Fall 2026 Expanded Learning Academy
Fall 2026 Expanded Learning Academy
September 15, 16 & 17, 2026
The California AfterSchool Network, in partnership with the California Department of Education’s Expanded Learning Division, is excited to co-host the Fall 2026 Expanded Learning (ExL) Academy!
The Fall ExL Academy brings together district, school, and community partner practitioners for a multi-day virtual learning series focusing on the design and ongoing implementation of California’s Expanded Learning programs (ASES, 21st CCLC, and ELO-P). Each workshop is intentionally designed as an interactive learning space — prioritizing practical application, peer learning, and real-time collaboration rather than webinar-style attendance.
Workshop Series & Focuses:
- Tuesday, September 15: From Policy to Practice: How Recent Changes Will Impact Expanded Learning Programs
- Wednesday, September 16: The Money Side of Expanded Learning: Braiding Funds, Budgets, & Compliance
- Thursday, September 17: Where Community Schools & Expanded Learning Meet: Policy, Funding, & Opportunity
Workshop details and registration below!
Fall 2026 ExL Academy Details & Registration
Workshop 1: 9/15/26
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
From Policy to Practice: How Recent Changes Will Impact Expanded Learning Programs
Join us for a comprehensive walkthrough of recent policy changes affecting California’s Expanded Learning programs — including the most recent state budget, its accompanying Education Trailer Bill, and other legislation. This session will break down what has changed, what it means for your program, and what steps you should be taking now to stay aligned.
Presenters/Panelists:
- Michael Funk, Director, Expanded Learning Division, California Department of Education
- Erin Sipes, Director, Expanded Learning, Elk Grove Unified School District
- Jen Taylor, Education Programs Consultant, Expanded Learning Division, California Department of Education
- Heather Williams, Director, Policy & Outreach, California AfterSchool Network
This 2-hour workshop included a presentation on the topic, along with opportunities for participant engagement.
Registration Link
Workshop 2: 9/16/26
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
The Money Side of Expanded Learning: Braiding Funds, Budgets, & Compliance
Funding structures can feel complicated — but they don’t have to. This workshop is designed to give program leaders and business officers a clear, practical understanding of the financial landscape of Expanded Learning. We’ll walk through how to braid funds effectively, what counts as attendance, how family fees work, what changes when your budget moves from Tier 2 to Tier 1, and which school-day expenses are non-allowable. Come with your questions — leave with answers you can put to work immediately.
Presenters/Panelists:
- Lindsey Castillo, Education Programs Consultant, Expanded Learning Division, California Department of Education
- Tiffany Gipson, Director, Equity & Quality, California AfterSchool Network
- Martha Pena, Coordinator, After-School Programs, Oakland Unified School District
This 2-hour workshop included a presentation on the topic, along with opportunities for participant engagement.
Registration Link
Workshop 3: 9/17/26
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Where Community Schools & Expanded Learning Meet: Policy, Funding, & Opportunity
If you’ve been hearing more about Community Schools and wondering what it means for your Expanded Learning program — this session is for you. With recent policy changes and increased TA funding creating new momentum, the relationship between Community Schools and Expanded Learning has never been more important. Join us for a grounded conversation about how these two approaches intersect, where the opportunities live, and how you can leverage this moment to strengthen your program and your community partnerships.
Presenters/Panelists:
- Josh Blecha, System of Support for Expanded Learning (SSEL) County Lead, Fresno County Office of Education
- Ann Curtis, Director, Statewide Community Schools Initiative, Sacramento County Office of Education
- Michael Funk, Director, Expanded Learning Division, California Department of Education
- Gina Amaro-McNamara, Director, Community Schools, System Innovation & Improvement, Fresno County Office of Education
This 2-hour workshop included a presentation on the topic, along with opportunities for participant engagement.
Registration Link
Supplemental Support
From the Field, For the Field: Top 10 Training YouTube Playlist
You asked. We listened. This playlist was curated directly from field input gathered during the Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 ExL Academy series — and it covers the 10 most requested training topics across California’s Expanded Learning community. From CALPADS compliance and special education support to ELO-P implementation, family engagement, budget and expenditures, program management, and quality standards — this playlist was built for practitioners, by practitioners. Bookmark it, share it with your team, and use it to build your practice. Let’s grow together!
Access the “From the Field, For the Field: Top 10 Training Playlist” via YouTube
Click Here to Access Past ExL & ELO-P Convening Resources!
This page should redirect to: https://www.afterschoolnetwork.org/past-elo-convening
Learn About the System of Support for Expanded Learning
The California Department of Education Expanded Learning Division (CDE EXLD) formed a statewide, comprehensive System of Support for Expanded Learning (SSEL). The SSEL provides field-based, comprehensive Technical Assistance (TA) focused on meeting program requirements and enhancing capacity to establish and maintain high-quality California Expanded Learning opportunities. The SSEL offers a diverse range of tools and resources to aid in this process.