Fireside Chats

Overview

Fireside Chats

Campfire with three speech bubbles over it

The California AfterSchool Network hosts interviews with Michael Funk, Division Director for the California Department of Education Expanded Learning Division, to better help the field navigate the current state of Expanded Learning, including what guidance means for your programs. These chats include policy updates as well as interviews with partners elevating current topics and promising practices.

If you are interested in developing your own virtual fireside chats check out our post: Communicating During Crisis – Video “Fireside Chats”

Post

CA FY 2024-25 Budget Updates & Impacts on Expanded Learning
Fireside Chat: July 12, 2024

CA FY 2024-25 Budget Updates & Impacts on Expanded Learning

Join us for the 62nd Fireside Chat!

In this chat, Heather Williams from the California AfterSchool Network is joined by Michael Funk, Director of the Expanded Learning Division of the California Department of Education (EXLD). They provide updates on the recently adopted FY 24-25 budget including the K-12 Education Trailer Bill and their impacts on Expanded Learning, as well as Legislative Updates related to Expanded Learning.

Resources

Post

Policy Updates and Conversation with Vallejo Expanded Learning & Lead by Learning
Fireside Chat: May 30, 2024

Policy Updates and Conversation with Vallejo Expanded Learning & Lead by Learning

Join us for the 61st Fireside Chat!

 In this chat, Heather Williams from the California AfterSchool Network is joined by Michael Funk, Director of the Expanded Learning Division of the California Department of Education (EXLD). They provide updates on the Governor’s recently released May Revision of the budget for FY 24-25, and chat with Vallejo Expanded Learning and one of their partners Lead by Learning to learn more about their culture of supporting adult learners and building high-quality programs. Guests include:

Post

Budget Updates & Highlighting Partnerships to Support Expanded Learning
Fireside Chat: January 23, 2024

Budget Updates & Highlighting Partnerships to Support Expanded Learning

Join us for Fireside Chat #59!

In this chat, Heather Williams from the California AfterSchool Network is joined by Michael Funk, Director of the Expanded Learning Division of the California Department of Education (EXLD).

They provide updates on the Governor’s recently released, proposed budget for FY 24-25, and chat with district leaders across the state and one of their partners that support them to provide unique, high-quality opportunities for students, including:

Post

Interview with CA EXL Leadership Awardees #4
Fireside Chat: December 5, 2023

Interview with CA EXL Leadership Awardees #4

Join us for Fireside Chat #58!

In this chat, Heather Williams from the California AfterSchool Network is joined by Michael Funk, Director of the Expanded Learning Division of the California Department of Education (EXLD). This chat wraps up a series of chats with the 2023 California Expanded Learning Leadership Awardees who were recognized earlier this year during the annual Lights On Afterschool celebration. In this first inspirational chat, we are joined by:

Post

Interview with CA EXL Leadership Awardees #3
Fireside Chat: November 27, 2023

Interview with CA EXL Leadership Awardees #3

Join us for Fireside Chat #57!

In this chat, Heather Williams from the California AfterSchool Network is joined by Michael Funk, Director of the Expanded Learning Division of the California Department of Education (EXLD). This chat continues a series of chats with 2023 California Expanded Learning Leadership Awardees who were recognized earlier this year during the annual Lights On Afterschool celebration. In this first inspirational chat, we are joined by:

Post

Interview with CA EXL Leadership Awardees #2
Fireside Chat: November 16, 2023

Interview with CA EXL Leadership Awardees #2

Join us for Fireside Chat #56!

In this chat, Heather Williams from the California AfterSchool Network is joined by Michael Funk, Director of the Expanded Learning Division of the California Department of Education (EXLD). This chat continues a series of chats with 2023 California Expanded Learning Leadership Awardees who were recognized earlier this year during the annual Lights On Afterschool celebration. In this first inspirational chat, we are joined by:

Post

Interview with CA EXL Leadership Awardees #1
Fireside Chat: November 8, 2023

Interview with CA EXL Leadership Awardees #1

Join us for Fireside Chat #55!

In this chat, Heather Williams from the California AfterSchool Network is joined by Michael Funk, Director of the Expanded Learning Division of the California Department of Education (EXLD). This chat kicks off a series of chats with 2023 California Expanded Learning Leadership Awardees who were recognized earlier this year during the annual Lights On Afterschool celebration. In this first inspirational chat, we are joined by:

Post

Policy Updates & Interview with Fresno USD
Fireside Chat: Sept 14, 2023

Policy Updates & Interview with Fresno USD

Join us for Fireside Chat #54!

In this chat, Heather Williams from the California AfterSchool Network and Michael Funk, Director of the Expanded Learning Division of the California Department of Education (EXLD), cover a few key policy updates and are joined by special guests from Fresno Unified School District (FUSD) to discuss how they have been leveraging ELO-P dollars to partner with their community, ensuring all of their students have equitable access to high-quality Expanded Learning opportunities:

Post

Interview with CA EXL Leadership Awardees #3
Fireside Chat: December 13, 2022

Interview with CA EXL Leadership Awardees #3

Join us for Fireside Chat #49!

In this chat, Heather Williams from the California AfterSchool Network is joined by Michael Funk, Director of the Expanded Learning Division of the California Department of Education (EXLD). This chat continues a series of chats with California Expanded Learning Leadership Awardees who were recognized earlier this year during the annual Lights On Afterschool celebration. In this inspirational chat we are joined by:

Post

Interview with CA EXL Leadership Awardees #2
Fireside Chat: December 6, 2022

Interview with CA EXL Leadership Awardees #2

Join us for Fireside Chat #48!

In this chat, Heather Williams from the California AfterSchool Network is joined by Michael Funk, Director of the Expanded Learning Division of the California Department of Education (EXLD). This chat continues a series of chats with California Expanded Learning Leadership Awardees who were recognized earlier this year during the annual Lights On Afterschool celebration. In this inspirational chat we are joined by:

Post

Interview with CA EXL Leadership Awardees #1
Fireside Chat: November 29, 2022

Interview with CA EXL Leadership Awardees #1

Join us for Fireside Chat #47!

In this chat, Heather Williams from the California AfterSchool Network is joined by Michael Funk, Director of the Expanded Learning Division of the California Department of Education (EXLD). This chat kicks off a series of chats with California Expanded Learning Leadership Awardees who were recognized earlier this year during the annual Lights On Afterschool celebration. In this first inspirational chat we are joined by:

Post

ELO-P Interview with Region 1, Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma-Marin
Fireside Chat: July 25, 2022

ELO-P Interview with Region 1, Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma-Marin

Join us for our 44th Fireside Chat!

In this chat, Heather Williams from the California AfterSchool Network is joined by Michael Funk, Director of the Expanded Learning Division of the California Department of Education (EXLD) and two special guests from Region 1:

  • Melea Meyer, Region 1 STEAM Hub/ SSEL County Lead, Continuous Improvement: Innovation and Development
  • Michelle Edwards-Heery, Executive Vice President, Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma-Marin

This chat includes a quick update on the ELO-P apportionment rates for fiscal year 2022-23. We also dive into what LEA and CBO (community based organization) partnership can look like to support ELO-P implementation in a wide range of settings.

Post

Budget is Signed! and Other Leg Updates
Fireside Chat: July 1, 2022

Budget is Signed! and Other Leg Updates

Join us for our 43rd Fireside Chat! In this chat, Heather Williams from the California AfterSchool Network is joined by Michael Funk, Director of the Expanded Learning Division of the California Department of Education (EXLD),.

The 22-23 budget has been signed! Hear the latest on what it means for the Expanded Learning in California. We also cover the latest on two pieces of legislation related to our Expanded Learning programs.

Access Budget and Legislation Information referenced below: