Afterschool Advocacy: Virtual Forum, Afterschool Day on the Hill, and more!

Advocacy - Continue the Momentum!

Pictured above: Student from North Dakota's Gateway to Science is interviewed at ND Afterschool Day on the Hill in Bismarck, April 2019.

Lights on Afterschool 2022 was a success! North Dakota had a record number of afterschool and summer learning programs participate during the month of October to shine a light on the essential programming provided to North Dakota's youth, families, and communities. Thank you to all who shared pictures, invites, and advocated for afterschool! The ND Afterschool Network invites you to continue the momentum in advance of the ND Legislative Session starting January 2023 by participating in the following events and activities:

ND Afterschool Survey 2022 - Complete by November 10, 2022

ND Afterschool Network is collecting information to inform the landscape of afterschool and assess any needs to increase access to high-quality afterschool and summer learning programs for youth in grades PreK-12 across the state. Our goal is to collect information from every school community within the state, whether afterschool programming is currently being offered or not. Survey will take approximately 3-5 minutes to complete.

ND Afterschool Virtual Forum - December 7, 2022

ND Afterschool Network is seeking afterschool and summer learning programs serving youth in grades PreK-12 across the state to feature in the ND Afterschool Virtual Forum! Youth, program staff, and parents are invited to share the impact afterschool has on your students and families. Contact the Network if your program would like to be involved.

ND Afterschool Day on the Hill - February 22, 2023

Afterschool and summer learning programs from across ND serving students in grades PreK-12 are invited to Afterschool Day on the Hill at the Capitol Complex in Bismarck on February 22. Travel reimbursement is available on a first come, first serve basis. Register your program today!

Afterschool Grants & Funding Opportunities

North Dakota Department of Commerce and the State Commission on National and Community Service is announcing a series of information workshops for the upcoming 2023-24 AmeriCorps grant. There is no fee for this learning opportunity, but pre-registration is encouraged by contacting Program Officer Ryan Volk at rdvolk@nd.gov or (701) 328-6048.

The State of North Dakota is awarded funding each year for the AmeriCorps and is excited to fund new projects. The workshops will focus on the AmeriCorps funding. Eligible participants include public or private nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education, government entities within states or territories, Indian Tribes, and consortia of the aforementioned.

Workshops will be held at the following dates, times, and locations:

Wednesday, Nov. 30, Fargo - Job Service office building at 1350 32 St S from 1-4 p.m. CST.
Thursday, Dec. 1, Grand Forks - Job Service office building at 1501 28 Ave S from 9 a.m. to noon CST.
Tuesday, Dec. 6, Minot - Job Service office building at 3416 N Broadway from 1 to 4 p.m. CST.
Wednesday, Dec. 7, Williston - Job Service office building at 422 1st Ave from 1 to 4 p.m. CST.
Thursday, Dec. 8, Dickinson - Job Service office building at 66 Osborn Dr from 9:30 a.m. to noon MST.
Monday, Dec. 12, Bismarck - North Dakota Department of Commerce office building at 1600 E Century Ave, Ste 6 from 1 to 4 p.m. CST.
Tuesday, Dec. 13, virtual on Microsoft Teams 9 a.m. to noon CST.

ND Arts in Afterschool Funding 2022-23 Accepting Applications!

The ND Afterschool Network, in collaboration with ND Council on the Arts, is pleased to offer funding to afterschool and other out-of-school time programs ranging from $500 to 2,000 to increase opportunities for students across North Dakota in grades K-12 to engage in arts programming during the 2022-23 school year.

Applications will be funded on a rolling basis based on proposal and funding availability. Click below for full requirements, activity ideas, and a link to the application.

Learn More

USDA Farm to School Grant: USDA seeks to award up to $12 million to expand access to local food in eligible schools. Schools and school districts, CACFP and Summer sponsors, Indian tribal organizations, state and local agencies, and non-profit organizations are encouraged to apply. Applicants may apply for grants up to $100,000 in one of five grant tracks. USDA will host a webinar Tuesday, Nov 8th at 1:30pm CT to help interested applicants learn more about the request for applications and how to apply. Applications due by January 6, 2023.

ALDI Cares Community Grants: Community grants range from $100 to $5,000 and fall under the following: Children's Health & Wellness, Food Insecurity, and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Organizations will be asked to apply under the ALDI division closest to their location. Applications accepted ongoing through December 15, 2022.

Girls Who Code: Start a free Girls Who Code Club and enroll 3 or more members this school year to be eligible to receive up to $300 for materials and supplies for your club. Clubs are free programs for 3rd-5th and 6th-12th grade students to join a sisterhood of supportive peers and role models using computer science to change the world. Clubs are completely free and offer fun activities through a flexible curriculum that adapts to your unique needs. Clubs can take place afterschool, on weekends, or during the summer, and they can be held in-person or online.

Million Girls Moonshot Feature - Join the Flight Crew!

The Million Girls Moonshot launches a nationwide search for the second cohort of its Flight Crew!

The Flight Crew aims to feature 50 remarkable youth from across the country to promote the value of STEM learning and equity in STEM for young people across the nation by sharing:

First-hand, impactful STEM experiences beyond the classroom,
Aspirations to break down stereotypes and spark their peers' curiosity in STEM, and
The ability to connect their STEM experiences to everyday life.

Help recruit youth (ages 13 - 18) who identify as female with experiences in out-of-school time STEM to become a Million Girls Moonshot Flight Crew member!

Apply by November 11!

If selected, Flight Crew members will join Moonshot's advocacy efforts and commitment to create equity for girls in STEM through elevating youth voices, inspiring peers and fellow future STEM leaders. The 2023 cohort will hone their advocacy and leadership skills during eight months of virtual programming - including leadership development opportunities, public speaking experience, resume and interview coaching, access to scholarships, internships, and mentor connections - using their experiences in afterschool and summer learning.

Learn More

Upcoming Trainings & Events

Empowering Kindhearted Kids

November 17, 2022

10:00 - 11:30 am CT

Free Training: Empowering Kindhearted Kids

Providing social emotional learning in all youth settings is more important than ever, as children struggle to develop healthy identities and emotional stability. Join Two by Two Character Development to explore the latest research regarding social emotional learning and the importance of explicitly teaching core values. Plan on loading up your "toolkit" with lots of fun and engaging ideas to immediately use with your children and walk away feeling empowered and rejuvenated for the important work you do.

Audience: Elementary Level Educators (Before/After School: PK-5th Grade) and School Counselors

Session is aligned with Relationships & Interactions Domain of the ND Quality Standards for Out-of-School Time Programs and offered at no cost from the ND Afterschool Network.

NESC ConnectEd lessons are offered live through Zoom on Tuesdays from 3:45 - 4:15pm CT. Each session is designed for the K-2 or 3-8 grade span and includes a community teaching partner who provides an engaging experience for your learners. If you can't connect live, you can access the archived lesson recordings or facilitator materials to use at a different time.

With support from the ND Afterschool Network, all afterschool programs throughout the state are welcome to join for lessons at no cost!

2022-2023 NESC ConnectEd Live Lesson Schedule is now live and includes the following upcoming lessons:

November 8, Grades K-2: ND Afterschool Network / Gateway to Science
November 15, Grades K-2: ND Council on the Arts / Visual Arts: Ali LaRock
November 22, Grades 3-8: ND Afterschool Network / Gateway to Science
November 29, Grades K-2: ND Council on the Arts / Fargo Moorhead Community Theater

Learn More

ND Afterschool: Empowering Kindhearted Kids

November 17 | Virtual

Join Two by Two Character Development to explore the latest research regarding social emotional learning and the importance of explicitly teaching core values. Plan on loading up your "toolkit" with lots of fun and engaging ideas to immediately use with your children and walk away feeling empowered and rejuvenated for the important work you do. Register here.

Trauma Sensitive Schools Training of Trainers

Starting November 23

The interactive Trauma Sensitive Schools professional learning curriculum leaves educators with a renewed commitment to reach some of the most vulnerable students and their families. The 2022-2023 Training of Trainers includes a virtual TSS training delivered by ND Master Trainers, deep-dive into trainer resources, and small-group coaching to build confidence to deliver training with fidelity. Sessions will be held November 23, 2-4pm, January 16, 2-4pm, February 20, 2-4pm, and April 6, 8-10am. Learn more.

Question, Persuade, Refer Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training

December 6 | Virtual

Question, Persuade, Refer is an evidence-based suicide prevention protocol, also termed as a gatekeeper training, with a mission to save lives and reduce suicidal behaviors by providing innovative, practical, and proven suicide prevention training. Multiple session dates are available and FREE to any interested educator. Learn more.

ND Afterschool Virtual Forum

December 7 | Virtual

ND Afterschool Day on the Hill

February 22, 2023

Join the North Dakota Afterschool Network for Afterschool Day on the Hill in Bismarck on February 22 from 10:30am - 1:30pm at the Capitol Complex in Bismarck. We invite afterschool and summer learning programs from across ND serving students in grades PreK-12, staff and students to attend this event to showcase your program and have a chance to interact with ND legislators and state education representatives. Travel reimbursement is available on a first come, first serve basis. Register your program today!

Our Mission

We equip North Dakota afterschool programs with the tools and support to expand program quality, build leadership capacity, and ensure access to afterschool programs for all youth in their community.