TheConnector

TheCONNECTOR is Youth Community Connections’ (YCC) communication tool for sharing updates and for seeking action from its partners. TheCONNECTOR contains the following highlights:

RECENT NEWS AND EVENTS
2009 Legislative Session Summary
Framework for Quality Non-formal Learning Opportunities and Youth Work Practice
Communications Initiative: Bridging Early Care, K-12, and OST Messaging
St. Paul Parks and Recreation Recruiting Young Adults for Summer Employment Program
Public Private Ventures Creates Web-based Practitioners Network

ADVOCATING FOR AFTERSCHOOL AND SUMMER LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
Federal Stimulus Resources Could Support Local Afterschool and Summer Learning Opportunities
Flat Funding for 21st Century Community Learning Centers
Funding for Afterschool Meal Act
YCC Policy and Advocacy Committee Meeting meeting ~ June 12, 2009

NEW RESEARCH
The Cost of Quality Out-of-School Time Programs: New Study and Online Tool
The Quality Imperative: A State Guide to Achieving the Promise of Extended Learning Opportunities (ELO)
Core Competencies for Afterschool Educators
Inclusion of Children with Special Needs in School-age and Youth Programs
Education Grant Opportunity for Low-income Mothers with Minor Children

FUTURE EVENTS
U.S. Department of Education seeks input on Afterschool Professional Development
“Create a Circle of Inclusion” by CICC ~ June 20, 2009
National Institute on Out-of-School Time Summer Institutes ~ July 13-16, 2009
“Social and Emotional Health for All Young People: Expanding Approaches” ~ Summer Institute for Adolescent Health ~ July 27-29, 2009
SAVE the DATE: How History Affects American Indian Family Dynamics: Implications for Our Work with Children and Youth, October 2, 2009
Teen Voice 2009: The Untapped Strengths of 15 -year Olds

RECENT NEWS AND EVENTS

2009 Legislative Session Summary
As mandated by the constitution, the 2009 Legislative Session ended at midnight on May 18th.  The Legislature is not expected to meet again until February 2010.  Unfortunately, the Legislature and Governor were unable to reach a compromise in solving the state’s massive budget deficits this year.  At the end of the session there was still a $2.7 billion dollar budget deficit that needed to be balanced.  The Legislature proposed various tax increases to mitigate steep cuts.  These proposals were vetoed by the Governor who has vowed to resolve the budget deficit through the power of the line-item veto and through the unallotment process after the start of the new fiscal year, July 1, 2009.  Click here to read a longer summary of the 2009 Legislative Session.

Framework for Quality Non-formal Learning Opportunities and Youth Work Practice
Youth Community Connections worked closely with the University of Minnesota Extension’s Center for Youth Development, the Minnesota Department of Education, the Greater Twin Cities United Way, and The McKnight Foundation to host a task force to assist in shaping the development of a framework of quality practice for out-of-school time.  The task force was co-chaired by Dr. Joyce Walker of the Youth Work Institute at the University of Minnesota Extension’s Center for Youth Development and by Carol Thomas of the Minnesota Department of Education’s Safe and Healthy Learners unit.  The task force was comprised of out-of-school time systems stakeholders, including funders (private, public and corporate), policy makers, and professional development and training organizations.   

The Youth Work Institute at the University of Minnesota’s Center for Youth Development is leading the development of the framework Once We Know It, We Can Grow It: A Framework for Quality Nonformal Learning Opportunities and Youth Work Practice.  The framework will be released in June 2009. 

Several stakeholders have agreed to lead the next phase of the work, which is to support quality practice and programs through systems-level actions outlined in the framework.  We will disseminate the framework next month and provide more details on the action steps.  More information is available by contacting the Youth Community Connections office. 

Communication Initiative – Bridging Early Care, K-12 and OST Messages
Youth Community Connections partnered with the Sheltering Arms Foundation and the Minnesota Association of Secondary School Principals to host a meeting to review and discuss key messages that align and bridge early care, K-12 education and out-of-school time.  Youth Community Connections is currently looking for organizations to forward this collective work.  Click here to see a summary of the meeting.

St. Paul Parks and Recreation is Recruiting Young Adults for Summer
Employment Program
Youth Job Corps-Young Adults applications for summer employment for young adults between the ages of 22-24 are being accepted through June 19, 2009.  Please consider forwarding this application to programs that target young adults between the ages of 22-24 that live in Saint Paul and the Ramsey County suburbs.  All applications must be complete and submitted to the Parks and Recreation Department.

Public Private Ventures prepares a web-based Practitioners Network
With support from the Ford Foundation, Public Private Ventures is pleased to announce the creation of a new web-based Practitioners Network. The Practitioners Network will provide technical assistance, up-to-date research, and other resources and tools for organizations working to improve outcomes for "marginalized males of color"—African American, Latino and other males of color who are at high risk for poor economic, educational, social and health-related outcomes. While there is a vast community of practitioners working to tailor their services to this population, no network currently exists to unify their efforts. P/PV's Practitioners Network will help practitioners reach across silos to foster innovation and identify best practices.

If your organization works with males of color, we would like your input to help us develop this new initiative. We are interested in hearing from practitioners from both prevention and intervention programs, including those in the following practice areas:

• Education
• Workforce development
• Violence reduction
• Adult prisoner and juvenile offender reentry
• Sexual and reproductive health
• Civic engagement
• Mentoring
• Fatherhood and parenting

They have developed a brief online survey that will provide them information needed to design a useful Practitioners Network. The survey should take about 15 minutes to complete; your participation is greatly appreciated!  Please complete the survey by Friday, May 29, 2009. For more information contact Angelique Jessup at ajessup@ppv.org.

ADVOCATE FOR AFTERSCHOOL AND SUMMER LEARNING

Federal Stimulus Resources Could Support Local Afterschool and Summer
Learning Opportunities
Schools are receiving additional Title 1, Part A resources from the federal stimulus package.  These resources must be used for innovation purposes.  Many school districts across Minnesota and the country are looking at using these resources to augment powerful afterschool and summer learning programs.  Now is the time to talk with your school officials about using the Title 1, Part A resources for afterschool and summer learning needs in your community. 

Flat Funding Proposed for 21st Century Community Learning Centers
President Obama’s proposed education bill calls for flat funding for 21st Century Community Learning Centers.  Minnesota relies on these dedicated funds to provide quality out-of-school time programming to children and youth before and afterschool, during school release days and over the summer.  If you would like to see increased funding for 21st Century Community Learning Grants contact your congressional representatives and your US Senator.  Don’t know your Congressional Representative or US Senator?  Visit Youth Community Connections’ website to find out who represents you.

Funding for Afterschool Meal Act
U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and Richard Lugar (R- Ind.) introduced legislation that would provide more children with healthy meals when the school day ends.  The Stabenow-Lugar AFTERschool Meal Act (S. 990) would increase participation in the nationwide school meal program, allowing children from all states to benefit from this initiative.  For more information about this Act visit the Food Research and Action Center’s website.

Policy and Advocacy Committee Meeting – June 12, 2009
Youth Community Connections invites you to join our Policy and Advocacy Committee on Friday, June 12th from 9:00-11:00 am at the Amherst H. Wilder Foundation in St. Paul, MN.  The meeting will take place in Auditoriums C & D. 

We will review the results of the 2009 Legislative Session and begin a dialogue about future funds for out-of-school time in Minnesota.

The Policy and Advocacy Committee will not meet in July or August, 2009. 

NEW RESEARCH AND RESOURCES

Check out some of the latest research on after school, youth engagement and quality improvement on YCC’s website under latest research.

The Cost of Quality Out-of-School Time Programs: New Study and Online Tool
The Finance Project and Public/Private Ventures released their long awaited cost study report last month.  Cost data was collected from 111 programs in six cities.  The report provides cost averages and ranges for many common types of programs.  Copies of the full report and executive summary are available online.

In addition to the study, which was commissioned by the Wallace Foundation, a cost calculator tool was developed to help out-of-school time programs generate cost estimates for program expansion and development. 

 
The Quality Imperative: A State Guide to Achieving the Promise of Extended Learning Opportunities (ELO)
The National Governor’s Association (NGA) and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) released a report on the quality imperative of extended learning opportunities.  The new NGA/CCSSO report advises states to undertake seven key strategies to improve outcomes in extended learning opportunities:

1. Establish a team of key stakeholders to envision, develop and administer a state ELO quality system.
2. Identify federal and state funding sources to support ELO quality. For example, both the CCDF and the 21st CCLC programs include percentage set-asides for states to use to improve program quality. States can also set aside money to monitor quality in their own ELO-funded programs.
3. Set research-based ELO program standards.
4. Measure ELO program standards and re­sults to enable states to determine whether pro­grams are meeting policymakers’ expectations.
5. Provide incentives to improve ELO qual­ity, such as quality rating systems and mecha­nisms that tie funding to program quality.
6. Support a strong ELO workforce by estab­lishing, for example, core knowledge and compe­tencies for ELO workers.
7. Connect students with high-quality ELOs through conducting supply and demand analyses, targeting resources to underserved populations and telling parents about high quality ELOs.

The report is available at www.nga.org/Files/pdf/0904ELOQUALITYIMPERATIVE.PDF.

Core Competencies for Afterschool Educators
Core Competencies for Afterschool Educators is a new guide to help programs and systems define the capabilities that are critical for afterschool educators committed to high quality programs that produce positive participant outcomes.  Funded by the C.S. Mott Foundation and developed by a working group of afterschool experts drawing from the field, the guide includes core competencies for afterschool educators and supervisors, and steps for designing professional development systems.

This resource can be downloaded for free at  http://www.afterschoolprofessional.info/images/Mott_CC_web.pdf

Inclusion of Children with Special Needs in School-age and Youth Program
The CICC (Center for Inclusive Child Care) website contains several resources for school-age and youth providers including the updated School-Age Care Inclusion Manual and fact sheets from the Minneapolis Youth Coordinating Board.   In addition, they have Info Modules and Self-Studies for older children including Childhood Overweight and Obesity; The Impact and Implications, Anxiousness in Young Children, and The Language of Disability. 

The CICC continues to provide develop training and resources related to program support needs and youth diagnosis information to assure youth programs and providers have the information and support to serve youth with varied needs (e.g. challenging behaviors, ADHD, intake processes, Section 504 Information, Americans with Disabilities Act Information and resources.)

They are interested in any feedback, suggestions or new partnerships to support the continued development of resources and support.  For more information visit their website, www.inclusivechildcare.org, or contact Cindy Croft, CICC Director at 651-603-6265 or croft@csp.edu.

Education Grant Opportunity for Low-income Mothers with Minor Children
The Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Foundation for Low Income Women and Children will offer 5 grants of up to $2000 each to low income mothers who are enrolled in education and/or training programs.  Applications will be accepted from May 1, 2009 through July 1, 2009.

Please see the foundation website, http://www.patsyminkfoundation.org, for eligibility criteria and application materials.

FUTURE EVENTS
 

U.S. Department of Education seeks input on Afterschool Professional Development
You are cordially invited to participate in a WebDialogue sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education.  The dialogue, hosted by WestEd and Synergy Enterprises, Inc (Synergy), will take place on June 1-3 and will focus on the Professional Development Needs of 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC).

The information gathered during the WebDialogue will be used to determine the professional development content for a new 21st CCLC online learning portal sponsored by ED.  To learn more about the dialogue and invited panelists, visit and register at http://www.webdialogues.net/cclc/pd. 

“Create a Circle of Inclusion” ~ June 20, 2009
The Center for Inclusive Child Care is offering a wide array of workshops for childcare and school-age care providers.  The workshops will take place on June 20th from 8:00-4:30 PM at Concordia University in St. Paul, MN. Click here for more information from CICC on the inclusion of children with special needs in school-age and youth programs

There are a limited number of scholarships available for parents of young children and youth with special needs.  Registration is available at www.inclusivechildcare.org. 

National Institute on Out-of-School Time offers Summer Seminars ~ July 13-16, 2009
National Institute on Out-of-School Time (NOIST) is offering their Summer Seminars July 13-16, 2009 in Boston, MA.  Their annual Summer Seminars will take place at the popular John Hancock Conference Center in the heart of downtown Boston.

They are offering the following 2-day seminars:

A: Advancing School, Afterschool and Community Partnerships (July 13-14)
B. Afterschool Program Assessment System (APAS) (July 13-14)
C. Seminar for System Builders (July 15-16)
D. Quality Advisor Training (July 15-16)

A description of each seminar can be found at WWW.NIOST.ORG.

"Social and Emotional Health for All Young People: Expanding Approaches"
Summer Institute in Adolescent Health ~ July 27-29, 2009
At the 2009 Summer Institute in Adolescent Health, learn strategies for enhancing supportive environments and fostering skills for social and emotional health. Gather ideas for adding to what's already working, whether in a community clinic or youth program, at school or after-school, within a residential center or a juvenile justice setting. Practice skills for selecting optimal approaches for reaching young people, all of whom we hope are on healthy social and emotional pathways to adulthood. For more information and to register, click on the brochure or go to: www.nursing.umn.edu/can and click on the Continuing Education link.

SAVE the DATE ~ How History Affects American Indian Family Dynamics: Implications for Our Work with Children and Youth
October 2, 2009 from 8:30-3:30 pm at the Cloquet Forestry Center Auditorium
Participants who attend this conference will gain an understanding of the experience of past generations in order to increase their capacity to work with young people.  Participants receive an introduction to the boarding school, adoption and foster care eras in Minnesota. American Indian practitioners and community members will share their knowledge and experience. Through the engagement of youth leaders, participants will gain information that will help them consider applications to their work with children, youth and families. Click here to see a flier about this upcoming event.

Teen Voice 2009: The Untapped Strengths of 15 -year Olds
The Best Buy Children’s Foundation has partnered with the Search Institute to develop a groundbreaking study called Teen Voice 2009: The Untapped Strengths of 15 -year Olds.
Youth at this stage make decisions that have lasting impacts on their lives, yet research shows support for kids during this critical period is lower than any other. That’s why we’ve created @15 to ensure opportunities for kids across four dimensions of early adolescence: education, life skills, leadership and relationships. 

Please join us on June 8, 2009 at 2:00pm CST at our Corporate Campus or via webcast to learn more about the research report Teen Voice 2009 and how your organization can use this new information to help develop and empower teens. 

Best Buy believes in teens. They have special power to do great things and make our world better and @15 is our commitment to recognize and understand that power. Not direct it, but fuel it. We hope you'll be able to join us to learn about and help act upon the important findings of this study.

Please click here to register for the Best Buy campus event or the webcast.

Youth Community Connections
1313 - 5th Street SE, Suite 321 ~ Minneapolis, MN 55414
PH: 612.627.0160
WEB: www.youthcommunityconnections.org