AFTERSCHOOL OBSERVER
JULY 2017
NEW MANAGER OF NC CAP
As the newly named manager of the NC Center for Afterschool Programs, I am honored  to serve the network of expanded learning programs across the state of North Carolina.  Professionally, I have committed myself to positive youth development and the betterment  of youth and adolescents as a result of their exposure to and engagement within  programs during out-of-school time hours. As the manager of this great network,
I endeavor to advocate for and support the impactful work that you do for youth  through an extensive array of programming efforts.

As one of the oldest statewide afterschool networks across the nation, NC CAP will  continue to carry out the legacy that was instituted in 2002. We will influence  policy and serve as a catalyst, convener, and clearinghouse for afterschool and  expanded learning programs through advocacy, professional development, research  and evaluation, which will lead to quality program implementation and improvement.  We will persist in envisioning that high quality afterschool and expanded learning  programs will be accessible to all North Carolina children and youth helping them  to succeed in and out of school.

I look forward to working with all of you as we collectively serve as champions  for out-of-school time programs statewide. Feel free to reach out to me if there  is any way I can be of assistance to you or your program.
CONVENE
SYNERGY 2017 WRAP-UP
Synergy 2017 in Charlotte, NC was a huge success. This year's conference, "Spring  into STEM", focused on STEM and healthy living in afterschool and expanded learning  programs. We hope that all of this year's attendees enjoyed the engaging keynote  speakers, dynamic range of workshop topics and opportunities to network with other  service providers from across the state. Thank you to our presenters who offered  an extensive array of workshop sessions throughout the duration of the conference.  Feedback provided by attendees raved on the level of expertise and passion with which sessions were facilitated. Workshop Presentation Materials can be found here . Thank you to the  amazing vendors who shared invaluable resources with our service providers that  can be utilized within programs statewide. We can't wait until next year! Plans  for Synergy 2018 are underway and details will be forthcoming...
I NFORM
SUMMER FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM (SFSP)
During the summer months, a child's learning does not end. Their need for nutritious meals does not end either. As a result of funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Summer Food Service Program will be administered in North Carolina through the NC Department of Public Instruction. Free and nutritious meals are available for youth ages 18 and younger at various locations statewide through August 25th. Documentation is not necessary to receive a meal. To find a SFSP site in your community:
CLICK here
CALL 1.866.348.6479 or
TEXT "FOODNC" to 877-877
ADVOCACY
PRESIDENT'S BUDGET PROPOSAL AND THE FUTURE OF 21ST CENTURY COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTERS
In his budget for fiscal year 2018, President Trump proposes the elimination of all funding for 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC). Within the state of North Carolina, local education agencies (LEAs), non-profit agencies, city or county government agencies, faith-based organizations, institutions of higher education, and for-profit corporations are all eligible and are a part of existing cohorts funded through 21st CCLC funding. The proposed elimination of funding would impact approximately 30,383 kids statewide who attend programs. The benefits of afterschool and summer programs are endless. Designed to provide children from high-poverty and low-performing schools with access to safe and supervised space during out-of-school time, 21st CCLC programs have also had proven success at engaging children in enriching, interest-driven academic activities. This engagement ultimately  serves as a catalyst for improved academic achievement, behavior and school attendance. Moreover, they support the needs of working families.

On June 7th, afterschool advocates, parents, students and supporters from across the nation made appeals to Congress to send the message that Afterschool Matters. The fight continues... For the July 4th recession, state representatives are back in North Carolina. Invite them to your programs statewide so that they have an opportunity to see firsthand how afterschool and summer learning programs work to make a lasting impact on the lives of youth within NC. For tools on how to orchestrate a site visit check out the  Afterschool Alliance's Site Visit Toolkit


INFORM
2017 ROADMAP OF NEED
The  Roadmap of Need was released at Synergy in April and is an annual in-depth needs assessment for youth across the state of North Carolina. The needs assessment examines 20 indicators of wellness including health, youth behavior and safety, education and economic development. Utilized as a resource, the Roadmap illustrates needs specific to counties statewide that can guide programming efforts. 

This year's report reveals that the top five counties wherein young people have the greatest likelihood for success are Orange, Union, Wake, Cabarrus and Watauga. The bottom five counties where young people are most at risk are Northampton, Warren, Halifax, Robeson and Edgecombe. 

Utilized as a tool, the Roadmap of Need can serve as a vital resource for afterschool providers and other education organizations in communicating with policymakers, funders and citizens about the importance of program services. It can also be used to target areas for increased investment through programmatic initiatives. 

PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT
NC CAP wants to highlight your program!

We want to highlight the success of afterschool, before school and summer programs across the state. Click the "Program Spotlight" button below to submit your program highlight and your program may be the next program spotlight on our social media accounts or in the edition of the Afterschool Observer. 
ADVOCACY
NATIONAL SUMMER LEARNING DAY
National Summer Learning Day is a national advocacy day scheduled for July 13, 2017. Led by the National Summer Learning Association (NSLA), the day aims to emphasize the importance of keeping kids learning, safe and healthy during the summer months. Doing so combats summer learning loss and ensures that youth will return to school in the fall equipped for success throughout the academic school year. Resources are provided by  NSLA  for families, students, communities and elected officials on the website. North Carolina summer program providers are invited to register their programs online to ensure that families in communities statewide can locate available programs during the summer months. 
SUPPORT
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

The Finish Line Youth Foundation provides funding to organizations that provide opportunities for kids to participate in community-based youth athletic programs and camps that emphasize active lifestyles. Special interest is given to those programs serving disadvantaged and special needs youth. 

Project Learning Tree offers GreenWorks! grants up to $1,000 to schools and youth organizations for environmental service-learning projects that link classroom learning to the real world. Through the grant, students will implement an action project that they will help to design to green their school or to improve an aspect of their neighborhood's environment. 

As a national non-profit aiming to promote balanced and active play for underprivileged children, Kaboom! offers a range of funding opportunities to help programs bring more play to their local communities. Grant applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
 
During Community Giving Days, individual Whole Foods stores donate 5% of that day's net sales to local nonprofits and educational organizations. Interested organizations should consult the Whole Foods website to see if their local store offers an online donation request form, or reach out to that store's Marketing Director. 
MISSION
To influence policy and serve as a catalyst, convener, and clearinghouse for afterschool programs through advocacy, professional development, and quality improvement. 

VISION
High quality afterschool programs accessible to all North Carolina children and youth helping them to succeed in and out of school. 
NC CAP | 919.781.6833 | Email | Website

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