Fireside Chats
Fireside Chats
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”
LOA Special Edition – Interview with CA EXL Leadership Awardees #2
Fireside Chat: October 31, 2025
Join us for Fireside Chat #65!
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 2025 California Expanded Learning Leadership Awardees who were recognized this year during the annual Lights On Afterschool celebration. In this first inspirational chat, we are joined by three of our Leadership Awardees:
LOA Special Edition – Interview with CA EXL Leadership Awardees #1
Fireside Chat: October 30, 2025
Join us for Fireside Chat #64!
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 2025 California Expanded Learning Leadership Awardees who were recognized this year during the annual Lights On Afterschool celebration. In this first inspirational chat, we are joined by three of our Innovative Leadership Awardees:
CA FY 2025-26 Budget Updates & Impacts, Interview with FUSD
Fireside Chat: September 26, 2025
Join us for the 63rd Fireside Chat!
We’re back! Join us for the latest 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 adopted FY 25-26 budget including the K-12 Education Trailer Bill and their impacts on Expanded Learning, as well as Legislative Updates related to Expanded Learning.
CA FY 2024-25 Budget Updates & Impacts on Expanded Learning
Fireside Chat: July 12, 2024
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
Policy Updates and Conversation with Vallejo Expanded Learning & Lead by Learning
Fireside Chat: May 30, 2024
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:
Budget Updates Education Omnibus Trailer Bill
Fireside Chat: February 13, 2024
Join us for the 60th 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 released Education Omnibus Trailer Bill and in particular the proposal around Attendance Recovery.
Resources
Budget Updates & Highlighting Partnerships to Support Expanded Learning
Fireside Chat: January 23, 2024
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:
Interview with CA EXL Leadership Awardees #4
Fireside Chat: December 5, 2023
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:
Interview with CA EXL Leadership Awardees #3
Fireside Chat: November 27, 2023
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:
Interview with CA EXL Leadership Awardees #2
Fireside Chat: November 16, 2023
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:
Interview with CA EXL Leadership Awardees #1
Fireside Chat: November 8, 2023
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:
Policy Updates & Interview with Fresno USD
Fireside Chat: Sept 14, 2023
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:
Update on ELO-P & Licensing Requirements
Fireside Chat: July 31, 2023
Join us for our Fireside Chat #53!
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), are joined by special guests to clarify Licensing Requirements about ELO-P and promising practices between Districts and their partners:
Partnerships to Support Enrollment for Expanded Learning Programs
Fireside Chat: April 12, 2023
Join us for our Fireside Chat #52!
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 Expanded Learning folks from Fresno and Madera Unified and a crucial partner from InPlay:
Discussion with Siskiyou County Expanded Learning
Fireside Chat: March 24, 2023
Join us for our 51st Fireside Chat.
In this chat, Heather Williams from the California AfterSchool Network is joined by Michael Funk and Sterling Williams of the Expanded Learning Division of the California Department of Education (EXLD) and Expanded Learning folks from Siskiyou County including:
ELO-P Updates, Budget News, LAO Recommendations, & FAQ’s
Fireside Chat: February 9, 2023
Join us for our 50th Fireside Chat!
In this chat, Heather Williams from the California AfterSchool Network is joined by Michael Funk and Sterling Williams of the Expanded Learning Division of the California Department of Education (EXLD). In this chat Michael, Sterling, and Heather discuss the latest updates on ELO-P!
Resources
Interview with CA EXL Leadership Awardees #3
Fireside Chat: December 13, 2022
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:
Interview with CA EXL Leadership Awardees #2
Fireside Chat: December 6, 2022
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:
Interview with CA EXL Leadership Awardees #1
Fireside Chat: November 29, 2022
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:
Interview with SFUSD, DCYF, and Springboard Collaborative
Fireside Chat: September 26, 2022
Join us for our 46th 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 special guests as they explore a literacy partnership in OST: