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AFTERSCHOOL OBSERVER
AUGUST 2018
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CONVENE
POLICY & PRACTICE REGIONAL CONVENINGS
During the month of July, the NC Center for Afterschool Programs (NC CAP) hosted its first series of Policy & Practice Regional Convenings, which offered out-of-school time providers, elected officials, educators and higher education and community stakeholders opportunities to engage in meaningful dialogue pertaining to the Forum's 2018 Roadmap of Need.
The four convenings, which were held at Edgecombe Community College, Durham Technical Community College, Blue Ridge Community College, and Central Piedmont Community College, also offered attendees an opportunity to explore a range of STEM-specific educational strategies through enrichment activities presented by partnering STEM experts and organizations.
The annual
Roadmap of Need uses data on economic development, education, health and youth behavior & safety to take a whole child needs assessment of what youth living in each of North Carolina's 100 counties must have in order to thrive in school and in life. This year's report found that the top five counties where youth have the greatest likelihood for success are Orange, Union, Wake, Cabarrus and Dare; the bottom five counties where young people are most at-risk are Anson, Warren, Halifax, Robeson, and Edgecombe.
The Roadmap provides a clear view of how North Carolina is now divided into "two North Carolinas"-one that can attract industry and experiences significant job growth, while the other suffers from economic decline and is left with struggling schools. Keith Poston, Executive Director of the Public School Forum, told attendees, "if one were to divide North Carolina into half along I-95, the state formed in the east would be the poorest and unhealthiest state in the country."
Attendees brainstormed tactics and strategies to alleviate the counties' challenges in these areas for the benefit and well-being of youth residing there. After the policy portion of each convening, attendees participated in STEM enrichment activities facilitated by STEM experts and organizations that included Dropping Seeds in Motion, Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute (PARI), and Beth Snoke Harris, author of 365 Weird & Wonderful Science Experiments.
This summer's series of Policy & Practice Regional Convenings were initial attempts to encourage dialogue among out-of-school time providers and other essential stakeholders across the state of North Carolina. Based on feedback provided by this year's attendees, the convenings will continue in future years. Through this endeavor, we have learned that collaboration is essential between organizations, elected officials and community stakeholders to move the needle and improve the lives of children statewide.
To view pictures from each of the convenings, click
here.
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INFORM
2018 STATE REPORT CARDS ON ACTIVE KIDS AND COMMUNITIES
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- Complete Streets and Active Transportation
- Safe Routes to School and Active Transportation Funding
- Active Neighborhoods and Schools
- State Physical Activity Planning and Support
Several indicators provide key insights for where advocates and decision-makers can prioritize investments in afterschool programs and physical activity.
Afterschool programs offer a major opportunity for children to meet their daily physical activity needs. Especially at a time when physical education during school hours may be limited, giving children the chance to be active before and after school helps ensure that kids are getting enough physical activity. Furthermore, surveys show that parents whose children are enrolled in afterschool programs expect and support physical activity being a core component of the afterschool programming.
The 2018 State Report Card rankings show that there is enormous opportunity for states to enact new, health-promoting, evidence-based policies and strengthen existing ones at the intersection of physical activity and afterschool programs. The most relevant categories are in the report cards' focus area of Active Neighborhoods and Schools, where states earned points for shared use of school facilities, physical education, and supportive neighborhoods for physical activity. Afterschool programs could also look to the Safe Routes to School and Active Transportation Funding core topic area for insight on how states support active transportation to afterschool programs, such as with walking school buses. The following indicators represent opportunities for practitioners and advocates to identify areas of strength or improvement where their state can better support physical activity and afterschool programming.
To read the full article, click
here.
Excerpt from:
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ADVOCACY
NC CAP CALL FOR ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS
The North Carolina Center for Afterschool Programs (NC CAP) is a statewide Network dedicated to increasing access to high-quality afterschool and expanded learning programs for all children and youth in North Carolina, helping them to succeed in and out of school. Our work includes research and best practices in the afterschool and expanded learning environment; convening key stakeholders (statewide and regional); advocating for policies to support afterschool and expanded learning; and professional development and technical support for afterschool programs.
NC CAP is currently seeking dynamic and dedicated individuals to join our advisory board. If selected, advisory board members will serve a 2-year term (with a mid-term review) beginning September 2018.
If you are one or more of the following, we are interested in you:
- Leaders within out-of-school time programs or partnering agencies focused on our priority areas - youth development, STEM, literacy, nutrition & physical activity, equity & access - interested in implementing impactful statewide programs and initiatives.
- Energetic and entrepreneurial business people, who are not already overextended with other commitments, eager to put their enthusiasm for changing the world to work for our state's children.
- Community leaders and philanthropists willing to engage their peers to ensure access to high-quality programs for all youth.
- Astute governmental advocates who can assist in navigating the political landscape of policy development, funding and legislation.
- Scholars/academics who want to put their expertise in youth development, STEM, literacy, nutrition & physical activity, equity & access, to work for youth statewide.
If you hold yourself to high expectations, then you'll find service on our advisory board very rewarding. We are looking for passionate individuals who will:
- Attend four (4) quarterly advisory board meetings annually
- Actively engage in NC CAP events and communications
- Support planning of annual Synergy Conference and Regional Convenings
- Advocate for the Network's mission and vision locally and statewide
Interested candidates should submit a completed application form and personal statement of interest. Application documents can be submitted via email to the Sheronda W. Fleming at [email protected] with the subject: "Advisory Board Application". The deadline to apply is August 15, 2018 at 5pm. Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee. Selected individuals will be notified early September.
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INFORM
BRINGING REAL-WORLD EXPERTS AND RESOURCES INTO YOUR AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM
Afterschool programs provide such unique opportunities to reach and inspire students. There's freedom for students to try new things and explore the unknown without the pressures often felt during the school day. When I ran our district's middle school afterschool programs, I was on the constant search for real world connections and activities for students to explore. That's why we're excited to announce the
Discover Data program from
The Nielsen Foundation, built in collaboration with
Discovery Education and
The Afterschool Alliance.
The resources available through
Discover Data were developed to increase awareness around the power of data and data science; inspire students to pursue data-driven careers; and connect youth with role models through Nielsen volunteers. Simply go to
www.DiscoverDataAfterSchool.org to access resources for your afterschool program.
The resources available at
www.DiscoverDataAfterSchool.org can easily support or spark an afterschool STEM initiative while fostering 21
st century skills in uniquely creative ways. As the program grows in future years, so will its resources. As we pilot this program in its inaugural year, we will ask afterschool educators to help us shape future resources by providing their feedback.
Student activities: Discover Data's activities were designed to inspire students to think critically about the data that surrounds them. If you are developing themed weeks, these activities can be easily broken down across 5 days. Below are some questions students will investigate:
- Sports/Athletic themed week: Does an athlete need to win games or have the highest scores to be an effective spokesperson for a brand or product?
- Young entrepreneurs themed week: Is it better to bring a high-price "premium" product into a category with lots of similar goods or fewer similar goods?
- "Build a better tomorrow" themed week: How will the media consumption habits of millennials change by the year 2050?
Career profiles: These profiles showcase the responsibilities and diverse opportunities available when pursuing a data-driven career. Another exciting component of the Discover Data program is that it works to engage the diverse, active and innovative community of Nielsen volunteers who talk about data science and help to deliver a Discover Data activity with afterschool programs in their local communities.
Afterschool programs will be able to request a visit from a real-world data expert who will discuss their career and take students through an activity from
www.DiscoverDataAfterSchool.org. Afterschool programs are also invited to access the resources on their own anytime at no cost.
To read the full article, click
here.
Excerpt from:
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SUPPORT
NC OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME MAPPING DATABASE
The NC Center for Afterschool Programs [NC CAP] developed a statewide, searchable database for out-of-school time programs (OST) programs that serve K-12 youth before school, after school, summers, weekends and during school breaks. Programs can take place in schools, school-age child care centers, community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, universities, libraries, museums, camps, and other locations can register their programs in the statewide mapping database. You can utilize this database to search for information on program locations, activities, number and grades of youth served. This database helps families, schools, communities and elected officials locate programs for their youth. It also aids in identifying community assets and gaps in out-of-school time programming.
Registering your program in the statewide database is easy and takes less than two minutes. Register your program today!
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ADVOCACY
NEW FEDERAL OPPORTUNITIES TO ADVANCE
TWO-GENERATION APPROACHES
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For example, the brief highlights increased FY2018 appropriations for Head Start, the Child Care Development Fund (CCDF), and Child Care Means Parents In School as funding opportunities for 2Gen strategies. Each program includes supports for children and their families, from support for campus-based childcare for low-income parents enrolled in higher education to programs that provide children educational, nutritional, and medical services while also offering parent trainings and workshops.
Promising examples of states that have created systems supporting both children and their family are also featured in the brief. The partnership between the State Early Childhood Advisory Council and the Department of Human Services in Mississippi led to Gen+. Using programs such as TANF, SNAP, Head Start, CCDF, WIC, Medicaid, and public pre-K to integrate services for children and parents, Gen+ established a system where when a family enrolls for child care support, case managers work with both the child and the guardian to connect to quality child care and wraparound services.
The authors of the report also recommend a series of steps to make the most of current funding streams, including establishing new governance models, strengthening the capacity for evidence-based decision-making, and leveraging existing networks to build capacity quickly.
To read the full article, click
here.
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INFORM
BURROUGHS WELLCOME FUND CAREER AWARDS FOR SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS TEACHERS
The Burroughs Wellcome Fund Career Award for Science and Math Teachers (CASMT) application is now available online. The Career Award for Science and Mathematics Teachers is a five-year award available to outstanding science and/or mathematics teachers in the North Carolina public primary and secondary schools. The purpose of this award is to recognize teachers who have demonstrated solid knowledge of science and/or mathematics content and have outstanding performance records in educating children.
The deadline for submission is September 24th, 2018.
For more information or to access the application, click here.
A Twitter Chat
with two Burroughs Wellcome Fund Career Award for Science Teachers (CASMT) will take place on
August 2nd at 7:00 pm
. The Twitter hashtag for the session will be
#bwfcasmtchat
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SUPPORT
ROCKINGHAM COUNTY NATIONAL JUNIOR TENNIS & LEARNING NETWORK
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Rockingham County Tennis Association is a registered chapter of the National Junior Tennis & Learning Network (NJTL) sponsored by the USTA Foundation. Through more than 350 youth development non-profit organizations locations, the NJTL network provides free or low-cost tennis and education to more than 225,000 under-resourced youth.
RCTA has received funding from the USTA Foundation and the Southern Tennis Patrons Foundation to expand our NJTL summer network connecting tennis and education with seven summer camp partners in summer 2018:
1. Eden Family Y Summer Fun Camp
2. Reidsville YMCA Camp Soar
3. Boys & Girls Club of Eden Summer Camp
4. Parkview Village Summer Enrichment Camp, Reidsville
5. Eden Parks & Rec Summer Camp at Bridge Street Recreation Center
6. Community Baptist Schools, Reidsville
7.Bee Penn Moore Salvation Army Community Center, Reidsville.
Campers will play tennis once each week at group clinics led by RC Tennis Coaches and interns and engage in Academic Creative Engagement curriculum activities (ACE) led by summer camp staff. Additional summer NJTL network events may include a Net Generation Red Ball Challenge, tennis field trip to Greensboro Tennis Academy at Spencer Love Tennis Center in Greensboro, and the opportunity to attend NJTL Day and watch professional tournament matches at the 2018 Winston-Salem Open.
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INFORM
THINK-ACT-GROW (TAG) PLAYBOOK OFFERS STRATEGIES FOR STRONG PROTECTIVE FACTORS
There are 42 million adolescent youth between the ages of 10 and 19 in the United States. For the broad community that interacts with these youth, including afterschool programs, the US Department of Health and Human Services Office of Adolescent Health recently published its updated
Think-Act-Grow (TAG) Playbook highlighting ways to help keep these youth healthy and away from risk factors.
- Help youth connect to supportive adults, positive peers, school and the community
- Create a safe, warm, enriching space
- Encourage physical activity and good nutrition
- Be another set of eyes and provide a listening ear
- Share local health resources with youth
- Teach youth about staying healthy and safe
In short, these guidelines reflect many of the social and emotional benefits quality afterschool programs already provide-if students can access them.
America After 3PM, a national survey on demand for afterschool programs, reveals that while 19 percent of middle schoolers and 12 percent of high schoolers report participating in afterschool programs, 40 percent of middle schoolers and 31 percent of high schoolers would like to participate in an afterschool program if one were accessible and affordable. Expanding access to these quality programs continues to be a high priority to provide these opportunities to youth.
To read the full article, click
here.
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PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT
NC CAP wants to highlight your program!
The North Carolina Center for Afterschool Programs would like to highlight program successes statewide. Tell us about your program and you might be our Program Spotlight in the next edition of the Afterschool Observer or on Social Media. Click the Program Spotlight below to be redirected to the updated survey link to tell us about your program.
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SUPPORT
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
T
hrough the E(2) Energy to Educate Grant Program, Constellation Energy offers students in grades 6-12 opportunities to experience problem-solving of today's and tomorrow's energy challenges. Grant funds support projects designed to enhance students' understanding of science and technology, and inspire them to think differently about energy.
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.
The Kinder Morgan Foundations Grant benefits youth in communities where the funding source has a business presence. Focus areas include arts education programs and academic programs, including tutoring. The program must benefit youth in grades K-12 only. Non profits, public school sand private schools may apply.
SC Johnson is proud to support its communities through philanthropic giving.
SC Johnson predominately supports institutions or organizations that serve or directly impact communities where they have major operations. Their efforts assist existing non-profit organizations or programs focused on defined areas of interest. Areas of Focused Giving include:
Arts, Culture & Humanities
Community & Economic Development
Education
Health & Wellness
Social Services
Environment & Sustainability
Wells Fargo makes contributions in areas that we believe are important to the future of our nation's vitality and success. Their first priority is to support programs and organizations whose chief purpose is to benefit low- and moderate-income individuals and families. They look for projects that keep our communities strong, diverse, and vibrant.
They support organizations that promote academic achievement for low- and moderate-income students.
The Westinghouse Charitable Giving Program provides financial support to communities in one or more strategic areas of giving including (1) Education with a focus on STEM, (2) Environment Sustainability, (3) Community Safety and Vitality.
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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.
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