AfterschoolPGH.org December 2010

WWW.AFTERSCHOOLPGH.ORG

December 2010

Greetings!

Although the cold temperatures and snow have arrived, we hope the holiday season brings you warmth and happiness. For all of you who care about afterschool, from all of us at AfterschoolPGH, we wish you the very best for a wonderful holiday season and a Happy New Year!

The AfterschoolPGH Team

Program information is brought to you by SPARC
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Upcoming Professional Development

PSAYDN STATEMENT OF QUALITY ELEMENT TRAINING #1: STRUCTURE AND MANAGEMENT

Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cost: Free

Location: Family Resources (East Liberty) 5877 Commerce Street Pittsburgh, PA 15206

SARAH HEINZ HOUSE CENTER OF EXCELLENCE, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH WIRELESS NEIGHBORHOODS, A PAR EDUCATIONAL LLC, AND APOST PRESENTS:

PSAYDN STATEMENT OF QUALITY ELEMENT TRAINING #1: STRUCTURE AND MANAGEMENT
Tuesday, January 11th from 10am-12pm

Training is free, but space is limited!

Light refreshments will be provided.

Space is limited! register online at www.pakeys.org or directly to Jennifer Engel at: engel@sarahheinzhouse.com or 412-231-2377

Topics covered include:

Learn the basics of Structure and Management and the implications for Front Line Staff and Program Directors.
Understand the guiding principles of the Statement of Quality and how to incorpo-rate "Structure and Management" principles at your organization

Training will take place at:
Family Resources (East Liberty)
5877 Commerce Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15206

Click here for the flyer.

This session is the first in a series of trainings to introduce Out of School Time professionals to the PSAYDN Statement of Quality Elements. Save the Date for these upcoming events:

Thursday, January 20th 10am - Activities
Tuesday, February 1st 10am - Positive Connections
Thursday, February 24th 10am - Safety and Health

All 4 Element Trainings are tenta-tively being offered at the ELO Con-ference in March 2011.

A special thanks to:
Dr. Rose Smiley and Family Resources
APOST (Allegheny Partners for Out of School Time)
The Benedum Foundation

Quality Improvement and Funding Opportunity

Allegheny Partners for Out-of-School Time announces a new grant opportunity to focus on strengthening quality practices in out-of-school-time programs. The grant opportunity is based on completion of the APOST Quality Self-Assessment (APOST QSA). The purpose of the APOST QSA is to help all out-of-school time staff understand that providing high quality services known to promote student development is a continuous process. As such, the APOST QSA is as a resource for out-of-school time programs in Allegheny County that serve youth of all ages. Programs should use the self-assessment to identify current weaknesses and strengths in providing high quality afterschool services to youth participants. Armed with this knowledge, programs then can apply for an APOST Quality Capacity Grant through United Way of Allegheny County to obtain the supports (for instance, professional development for staff or technical assistance regarding organization/structural issues) to increase quality.

Click here for the APOST Quality Self-Assessment (QSA).

Click here for Request for Proposals.

APOST announces a new grant opportunity to focus on strengthening quality practices in out-of-school-time programs. The grant opportunity is based on completion of the APOST Quality Self-Assessment (APOST QSA). The purpose of the APOST QSA is to help all out-of-school time staff understand that providing high quality services known to promote student development is a continuous process. As such, the APOST QSA is as a resource for out-of-school time programs in Allegheny County that serve youth of all ages. To learn more, click here.

Grant requests can be of any size. Proposals are due December 31, 2010 with notification of award status occurring on February 1, 2011.

If you have any questions, contact Wendy Etheridge Smith, Ph.D. at 412-456-6855.

Your Information is Important!

As 2010 draws to a close, be sure to review your program listing to ensure all details are up to date for 2011. Click here to search for your program (link to program search on website). If you have any updates, we are happy to help! Just email us at support@AfterschoolPGH.org.

Job Postings

Gateway to the Arts - Professional Development Coordinator

Gateway to the Arts seeks a part-time Professional Development Coordinator for a unique out-of-school time programming project from November 2010-June 2012. Click here for more information...

Human Services Center Corporation - Education Associate

The Human Services Center Corporation (HSCC) is currently seeking candidates for multiple opportunities for part-time temporary work in the Youth LIFE After-School Programs starting September 13, 2010-May 20, 2011 or October 4, 2010-May 20, 2011. You must possess current Act 33/34 and FBI clearances.

Click here for more information...

To read more about these exciting afterschool career opportunities, please click here for a full listing of available positions.

Doing Our Best

So What! Sew What ....about Sewing

The Rankin Christian Center has a program in its third year that has ignited creative interest and by surprise exploded into a huge success. Who would have imagined that in today's world of computers and technology that our kids would want to learn how to sew? Sounds like a program from the 50's.

On a whim, one of the senior citizens from our "Seniors on the Move" program offered to come out for a few afternoons with her sewing machine to give the kids a sewing presentation. Little did she know how this would snowball into a major part of the Next Level Learning plus Adventures after-school program. Read more...

We would like to share best practices and stories of success with our colleagues. If you have an inspirational tale to tell, please submit it by clicking here by the last Tuesday of the month for consideration to be featured in an upcoming newsletter.