CAN Newsletter – Celebrating National Summer Learning Week!
July 9, 2024

CAN Newsletter
National Summer Learning Week, July 15 - 10, 2024

“Let the summer begin with adventures that never end.”

The National Summer Learning Association (NSLA) has transformed the annual National Awareness Day into a week-long celebration, now known as National Summer Learning Week, July 15 – 19, 2024! This week-long celebration dedicates and elevates the importance of summer learning, working together to keep kids safe and healthy, and ensuring they return to school ready to succeed! Summer is a time to level the playing field through high-quality programs that produce measurable benefits for math, reading, and social-emotional learning. Support Summer Learning by focusing on this year’s five themes: Literacy & Learning, the Arts, Wellness, Health & Sports, STEM, and Community & Leadership.  

What do you have planned? Let’s support children and youth in exploring new interests and skills and foster continuous learning. We encourage OST Programs and families to participate by visiting DiscoverSummer.org where they can learn about summer programs and new summer learning resources. Also, although a few years old, NSLA’s Voices of Summer webinar series might be helpful for practitioners. 

“Children need the freedom and time to play. Play is not a luxury. Play is a necessity” – Kay Redfield Jamison.

Lastly, CAN excitedly kicked off National Summer Learning Week a little early by joining youth and Community Partners throughout the state to celebrate National Play Day Week of Awareness, June 25 – 29, 2024, in Chula Vista, Garden Grove, Riverbank, and Sacramento.

As part of our Physical Health and Wellness Initiative, which redefines and creates a different paradigm for coaching, youth, and family engagement through place-based activities in the communities where families live. This initiative provides opportunities to convene communities throughout CA to provide resources and support to recreation leaders, site coordinators, community partners, and community members to come together and gain knowledge and skills to support their work with youth in sports and play. Learn more.

In This Newsletter:

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Join Our Team, Senior Specialist, Policy & Outreach

CAN is Hiring!
July 2024

Exciting news! We are hiring a Senior Specialist to join the Policy and Outreach team at CAN!

Senior Specialist – Policy & Outreach 

The Senior Specialists’ primary responsibility, under the supervision of CAN’s Director of Policy and Outreach, will be to oversee and manage a strategic design process resulting in an “Ecosystem Plan to Leverage California’s Expanded Learning Infrastructure.” This strategic design process and plan will build on the foundation of A Vision for Expanded Learning in California, Strategic Plans 1.0 and 2.0. This role will work with the CAN Director Team to hold the primary responsibility for oversight of the design process including garnering data from multiple interest-holders, designing, implementing, reflecting on, and continuously improving implementation efforts for maximum impact. This includes completing associated financial and administrative tasks, convening multiple teams, and providing leadership, guidance, and support for different configurations of interest holders with unique roles and responsibilities to ensure the success of this process.

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Troy Selvey's WRP graphic

Congratulations Troy!
White-Riley-Peterson Policy Fellowship

Troy Selvey, CAN’s Manager for Equity & Quality joins a cohort of emerging policy leaders as a graduate of the White-Riley-Peterson (WRP) Policy Fellowship. Hosted by Furman University’s Riley Institute in partnership with the Charles S. Mott Foundation, this ten-month learning experience equipped Troy with a real-world understanding of the art, science, possibilities, and realities of policymaking around afterschool and expanded learning.

As part of the program, Troy developed a project to explore the connections between coaching, sports, play, and movement with policies and frameworks that support the whole child in OST spaces. We look forward to seeing this project develop and witnessing Troy’s application of all his insights and strategies gained from the fellowship. Congratulations, Troy!

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2025 Site Coordinator Symposium Save the Date

Save the Date for the 2025 Site Coordinator Symposium!
February 5, 7 & 8, 2025

The Site Coordinator Network is excited to announce the 8th Annual 2025 Site Coordinator Symposium!

Presented by the Site Coordinator Network and supported by the California AfterSchool Network, California Department of Education Expanded Learning Division, and the System of Support for Expanded Learning. This hybrid conference will provide learning opportunities and lots of fun, virtually and In-Person. 

Dates:

  • Virtual (Via Zoom): February 5, 2025
  • In-Person: February 7-8, 2025
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Join ASAPconnect, CDE, & CAN at California MTSS PLI!
July 16-18, 2024; Anaheim, CA

MTSS FlyerJoin us at the 2024 California Multi-Tiered System of Support Professional Learning Institute in Anaheim, in partnership with ASAPconnect and the California Department of Education, Expanded Learning Division! Throughout the conference, we will be hosting a pre-conference and multiple workshops.

This event brings together classroom educators, administrators, school counselors, school psychologists, school-based mental health clinicians, district leaders, county offices of education leaders, higher education faculty, and community-based organizations to support the creation of inclusive and equitable learning environments.

We hope you can join us! 

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asapconnect logo

ASAPconnect is Hiring a Program Coordinator!

ASAPconnect is seeking a Program Coordinator to join their team! This position is 100% remote within California, Sacramento Area Preferred, with some travel required.

ASAPconnect was launched in 2008 and has been a fiscally sponsored project of the Foundation for California Community Colleges (the Foundation) since 2022. ASAPconnect helps ensure that children and youth across California benefit from high-quality out-of-school learning and enrichment opportunities, resulting in positive developmental, academic, and wellness outcomes and increased readiness for college, career, and civic life.

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Extreme Heat graphic

Extreme Heat: Stay Safe this Summer!

As the planet’s climate changes, California is seeing hotter and longer heat waves each year. While we’re all used to warm summer months, we should expect to see multiple record-high days and record temperatures continue in the future.

Since heat is deadlier than any other weather hazard, the state of California wants you to be prepared for extreme heat events and provide resources to help you stay safe.

Explore these resources from the California Department of Public Health and the Heat Ready CA Campaign on how you and your loved ones can be prepared this summer: 

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Photo of a group of people doing yoga

Self-Care for Youth Workers
Briefing Paper

Temescal Associates and the How Kids Learn Foundation has recently released a new briefing paper entitled Self-Care for Youth Workers. This paper examines the role of self-care in the promotion of well-being among youth worker practitioners and specific domains of self-care practice, including awareness, work/life balance, flexibility, physical health, social support, and spirituality. It underscores the importance of taking a proactive approach to self-care.

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A colorful background with the words "Destigmatize BIPOC Mental Health" in a serif font.

July is BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month!
July 2024

July is Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to highlight the unique strengths and challenges faced by Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) in relation to mental health. Named in honor of Bebe Moore Campbell, a journalist, teacher, author, and mental health advocate, this month is dedicated to continuing her legacy by focusing on the mental health needs and experiences of BIPOC communities.

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Photo of Disability Pride Flag

July is Disability Pride Month

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law on July 26, 1990. Every July we celebrate Disability Pride Month to commemorate the passage of this landmark civil rights law.

Explore these resources to educate yourself on the history of the Disability Rights movement as well as how you can be an ally to the disabled community:

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Check Out Our Other Newsletters!

Access the CAN newsletter archives to view past newsletters today! You may be interested in some of our other newsletters as well:

CAN Health and Wellness Newsletters

  • Get informed on the connections between afterschool and Whole Child Health and Wellness.
  • Subscribe today!

CAN STEAM Newsletters​

  • Get informed about the Million Girl Moonshot project and access other STEAM resources.
  • Subscribe today!

CAN Policy Newsletter

  • Get informed about policy-related content, including national, state, and local updates, that supports our Expanded Learning programs.
  • Subscribe today!