The Afterschool Advisor 

September 2014
In This Issue
21CCLC RFA
Attendance Awareness Month
Licensure Update
ISACA Conference
New STEM Newsletter!
Boy Scouts
Davenport Fall Workshop
2015 Impact Conference
Upcoming Professional Development Opportunities
Grant 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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Iowa's 21st Century Community Learning Centers 2015 Grant Competition is Open!

The 2015 Request for Applications (RFA) has been released and is available on the Iowa Department of Education website, here.
 

The Iowa Department of Education has already hosted two regional application workshops, in Davenport and Des Moines, and will conduct two more workshops in Ottumwa and Council Bluffs in the coming weeks. These workshops are designed to provide potential applicants for 21CCLC grants information on the characteristics of good proposals and grant program requirements.  

 

Here are the upcoming dates and deadlines to know: 

 

Ottumwa workshop - Monday, September 22, 2014, 10:00-Noon

Great Prairie AEA, 2814 North Court Street, Ottumwa, Iowa 52501 

 

Council Bluffs workshop - Thursday, October 9, 2014, 10:00-Noon

Green Hills AEA/Halverson Center for Education, 24997 Highway 92, Council Bluffs, Iowa 51502

 

October 31, 2014 - Letter of Intent Due  https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/21CCLCLOI2015 

 

Q&A Webinar - Tuesday, November 4, 9:00-11:00 AM

Online via Adobe Connect

To log in: http://sppg84.adobeconnect.com/iowa21cclc/  

To access the webinar room, click on "Enter as a guest".  

To join the conference line for audio: Call: 1-800-444-2801 Participant Code: 2895301  

 

For more information on these workshops, please contact Indira Blazevic Karic at iblazevic@sppg.com or (515)237-0324 

Toolkit: The Power of Positive Connections
September is the 2014 Attendance Awareness Month, and more than 40 organizations across the country have partnered to raise awareness about the value of good attendance.

This toolkit, recently released by Attendance Works, lays out strategies to track chronic absences and how to partner with families, schools, and community agencies to intervene poor attendance interferes with a student's success. 

Use it to learn how to connect at-risk students to positive support and find the motivation to show up to class every day!
DHS Licensure and DE Standards Update
If you are providing care to children ages 0 to 12, you may be required by law to be licensed by the Iowa Department of Human Services. To find out if you meet this requirement, visit the Iowa Department of Human Services website.

Programs seeking DHS Licensure exemption as an instructional program of a school must meet Iowa Department of Education child care standards. They are found on the Iowa Department of Education website.

Programs seeking Child Care Assistance funds must be licensed by DHS or meet the instructional program exemption by meeting the Iowa DE child care standards. For more information on CCA, visit the Iowa Department of Human Services website here.

Iowa's Child Care Resource & Referral organizations across the state are great resources for navigating DHS Licensure and the Quality Rating System. For more information on CCR&Rs in Iowa, visit this site.
Iowa School Age Care State Conference
The Iowa School Age Care Alliance (ISACA) State Conference will take place October 10th and 11th at the West Des Moines Learning Resource Center and Waukee High School.

These two days will be filled with presentations and workshops designed to build leadership skills, explore communication essentials, and build cultural awareness that is relevant to child care professionals.

Read more in this brochure, and enroll before the October 1st deadline using this registration form!
STEM Newsletter Coming Soon!
The Iowa Afterschool Alliance, in partnership with the STEM Active Learning Community Partners Committee of the Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council, seeks to build a system for high-quality STEM opportunities in out-of-school time programs across Iowa.

This fall, we're launching a STEM-exclusive newsletter to further our goal of increasing the number of opportunities for Iowa youth, families, and adults to participate in high quality, active-learning (informal) STEM outside of the traditional school day.

In this quarterly newsletter, you can expect to find afterschool STEM resources, articles, advice, best practices, professional development opportunities, and more. 

Join the mailing list to receive our STEM newsletters and updates!
 
Community Partnership Spotlight: Boy Scouts

Are you looking for another community partner to expand the services your program provides? The outreach programs of Mid-Iowa Council, Boy Scouts of America have proven to be powerful tools in making a difference in the lives of youth in 18 Scouting units serving 470 youth. 

 

If you're wondering if scouting can help serve youth in your afterschool program, the answer is most likely yes! Boy Scouts are already working with many afterschool programs across the state - both with boys and girls.

  

To find out more, contact Charles Vonderheid at 515-266-2135515-266-2135 or email cvonderh@bsamail.org. 

  

Thanks for a great day in Davenport!

On September 12th, Iowa's 21st Century Community Learning Centers hosted 50 professionals for a day of workshops at Davenport's River Center. Afterschool program staff and administrators from across the state attended workshops on everything from engaging students, to budgeting, to STEM and reading intervention in afterschool.

 

All resources from this event will be posted on the Iowa 21CCLC wiki site at http://iowa21cclc.wikispaces.com.  

 

Also, a big thank you to the City of Davenport for providing us with the space, and to our friends at the Davenport Community Schools for helping make it a great day!  

 

 

 

We're excited that Iowa's afterschool professionals are so actively invested in providing quality programming to the youth they serve. Thank you for your dedication!

Save the Date for Impact 2015!

  Save the Date for the 3rd Annual
Impact After School Conference:

April 23-24, 2015
Ramada Tropics Resort & Conference Center
5000 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines, IA 50322
 
Guest rooms will be available at the Ramada for $55 per night (April 22 and 23, 2015). To secure this special rate, call the hotel at
515-278-0271 and mention the Impact After School Conference to make your reservation by April 1, 2015.

 

Stay tuned for more information on the 2015 agenda and registration in the coming months. We hope to see you next spring!  
Professional Development Opportunities
The Iowa Afterschool Alliance keeps a calendar of opportunities regularly updated on our website. Visit it at http://www.iowaafterschoolalliance.org/resources/.     

New Literacy Content on Y4Y!
You 4 Youth is a free online professional development site that is designed to support 21st CCLC program staff, but is a valuable tool for any afterschool professional looking to build their skills! Just this month, Y4Y has rolled out a whole module on literacy.

Check it out, here!

Developing Brain, Developing Accountability
September 29th at Des Moines University
This conference will feature a series of brief, dynamic and interactive
presentations from some of the leading experts in the field on this important topic. Learn what's happening locally and, most important, learn what you can do to create a safe community where every child counts!
 
Visit their website to register today! 

BOOST (Best of Out-of-School Time) Twitter Chats
The #BOOSTChat is a shared online conversation among out-of-school time and youth development educators hosted by world-class experts on a specified topic. The BOOST Collaborative Team provides the forum for conversation through our Twitter Handle @TEAMBOOST. The #BOOSTChat format is a Q & A time for participants to ask questions and share their experiences on the topic.

EyesOpenIowa Webinars: 
Empowering At-Risk Youth
September 25, 3:00-4:30 p.m.
Participants will be given tools to answering sensitive 
questions, information on self-disclosure and activities and lesson plans specific to this population. The goal of this training is to help empower youth to make healthy decisions. 
 
For more information and to register, click here. 
 
Sexting, Texting, and the Media
October 7, 3-4 p.m.
From websites and apps to TV and music this training will give an overview of various types of media and how they affect adolescent sexual health. Learn about the latest teen technology fads and how we can support teens to make healthy decisions around social media and technology.
 
For more information and to register, click here.
 
Tools for Working with Pregnant and Parenting Teens
October 23, 12-1:30 p.m.
This training will help guide you to become more supportive and sensitive when working with pregnant and parenting teens. Learn how to help these teens be more successful and provide them with the support and encouragement they need. Fill your tool-bag with resources to help you along the way. 
 
For more information and to register, click here.
 
Beyond the Bell Training of Trainers
October 9-10, 2014; Chicago, IL
This two-day opportunity will prepare you to facilitate Beyond the Bell trainings and use in your community. The training will introduce you to the Toolkit, provide guidance on how to use it as a training resource, and arm you with a host of materials that you can use for your own personalized trainings. You will leave as a certified Beyond the Bell trainer.

As a trainer, you will be able to:

  • Build your expertise in the field of afterschool and expanded learning
  • Meet other afterschool leaders through our Beyond the Bell trainer network
  • Facilitate Beyond the Bell trainings for afterschool staff in your community
Register online here.

Summer Changes Everything National Conference on Summer Learning 
November 17-19, 2014
San Antonio, Texas
At the 2014 Summer Changes Everything™ national conference, the National Summer Learning Association (NSLA) and their colleagues will focus on the theme of "Accelerating Achievement." Presenters and participants will examine how summer is an accelerator for education priorities such as 3rd grade reading proficiency, college and career readiness, school transitions, STEM education, and more.

Learn more and register here!

Blank Park Zoo Educator Workshops
Mark your calendar for this school year's educator workshops facilitated by the Blank Park Zoo! 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. The following dates and topics are scheduled:
  • October 3/4 - Zoo Structure and Design
  • November 21/22 - Conservation: People and Animals
  • January 23/24 - Wild Genes
  • February 20/21 - New workshop! Patterns in Nature
  • April 17/18 - Wonders of Water 

More detailed information and registration forms may be found on the zoo's website.

 

How Kids Learn IV Conference
December 11; San Francisco, California
Afterschool and summer programs are perfectly positioned to promote young people's social and emotional skills. These skills are also part of the 21st Century Learning Skills. They are associated with non-cognitive skills and the development of "grit" and a "growth mindset". This conference will focus on the research and practice of these things, with an eye on ensuring that all young people have equal access to these learning opportunities.

  

Learn more and register here.


Beyond School Hours: Every Minute Matters 
February 18-21, 2015; Orlando, Florida

What's the next big thing in education? What'll work right now for your programs? The answers are here, presented with flair via:  

  • Hands-on workshops and pre-conferences led by national experts
  • Motivating keynote presentations and panel discussions
  • Fascinating educational excursions
  • Exhibits unveiling the latest and greatest products and solutions
Learn more about this national professional development opportunity online.  

2015 Iowa Impact After School Conference  
April 23-24, 2015; Des Moines, Iowa
Join other Iowa afterschool professionals for two days of networking, learning, collaborating, and just plain having fun! This year we're moving to a larger venue to accommodate this successful event. Be sure to attend in 2015. You won't want to miss it!

Check the Iowa Afterschool Alliance website for more information in the coming months. 

2015 BOOST (Best of Out-of-School Time) Conference

April 28 - May 1, 2015; Palm Springs, CA

The BOOST Conference is one of the largest, most recognized, and highly comprehensive professional development opportunities in the country, convening over 2,300 professionals who work with and serve youth in the out-of-school time hours. This all-inclusive conference supports After School Education & Safety (ASES) Programs, 21st Century Community Learning Center (CCLC) Programs and High School ASSETS programs.

Set in a retreat-like atmosphere, this extraordinary event will rejuvenate your passion and boost your direction for quality programming. 

Please visit the Boost Conference website for more information and to register.

You for Youth Online PD for Afterschool Professionals

Ongoing
Short online courses are available for afterschool and summer program staff through You for Youth, a website originally developed by the U.S. Department of Education 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. All courses are accessible by the public! 

Grant Opportunities

Finish Line Youth Foundation Grants
Application deadline: September 30th
The focus areas for the FLYF are community-based programs that use youth athletics to promote an active lifestyle and team building skills.

Learn more and apply here!

Project Learning Tree GreenWorks! Grants
Application deadline: September 30th
Do you have an idea for a school/community native plant garden, a forest improvement project, a streamside restoration plan, a recycling program, or energy conservation project for your students?  Need funds to implement it?  Apply for a Project Learning Tree GreenWorks! grant!

Visit their website to apply!

Target Field Trip Grants
Application deadline: September 30th
Awards of up to $700 to fund field trips that provide enriching experiences for children.
 
Please see Target's grants website for more information.
 
Verizon Foundation Grants
Application deadline: October 14th
STEM education for K-12 youth is one of the Verizon Foundation's three focus areas for its grant program, which makes awards of up to $10,000.
 
Learn more about the application process and find your local Verizon Community Relations Manager's contact information here.

Let Me Play Grants

Application deadline: October 15th

The Ann Bancroft Foundation and its generous donors and mentors help underserved  girls take the first steps toward fresh possibilities. Grants may be used for classes, camps, or lessons to improve a skill; outdoor adventures or camps; honors programs; travel with approved schools or groups; choir trips or school activities; and more. An ABF micro- grant-up to $500- funds small experiences for girls. Through the funded experience, and with a mentor's guidance, girls gain a new perspective on their own abilities and goals.
 

For more information, please visit their website.
 

Good Neighbor Citizenship® Company Grants

Application deadline: October 31st

State Farm's charitable giving helps to build safer, stronger and better educated communities across the United States. Through their company grants, they focus on two areas: safety and education.

 

See their website for more information and to apply!


 

Costco Grants

Costco Wholesale specifically focuses on programs supporting children, education and health and human services and is committed to supporting charitable and community activities in the markets where they do business.

For information on their donation and grant opportunities, visit their charitable giving website.
 

WaysToHelp Youth Grants

WaysToHelp awards grants to youth for projects that make a difference in the areas of the environment, democracy and equality, health, or community issues. Applicants must be no older than 19 and the project must be youth-initiated and youth-led.  

 

Learn more at WaysToHelp.org and click here for grant application information.  

 

BNSF Railway Foundation

If your organization or program is in or serves a community near one of BNSF's rail lines, you are likely eligible to apply for one of their grants!  

 

Visit their website to learn more and apply. 

 

Finance Project Resource Center 

Click here for the Finance Project's resource center on finding funding for out-of-school time programs. 

 

Child & Adult Care Food Program

The federal "Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act" program provides meals and snacks for school-age youth in afterschool programs. Find out more by visiting the Iowa Department of Education website.   

   

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.  

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
mrich@sppg.com 
515-237-0328
2910 Westown Parkway, Suite 302
West Des Moines, IA 50266
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