our 24th fireside chat. In this chat, Heather Williams from the California AfterSchool Network and Michael Funk from the Expanded Learning Division of the California Department of Education are joined by Ginger Shea and team from Oxnard Unified School District and their city partners. Michael shares out some brief but big policy updates on the budget and SB86 and the group chats about planning for Summer Learning this year in a COVID context. Below are a couple of resources to help you start planning for summer today:
Grant Extensions & Other Key Updates
Fireside Chat: February 8, 2021
Join us for our 23rd 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 to share breaking news on grant extensions and other budget and legislation updates that impact California’s Expanded Learning programs. Below are resources and opportunities outlined during the chat.
- Opportunity for Input: Survey – Impact & Role of Expanded Learning During COVID
- Resource: AB 104 Planning Tool
- Event: Registration Still Open for the Site Coordinator Symposium Feb 9-11
AB 104 (& CA Budget) Planning Tool
CA Update: January 2021
The Region 11/LACOE (Los Angeles County Office of Education) Expanded Learning Team has created an AB104 Planning Tool to support Expanded Learning program providers to begin having conversations internally and externally, as well as to help leaders get a seat at the table with their local LEA to discuss AB104 Supplemental Instruction and Services Support.
First Chat of 2021: Urgent Budget and Legislation Updates
Fireside Chat: January 28, 2021
Join us for our 22nd and first fireside chat of 2021. 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 Jen Dietrich from the Partnership for Children and Youth to discuss budget and legislation updates that impact California’s Expanded Learning programs. Below are opportunities outlined during the chat.
Final Chat of 2020: Looking Back in Service of Looking Forward
Fireside Chat: December 14, 2020
Join us for our 21st and final fireside chat of 2020. In this chat, Tiffany Gipson and Heather Williams from the California AfterSchool Network are joined by Michael Funk from the Expanded Learning Division at the California Department of Education to reflect back on 2020 in service of looking forward. 2020 has been a challenging year for all of us but has also presented many moments for learning, opportunity, and hope. Join us as we discuss this journey and how we might move forward differently in 2021.
Update on Waivers and Interview with BACR
CA Update: November 16, 2020
The California AfterSchool Network is hosting near weekly interviews with Michael Funk, Division Director for the California Department of Education Expanded Learning Division (EXLD).
The 20th Fireside Chat includes some minor updates on the Department of Social Services waiver requirements. We are also excited to be joined by Mariana Lopez Quintanilla, Program Director – Marin County, for Bay Area Community Resources (BACR). Mariana shares with us how BACR has been supporting their students during COVID, in particular with Learning Hubs and Hybrid Learning.
Waiver Guidance (As of October 20, 2020)
The California Department of Education, Expanded Learning
Division in collaboration with the California Department of
Social Services has updated guidance for those expanded learning
programs that operate more than 60 hours or for students that
attend for more than 30 hours.
- Please see the guidance located at https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/ex/ellicensewaive.asp.
- If you have any questions about this information please contact your Regional Consultant. The regional contact information may be found at https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/ex/exldcontacts.asp.
Expanded Learning Guidance License Exempt Waivers
October 20, 2020
The California Department of Education, Expanded Learning Division in collaboration with the California Department of Social Services has updated guidance for those expanded learning programs that operate more than 60 hours or for students that attend for more than 30 hours.
Please see the guidance located at www.cde.ca.gov/ls/ex/ellicensewaive.asp.
Expanded Learning Guidance on Senate Bill 98 (SB 820)
The Expanded Learning Division (EXLD) of the California Department of Education is happy to announce an update to the guidance for Senate Bill (SB) 98 (SB 820 modified on September 18, 2020), Statutes of 2020 is available for Fiscal Year 2020–21, and is posted on the California Department of Education’s website at Revised Senate Bill 98 Guidance.
This update provided the following:
Update on SB820 and Interview with BGCGG
CA Update: September 23, 2020
The California AfterSchool Network is hosting near weekly interviews with Michael Funk, Division Director for the California Department of Education Expanded Learning Division (EXLD).
The 18th Fireside Chat includes some updates on the signing of SB82 and the Department of Social Services waiver requirements, and how each of these impact Expanded Learning Programs. We are also excited to be joined by the Boys & Girls Club of Garden Grove as they discuss their clubs work on equity and racial justice and how they provide services that support whole child and community health and wellness during these challenging times:
- Mark Surmanian
- Christina Sepulveda
- Justin Kalolo
Interview with Fontana USD – Serving Students In Person
CA Update: September 8, 2020
The California AfterSchool Network is hosting near weekly interviews with Michael Funk, Division Director for the California Department of Education Expanded Learning Division (EXLD).
In the 17th Fireside Chat we are excited to be joined by Fontana Unified School District (FUSD) an ASES grantee and their sub-grantee, the City of Fontana:
- Yubleni Cazares, Project Manager, ASES Program, FUSD
- Sergio Barragan, Community Services Coordinator, City of Fontana
- Cleo Upshaw, Site Coordinator, City of Fontana
Yubleni, Sergio, and Cleo discuss with us how they serve the needs of their community through their in-person services for students.
USDA Clarification On Afterschool Meal/Snack Requirements
Federal Update: August 21, 2020
The USDA has issued clarification on offering meals this fall in
learning centers, as well as allowing virtual activities to count
as enrichment for afterschool meal/snack requirement.
https://fns-prod.azureedge.net/sites/default/files/resource-files/SP24_CACFP13_SFSP13-2020s.pdf
See Afterschool specific language below: