The California AfterSchool Network is hosting nearly weekly interviews with Michael Funk, Division Director for the California Department of Education Expanded Learning Division, to better help the field the current state of Expanded Learning during this crisis, including what guidance means for your programs. 

2021 Fireside Chats:​

• Interview with Santa Ana USD and Their ELO – Program Planning Process (August 31, 2021)
• FAQ’s Released for the New Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (August 12, 2021)
• Updates on the New Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (August 6, 2021)
• Budget Updates on New Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (July 9, 2021)
• Budget Updates & Discussion on Supporting Older Youth (June 8, 2021)
• Policy Updates on Governor’s Budget Proposal (May 21, 2021)
• Policy Updates on Program Flexibility & AB86 (April 2, 2021)
• Interview with Monterey Peninsula Unified School District (March 11, 2021)
• Elk Grove USD & Updates on AB86, Audits, Waivers, and Flexibility (March 5, 2021)
• SB 86 Update & Summer Planning with Oxnard (February 19, 2021)
• Grant Extensions & Other Key Updates (February 8, 2021)
• First Chat of 2021: Urgent Budget and Legislation Updates (January 28, 2021)

2020 Fireside Chats:​

• Final Chat of 2020: Looking Back in Service of Looking Forward (December 14, 2020)
• Update on Waivers and Interview with BACR (November 16, 2020)
• Update on SB820, DSS Waivers, and Interview with BGCGG (September 23, 2020)
• Interview with Fontana USD – Serving Students In-Person (September  8, 2020)
• Update on CDSS, CDPH Guidance, Interview with OUSD (August 27, 2020)
• Update on CDE EXLD FAQs & Interview with Woodcraft Rangers (August 10, 2020)
• Update on Recent Governor Guidance & Interview with EDMO on Virtual Learning (July 23, 2020)
• Expanded Learning This Fall – Interview with Sacramento Partners (July 14, 2020)
• Interview with Michael Funk, CA Budget Protects Afterschool (June 30, 2020)
• Interview with Michael Funk & Updates on the CA Budget, the Executive Order Extension, and Reopening of Schools (June 16, 2020)
• Interview with Michael Funk & Think Together On Black Lives Matter and Expanded Learning as Social Justice Work (June 2, 2020)
• Interview with Michael Funk & Sweetwater Union High School District (May 27, 2020)
• Interview with Michael Funk & CA3 on the Governor’s Proposed Budget (May 21, 2020)
• Interview with Michael Funk on Expanded Learning Services Offered During COVID-19 (May 13, 2020)
• Interview with Healdsburg USD & Healdsburg Community Services Dept (May 6, 2020)
• Interview with Marcus Strother & Malik Ibarra from SCUSD (April 29, 2020)
• Update on Expanded Learning Grant Extensions (April 27, 2020)
• Interview with Teresa Ayon from Anaheim Family YMCA (April 23, 2020)
• Interview on Governor’s Executive Order and EXLD Guidance Memo (April 13, 2020)
• Interview on EXLD Guidance on Grant Protection and Paying Program Staff and Partners (April 1, 2020)

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