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NY 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) RFP Announcement
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The 21st CCLC RFP is available on the NYSED website.
Description: The purpose of this program is to create or expand 21st CCLC's that provide academic enrichment and youth development opportunities outside of regular school hours primarily for children who attend high-poverty and low-performing schools, as well as literacy and other educational services to their families. This State-administered program is federally funded under Title IV Part B of the No Child Left Behind Act.
Due Date: Postmarked by March 27, 2009
Project Period: July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2014
Funding: Approximately $35 million per year
Eligible Applicants: Any public or private organization is eligible to apply for 21st CCLC funding.
Additional Information: A technical assistance webinar is available (see RFP for details). Questions should be submitted to NYSED by February 13 to be posted on February 23. Additional information can be found on the NYSED Student Support Services webpage. |
NYS Education Department Seeks Peer Reviewers for 21st CCLC Grant Competition
The State Education Department is recruiting peer reviewers to review applications to establish 21st Century Community Learning Center (CCLC) programs funded by the Title IV, Part B of the No Child Left Behind Act. The review will be electronic and conducted over a period of approximately two weeks between mid-April and Mid-May. If you are interested in being a peer reviewer, please complete the on-line application at the NYS Student Support Services webpage.
Deadline: March 15 |
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The NYSAN QSA Tool provides a comprehensive 10-point framework used by program providers to assess the quality of and continuously improve their afterschool programs. The QSA Tool can now be filled out through an elecronic form and responses can be sent to any email addres for your files. Click here to access the new QSA Tool and User's Guide website. For other options for reviewing the QSA Tool and User's Guide, contact NYSAN at info@nysan.org.
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Funding Opportunities
Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools: Safe Schools / Healthy Students Program
The Safe Schools/Healthy Students (SS/HS) program supports the implementation and
enhancement of integrated, comprehensive community-wide plans that create safe and drug-free schools and promote healthy childhood development. Eligible applicants: Local Education Agencies (LEAs)
Deadline: March 4
The Carol M. White Physical Education Program (PEP) provides grants to local educational agencies (LEAs) and community-based organizations (CBOs) to initiate, expand, or enhance physical education programs, including after-school programs, for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Grant recipients must implement programs that help students make progress toward meeting State standards
Deadline: March 6
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Upcoming Events
April 2-4, 2009
Exciting opportunities have been planned for this year!
April 22-25, 2009
Set in a retreat-like atmosphere, this extraordinary event will rejuvenate your passion and boost yor direction for quality out-of-school time programming. Visit www.boostconference.org to register.
SAVE THE DATE!
The After School Experience (TASE)
The Desmond Hotel, Albany, NY
May 26-28
The After School Experience is NY's Statewide Conference where aftershool professionals (administrators, teachers, directors, coordinators, evaluators, SED officials and more) gather for quality afterschool professional development plus the best networking environment in the nation. Visit us at our website - NY 21st CCLC - and view previous TASE conference materials.
2009 21st Century Community Learning Centers Summer Institute
Nashville, TN
July 7-9
The U.S. Department of Education's Office of Elementary and Secondary Education is pleased to announce the 2009 21st CCLC Summer Institute. This event will showcase success in providing afterschool through 21st CCLC grants.
Online registration starts early March 2009!
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Message from Our Director
Greetings Colleagues:
 This month is reowned for its celebration of love, Black History and President's day but this February started with a classic Superbowl. A Superbowl that reminded me of one of life's fundamental messages, 'Life favors those who are able to push through when things get tough.' Two great teams came together and showed great perseverance. James Harrison's record 100 yard interception return for a touchdown at the end of the first half would have taken the heart out of most teams, but Arizona showed great perseverance and fought back to take the lead in the second half on Larry Fitzgerald's dramatic reception and long run for a touchdown. The momentum seemed to move to Arizona, but Pittsburgh never gave up and Ben Roethlisberger playing injured with 2 minutes and 37 seconds in the game drove his team to the ultimate victory throwing a pass to Santonio Holmes who scored the game winning touchdown with just 35 seconds to go.
The power of persistence is revealed in those who NEVER give up. During these challenging times it is imperative for those in the after school movement (and at large) to persevere, to believe in the importance of what we're doing and never stop working for our children.
Persistence means courage, conviction and perseverance in the face of obstacles. It means never stopping, never giving up, never giving in!
For the Youth,
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John Soja
New York State Education Department Supervisor Retires
John Soja has announced his plan to retire on February 18, 2009 as Program Supervisor from the Student Support Services office at the New York State Education Department (NYSED).
John was responsible for overseeing numerous programs at NYSED including 21st CCLC and ESD/SVP*. The afterschool movement was near and dear to John's heart. This is what John had to say to all NYS 21st CCLC an ESD/SVP Grantees:
"...of all the experiences I have had with the Department, my most enjoyable and personally rewarding has been the time spent with afterschool programs...The energy, enthusiasm and commitment to youth that you bring each day to your programs is infectious. Being with you twice a year at our TASE conferences always reinforced my sincere belief that the afterschool experiences that you provide have a positive impact on the lives of the students served. If I have been able in some small way to help you in this fine work, then I am very grateful...I will always value the relationships and experiences that we have shared."
Below are just some of the comments and well wishes for John from the afterschool field - Niagara Falls to NYC.
"John, you will be sorely missed, but we are encouraged that your years of attention to details and the leadership you have created will continue to drive the fine work of out-of-school time programming in New York State and your legacy will live on as we continue positively impacting the lives of New York's finest, our YOUTH! -Dr. Felicia A. Watson, NY 21st Statewide TAC
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"When I reflect upon my interactions with you, I remember your honesty and respect. Most of all, your openness as to where you stood regarding an issue, the genuine sympathy you expressed when things didn't go our way as well as your ability to celebrate the successes with us, too!" -Susan Ross, Niagara Falls City School District
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"You know for sure that I am in tears but very happy for you and yours. May God Bless you and keep you." -Arnelle Ullrich, Philip Livingston Magnet Academy
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"Wow! I am for some reason very saddened. I feel as if I am losing a true friend. John's passion for his 21st CCLC work inspires me. -Mr. Jones, Claremont Center
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"John inspired me to continue building my second career in education and the importance of making an impact on our youth. Thank you John!" -Serge St. Lerger, NYC Grant Manager
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"John...you are an officer and a gentleman, and will be sorely missed." -Fern Eisgrub, Yonkers Public Schools
John will begin a part-time position as the Assistant Superintendent for Administrative Services for the Catholic Schools Office of the Albany Diocese. Please join us in wishing John happiness, much success and best wishes in his new professional endeavors. To say he will be missed is an understatement.
Visit the NY 21st CCLC to view a photo tribute to John at TASE November 2008.
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"Retirement may be an ending, a closing; but it is also a new beginning."
- Catherine Pulsifer | |
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White House Education Agenda  President Obama and Vice President Biden's vision for the 21st century education begins with demanding more reform and accountability, coupled with the resources needed to carry out that reform; asking parents to take responsibility for their children's success; and recruiting, retaining, and rewarding an army of new teachers to fill new successful schools that prepare our children for success in college and the workforce. The Obama-Biden plan will restore the promise of America's public education, and ensure that American children again lead the world in achievement, creativity and success. Below is an outline of the White House Education Plan. Visit www.whitehouse.gov for details.
Early Childhood Education
- Zero to Five Plan
- Expand Early Head Start and Head Start
- Provide Affordable, High-Quality Child Care
K-12
- Reform No Child Left Behind
- Support High-Quality Schools and Close Low-Performing Charter Schools
- Make Math and Science Education a National Priority
- Address the Dropout Crisis
- Expand High-Quality Afterschool Opportunities
- Support College Outreach Programs
- Support College Credit Initiatives
- Support English Language Learners
- Recruit Teachers
- Retain Teachers
- Reward Teachers
Higher Education
- Create the American Opportunity Tax Credit
- Simplify the Application Process for Financial Aid
Students with Disabilities
Obama and Biden will work to ensure the academic success of students with disabilities by increasing funding and effectively enforcing the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and by holding schools accountable for providing students with disabilities the services and supports they need to reach their potential.
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U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan
Education Priorities
 Arne Duncan was nominated to be secreatary of education by President Barack Obama and was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on January 20, 2009. In his confirmation hearings, Duncan called education "the most pressing issue facing America," adding that "preparing young people for success in life is not just a moral obligation of society" but also an "economic imperative." "Education is also the civil rights issue of our generation," he said, "the only sure path out of poverty and the only way to achieve a more equal and just society." Duncan expressed his commitment to work under the leadership of President Obama and with all those involved in education "to enhance education in America, to lift our children and families out of poverty, to help our students learn to contribute to the civility of our great American democracy, and to strengthen our economy by producing a workforce that can make us as competitive as possible." (Ed.gov)
In an interview on January 30 with Education Week U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan mentioned how he would use the approved $15 billion grant fund to reward states, districts, and even nonprofit organizations. "With this fund, we really have a chance to drive dramatic changes, to take to scale what works, invest in what works," Mr. Duncan said. He also stated the expansion of prekindergarten programs, and improvements in teacher quality, recruitment, and retention as priorities for the reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act. isit Education Week for complete interview (subscription required).
"We need to break the culture of blame in which colleges blame high schools and high schools blame grade schools and grade schools blame parents for our failures. We are all part of one system of learning that begins at birth and never stops." ( Ed.gov)
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The conference committee on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 has released its report on the bill which represents the final compromise between the House and Senate. While many of the programs we've been monitoring have seen a reduction in funding numbers, we are pleased to report that the following supports for afterschool remain in the final version of the bill that has passed again in the House and is expected to be approved by both the Senate and the President.
- $2 billion for Child Care and Development Block Grants, about 1/3 of this to be used to support children in afterschool programs.
- $10 billion for Title I, to help disadvantaged students reach high academic standards--some of these funds can be used to support afterschool programs.
- $3 billion for School Improvement which will result in higher quality facilities for the many afterschool programs operating in schools.
- $1.2 billion through the Workforce Investment Act that is designated specifically for creating summer jobs for youth which would expand staffing opportunities for afterschool programs.
- $50 million for YouthBuild which offers education and occupational training to at-risk youth for building affordable housing which could benefit afterschool programs serving older youth.
- $160 million for Americorps and Americorps VISTA programs, a key staffing component of afterschool programs.
Visit the Afterschool Alliance website for additional information.
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Resources
Interagency working group on youth programs develops new website "Find Youth Info.Gov" dedicated to strengthening youth programs. FindYouthInfo.Gov is a collaborative effort of 12 Federal Departments and Agencies developed out of a shared goal of strengthening community resources to support our Nation's youth. This site provides targeted information to help youth-serving organizations and community partnerships plan and implement effective youth programs.
FindYouthInfo.Gov offers Federally-developed interactive tools and other resources to help community organizations and partnerships in efforts to support youth. Included are tools and resources to help form effective partnerships, assess community assets, understand risk factors and protective factors, generate maps of local and Federal resources, and search for evidence-based youth programs. www.findyouthinfo.gov
The team at Cornell Research Program on Self-Injurious Behavior has developed a variety of new factsheets, designed to synthesize existing information and fill-in some of the informational gaps related to self-injury. Several focus on coping, as self-injury is most often used as a maladaptive coping method. These factsheets are intended for a wide audience, and include:
 Funders and program planners want to know: What does it cost to operate a high-quality after-school or summer program? This study answers that question, discovering that there is no "right" number. Cost varies substantially, depending on the characteristics of the particiapants, the goals of the program, who operates it and where it is located. Based on detailed cost data collected from 111 out-of-school-time programs in six cities, this report, along with an online calculator (www.wallacefoundation.org/cost-of-quality), provides cost averages and ranges for many common types of programs.
Disconnected Youth in New York State
Typically, the adolescent years are a heady mix of friends, new adventures, biological change,  parental demands, and endless plans for a bright future. Fortunately, many of New York's young residents have numerous opportunities for new experiences during this time in their lives and it is these opportunities that bode well for successful college applications, persuasive resumes and, as researchers are discovering, healthly adolescent brain development. Picture the youth who do not have a supportive family or a good neighbor to vouch for them as they apply for a job. Imagine youth who are cut off from these traditional adolescent experiences, as a result of their own or others' actions. These youth, often referred to as 'disconnected youth', are disengaged from traditional youth-focused systems and traditional adolescent rites of passage, such as high school graduation, college enrollment, and participation in entry-level jobs or trade school apprenticeships. Most importantly, youth who are disengaged are not able to realize their full potential. Full Report
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175 Route 32 North ~ New Paltz, NY 12561
Phone: (845) 255-8989 ~ Fax: (845) 255-3836
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89 Washington Avenue ~ Albany, NY 12234
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