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”

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Interview with Oak Valley UESD
Fireside Chat: March 9, 2022

Interview with Oak Valley UESD

Join us for our 40th 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, and Heather Pilgrim, Superintendent of Oak Valley Union Elementary School District.

Heather and Michael provide a few reflections on conversations they’ve had with districts regarding ELO-P implementation and then chat further with Heather Pilgrim about her challenges with ELO-P and how she is started to navigate through the implementation process and leverage the opportunities available with the ELO program.

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Expanded Learning Policy Updates & Interviews with District Leaders
Fireside Chat: January 14, 2022

Expanded Learning Policy Updates & Interviews with District Leaders

Join us for our 39th 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 and leaders from three different LEAs:

  • Jennifer Collier, Expanded Learning Coordinator, Galt Joint Union Elementary School District
  • Julie Boesch, Ed.D., Superintendent/Principal, Maple Elementary School District
  • Julie McCalmont, Coordinator, Expanded Learning Programs, Oakland Unified School District
  • Priscilla Parchia, Program Manager, Expanded Learning ExLO, Oakland Unified School District

Heather and Michael provide a couple quick policy updates and our LEA leaders discuss practical ideas about how their districts are planning to leverage their ELO-P funding.

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FAQ Update & Interview with Moreno Valley & Jurupa USD
Fireside Chat: December 10, 2021

FAQ Update & Interview with Moreno Valley & Jurupa USD

Join us for our 38th fireside chat. In this chat, Heather Williams from the California AfterSchool Network is joined by Michael Funk and Sterling Williams from the Expanded Learning Division of the California Department of Education and two LEA Leaders:

  • Lisa Broomfield, Director of Equity and Access, Moreno Valley USD
  • Kimberly Corbin, Director of Curriculum and Assessment, Jurupa USD

Michael provides a couple quick updates on the FAQ’s and Lisa and Kimberly discuss how their districts are planning to leverage their ELO-P funding.

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ELO-P Program Plan Guide is Here!
Fireside Chat: December 2, 2021

ELO-P Program Plan Guide is Here!

Join us for our 37th fireside chat. In this chat, Heather Williams from the California AfterSchool Network is joined by Michael Funk and Sterling Williams from the Expanded Learning Division of the California Department of Education. Heather, Sterling, and Michael walk through the just-released Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELO-P) Program Plan Guide.

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ELO-P Updates & Interview with Akilah Byrd of Alameda COE
Fireside Chat: November 22, 2021

ELO-P Updates & Interview with Akilah Byrd of Alameda COE

Join us for our 36th 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 Akilah Byrd, current Region 4 Director of Expanded Learning Programs out of the AlamedaCounty Office of Education and a former principal. Heather and Michael share some updates on the ELO-P funding and chat with Akilah about her experiences as a principal leveraging Expanded Learning at her school sites.

Access the funding details for Expanded Learning Opportunities Program including LEA Apportionment amounts: https://www.cde.ca.gov/fg/aa/pa/elop.asp

Access the CDE ELO-P webpage: https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/ex/elopinfo.asp 


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Follow Up Interview with Santa Ana USD re ELO-P
Fireside Chat: October 15, 2021

Follow Up Interview with Santa Ana USD re ELO-P

Join us for our 35th fireside chat. In this follow up 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 Santa Ana Unified School District as they share about the new Expanded Learning Opportunities – Program (ELO-P) and how they are leveraging this exciting opportunity and funding to support students in their district in truly innovative and integrated ways.

SAUSD attendees include:

  • Diana Torres, Director of Elementary Education
  • David Richey, Executive Director of Support Services
  • Jennifer Cisneros, Director of Extended Learning

For more details on the SAUSD Planning Process check out Fireside Chat #34.

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Interview with Santa Ana USD and Their ELO – Program Planning Process
Fireside Chat: August 31, 2021

 Interview with Santa Ana USD and Their ELO – Program Planning Process

Join us for our 34th 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 Lupita Cruz, Jennifer Cisneros, and Emily Wolk from Santa Ana Unified School District as they share how they have engaged in an intentional planning process around the new Expanded Learning Opportunities Program.

Resource: Santa Ana USD Planning Folder & Resources

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FAQ’s Released for the New Expanded Learning Opportunities Program
Fireside Chat: August 12, 2021

FAQ’s Released for the New Expanded Learning Opportunities Program

Join us for our 33rd 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 the first round of FAQ’s for the new ELO-P and provide additional context for what these FAQs mean for new and existing programs.

Reference: CDE Expanded Learning Opportunities Program FAQs​

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Updates on the New Expanded Learning Opportunities Program
Fireside Chat: August 6, 2021

Updates on the New Expanded Learning Opportunities Program

Join us for our 32nd fireside chat. In this chat, Heather Williams from the California AfterSchool Network is joined by Michael Funk and Sterling Williams from the Expanded Learning Division of the California Department of Education as they discuss key updates on the new Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELO-P).

It is the intent of the new ELO-P to work with existing ASES and 21st CCLC programs to ultimately provide a single comprehensive expanded learning program for students in CA. FAQs to address some of the biggest initial questions are nearly final and likely to be released early next week. Another fireside chat will be filmed and released with the posting of the FAQs.

Reference: AB 130 (the Education Trailer Bill) 

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Budget Updates & Discussion on Supporting Older Youth
Fireside Chat: June 8, 2021

Budget Updates & Discussion on Supporting Older Youth

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


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Updates on Governor’s Budget Proposal
Fireside Chat: May 21, 2021

Updates on Governor’s Budget Proposal

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!

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Policy Updates on Program Flexibility & AB86
Fireside Chat: April 2, 2021

Policy Updates on Program Flexibility & AB86

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:

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Interview with Monterey Peninsula Unified School District
Fireside Chat: March 11, 2021

Interview with Monterey Peninsula Unified School District

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:

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Elk Grove USD & Updates on AB86, Audits, Waivers, and Flexibility
Fireside Chat: March 5, 2021

Elk Grove USD & Updates on AB86, Audits, Waivers, and Flexibility

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

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SB 86 Update & Summer Planning with Oxnard
Fireside Chat: February 19, 2021

SB 86 Update & Summer Planning with Oxnard

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:

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Grant Extensions & Other Key Updates
Fireside Chat: February 8, 2021

Grant Extensions & Other Key Updates

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.

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First Chat of 2021: Urgent Budget and Legislation Updates
Fireside Chat: January 28, 2021

First Chat of 2021: Urgent Budget and Legislation Updates

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.

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Final Chat of 2020: Looking Back in Service of Looking Forward
Fireside Chat: December 14, 2020

Final Chat of 2020: Looking Back in Service of Looking Forward

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.

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Update on Waivers and Interview with BACR
Fireside Chat: November 16, 2020

Update on Waivers and Interview with BACR

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.