Afterschool Policy in ND: New Website Launch

Early childhood and school-age care programs keep kids safe, engage young people in enriching activities, and help working parents keep their jobs. These programs are proven to help children reach their full potential and are a lifeline for families across North Dakota. Yet, this industry has become one of the state's largest workforce issue.

As we head into North Dakota's 68th Legislative Session which started this week on January 3, 2023, the unique opportunity exists to strengthen and support the state's early childhood and school-age care industry by ensuring care is available, affordable, and high-quality. We are in dire need of solutions that consider the cost of care for parents while providing adequate funding for childcare and school-age care businesses.

To help advocate for solutions, ND Afterschool Network and Child Care Aware of North Dakota are working together to align systems to increase access and quality in early childhood and school-age care.

Access our new Policy Website to find:

Advocacy Toolkit with tips, templates, and tools to help you tell your story
North Dakota Legislative Solutions
ND State Agency Recommendations
Advocacy Training Video, with overview of needs, solutions, and ways to be involved
Comprehensive analysis of current needs
Sign up for policy updates, sent each Friday during session
Afterschool Day on the Hill, February 22

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Afterschool Grants & Funding Opportunities

ND Arts in Afterschool Funding 2022-23: Applications are still being accepted from afterschool and other out-of-school time programs located in and serving students in North Dakota in grades K-12 to increase engagement in arts programming and community engagement. Applications funded on a rolling basis based on proposal and funding availability.

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. Applications due by January 6, 2023.

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.

Now Open: Aim High Grants for Middle School OST

The New York Life Foundation is seeking applications from afterschool, summer, or expanded learning programs serving underserved middle-school youth. A total of 40 grant awards will be made nationwide - take a look and see which opportunity is a good fit for you and apply today!

$100,000 Level: Ten grants of $50,000 per year over the span of two years will go to OST programs with annual program budgets of $250,000 or more and annual organizational budgets of $500,000 or more.
$50,000 Level: Ten grants of $25,000 per year over the span of two years will go to OST programs with annual organizational budgets of $250,000 or more.
$15,000 Level: Twenty grants of $15,000 over one year will go to OST programs with annual organizational budgets of $150,000 or more.
Ten will focus on racial equity and social justice, and
Ten will focus on youth well-being.

Grant funds may be used for technical assistance, enhancing direct service activities, and/or program expansion. Applicants will need to describe how programs support youth in the transition to ninth grade. The New York Life Foundation prioritizes states in targeted areas in order to diversify their giving. Organizations in the target states will receive an additional five points (out of 120 points total) for their application. North Dakota is among the 10 states targeted in this cycle.

Applications are due February 1, 2023.

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Million Girls Moonshot Feature - Ready, STEM, Go!

Exploring Youth Understanding in STEM

What can we do to find out what youth know about a particular topic without resorting to taking a quiz or test? What strategies can we use before, during and following an activity to surface youths' understanding? In this module offered by ACRES: Afterschool Coaching for Reflective Educators in STEM, participants will first clarify the purpose of formative assessment and then learn several easy-to-implement strategies for monitoring youths' understanding in OST.

January 11
January 25
February 8

More Info

Click2Engineering Winter Community of Practice

The Click2Engineering community of practice (CoP) introduces out-of-school time educators to the basics of engineering and leading engineering activities with youth. The CoP is organized around the 10 Practices for an Engineering Mindset, and includes hands-on engineering activities, developing engineering experiences for youth, and learning skills to facilitate engineering practices.

February 1
February 15
March 1
March 15

Learn More

Upcoming Trainings & Events

ND Afterschool Professional Learning Community

Monthly through June | Virtual

Framed by the ND Quality Standards for Out-of-School Time Programs, each of these monthly, virtual sessions will have a timely, focused topic and allow for time to share experiences, build networks and connections with other OST professionals across the state, and assist you to engage in continuous quality improvement efforts. Access session recordings and register for upcoming sessions here.

January 11: Onboarding & Professionalism of OST Staff (Focus: Leadership & Management)
February 8: Relationships & Interactions
March 8: Planning for a Successful Summer Program

2023 Beyond School Hours Conference

February 9 - 12 | Orlando, FL

Beyond School Hours is a national conference that brings together afterschool and OST colleagues from across the nation for a 3-day professional learning event. Refresh, renew, and have fun connecting with peers and experts. Take home skills, tools, and a renewed passion for improving learning outcomes for young people through workshops, pre-conferences, keynote presentations, discussions, networking opportunities, and exhibits. Register here.

ND Afterschool Day on the Hill

February 22 | Bismarck, ND

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!

Ready, STEM, Go! : Inspirations and Resources for Out of School Time

March 14 & 15 | Virtual

A national alliance of statewide afterschool Networks, including the North Dakota Afterschool Network, is partnering to host a two-day virtual conference, shining a spotlight on resources, strategies, and inspiration to boost out-of-school time (OST) STEM programming! Save the date! Registration info coming soon.

Annual National AfterSchool Association Convention: You. Us. All. Together We Shine

March 19 - 22 | Orlando, FL

Prepare for sunshine and soul shine at the NAA Convention in Orlando, Florida, From March 19-22, 2023. NAA23 is the ultimate charging station - powering human connections, inspired learning, and meaningful recognition for OST professionals. Experience the joy and rejuvenation, "the light," that comes from joining in community with a collective why. Out of school time professionals, this gathering is for you, for ALL OF US, because together we shine! Register here.

ND Out-of-School Time and Early Childhood Summit

August 1 & 2 | Fargo, ND

Save the date! Registration will open February 13, 2023.

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.