According to a nationally-representative survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately one in three high school youth reported being in a physical fight within a twelve month period. One in six high school youth reported carrying a weapon on one or more days within a thirty day period. These alarming statistics underscore the need for quality afterschool programs that keep kids safe, inspire them to learn and help working families. Providing an outlet for positive self-expression, access to caring adult mentors, and a community of supportive peers has been proven to be a winning formula for curbing aggressive behavior and empowering youth to be agents of change in their communities.

This webinar will highlight specific violence prevention strategies and federal funding streams for afterschool programs engaging in this work. Carleen Wray, Executive Director of the National Association of Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE), will discuss how to empower youth to make their schools and communities safer through crime prevention tactics, conflict management and service projects. Ben Forman, Executive Director of Teens Run DC, will also discuss how the combination of mentoring and a distance running program encourages positive youth behaviors by helping them work towards personal goals.

As science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programming grows around the nation, the Afterschool Alliance would like to recognize the programs that are clearly demonstrating impact on participants.  Such programs highlight the power of afterschool programs as key partners in STEM education reform and can also serve as best-practice models. To help support and further the work of these programs, the Afterschool Alliance recently announced a new national award – the Afterschool STEM Impact Awards, sponsored by the Noyce Foundation.  This year’s award categories include successful partnership models, and computing and/or engineering, both currently “hot topics” in the afterschool STEM field.  

This webinar will be incredibly useful to potential applicants as we will discuss the intentions behind creating the Afterschool STEM Impact awards and what we’ll be looking for in the review process.  The Afterschool Alliance team will also address the definitions used for the award categories.  Participants will have the opportunity to ask any questions they might have to help craft a winning application!

Since 2008, the Afterschool Alliance and MetLife Foundation have collaborated to highlight and expand the work of innovative afterschool programs supporting children, families and communities across the nation. Now in the fifth year of the partnership, we have awarded more than $160,000 to programs in a variety of categories, including digital learning, school alignment, service-learning, middle school bullying, STEM and college readiness. Given primarily to local programs that demonstrate both high need and high potential, the MetLife Foundation Afterschool Innovator awards help to build program capacity and provide a platform to share promising practices.       

As STEM learning opportunities in afterschool programs expand rapidly, providers are being asked to clearly articulate their impacts by both funders and policymakers.  The lack of common goals and common language to describe the outcomes makes it difficult for afterschool providers to describe their impact on STEM learning.  This webinar will discuss a recent study that asked expert afterschool practitioners, funders, and state education policymakers to define appropriate and feasible outcomes for youth in afterschool STEM programs. The resulting set of outcomes and indicators of learning provide a framework afterschool programs can use that will resonate with the larger STEM education community. 

Anita Krishnamurthi, STEM Policy Director at the Afterschool Alliance, will describe the study results; Jeff Davis, Program Director for the California AfterSchool Network, will also describe how the study can be utilized on the ground to highlight the substantial impact afterschool STEM programs have on participating youth.

Public libraries are fast becoming hubs for 21^st century learning and redefining traditional perceptions of what it means to “hang out” at the library. In recognition of Teen Tech Week, the Afterschool Alliance will moderate a webinar focused on how these institutions—in partnership with youth-serving organizations—can be key allies in providing innovative and digitally-rich programming for teens and middle school youth.

With support from the MacArthur Foundation and the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS), thirty libraries and museums throughout the country are working to create new teen spaces that use both digital and traditional media to promote creativity, critical thinking, and hands-on connected learning opportunities. Marsha Semmel, director of the IMLS Office of Strategic Partnerships, and two Learning Lab grantees—Theresa Ramos from the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation and Jill Bourne from the San Francisco Public Library—will discuss how these spaces are engaging teens in fresh and innovative ways.

For youth-serving organizations that are looking to expand or create new programs that foster digital media literacy, local libraries can also help to provide the stability and resources needed for growth. Susan Malone, Executive Director of Wide Angle Youth Media in Baltimore, will discuss how she has leveraged a partnership with her local library to support shared goals. Tene Gray, Director of the Digital Youth Network, will also discuss the need for staff development and training that facilitates opportunities for youth to be creators, users, and teachers of digital media.

In communities across the country, afterschool programs are facing an uncertain financial future and a rocky economic climate. Our nation’s leaders need to hear what is happening in their districts—both the struggles and the amazing success stories of the kids whose lives are impacted by these programs every day. This year, it will be particularly critical to make our voices heard. That’s why we’re asking program staff, parents, educators and everyone in between to take the Afterschool for All Challenge. Instead of joining us on Capitol Hill, you can help protect and expand quality afterschool programs by setting up meetings with the local district offices of your Congressmen. Our goal is to get as many afterschool supporters as possible to arrange meetings on February 7, 2013.

This webinar guides you through the process of setting up your Congressional district visit, offers some practical resources to help with the meeting and provides suggestions for what to bring.  You’ll have an opportunity to participate in a live chat with our staff and connect with others who may be setting up meetings in your area.

About this webinar series:

In communities across the country, afterschool programs are facing an uncertain financial future and a rocky economic climate. Our nation’s leaders need to hear what is happening in their districts—both the struggles and the amazing success stories of the kids whose lives are impacted by these programs every day. This year, it will be particularly critical to make our voices heard. That’s why we’re asking program staff, parents, educators and everyone in between to take the Afterschool for All Challenge. Instead of joining us on Capitol Hill, you can help protect and expand quality afterschool programs by setting up meetings with the local district offices of your Congressmen. Our goal is to get as many afterschool supporters as possible to arrange meetings on February 7, 2013. 

Webinar description:

To help you prepare for the meeting and understand the issues related to afterschool—including the policy challenges that could face your program during the next year—this webinar will introduce you to the basics of current afterschool policy.  The Afterschool Alliance will arm you with facts and information about the current state of the field and how Congress can help support the mission of ensuring high quality afterschool programs for all children. 

In communities across the country, afterschool programs are facing an uncertain financial future and a rocky economic climate. Our nation’s leaders need to hear what is happening in their districts—both the struggles and the amazing success stories of the kids whose lives are impacted by these programs every day. This year, it will be particularly critical to make our voices heard. That’s why we’re asking program staff, parents, educators and everyone in between to take the Afterschool for All Challenge. Instead of joining us on Capitol Hill, you can help protect and expand quality afterschool programs by setting up meetings with the local district offices of your Congressmen. Our goal is to get as many afterschool supporters as possible to arrange meetings on February 7, 2013.

This webinar will guide you through the process of setting up the visit, offer some practical resources to help you with the meeting and provide suggestions for what to bring. Our staff will be available to answer your questions about how to get the most out of the visit. 

The webinar will provide an opportunity to ask questions and learn how the Afterschool Alliance is supporting STEM after school through field-building, policy and advocacy, and research. Join our STEM director and STEM research assistant for an interactive virtual tour of the resources available on our website, and an overview of recent and upcoming STEM publications for the afterschool field.

Featured panelists:

Anita Krishnamurthi, STEM Policy Director
Afterschool Alliance

Melissa Ballard, STEM Research Assistant
Afterschool Alliance

The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 opened up a new federal funding source for afterschool programs across the country by expanding the At-Risk Afterschool Meals Program to all states. This year, in addition to coordinating with the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) to promote child nutrition programs within the afterschool and summer learning space, the Afterschool Alliance is working with ES Foods to increase participation in this important program.  This webinar is intended for afterschool providers interested in bringing afterschool meals to their program.

Featured panelists:

Erik Peterson, Policy Director
Afterschool Alliance

Veneice Smith-McCain, Outside School Hours Coordinator
Boston Public Schools

Signe Anderson, Child Nutrition Policy Analyst
Food Research and Action Center (FRAC)

Jeff Rowe, Chief Operating Officer
E S Foods

Lynn Sobolov, Program Manager, Excel Beyond The Bell
Montgomery County Collaboration Council for Children, Youth and Families, Inc.