In This Week's ACROSS Your Desk:

• ACROSS NH Strengthening Your Business Practices 2024 Virtual Training Series
• SEL Corner: A New SEL-Connected Children's Literature Book Review
• More Upcoming ACROSS NH Trainings
• How to Earn a GSQ Step in OST: April 9th
• Directors Circle: Building an SEL Minded Staff: April 11th
• Using the SACERS-U for Continuous Quality Improvement: April 11th
• Business Series: Marketing Your Program: April 12&19
• Introduction and Overview of ERS and SACERS: April 16th
• Afterschool Credential Information Session: April 17th
• SEML Community of Practice: April 18th
• OSTB 4: Relationships and Interactions with Children and Youth: April 18th
• Business Series: Recruiting and Retaining Staff: May 3&10
• SEML Community of Practice: May 7th
• OSTB 10: Professional Development and Leadership: May 9th
• Business Series: Reports and Budgeting: May 17&24
• Beyond the Introduction and Overview of ERS and SACERS: May 21st
• OSTB 5: Youth Engagement, Voice, and Choice: May 23rd
• Introduction and Overview of ERS and SACERS-U: May 29th
• How to Register for an ACROSS NH Training in NHCIS

Strengthening Your Business Practices Virtual Training Series

Module One: Marketing Your Program (Part 1 & 2)

Friday, April 12 & Friday, April 19 at 9:30-10:45am on Zoom

Module Two: Recruiting and Retaining Staff (Part 1 & 2)

Friday, May 3 & Friday, May 10 at 9:30-10:45am on Zoom

Module Three: Financial Reports and Successful Budgeting (Part 1 & 2)

Friday, May 17 & Friday, May 24 at 9:30-10:45am on Zoom

It’s all about the children! Working with children is your passion but running a business may not be. Consider this: sound fiscal practices mean stronger programs and better outcomes for children. In this collection of trainings, we will cover recruitment, retention of staff, marketing, budgets, and financial reports. Technical assistance (TA) is available to help apply the curriculum to your individual program.

Join Natalie D'Angelo for these virtual trainings. When participants complete a module they will receive a gift to boost their new business skills! Click here for the complete flyer with training details.

Register in NHCIS for the modules you wish to attend. If you have questions, please email Cathy Hazelton at chazelton@acrossnh.org.

The Bad Seed: An SEL-Connected Book Review

Dear SEL in OST Community, 

Check out this wonderful Social and Emotional Learning-connected book review submission from Deborah Bunting, Club Leader at School's Out!

"The Bad Seed," written by Jory John and illustrated by Pete Oswald, is a story about self-perception and the power of change. Through the journey of a seemingly "bad" sunflower seed who realizes he doesn't have to conform to society’s expectations, the book tackles themes of acceptance and redemption. With its wonderful illustrations and engaging narrative, the story delivers a message about the power of understanding and empathy. A fun read for children and adults, "The Bad Seed" is a favorite read. The elementary-age students in our after-school program can gain insight into their capacity for change. They can also see the importance of empathy in helping their friends deal with adversity. They can also see the importance of self-compassion (and humor) in dealing with personal adversity.

Warmly, 

Abigail J. Blodgett Argentine, B.S.; NH ASMP

ACROSS NH Social Emotional Learning Coordinator 

ablodgett@acrossnh.org

How to Earn a GSQ Step in Out of School Time (OST)

Thursday, April 9th

6:30-7:30pm on Zoom

This training is for out of school time (OST) programs, and early childhood programs with an OST component that are planning to apply for a Granite Step for Quality (GSQ). We will review the details of the GSQ OST Rubrics. We will cover the pre-requisites needed, and the the staff requirements & the learning environment requirements needed for applying for a step. Participants will also acquire resources from ACROSS NH to support their work including a self-paced checklist to help you get organized! This training is provided by Natalie D'Angelo; NH ASMP PM, NH ADS Level 5, and NH ASA Level 2.

Assembling My Toolbox for Building an SEL Minded Staff

Thursday, April 11th

10:30-11:30am on Zoom

As leaders in OST programs know, it is the skills and talents of the adults in a program that will determine whether we achieve or fall short of our desired outcomes. Well-regulated, self-aware, engaged, well-supported, mentored, and coached adults in youth serving spaces tend to respond best to the needs of children and youth, communicate effectively with one another, and engage in the self-reflective practices that allow them to consistently bring their best efforts to the program. 

This session will provide tools, activities, and strategies for program leaders to utilize and adapt to meet their needs. From creating and implementing the right interview questions that help gauge the strengths and needs of prospective new hires, to staff development activities that can be used with program staff of all abilities, this session is designed to get folks talking to one another, reflecting, and implementing strategies in their programs. 

Using the SACERS-U for Continuous Quality Improvement

Thursday, April 11th

6:30-7:30pm on Zoom

Pre-Requisite: Participants need to have completed the "Intro and Overview of ERS and SACERS-U" training. This training is for out of school time (OST) programs looking to improve program quality. We will review basic information on the School Age Care Environment Rating Scale (SACERS-U) and process quality. Bring your SACERS-U questions! We will examine tools and a plan for Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) to use for program improvement. This training is provided by Cathy Hazelton, M.Ed.; NH ASMP WT, PC, IM, NH ADS 3 & LE 3 and SACERS-U Anchor. 

Introduction and Overview of ERS and SACERS-U

Tuesday, April 16th

6:30-8pm on Zoom

The Environment Rating Scales (ERS) are observational tools that assess process quality of child care programs. This virtual training provides an introduction and overview of the ERS and the School Age Care Environment Rating Scale-Updated (SACERS-U) tool. We will examine the benefits of using the tool for children and for programs. Participants will practice how to use the SACERS-U tool in an out-of-school time (OST) program. This training is intended for programs with school age children in OST. This training fulfills the required Granite Steps for Quality (GSQ) ERS Training for the SACERS Learning Environment Standard Rubric.

This training is provided by Cathy Hazelton, M.Ed.; NH ASMP WT, PC, IM, NH ADS 3 & LE 3 and SACERS-U Anchor. ACROSS NH can provide a copy of the SACERS-U tool to your program by request once you have completed the training. Please email your request to chazelton@acrossnh.org.

Afterschool Credential Information System

Wednesday, April 17th

12-1pm on Zoom

Are you thinking about applying for your afterschool credential? Is it time for you to renew? Are you thinking about joining the ACROSS NH Credential Challenge? Come join this virtual information session and have all of your questions answered. We will review the steps and documents needed for you to apply for your afterschool credential. Your education, experience, skills, and talents will be recognized through this system and your credential is good for 3 years! 

Social Emotional and Mindful Learning

Community of Practice

Thursday, April 18th

10:15-11:30am on Zoom

At the heart of the OST field are the values of building positive relationships, creating quality learning opportunities, and making contributions to lifelong thriving outcomes for our children and youth. 

This SEML Community of Practice is for out of school time staff, site directors, and directors. We will focus on the guiding principles of social, emotional, and mindfulness learning in OST programs, share resources, practices, and collaborate with like-minded colleagues. Participants will walk away with a refocused lens on implementing SEL in OST.

OSTB 4: Relationships and Interactions with Children & Youth

Thursday, April 18th

6:30-8:30pm on Zoom

ACROSS NH is proud to provide free virtual and interactive Out of School Time Basics trainings on the National Afterschool Association (NAA) Ten Core Knowledge, Skills & Competencies. These trainings are provided at no cost to you thanks to funding from the NH DHHS and Bureau of Child Development and Head Start Collaboration.

Quality relationships and communication are key attributes of quality practice when working with children and youth. These enhance our ability to form the connections necessary to provide positive guidance to those who attend our programs. This virtual training looks at these two components and at our role as youth development professionals in positive behavior guidance.

Social Emotional and Mindful Learning

Community of Practice

Tuesday, May 7th

10:15-11:30am on Zoom

At the heart of the OST field are the values of building positive relationships, creating quality learning opportunities, and making contributions to lifelong thriving outcomes for our children and youth. 

This SEML Community of Practice is for out of school time staff, site directors, and directors. We will focus on the guiding principles of social, emotional, and mindfulness learning in OST programs, share resources, practices, and collaborate with like-minded colleagues. Participants will walk away with a refocused lens on implementing SEL in OST.

OSTB 10: Professional Development and Leadership

Thursday, May 9th

6:30-8:30pm on Zoom

ACROSS NH is proud to provide free virtual and interactive Out of School Time Basics trainings on the National Afterschool Association (NAA) Ten Core Knowledge, Skills & Competencies. These trainings are provided at no cost to you thanks to funding from the NH DHHS and Bureau of Child Development and Head Start Collaboration.

Understanding the commitment to upholding ethical practices, having an informed work philosophy, valuing ongoing professional growth and development, and recognizing the importance of leadership in youth serving spaces is foundational to implementing quality programming. In this basic training, we identify skills and competencies that can guide positive youth development professionals working in OST programs toward understanding the importance that their own professional development and leadership has in their programs and to the profession. 

Beyond the Intro and Overview of the ERS and SACERS-U

Tuesday, May 21st

12:00-1:30pm on Zoom

Pre-requisite: Intro & Overview of ERS and SACERS-U Training. This session is designed to give out of school time staff the opportunity to take a deeper dive into the scoring, the subscales and the indicators of the SACERS-U tool. It is also an opportunity to share questions about using the tool. Tips and strategies on program improvements to improve scores will also be shared. This training is provided by Cathy Hazelton, M.Ed.; NH ASMP WT, PC, IM, NH ADS 3 & LE 3 and SACERS-U Anchor. Bring your SACERS-U tool/book!

OSTB 5: Youth Engagement, Voice, and Choice

Thursday, May 23rd

6:30-8:30pm on Zoom

ACROSS NH is proud to provide free virtual and interactive Out of School Time Basics trainings on the National Afterschool Association (NAA) Ten Core Knowledge, Skills & Competencies. These trainings are provided at no cost to you thanks to funding from the NH DHHS and Bureau of Child Development and Head Start Collaboration.

This virtual training will explore some of the components for building partnerships with youth in afterschool and school age settings. Fostering child and youth leadership and voice will be addressed as key components that support children and youth at being active participants in the program.

Introduction and Overview of ERS and SACERS-U

Wednesday, May 29th

12-1:30pm on Zoom

The Environment Rating Scales (ERS) are observational tools that assess process quality of child care programs. This virtual training provides an introduction and overview of the ERS and the School Age Care Environment Rating Scale-Updated (SACERS-U) tool. We will examine the benefits of using the tool for children and for programs. Participants will practice how to use the SACERS-U tool in an out-of-school time (OST) program. This training is intended for programs with school age children in OST. This training fulfills the required Granite Steps for Quality (GSQ) ERS Training for the SACERS Learning Environment Standard Rubric.

This training is provided by Cathy Hazelton, M.Ed.; NH ASMP WT, PC, IM, NH ADS 3 & LE 3 and SACERS-U Anchor. ACROSS NH can provide a copy of the SACERS-U tool to your program by request once you have completed the training. Please email your request to chazelton@acrossnh.org.

How to Register for an ACROSS NH Training in NHCIS

Log into NHCIS. Go to your "training tile" and click on "take a training." Scroll down and click on "Month" view. Advance to the date of the training that you want to register for and click on the "training title." If you are having trouble registering for an ACROSS NH training in NHCIS, please email Cathy Hazelton at chazelton@acrossnh.org.

For more information about NHCIS,

go to https://www.nh-connections.org/providers/nh-professional-registry/.