The Afterschool Advisor 

September 2013

In This Issue
Iowa STEM Resources Abound
$1000 Partnerships
UNI Needs Your Opinion
Volunteer Office Surveys
Iowa Anti-Bullying Summit
Grant Opportunities
Upcoming Professional Development Opportunities

About

the Afterschool Advisor

The Afterschool Advisor is a publication of the Iowa Afterschool Alliance for practitioners seeking resources to improve, sustain, and develop their afterschool program.

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Informal and Active Learning STEM Resources Abound!  

 

New STEM Active Learning Website Live!

The Iowa Active Learning Community Partners website is up and running. Resources have just been posted. Find out more about the work of the Community Partners on the site. Check it out at www.activelearningia.com.  

 

MAKE IT STEM! Professional Development for STEM Innovation

October 1, 2013; DuPont Pioneer Innovation Center, Johnston, Iowa

   

The STEM Active Learning Community Partners, a committee of the Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council, is hosting a day-long conference for informal and active learning educators on October 1, 2013 at DuPont Pioneer in Johnston.

 

Some highlights of the event:

  • STEM-ify your programming!
  • Aligning with the Next Generation Science Standards
  • Lunch with STEM Innovators
  • Meet your regional STEM Hub managers
  • And speed networking!  

Register today to take advantage of a discounted fee!  

Your Outstanding Partnership Could Win $1000 

Iowa Network for Community and School Partnerships Logo
The Iowa Network for Community and School Partnerships is once again seeking applications for outstanding community-school partnerships! First place award winners receive $1000 and opportunities to showcase their partnerships across the state.

For more information and a link to the application, visit the INCSP website at www.iowapartnerships.org.

Deadline to apply is October 4, so apply today!

UNI Research Study Seeks Your Opinion! 

The University of Northern Iowa (UNI) Leisure, Youth & Human Services Division asks for your help with a research study analyzing the confidence of youth workers in guiding youth. This research will provide how training and staff development can be used to create more effective development for individuals within an organization.     

 

Take the survey here. 

Contact Sara Rockow with questions at (515) 227-6291 or [email protected].

Volunteer Service Office Needs Your Input 

The mission of the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service (ICVS or Volunteer Iowa) is to improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic engagement through service and learning.

Public Policy Survey
One area in which ICVS works to carry out is mission is by removing real and perceived barriers to service through education of the public and elected officials. As the Commission develops its policy priorities for 2014 we are seeking input from the nonprofit and public sector.

Take the policy survey here.

Volunteer Transportation Survey
ICVS often hears that transportation is a major barrier preventing Iowans from accessing the jobs, schooling, services, or even volunteer positions they desire. Local public transportation providers have also expressed a desire to learn more about how to partner with volunteer transportation programs to address the gaps in needed services.

Take the transportation survey here.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Jamie Orozco Nagel (Program Officer at ICVS, [email protected], 1.800.308.5987), or Christian Corley (Intern at ICVS, [email protected], 515.710.5319).

Governor's Bullying Summit Set for Nov. 4  

The second Iowa Governor's Bullying Prevention Summit on November 4, 2013, is intended to explore practical next steps to better address the pervasive problem of bullying. The first Governor's Bullying Prevention Summit on Nov. 27, 2012, focused on recognizing that schools alone cannot stop bullying, that it takes the community. 

 

Video Contest: Last year's Governor's Bullying Prevention Summit video contest was so successful, they have decided to do it again this year! This exciting video contest is open to all Iowa students (K-12) with one video entry per school. The theme of this year's summit is "Mission Possible: Stepping up the Response." 


For more information and to register visit the summit website.  

Grant Opportunities

Ordered by Deadline

Toshiba America Foundation

Deadline: Rolling or Aug. 1, 2013 for grants over $5,000

The Toshiba America Foundation offers educators the opportunity to cross items off their classroom wish list. Educators wanting to make mathematics and science more engaging with new equipment and tools are encouraged to apply. The foundation accepts grant requests for $5,000 or less on a rolling basis. If you are requesting more than $5,000 the deadline is Aug. 15, 2013.   

 

Educational nonprofits working with K-12 teachers are occasionally considered, but should call the foundation first.   

 

Click here to apply! 

 

Seeds for Education

Deadline: October 15, 2013
Do you have a community or school garden that needs new plants? Are you looking for seeds to start one? Apply today for the opportunity to help plants native to your area grow today. Funds are restricted to the purchase of native plants and seed for the grant-award year.  

 

Click here to apply!

 

Everyday Heroes Award

Deadline: Rolling
Youth Service America (YSA) features an Everyday Young Hero each week in the National Service Briefing. Each Everyday Young Hero selected receives certificate and award letter, is featured in National Service Briefing, is featured on YSA's websites, receives customized press release for local media, and is eligible for recognition as a YSA Service Star. Nominations are accepted on an ongoing basis.
 

  

Click here to apply!

  

Jack Kent Cooke Foundation

Deadline: Rolling

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation provides funding to nonprofits and universities that provide high-quality summer enrichment programming to middle and high school students. It's required that programs target low-income youth in grades 6 - 12 with its programming.

  

Click here to apply!

  

Federal Funding Guide for Reading Proficiency 

The Finance Project has developed a guide to federal funding sources for reading initiatives, LEARNING TO READ: A Guide to Federal Funding for Grade-Level Reading Proficiency.  

 

This guide to more than 100 federal funding sources helps state and local officials, leaders of community-based and national organizations, school leaders, and private investors find funding to strengthen and sustain grade-level reading programs and services for children from birth through third grade.

  

Child & Adult Care Food Program

Reauthorized by Congress under the "Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010," this federal program provides meals and snacks for school-age youth in afterschool programs.  

 

Find out more by visiting the Iowa Department of Education website.   

 

BOOST Grant Listing

The BOOST (Best Out-of-School Time) Collaborative maintains a list of funding opportunities here. 

 

Iowa Grants Guide Online

The Iowa Grants Guide is a web-based directory of Iowa grant-making organizations. Program information only is provided; grant applications are not.  

 

Click here for the Iowa Grants Guide.

 

FindYouthInfo.gov Federal Funds Search Engine

Click here to search federal grant opportunities with a tool that lets you filter results by topic, such as Afterschool, Positive Youth Development, or Service Learning. 

  

Spark Grant Finder Tool

This online tool locates national and state-specific grants for physical education, afterschool, early childhood and coordinated school health programs.  

 

Search for grants here.  

Professional Development Opportunities
Ordered by Scheduled Dates
The Iowa Afterschool Alliance keeps a calendar of opportunities regularly updated on our website. Visit it at http://www.iowaafterschoolalliance.org/resources/. 

Foundations, Inc. Expert Webinar Series

Incorporating Inclusion Strategies and Resources to Better Serve All Youth 

September 19; 1:00-2:00PM EST

 

Developing "Grit" to Increase College and Career Readiness

November 7; 1:00-2:00PM EST 

 

Creating Connected Learning Opportunities to Improve Student Writing and Literacy Skills

November 14; 1:00-2:00PM EST

 

Join Foundations, Inc. this fall as they bring you three dynamic leaders from nationally renowned organizations in education and youth development! Don't miss this chance to interact with experts around critically important topics affecting kids today.

  

Cost is $34.95 each or all three for $99. Visit the Foundations Inc. website to register. 

 

Workshop on Ethical Social Work with LGBTQ Individuals

September 20; Des Moines

This day-long workshop provided by the University of Iowa School of Social Work at the John and Mary Pappajohn Education Center will explore the needs, barriers, and best practices in working with LGBTQ clients based on the NASW Code of Ethics framework.

 

Registration Fee: $65.00 (if registered by September 6, 2013). Please email [email protected] or call 319-335-3750 during business hours for questions or registration materials.

Iowa School-Age Care Alliance Annual State Conference 
September 27-28; Multiple Locations in Central Iowa
Conference Highlights:
  • Leadership Development with The Mevyn Group
  • Saturday's featured keynote speaker Manual Scott, Freedom Writers
  • Additional conference sessions include The Explosive Child: Problem Solving to Build Thinking Skills, Self-Care, Mental Health Needs of Kids, and Camp Adventure
Click here to download the conference brochure for registration details. 

Make it STEM! Professional Development for STEM Innovation 

October 1, 2013; DuPont Pioneer, Johnston, Iowa

The STEM Active Learning Community Partners are hosting a one-day conference just for informal and active learning STEM educators and organizations! Join us October 1, 2013 for this great professional development opportunity that will provide you tools and resources to provide more engaging STEM in your programs! 

 

Click here to register now and take advantage of the discounted rate. For more information on the STEM Active Learning Community Partners, visit our website at www.activelearningia.com.   

 

Meeting the Emerging Needs of Schools: Is Your Camp Ready for Environmental Literacy Plans?

October 2, 2013; 1:00-2:30PM Eastern; Online

Many schools are interested in boosting student outcomes related to environmental literacy.  Is your camp prepared to engage these schools? This webinar will address current environmental literacy initiatives in the U.S., discuss the needs of K-12 schools relative to environmental education and environmental literacy; explore methods and strategies that camps can utilize to align and partner with schools, and examine the components of a typical environmental literacy plan.

 

Presenter Tom Neppl is a professor at the ISU College of Design.  

 

For more information and to register, visit http://www.acacamps.org/einstitute/environmental-literacy. Cost is $60 for non-ACA members. 

   

2013 Communities for Change Conference

Oct. 23-25, 2013; Omaha

nFocus Solutions is hosting its fourth annual leadership symposium designed to bring together nonprofit, school, city government, educational, and community decision-makers to discuss ways to make positive impacts on youth development and other educational issues.

  

Click here to see the conference agenda and to register for the event.
  
Educator Workshops at the Blank Park Zoo
November 8-9, 2013 and monthly dates; Des Moines

The Blank Park Zoo is hosting a series of professional development workshops throughout the year. Each workshop focuses on topics ranging from habitat adaptation to climate change.  

  

The workshops are good for one hour of Drake University or license renewal credit and teachers will be eligible to schedule a free classroom animal program.

 

Visit the Iowa Afterschool Alliance calendar for all of the dates. Click here for more information on the workshops and register for one.

  

2013 National Science Teachers Association Area Conference

Dec. 12-14, 2013; Denver

The National Science Teachers Association is hosting an area conference in Denver, Colo. This dynamic conference will offer three "strands/tracks" for optimal professional development. The strands are: PreK-8: A Playground for Literacy and Mathematics, Engineering the Engineering: Connecting the Why to the How, and Exploring STEM: Inside and Out.

  

Registration information will be available soon, to learn more about the conference click here.

  

Beyond School Hours Conference by Foundations, Inc.

February 12-15, 2014; Atlanta, GA

In many ways, Beyond School Hours is a celebration of you. Educators and administrators from across the country will join you to share successes, learn, and laugh together. The camaraderie is electric. And no celebration with us would be complete without big surprises. Special guests, frequent giveaways, spontaneous activities, exciting entertainment-you don't want to miss a minute.

  

Register online here.  

  

2014 National Science Teachers Association National Conference

April 3-6, 2014; Boston

The National Science Teachers Association is asking you save the date for its national conference in April 2014! The current "strands/tracks" planned are: Science and Literacy: A Symbiotic Relationship; Teaching Elementary Science with Confidence!; Leading from the Classroom; and Engineering and Science: Technological Partners.

  

Registration information will be available in September, to learn more about the conference click here.

 
Save the Date: 2014 Iowa Impact After School Conference 
Tentatively scheduled for April 24 and 25, 2014; Johnston, Iowa
Plans are being made to again hold the Impact After School Conference! The event will be even bigger and better than 2013, with more attendees, workshops, vendors and more!

Save the dates for now. More information will be forthcoming. For information please contact Indira Blazevic with the IAA at [email protected].

  

Online Courses for 21CCLC Professionals
Ongoing
Short online courses are available for 21st Century Community Learning Centers program staff through You for Youth, the U.S. Department of Education's website for 21CCLCs. Courses cover topics like Project-Based Learning, Aligning with the School Day, STEM, and Strengthening Partnerships. Each course takes less than an hour and is available 24/7.  

  
Improving Quality System-wide Webinar

Ongoing; recording available online 

This webinar is presented by the Wallace Foundation and discusses the new report by the Forum for Youth Investment, Building Citywide Systems for Quality

  

Click here to view the recording of the webinar.

The Iowa Afterschool Alliance seeks to improve access to high-quality afterschool programs for all Iowa children, youth, and families through policy and partnerships, practice support and outreach and engagement.

To contact the IAA:

Michelle Rich, Iowa Network Coordinator
[email protected] 
515-237-0328
2910 Westown Parkway, Suite 302
West Des Moines, IA 50266
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