The California Department of Education has recently shared key reporting information and other important updates related to Expanded Learning Programs. See below for

1. Update on 21st CCLC Cohort 16 Release: The RFA is tentatively scheduled for release in Fall 2026.
2. Before & Afterschool Advisory Committee Meeting: Recording for the April 21, 2026 meeting is now available!
3. CALPADS Update FLASH #305 – REVISED: Data Collections for AR and ELP 
4. ASSIST is Open: Fourth Quarter Expenditure & Second Semiannual Attendance Reporting
5. ASES Round 2 GAN Extension and Allowable Uses

1. Update on 21st CCLC Cohort 16 Release

Sent May 12, 2026, from the Expanded Learning Division.

The Expanded Learning Division (EXLD) is providing an update regarding the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) Cohort 16 Request for Applications (RFA). The RFA is tentatively scheduled for release in Fall 2026. Please note the following updates:

• Intent to Submit: As opposed to previous announcements of RFA changes, there will be no Intent to Submit requirement for this funding cycle.
• Grants Management System: The new grants management system will not be used for this cycle. Applications will instead be submitted through (After School Support and Information System) ASSIST and also emailed to 21stcclcandASSETsRFA@cde.ca.gov.

Questions? Please contact your regional Educations Programs Consultant and Fiscal Analyst. Contact information is available on the Contact the EXLD web page at https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/ex/exldcontacts.asp.

2. Before & Afterschool Advisory Committee Meeting – April 21, 2026 Recording Available

Sent on June 2, 2026, from the Expanded Learning Division. 

The Expanded Learning Division is pleased to announce that the recording of the April 21, 2026, Advisory Committee on Before and After School Programs meeting is now available at the link below. 

The Advisory Committee serves a vital role in informing the State Superintendent of Public Instruction and the State Board of Education on key policy and funding matters impacting before and after school programs. This guidance is grounded in consistent and meaningful input from program providers across the state.

Access the recording here: April 21, 2026 Recording

Thank you for your continued commitment to supporting expanded learning opportunities for California’s youth.

3. CALPADS Update FLASH #305 REVISED – Data Collections for AR and ELP

Sent June 2, 2026 from CALPADs to LEA Representatives

This revised Flash #305 has been updated to reflect all current information regarding the implementation of data collections for the Attendance Recovery Program and Expanded Learning Programs, which went into the CALPADS production environment on May 5, 2026.

Flash #305 addresses the following topic: Data Collections for Attendance Recovery Program and Expanded Learning Programs and can be accessed at: https://www.cde.ca.gov/ds/sp/cl/calpadsupdflash305b.asp

If you have any questions, please send an email to calpads-support@cde.ca.gov.

4. ASSIST is Open: Fourth Quarter Expenditure & Second Semiannual Attendance Reporting

Sent June 15, 2026, from the Expanded Learning Division to Expanded Learning Grantees

The 4th quarter expenditure (April 1–June 30) and the 2nd semiannual attendance (January 1–June 30) reports have been released in the After School Support and Information System (ASSIST) and are due by July 31, 2026 for the After School Education and Safety (ASES), 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC), and the 21st CCLC High School After School Safety and Enrichment for Teens (ASSETs) program grants. 

Submission: 

Submit your report online using ASSIST. Also, please update your grantee contact information if you have experienced any staffing changes during the year. 

Resources:

• ASES, 21st CCLC, and ASSETs FAQs
• ASES Reporting Due Dates
• 21st CCLC & ASSETs Reporting Due Dates
• Policy and Guidance

If you have any questions, please contact your regional Fiscal Analyst or the ASSIST Support Team at ASSIST@cde.ca.gov.

5. ASES Round 2 GAN Extension and Allowable Uses

Sent June 16, 2026, from the Expanded Learning Division to Expanded Learning Grantees

The California Department of Education, Expanded Learning Division (EXLD), has extended the grant award notifications (GANs) for all After School Education and Safety (ASES) Round 2 programs from the normal 12-month grant period to a 24-month grant period for fiscal year (FY) 2025–26. These programs may extend the use of FY 2025–26 funds for a period of twelve months, beginning July 1, 2025–June 30, 2027.

The Final Intent to Award list shows only the newly funded sites and grantees awarded through the ASES Universal Round 2 Request for Application. 

The purpose of the extension of grant funds for FY 2025–26 is to allow expanded learning programs to increase their level of support to students. 

Services may include:

• The EXLD will permit grantees to use Quarters 5 through 8 funding for salaries for Quarters 1 through 4 for FY 2026–27. A policy of first funding in, first funding out is allowed. The EXLD recommends caution regarding the practice of using Quarters 5 through 8 funding, so there is no duplication of services or having an outstanding balance at the end of the FY. As always, good record keeping is required in case of any audits or other reviews. Please also be sure your expenditures are consistent with your Budget, Program Plans, and Program Narratives.
• A provision to add additional services for students enrolled in the ASES programs; additional services should support—not supplant—activities or services typically provided through the FY 2026–27 grant funds.
• A provision to temporarily increase the number of students enrolled in the ASES program for a period not to exceed the extension of the FY 2025–26 grant funds to help support learning loss.
• Hiring temporary staff that meet the minimum qualifications for instructional aide for a period not to exceed the extension of FY 2025–26 grant funds; these staff may serve to lower the student to staff ratios as needed to provide for social distancing, hygiene, and other necessary physical restrictions in the school environment.

For this purpose:

• Related expenditures for the grant extension must be accounted for separately from the FY 2026–27 funds; any expenditures utilizing FY 2025–26 grant funds must be reported in Quarters 5 through 8 (July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027).
• Guidance about the use of the After School Support and Information System (ASSIST) for the GAN extensions will be sent out in a future eblast. 
• Attendance for the additional students served through the grant extension must be tracked separately from the attendance for funds received for FY 2026–27. Although they will be tracked separately for record keeping and separation of funds, when it comes time to report the first semiannual attendance for FY 2026–27, you will combine both totals together to report in ASSIST.
• In addition, new grantees and new sites identified in Round 2 will not be assessed for a grant reduction until the conclusion of calendar year 2027.

If you have any questions regarding this guidance, please reach out to your regional teams via the EXLD Contacts page.