WWW.AFTERSCHOOLPGH.ORGJanuary 2012

Afterschool Activity Banner

Greetings!

 

Happy New Year to the APOST Community! Let's make 2012 the "Year of the OST  Professional" by continuing to increase the quality of programming we deliver to our youth AND by creating a public will for the importance of all things afterschool! Here's a great way to do both...join the APOST Quality Campaign! Read all about how to become an APOST Quality Campaign member and the many opportunities & resources available to all in this month's newsletter.

 
 


Get Active with APOST!  Upcoming Opportunities to Get Involved: 

 

 APOST Logo

  

  

APOST QUALITY CAMPAIGN ORIENTATION: BECOME AN APOST QUALITY CAMPAIGN MEMBER! 

 

The next Quality Campaign Orientation will be held on Wednesday, February 29th from 9:00 - 12:00AM. Location is TBD.

 

Please click herefor the flyer.

  

5 Steps to Becoming an APOST Quality Campaign Member


1.    Attend the APOST Quality Campaign Orientation. This 3 hour workshop will familiarize program providers with the elements required for quality Out-of-School Time programming as well as the core competencies necessary for afterschool and youth development professionals. OST providers will have a thorough understanding of how to use the APOST Quality Self-Assessment to identify program weaknesses and obtain support where practices need to be strengthened. Upon completion of the Orientation, providers will have the knowledge needed to successfully complete the APOST Quality Self-Assessment with their organization, complete an Action Plan for ongoing improvement, and become official APOST Quality Campaign member.


2.    After the Orientation, begin planning how you will implement the Quality Self-Assessment (QSA) with a diverse team of stakeholders within your organization.


3.    Set a date for all participants to have the QSA completed and attend a full group meeting to discuss.  


4.    Once you have completed the QSA and Action Plan, you are ready to submit both to Aimee at alefevers@uwac.org.


5.    Sign the APOST Quality Campaign Commitment letter after being notified of your membership approval from the Standards Committee! 


Upon completion of the Orientation, providers will have the knowledge needed to successfully complete the APOST Quality Self-Assessment with their organization, complete an Action Plan for ongoing improvement, and become official APOST Quality Campaign members! APOST Quality Campaign member benefits include use of APOST logo on all marketing materials, recognition of participation in continuous quality improvement efforts on www.afterschoolpgh.org, priority preference to CYC Basic Course/other special offerings, preference when applying for APOST Quality Capacity Grants...and much more!

 

Did you already attend the Orientation? Need some guidance about what to do next? Click herefor "What To Do AFTER the Orientation." 

 

To R.S.V.P. or more information and any questions, please contact Aimee LeFevers at alefevers@uwac.org or 412.456.6876

  

 

BECOME AN APOST PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROVIDER

 

APOST is dedicated to providing quality professional development & technical assistance to aid in the development of well-trained and supported youth worker professionals. Based on this commitment, we welcome you to apply to present a workshop(s) through the APOST Professional Development program that will meet the needs, development, education and care of children and youth. Wondering how to present your workshop through APOST? Read on for more information...

 

What are the benefits of presenting your workshop through APOST?

By making your workshop available through APOST, we will provide the marketing needed, assist with logistics, and provide technical assistance upon your request. You're also showcasing yourself and your organization as a partner in the sharing of best practices and resources! (APOST would like to offer professional development opportunities free of charge to organizations. Therefore, we are not providing financial compensation for professional development trainers.)

 

What do you need to submit to the professional development committee in order to be considered?

The APOST Professional Development & Technical Assistance Committee (PD & TA) has created an application process with supporting materials and resources that will help you submit your workshop idea. The application is available in a Word format by CLICKING HERE. A Google Docs version of the application will be available soon, please check www.AfterschoolPGH.org if you prefer this format. If completing your application via Google Docs, the PD & TA Committee will have access to it as soon as you hit "submit." If you prefer to complete the application in Word format, you will need to send it via email to: Jennifer Engel at engel@sarahheinzhouse.com.

 

How and when will you know if your workshop has been approved?

The APOST PD & TA Committee will be accepting applications on a rolling basis. The first round of applications to be reviewed will occur in January 2012. You will be contacted by someone from the PD & TA Committee by the end of February 2012.

 

If you have questions at any time, please feel free to contact Aimee LeFevers, APOST Quality Campaign Director, at 412.456.6876 or alefevers@uwac.org OR Jennifer Engel, APOST PD & TA Committee Chairperson, at 412.231.2377 or engel@sarahheinzhouse.com.

 

 

APOST PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY:  Apply Now for the "Child and Youth Care: Basic Course"

APOST is happy to announce that it will be sponsoring and offering scholarships to  the Child and Youth Care: Basic Course for the 3rd consecutive summer! Our host, The University of Pittsburgh,  welcomes colleagues from the APOST community to participate in experiential learning that includes the following topics:

  • Introduction to Professional CYC Practice
  • Professional Ethics and Regulation
  • Guidance Techniques
  • Assessment and Documentation
  • Communication
  • Developmentally Based Programming
  • Relationship Development
  • Group Work
  • Activity Development and Leadership
  • Supervising Children and Youth
  • Cultural Diversity

This 54 hour course introduces practitioners to basic concepts and skills in professional child and youth care. The classes are based on competencies for practice included in state and national CYC credentialing requirements. Upon completion of this course, participants will be prepared to take and pass the CYC Certification Exam.  Scholarships are available but limited.

 

Click here for the Application.

Click here for the Supervisor Acknowledgement Form

 

Applications are due March 2, 2012, but admissions and scholarships will be considered on a rolling basis.

If you have questions regarding the process, please go to the AfterschoolPGH Blog post titled "Summer Institute Basic Course in Child and Youth Care Application Process Questions and Comments." 

Funding Opportunities

 

2012 Do Something Awards Honoring Young Social Change Activists

 

Youth Service America Grant Programs

 

Best of the Batch Foundation supports local youth and their families.

 

Verizon Literacy Grants Available 

 

Microsoft Corporation Offers In-Kind Donations 

 

Nike Makes Product Donations to Groups Making Social Change through Sport

 

Play Ball! Batters Up USAŽ Provides Free Baseball and Softball Equipment

 

Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation 
 

Wallace Foundation

 

BNSF Foundation Educational Grants

 

Good Sports


Finish Line Youth Foundation

 

Federal Child Nutrition Funds Supporting School-Age Programs

Current Job Opportunities

 

 



Rankin Christian Center Seeking Computer Instruction Consultant for Youth Services Program

 

Neighborhood Learning Alliance Seeks Community LEARNS Program Staff

 

Latest News
Want to know the latest and greatest in what's happening in afterschool in our region?

  

Free Tutoring is Available for Eligible Pittsburgh Public School Students under the Supplemental Educational Services (SES) Program

  

Put your youth programs on the map. Mapping Out of School Time (MOST) Science Questionnaire

  

Afterschool Alliance is seeking OST Supportive Principals

 

University of Pittsburgh P.L.A.Y.E.R.S. Pitt's Local Area Youth in Exercise,Rec & Sports

 

University of Pittsburgh offering weekend dance, martial arts, sports & recreation Programs

 

Spring School Age Child Care Professional Development Opportunities Available  

 

January is National Mentoring Month

 

MLK Day is a Chance to Start the Year off Right by Making an Impact in Your Community 

 

 

Spring Community Dance Classes!


For more recent headlines, click here to read the latest news.
 
Upcoming Events
Time is of the Essence, Act Now!  

 

1/12 PSAYDN Virtual Winter Quarterly Meeting

  

1/30 School 2 Career (s2c) Program College Fair

 

2/27 SAC Workshop Series Part 1: Growing as a Professional: Focus on Health and Stress Management

 

3/5 SAC Workshop Series Part 2: Human Relations Skill Development: Focus on Leadership Styles and Conflict management

  

3/7 - 3/9 Save the Date: 2012 Extra Learning Opportunities, Promising Practices-Proven Strategies: Working Together for a Brighter Tomorrow

 

3/10 PA SW Regional Key School Age Care Professional Development Day

 

 

3/12  SAC Workshop Series Part 3: Exploring Ethics in School-Age Care: Focus on a Professional Code of Ethics

  

 

3/24 FREE Spring Educators Workshop 

 

NIOST Links to Learning Part II April 24-25, 2012

 

 

Please click here to learn about these and other exciting upcoming afterschool events in our region.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contact Us
We look forward to hearing from you! Please click here to contact us.

If you would like to submit something for consideration for an upcoming newsletter, please email us at support@afterschoolpgh.org by the last Tuesday of the month.
Inspriration

"We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day."
Edith Lovejoy Pierce -
English poet
Your Information is Important! 

Please be sure to review your program listing to ensure all details are up to date.  Click here to search for your program.  If you have any updates, we are happy to help!  Just email us at support@AfterschoolPGH.org.