Power of Us Workforce Survey is Live!
Young people live, learn, work, and play across settings and systems that you help lead. Policymakers and practice leaders suggest that people like you, who work in these settings and systems play an integral role in supporting youth to thrive. Yet, there is little collective information about this essential workforce.

In 2022, youth-serving professionals and volunteers - from afterschool program staff to volunteer mentors to librarians to athletic coaches and beyond- have the opportunity to share their professional experiences and pathways in their field.

Through the Power of Us Workforce Survey, youth-serving professionals and volunteers can contribute to a national effort to explore, define, and elevate their profession. The survey will yield actionable results to inform policy, practice, and further research. Please share with your networks and take the survey!
Afterschool Grants & Funding Opportunities
The NDDPI will host a bidders' workshop at 11am on Wednesday, March 16, to take questions and provide information on 21st Century CCLC programs and the grant application process. Find link to join workshop in full release.
ND 21CCLC Grant Applications Open
State School Superintendent Kirsten Baesler announced the start of competition for 21st Century Community Learning Center grants for the 2022-23 school year.

Grants of more than $50,000 annually for three years may be available and used to establish new centers or expand existing ones. Beginning March 8, the NDDPI will be accepting grant applications from school districts, regional education associations, consortiums, nonprofits, city or county government agencies, faith-based organizations, institutions of higher education, and for-profit corporations that do not have a 21st CCLC grant at present.

CaringforCommunities Grants: Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota's CaringforCommunities Grants recognize that developing and maintaining a healthy lifestyle is a lifelong process and our communities play an integral role. Successful grant applications demonstrate strong collaboration and sustainability, incorporate proven, evidence-based approaches, and encourage citizen engagement. No deadline to apply and applications accepted year-round.

Rural Community Grant Fund: Established by AgriBank, AgCountry Farm Credit Services and Farm Credit Services of Mandan to support North Dakota communities impacted by mineral development in the Bakken region. Grants up to $50,000 are available to facilitate infrastructure improvement and/or development initiatives encompassing housing projects; health, safety, educational, and environmental programs; medical facilities; and more. Application deadline for this cycle is April 30, 2022.

Bush Foundation Community Innovation Grants: Funding the most promising ideas to change communities and systems. These grants support organizations coming together to solve community challenges, and efforts that help people lead in strong, equitable and connected ways. Grants are funded above $20,000 with no set limit on grant amounts. Applications accepted on ongoing basis.
Million Girls Moonshot Feature
March marks the beginning of Women's History month. What was originally known as "Women's History Week" in 1982, has deservedly transformed over the years into an entire month aimed at recognizing and celebrating the contributions of women in our society, throughout history.

This month, the Million Girls Moonshot will pay tribute to the brilliant minds and contributions of female STEM leaders who have impacted not only their field, but the world around them in meaningful ways. In celebrating the lives of these women, we must realize that in order for our world to solve some of our biggest challenges - public health, climate change, and cybersecurity - we must remove barriers for girls and women in STEM disciplines so they can truly thrive!
Girls Who Code: Applications for Summer Programs Due March 18

Girls Who Code offers two FREE programs in the summer: the Summer Immersion Program and the Self-Paced Program.

The Summer Immersion Program (SIP) is a live, virtual, 2-week introductory computer science course for current eligible 9th, 10th, and 11th grade US students and international students ages 14-18. SIP participants learn web development with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript while getting an inside look into the tech industry through incredible company partners. In addition to a completely free program, grants of up to $500 and tech support are offered.

The Self-Paced Program is a 6-week flexible computer science course for current eligible 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade US students and international students ages 14-18 who prefer not to adhere to a set schedule. Self-Paced Program participants can choose to earn beginner-level badges in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for web development or an intermediate-level badge in Python for cybersecurity. Students will also have the opportunity to build community through weekly live advisory sessions and Girls Who Code activities.

Join a webinar ahead of the summer program application deadline to answer questions and offer live application help. Register to join webinar on Monday, March 14, 6:00 PM CT.
Upcoming Trainings & Events
Afterschool STEM with KEVA Planks! Workshop on March 31
Bring fun and meaningful STEM learning into your afterschool or summer learning program with KEVA Planks! KEVA Planks are a versatile tool for teaching STEM concepts to any age or skill level. This hands-on virtual training on March 31 from 2-3pm CT will provide activities and lesson ideas including basic instruction for building, team building and engineering challenges.

PRESENTER: Gateway to Science is North Dakota's hands-on science center. For 27 years, North Dakota's Gateway to Science has been igniting passion for STEM in students of all ages through their interactive exhibit gallery, year-round programming, and outreach across the state.

COST: This opportunity is provided to ND out-of-school time programs at no cost with support from the Million Girls Moonshot Initiative. The first 20 afterschool program sites to register will receive a 1000 Educator KEVA Plank Pack at no cost ($450 value)!

Multiple staff per site are encouraged to attend this training to learn how to use KEVA Planks in your program. A follow-up workshop will be held on May 6th from 2-3pm CT to share how you have used KEVA Planks in your program and learn additional ways to use them in STEM learning.
Through the Million Girls Moonshot Initiative, a series of FREE STEM trainings will be available to afterschool programs across North Dakota starting in February!

Utilizing the NESC ConnectEd platform, live STEM lessons will be delivered February - March. Full lesson schedule.

Questions or STEM-related training requests? Contact the Network
Funding reimbursement is available through the ND Afterschool Network to attend one of the following national professional development events:


Each ND 21CCLC grantee is able to request reimbursement of up to $1,500 to attend the 2022 NAA Convention or Boost Conference. Multiple individuals per 21CCLC grantee may be able to request reimbursement depending on funding availability.
National AfterSchool Association Convention 2022
March 20-23, 2022 | Las Vegas
NAA22 in Unity, with Community, for Opportunity. As afterschool professionals and leaders, you are equipping yourself or others to prepare young people for a world we can only imagine. Come share your ideas and explore innovative and proven practices. Challenge yourself to explore new perspectives, make key connections, and build lasting relationships that will strengthen the afterschool field and profession. More information.

InterAct NOW: CLASS Summit
March 15-17 | Virtual
The theme of this 7th annual summit is Every Child and Every Educator Deserve Life-Changing Interactions. Join Teachstone and educators across the country and around the world for inspiring keynotes, powerful stories, and networking opportunities focused on improving classroom interactions and student outcomes for every child. Register here.

Real Talk About Resilience
March 24 | Virtual
You'll learn about the Ripples of Resilience model as a method to facilitate self-awareness, truth telling, and power sharing. And you'll be better able to support young people with healthy strategies to manage stress. This live online training is held by Youth Intervention Programs Association (YIPA). Register here.

Afterschool STEM with KEVA Planks!
March 31 | Virtual
Bring fun and meaningful STEM learning into your afterschool or summer learning program with KEVA Planks! This hands-on virtual training will provide activities and lesson ideas including basic instruction for building, team building and engineering challenges. The first 20 afterschool program sites across ND to register will receive a 1000 Educator KEVA Plank Pack ($450 value)! Register here.

BOOST Conference
April 26-29 | Palm Springs
Inspire Youth. Inspire Learning. Inspire Change. Join the largest, most recognized and comprehensive global convening for after school, expanded learning, and in and out-of-school time professionals. Set in a retreat-like atmosphere, this annual, extraordinary event will rejuvenate your passion, boost your direction for quality programming and provide tools and resources that will inspire you to create change. More information.

Trauma Sensitive Schools + Train the Trainer Option
June 6-10 | Virtual
Training provides educators with knowledge related to trauma, its effects on students and learning, strategies for interacting with students exposed to trauma, and strategies for taking care of oneself when interacting with students who have been exposed to trauma. By understanding how trauma impacts students and adopting a trauma-informed approach, educators can play a crucial role in mitigating both the short- and long-term effects of trauma. Register here.

Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers Summer Symposium
July 19-21 | Virtual
The Summer Symposium features successful strategies that state education agencies and their grantees can use to implement and manage all components of a 21CCLC program. Attendees will hear from nationally recognized speakers during plenary sessions and work closely with education experts and peers during interactive workshops. This year's theme is "Strong You, Strong Me, Strong Community." Learn more.

CLASS: K-3 Primer for Teachers and Staff
On Demand | Virtual
This flexible, self-paced, 3-hour course offers bite-sized learning opportunities to support teachers & staff in understanding why interactions matter, the purpose of the CLASS tool and CLASS observations, and provides an introduction to the K-3 CLASS framework. Registrants will receive an online product activation code and will have access to the course for 12 months. More information.

Save the Date! ND Out-of-School Time Conference
August 2-3, 2022 | Fargo
The state's only convening specifically for afterschool educators, join the ND Afterschool Network for 2 days of high-quality learning and connecting. Interested in more information about serving on the 2022 planning committee? Contact the Network to learn how you can receive free registration and inform content and experiences for this year's conference.
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.