Fall 2025 EXL Academy

Overview

Fall 2025 EXL Academy
Virtual; Sept 16, 18, 30 & October 1

Fall 2025 ExL Academy promo

Register Today! 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.

This multi-day virtual convening of workshops is designed to support district, school, and community partner practitioners in the design and ongoing implementation of California’s Expanded Learning programs. Participants will have the opportunity to connect, learn, and strengthen their practices while exploring promising strategies from across the Expanded Learning community, all with a focus on a specific topic area.

Outline of Workshops:

  • Sept 16 - Nuts & Bolts: The Latest Updates Supporting Quality ExL Programs
  • Sept 18 - Shining a Light on Quality ExL: Celebrating and Communicating Impact
  • Sept 30 - Beyond the Now: Strategic Partnerships for Sustainable EXL Programs
  • Oct 1 - Increasing Access to Mental Health Through Expanded Learning

Workshop Structure

Each Academy workshop is designed as an interactive space for learning and collaboration—not a webinar. Participants will receive a Learning Guide & Resources Google Doc (force copy) with space to take notes and links to key materials, including a PDF of the presentation for reference. Please note that, for security reasons, the full chat will not be available for download.

If a webinar-style experience is your preferred way to engage in professional development, the whole workshop recording will be posted on our website within 24 hours, along with the updated presentation.

Have questions or need support? Please get in touch with Melissa Perez at mperez@afterschoolnetwork.org.

See details and registration below.

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Fall 2025 EXL Academy Registration & Details

Day 1: Tuesday, 9/16

Topic: Nuts & Bolts: The Latest Updates Supporting Quality ExL Programs

Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM 

Description: Get up to speed on key Expanded Learning (ExL) updates from the past six+ months, including attendance recovery, audits, policy/budget shifts, and CALPADS reporting. Learn from state leaders and local practitioners as they share resources and promising practices to support quality and compliance.

Presenters:

  • Iqbal Badwalz, Administrator, Program Monitoring Office, California Department of Education
  • Lindsey Blomberg Johnson, M.Ed., Education Program Consultant, Expanded Learning Division, California Department of Education
  • Michael Funk, Director, Expanded Learning Division, California Department of Education
  • Teng Xiong, Education Program Consultant, Program Monitoring Office, California Department of Education
  • Jen Taylor, Education Programs Consultant, California Department of Education
  • Heather Williams, Director, Policy & Outreach, California AfterSchool Network

This 2-hour workshop session included a presentation on the topic and opportunities to engage with participants. 

Workshop Resources

Day 2: Thursday, 9/18

Topic: Shining a Light on Quality Expanded Learning: Celebrating and Communicating Impact

Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM 

Description: Explore strategies and opportunities to turn quality practices into powerful messages that communicate your program’s value and impact, and resonate with partners and decision-makers.

Presenters:

  • Leslye Lugo, Senior Specialist, Policy & Outreach, California AfterSchool Network
  • Nat Rosales, Specialist, Policy & Outreach, California AfterSchool Network
  • Malia Villarreal, Senior Specialist, Policy & Outreach, California AfterSchool Network

Field Spotlight Presenter: 

  • Michael Taylor, Expanded Learning Opportunities Coordinator, San Rafael City Schools

This 2-hour workshop session included a presentation on the topic and opportunities to engage with participants. 

Workshop Resources

Day 3: Tuesday, 9/30

Topic: Beyond the Now: Strategic Partnerships for Sustainable EXL Programs

Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM 

Description: This session focuses on future-forward thinking and strategic collaboration to ensure Expanded Learning programs continue to thrive over time.

Presenters:

  • Tiffany Gipson, Director, Equity & Quality, California AfterSchool Network
  • Christy Flores, Director of Engagement, Partnership, and Expanded Learning, Newport-Mesa Unified School District
  • Socorro Shiels, Assistant Superintendent, Achievement, Innovation, & Continuous Improvement, Newport-Mesa Unified School District

This 2-hour workshop session included a presentation on the topic and opportunities to engage with participants. 

Registration Link 

Day 4: Wednesday, 10/1

Topic: Increasing Access to Mental Health Through Expanded Learning 

Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM 

Description: This session will outline efforts underway in California to fund and sustain school-based mental health services for all children and youth. Panelists will discuss how Expanded Learning resources can be braided with school-based mental health funding to increase access to services and how one school district is putting these strategies into action!

Presenters:

  • Araceli Corral, Director I, Student Support Services, Modesto City School District
  • Jeff Davis, Executive Director, California AfterSchool Network
  • Liz Elizondo, Youth Services Program Director, Center for Human Services
  • Donielle Prince, Senior Specialist, Equity & Quality, California AfterSchool Network

This 2-hour workshop session included a presentation on the topic and opportunities to engage with participants. 

Registration Link