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For questions about this giveaway or the Directory, please contact Michelle Rich at mrich@sppg.com
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 October 22, 2015 marks the 15th annual National Lights on Afterschool Day! The official website has lots of ideas to plan for this momentous day. If you choose to register your event, the Afterschool Alliance will send you 10 free Lights on Afterschool posters. The Iowa Afterschool Alliance would love to hear about how you are shining light on afterschool, and how we can support you in doing so! Let Seygbai Kai know at skai@sppg.com.
On October 8th, Governor Branstad will proclaim October 22 Lights On Afterschool Day in Iowa! He will sign the proclamation in his formal office and you are welcome to attend! Just come to the Capitol anytime prior to the 2:00 p.m. signing to witness this important event. His office is Capitol Room 109. Just tell the front desk you are there for the proclamation signing at 2:00 p.m.
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Save the Date for Impact 2016!
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 Joins us for our 4th Annual Impact After school Conference!April 28 - 29, 2016.
Ramada Tropics Resort & Conference Center
5000 Merle Hay Road
Des Moines, IA 50322
Stay tuned for more information on the 2016 agenda and registration in the coming months on our website. We hope to see you next spring! |
| 1,500 Organizations from all 50 states endorse The Summer Meals Act |
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New Infographic on Summer Learning
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The National Summer Learning Association (NSLA) is the only national organization exclusively focused on closing the achievement gap by increasing access to high-quality summer learning opportunities to young people.
NSLA recognizes and disseminates what works in the field, offers expertise and support for programs and communities, and advocates for summer learning as a solution for equity and excellence in education.
Check out this info-graphic on the National Summer Learning Association website.
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How to Build Systems of Afterschool Programs
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With a growing interest in afterschool system building,The Wallace Perspective offers a digest of the latest thinking on how to build and sustain an afterschool system and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for this promising work. The report (a follow-up to a 2008 Perspective) focuses on the four components of system building that the most current evidence and experience suggest are essential:
- Strong leadership from major players
- Coordination that fits local context
- Effective use of data
- Comprehensive approach to quality.
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Through support from the Molina Foundation, a national nonprofit organization focused on reducing disparities in access to education and health, free books are available to County Extension Programs, Schools, Nonprofits and Government Programs serving low-income, minority and limited English-speaking youth in Iowa. In order to qualify, an organization must be willing to:
- Serve youth who are low-income, minority and limited English speaking,
- Complete an online application,
- Pick-up books in Ames and transport them back to their communities (see distribution schedule latter in this application)
- Be willing to post their experience and photos via approved social media vehicles,
- Comply with branding requirements,
- And complete a final report.
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2015 Iowa Nonprofit Summit
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The Iowa Nonprofit Summit provides high-quality training for nonprofit leaders who are focused on operating a successful nonprofit program: capacity building, excellence in nonprofit and volunteer management, leadership development, financial and board management, and other topics.
Save the date Monday, November 9 and Tuesday, November 10, 2015. This biennial conference offers essential learning opportunities for nonprofit and volunteer professionals. Register online here.
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Nominate a Community Champion Today!
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Community Champion Recognition: MLK Park Free Summer Program
MLK Park Free Summer Program is a free summer enrichment program offered 10 weeks during the summer. This program is an outdoor venue for grades K-5. Students are provided opportunities in stem, reading & writing, arts & music and health & wellness. It's part of United Way of Central Iowa's Summer in the City Initiative. Find out more here.
Nominate Your Own Community Champion!
If you know a program, staff member, or volunteer who is making an impact in the out-of-school time community,we are currently taking nominations. We will highlight them in our newsletter and send them a congratulations letter!
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We want to hear from YOU!
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The Iowa Afterschool Alliance wants to hear from you. What would you like to see in the Afterschool Advisor? This short survey will provide us with suggestions to improve the quality of our newsletter. We strive every day to promote afterschool and support our afterschool providers. Please let us know if we're doing our best to support YOU. |
| Professional Development Opportunities |
EyesOpenIowa: Awkward to Awesome aka Sex Ed Boot Camp
September 23-September 24 8:30am-4:30pm
T his high intensity two day training is full of engaging activities and discussion around various sexual health topics. This training will help lay the building blocks for new educators and is a great refresher for those already in the field. This training will heighten the comfort level of adults teaching sexual health including; values clarification, boundaries, ethics, answering sensitive questions, facilitation including role plays, and creating a safe space for LGBTQ youth to name a few. Participants will leave this training feeling confident and "awesome" about teaching such an important topic to adolescents! *This course is available for AEA Teacher Re-licensure credit. Trainer: Bobbie Jo Sheridan, LBSW
Dimensions of Success STEM Observer Training
Available once monthly, The IAA is seeking individuals across the state who are interested in observing afterschool STEM programs using the DoS tool. To ensure tool validity, observers must participate in a two-day online training via webinar. Thanks to funding from the Noyce Foundation, this training is provided at no charge. Dates are as listed:
- August 26-27, 10am-4pm EST; Registration: FULL
- September 22-23 from 10am-4pm EST; Registration Deadline: September 5
If you are interested in becoming a DoS observer, please contact Indira at iblazevic@sppg.com to register!
Dates: On-going Self-Study Online Class
Mentoring is a powerful and popular way for people to learn a variety of personal and professional skills. Learn more about the process and how to be an effective mentor. Find MANY more opportunities for staff development on the Iowa DHS Child Care Provider Training Registry!
Becoming Part of a Professional Team
Dates: Self-Study
This training is designed for both providers who are starting a new job and/or entering the child care field. Participants will learn the importance of professional behavior on the job and how to develop positive relationships with co-workers.
Understanding Each Other: Communicating with Families, Staff and Your Community
Dates: On-going, Self-Study Online Class
Summer Changes Everything Conference
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! Recently, Y4Y has rolled out a whole module on literacy.
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Along with various other resources, the IAA maintains a list of grants that afterschool programs may access. Check out our Resources Page on our website: www.iowaafterschoolalliance.org/resources/ for more information.
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As the Senate Agriculture Committee develops its child nutrition reauthorization bill, the Afterschool Alliance has joined the 
