To learn more about the state of afterschool programming in all 50 states and to see full survey results, please click here to read the full write up from the Afterschool Alliance.

Volunteer Iowa invites you to participate in a conversation about youth volunteerism and service-learning with in your organization during the week of 9/11. They hope to gather a fuller understanding of what works well when conducting youth programs and what needs organizations across Iowa have in this area from this conversation. Please take this survey to report your program's current status with youth service learning.

Missed out on one of the CIOST Re-Imagined Webinars, or just want to revisit one you really liked? These webinars have been complied here on the CIOST website for your convenience.

As schools start across the state, we hope to continue to offer resources for afterschool sites to promote equity, diversity and inclusion in their programming. This month, we are sharing anti-bias education resources from ADL. These "crafting and conversation" ideas include mask making, creating self portraits, identifying symbols to portray unity and love, film festivals and so much more. Please visit this article to learn more.

The Iowa Department of Education will be releasing the FY21 21st Century Community Learning Centers Request For Applications (RFA) in September. We will be offering virtual technical assistance sessions this fall to help with application writing. Keep an eye out for further updates and the official release. If you have any questions, please contact Crystal Hall at chall@sppg.com and check out the 21CCLC website for more info here.

Earlier this summer, we shared resources for summer activities supplied by the Georgia Statewide Afterschool Network. They are now looking for participants to take a survey regarding the resources provided, and how they can be improved for future summer learning programming. Please click here to take their survey!

New COVID-19 resources have been released by the Afterschool Alliance! Please click the button below to access the Alliance's COVID-19 Toolkit.

With the recent derecho, the need for more radio operators became evident as power and phone connections were down across the state. The Alfred E. Friend, Jr., W4CF, Educational Activities Fund provides annual grants for educational programs and activities of amateur radio organizations, with special emphasis on projects involving youth and teacher development. Eligible projects include explorations and ongoing education related to wireless; science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM); and radio technology. Preference is given to applicants with local radio club participation and supported by community fundraising. The fund is administered by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) Foundation.

Grants up to $3,000 will be awarded. The deadline to apply is October 1, annually. Please click here to learn more.

Hunter’s Fund invests in young people (16-25) who have a project, idea, or passion that needs funding. Preference is given to applications in the areas of music, performing arts, computer science and entrepreneurship. Grant awards can range from $500 to $5,000. All grantees are partnered with an appropriate mentor to encourage their progress and growth as they move towards their goals. Applications are reviewed and accepted twice a year with application deadlines of June 15 and November 15. Click here to learn more.

Applications are accepted year round. Please click here to learn more.

The annual Impact Conference is back - and will be fully virtual this year! Save the date for September 30 - October 2, 2020. More information, and a link to registration will open soon. Check out the Impact Conference page on the IAA website here for the basics of what the conference offers you.

The Out of School Time Professional Development Center provides Out of School Time training to OST professionals. The classes provide in-depth curriculum and certificates. If you or your staff are interested in signing up for courses visit the Out-of-School Time website. Check out the entire course catalog here. 

You 4 Youth is a free online professional development site that is designed to support 21CCLC program staff, but is a valuable tool for any afterschool professional looking to build their skills! Recently, Y4Y has rolled out a whole module on literacy. Click here to register.

The Afterschool Alliance offers webinars on a wide range of topics, from policy and the new Every Student Succeeds Act, to STEM and Social-Emotional Learning. Find out more on their webinars website. 

Find professional development for school-age programming on the State of Iowa Child Care Training Registry on topics ranging from health and safety to developmentally appropriate programming. Find out more online.

Find out more on their website here. 

The Center for the Advancement of Informal Science Education (CAISE) provides background information that is useful for the development of STEM programming. Find out more on their website.

The Afterschool Tech Toolkit aims to empower afterschool professionals and educators with strategies and training so they can provide students with access to technology outside of classroom hours. It includes training modules on getting started, training staff, accessing technology and devices, and more. Take a look at the toolkit here.  

Registration opens soon. For more information, visit the conference's website.

BOOST also provides free online professional development. Click here to check it out.