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Get Active with APOST! Upcoming Opportunities to Get Involved:
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 at the Rankin Christian Center, 230 Third Ave. Rankin, PA 15104
Please click here for 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 here for "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."
BECOME AN APOST AFTERSCHOOL AMBASSADOR
Please click here for the flyer.
YOU play an important role in the healthy positive development of youth on a daily basis, right? YOU help children create, learn, dream, solve, cope, care, grow...and so much more, right? YOU understand that your OST program plays a major role in the lives of all the youth and families who depend on it, right? BUT...does the general public, our policymakers, community leaders and other decision makers understand the importance of OST to youth and communities at large? Not quite. It's time for you to become a CHAMPION of OST and advocate on behalf of the youth and families who benefit!
Why Should You Become an APOST Advocacy Ambassador?
Well, unless you think the OST world has all of the funding, resources and public and political support it needs, you should be advocating on behalf of your organization and your youth. You change lives everyday...make sure the world knows it! And, APOST will make sure the world knows it, too, by featuring your organization's commitment and effort on www.afterschoolpgh.org and all other APOST advocacy materials. APOST will also be sure to keep you current on all local policy and advocacy activities.
How Do You Become an APOST Advocacy Ambassador?
To become an APOST Advocacy Ambassador, all you need to do is agree to participate in at least 3 of the suggested advocacy activities (or others of your own creation!) within a year from the date of commitment.
Who Should Become an APOST Advocacy Ambassador?
Youth workers, Program Directors/Supervisors, Executive Directors, Volunteers, Parents/Caregivers, Youth, Community Partners, and anyone else who is positively impacted by your OST program should become APOST Advocacy Ambassadors. Every voice counts!
What Are Some of the Advocacy Activities We Can Participate In?
The APOST Communications & Advocacy Committee will keep you abreast of all advocacy activities and efforts needing immediate action. Here are some suggested activities with which you can participate:
- Visit your local Representatives and Senator
- Invite your local Representatives and Senator to visit your OST programEducate your Member of Congress about the importance of OST
- Empower youth to advocate via letter/postcard campaigns, hosting a "Take Your
- Legislator Out-of-School Day," visit local legislators, creative use of media
- Help organize, attend and recruit others to legislative forums
- Host a gathering of your OST colleagues to plan district-wide advocacy efforts
- Write a letter to the editor
- Hold a voter registration drive at your site so families are positioned to advocate with you
- Start a discussion about a critical issue on the APOST Blog and invite others to join
- Get on board the bus to the State Capitol in October for Afterschool Advocacy Day
- Take part in "Lights On Afterschool" activities in October
- Engage parents & families in all of the above!
If you are interested in becoming an APOST Advocacy Ambassador, please contact Aimee LeFevers at 412.456.6786 or alefevers@uwac.org.
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