The Afterschool Guide to Social and Emotional Learning

What is SEL?

Afterschool programs offer prime opportunities for staff and students to engage in and build social emotional skills that are essential for youth to thrive. Social emotional learning (SEL) practices offer benefits including improved social skills, attitudes, behaviors, empathy, and stress management. SEL can also help improve academic performance, reduce challenging behaviors, and provide a more positive and welcoming culture in your classroom or afterschool program. 

Social and emotional learning is the process through which children and adults understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. (CASEL, 2019)

The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) widely used SEL framework identifies five core competencies of SEL implementation: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. 

What does SEL look like in Afterschool?

SEL is a deeply ingrained part of the way students and adults interact both in the classroom and out of it. It helps provide children with equitable, supportive, and welcoming environments, which any high-quality afterschool program provides. SEL can include a curriculum and lesson plans, but is also demonstrated by the way adults model and interact with students and each other on a daily basis. 

The Afterschool Guide to SEL, an eBook from the National Afterschool Association (NAA), is a compilation of a variety of resources to help afterschool professionals better understand social and emotional learning and the role SEL plays in afterschool programs. Find resources of the impact and benefits associated with SEL, including the 3 Things Everyone Should Know about SEL in Afterschool. 

Learn more about the National Afterschool Association:

The National Afterschool Association (NAA) is the voice of the afterschool profession; the national membership organization for you, people who work with and on behalf of children and youth during out-of-school time. NAA, like the ND Afterschool Network, is focused on supporting and advocating for high-quality afterschool programs and professionals. 

The ND Afterschool Network is a state affiliate of the NAA, allowing afterschool professionals throughout North Dakota access to the latest high-quality tools, resources, and training for the profession, all at NO COST to you or your program!

NAA offers afterschool professionals a wide range of tools to support individuals and the afterschool field. Most resources are available at no cost through an ambassador membership, designed for entry-level and developing afterschool professionals. Additional resources and training opportunities are available with an executive membership. Find information about joining NAA to stay up-to-date with relevant resources, training, and information. 
2020 ND Out-of-School Time Summer Conference
Conference Planning Committee Meeting December 9th

Do you want to provide input on the theme, topics, and activities for the 2020 ND Out-of-School Time Conference? This is your chance!

Join a Skype meeting on December 9th from 12:30 - 1:30pm CT to share your thoughts & feedback. Any afterschool professional is welcome to join us & you will be able to attend the 2020 conference registration at no cost. 

Contact kristin.knorr@k12.nd.us for link to meeting.   s
Afterschool Funding

21st Century Proposed Funding Increase

Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) introduced legislation in early November that would authorize doubling the current funding for 21st Century Community Learning Centers, with the additional $1.3 billion targeted to summer learning programs and add a second, supplemental grant program to 21CCLC. Read more. 

Federal 21st Century Funding

In late November, the President signed an additional continuing resolution for federal government spending to avert a government shutdown. This means federal programs, including 21st Century Community Learning Centers, will continue to be funded using last year's funding levels. The continuing resolution will go through December 20, 2019. 21CCLC programs are forward funded and already funded for this year. 
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Afterschool Grant Opportunities:

SAUCONY RUN FOR GOOD FOUNDATION
Committed to improving the lives of children by helping to prevent and reduce childhood obesity, Saucony is inviting proposals aimed at helping run down the childhood obesity epidemic. Grants of up to $10,000 will be awarded to community-based nonprofit organizations that initiate and support running programs for kids. Program participants must be 18 years of age or younger and the foundation will prioritize programs that serve populations not traditionally exposed to running programs. Application deadline December 15, 2019. Apply now. 

NEW YORK LIFE FOUNDATION AIM HIGH GRANTS
The Aim High local grant program supports afterschool, summer, or expanded learning programs serving middle schoolers. A total of 26 grants will be made nationwide, ranging from $15,000 - 100,000 for 1 or 2 year grants in New York Life Foundation's ongoing investment in middle school OST programs to help eighth-graders reach ninth grade on time. Find full application and eligibility requirements and join a webinar on December 5th to learn more about this opportunity.

EDUPORIUM EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY GRANT
Eduporium's monthly grant program awards a $500 grant to a deserving school or teacher, helping educators build 21st century learning environments and equipping students with the skills they need for the future through discovering and acquiring new STEM technology. They look for educators who have demonstrated innovation and creativity within their school community, those who have a financial need, and those who can provide a clear and concise plan that can be implemented within six months. Grants awarded each month. Find more information.

GIRLS WHO CODE
The ND Afterschool Network is now a statewide partner with Girls Who Code, which offers FREE afterschool programming for girls in grades 3-5th and 6-12th, including grant funds to use on supplies, snacks, field trips, and other costs, and coding curriculum provided at no cost. Start a club now!

OTTERTAIL POWER COMPANY
Funding available in communities served by Ottertail Power to support young minds, invest in current & future workforce, create vibrant culture & community, improve health & human services, and protect natural resources. Applications reviewed quarterly with next deadline Dec. 15. 

WALMART COMMUNITY GRANT PROGRAM
Grant funds from $250 to $5,000 are available to organizations located within the community of each Walmart location. 2019 grant cycle begins February 15, 2019 and  applications accepted through December 31, 2019.    

Find additional afterschool funding opportunities at Afterschool Alliance and  BOOST.
Upcoming Trainings & Events
SEEDS of Relationship-Based Infant-Toddler Caregiving
December 9, 10, 11 | Fargo
SEEDS of Learning is a set of Early Childhood Professional Development frameworks using a train-the-trainer model and coaching support that caregivers need to create supportive, caring, and productive interactions with children. Find more information. 

Safety & Security: How to Develop and Align Your Afterschool Safety Plan
December 12 | Webinar
What will you do in an emergency? Join the U.S. Dept. of Education's You for Youth (Y4Y) Technical Assistance team as they walk you through developing a program safety plan that meets local and national standards. Discuss best practices for safety planning, aligning your host organization's current safety protocols, and hear from 21st CCLC programs. Free but registration required

Youth Work Legislative Advocacy 101
December 12 | Webinar
Elected officials need to hear from you & the youth you serve to understand what you do to help young people positively develop their unique skills and talents. This live, online training offered by YIPA- Youth Intervention Programs Association is available December 12 from 1:00 - 2:00 pm central time. Although this training is specific to Minnesota, fundamentals will be covered that apply to any state so you can confidently navigate the legislative process and spark social change. Free but registration required. 

Building Compassionate Schools
Jan 7, March 5, April 21 | Fargo
Trauma Sensitive Schools (TSS) recognize the prevalence of adverse childhood experiences and understand the systemic impact of chronic stress. TSS helps all students feel safe so they are ready to learn. Building Compassionate Schools will expand the discussion to systems & policies in your building that impact trauma sensitivity. Explore if your systems & policies support a trauma sensitive environment. More information. 

Family and Community Engagement in STEM
January 22 | Webinar 2pm CDT
How do we help close the gap rather than increase the opportunity gap in STEM with family engagement? How can we make sure that every parent feels confident & has the resources to support their child in STEM? How do we reimagine family engagement as more than a one-time, end-of-program event? In this conversational webinar, Linda Kekelis, Advisor for the Family Engagement Project at STEM Next Opportunity Fund, will share bright spots, lessons learned, and resources for supporting families in STEM from OST programs in various settings across the country.  Register for meeting. 

Quality Management Practices: SEL for Managers and Administrators
February 19, 2020 | Webinar 1pm CDT
How can programs create a culture that supports continuous social and emotional learning? Join the Weikart Center's design team to explore how managers & administrators can create environments that support adult SEL skill development, so that those adults can create environments that support SEL skill development in young people. Register for free webinar. 

Beyond School Hours Conference
February 26-29, 2020 | Orlando, FL
National conference for educators and leaders serving K-12 studnets in school, afterschool, summertime and beyond. Hear from powerful keynote speakers, exhibits that engage and inform, and over 200 content-rich workshops. More information. 

National Afterschool Association Convention
March 15-18, 2020 | Washington, D.C.
Join over 2,300 out-of-school time professionals for networking, learning and inspiration including special events, workshops, daily keynotes, and interactive Learning Expo all designed to meet the needs of the developing professionals & emerging and current leaders of afterschool. More information. 

Youth Voice & Leadership
March 18 | Webinar 1pm CDT
The most meaningful way to support SEL skill development in youth is to share power with young people in school and afterschool programs by elevating youth voices. This webinar will focus on strategies to incorporate youth voice and provide youth with meaningful leadership roles. Register for free webinar through Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality. 

Crisis Prevention in the Classroom
March 19 | Fargo
Opening session with State Superintendent Kirsten Baesler. Keynote speaker Dr. Ross Greene will discuss Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS) based on the premise that challenging behavior occurs when demands & expectations exceed the child's capacity to respond. Focus is put on identifying the skills the child is lacking with the goal of helping the child to solve problems rather than modify behavior through rewards or punishment. $30 Early Bird Registration through Jan 31.  Info & Registration

BOOST Conference
April 28 - May 1, 2020 | Palm Springs, CA
Join the largest, most recognized and comprehensive global convening for afterschool, expanded learning, and out-of-school time professionals. This annual event will boost your direction for quality programming and provide tools & resources that will inspire you to create change. More information. 

Save the Date! 2020 ND Out-of-School Time Conference
July 28 - 29, 2020 | Fargo
This 2-day learning opportunity for any out-of-school time professional will focus on social emotional learning, student & parent engagement, 21CCLC, STEAM, and more! Registration will open Spring 2020. 

Find additional PD opportunities through the ND Regional Education Association and National Afterschool Association .
Kristin Knorr
ND Afterschool Network Lead
701-446-3195