Indiana Statewide Newsletter
April 21, 2020
News & Policy
Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week
Celebrate, Encourage, and Appreciate the #HeartOfAfterschool
Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week is a time to recognize, appreciate and advocate for those who work with young people during out-of-school hours. The week is marked by celebrations and public relations efforts encouraging appreciation and support for all the afterschool professionals who make a profound difference in the lives of young people.

An estimated 10.2 million children participate in afterschool programs each year, and for every child in an afterschool program there are two more waiting to get in. Every young person deserves quality afterschool experiences that positively impact their development. It takes skilled professionals to create these experiences. Because of the important role afterschool professionals play in the lives of kids, they deserve recognition and support!

Tag an Afterschool Pro Contest
  • Post a photo of an Afterschool Professional to Facebook or Instagram from April 20 - 24.
  • Tag the professional and add #heartofafterschool.
  • Win an NAA Executive membership for you and your friend!

Scroll down to see a highlight of two Indiana programs who are doing great things for their communities!
The Afterschool Roadshow:
Moving the Needle

The Indiana Afterschool Network will be providing a series of virtual professional development opportunities to support your community of youth and youth workers. In partnership with 21st Century Community Learning Centers, IAN is hosting The Afterschool Roadshow: Moving the Needle Edition. This 90-minute virtual Roadshow will focus on topics that can have an impact on your student and staff as they return to programs. Click below to see the full schedule!

Implementation Process Begins for CARES Act Funds

While the CARES Act was signed into law on March 27, the $30.75 billion Education Stabilization Fund authorized by the legislation is still in the early stages of the implementation process led by the US Department of Education.

Hopefully states and school districts will begin to see funds from both of these relief programs by May or June. Click below to read an overview of this process from the Afterschool Alliance.
Provider Survey: 2020 Indiana Summer Youth Programming

Please complete this short survey by Friday, April 24 to let us know where you are in your thinking around 2020 summer programming. Are you planning to provide summer programming in any form? What are the key challenges and complexities you are facing around providing summer programming? If you are planning summer programming, are you working with your local school system? Thank you for sharing!
Program Spotlight
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, and as the need for essential employees increases, it has become increasingly difficult for these everyday superheroes to find a safe place to take their children. In these times of need, AYS has established a pop-up childcare site at Broad Ripple High School for the children of all essential workers. This week, they launch two new sites at Christel House Academy South and ITOWN Church in Fishers.

Click below to read more about the program, the locations, and daily safety precautions. If you know an essential worker looking for childcare in Indianapolis, please share!
When we reached out Director Rubin E. Nieto II to learn more about the current programming at the Boys and Girls Club of Elkhart County, he and his staff were leading a group of K-3rd graders through a virtual tour of our National Parks. Once the COVID-19 pandemic began shutting down local communities, the club's staff had to transition quickly to create these types of virtual programming opportunities for their members.

They are currently hosting the Club At Home website, where youth can go to sign up for daily virtual educational sessions, as well as the Stride Academy - an engaging adaptive learning tool for grades Pre-K - 8 that motivates students toward mastery and rewards learning with online games. Click below to learn more about the virtual opportunities they're providing during this time, and why their club is at the #HeartOfAfterschool.
Events
Professional Development, Conferences, and More
Virtual Workshop | STEM Quick Wins
April 23, 2020 | 4:00 PM EST
So much has changed for educators, youth, and families in the past few weeks. The STEM Connection is providing STEM educational support for all through our daily STEM Quick Wins - quick and easy STEM activities that can be done at home with easily accessible materials. Join us for our free virtual Educator Empowerment Workshop on April 23rd to learn more about STEM Quick Wins - what they are, why we are creating them, and how they can be used by educators, youth, and families. This workshop is designed for formal and informal educators, administrators, program directors, and caregivers. Register here.

Webinar | How to Virtually Foster a Sense of Belonging in Your Community
April 24, 2020 | 11:45 AM EST
Presented by the Indiana Department of Education. Curious about how to virtually foster a sense of belonging for your school community? Looking for new strategies and systems to build your classroom community from a distance? Attend this webinar to learn some “use tomorrow” strategies, as well as virtual systems that can help you to maintain and foster meaningful relationships from afar. Downloadable templates will be provided to support virtual connections as well! Register here.

The Afterschool Roadshow: Moving the Needle
Apr. 28, May 5, May 14, May 19, May 20, May 21, and May 27
The Indiana Afterschool Network will be providing a series of virtual professional development opportunities to support your community of youth and youth workers. In partnership with 21st Century Community Learning Centers, IAN is hosting The Afterschool Roadshow: Moving the Needle Edition. This 90-minute virtual Roadshow will focus on topics that can have an impact on your student and staff as they return to programs. Click here to see the full schedule and get registered!
Funding Opportunities
IN-MaC Micro-Grant Program Opportunity
Deadline: May 31, 2020
The Indiana Manufacturing Competitiveness Center (IN-MaC) has launched a new round of its Industry Micro-Grant Program, allocating $200,000 to foster the growth of youth and adult manufacturing initiatives around the state. The program aims to provide grant funding to education (K-16), industry and community-based organizations who implement creative ways to enhance youth industry experiences. More info here.

21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC) RFP
Deadline: August 12, 2020
The 21st CCLC Program is a federally-funded program (Title IV, part B) awarded to public school districts, charter schools and organizations, in order to provide youth a safe environment during non-school hours. This program supports the creation of community learning centers that provide academic enrichment opportunities during non-school hours for youth, particularly youth who attend high-poverty and low-performing schools. Any public or private organization is eligible to apply. Approximately $10.3 million will be available in this application period. Intent to Apply submissions are due March 12, 2020 via this link. Learn more here.
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