Mark Your Calendars for September 22: FAN to be featured on American Graduate: Let’s Make it Happen

Please mark your calendars for September 22, 2012 and tune into your local public television station for the airing of a critically important program, titled American Graduate: Let’s Make it Happen. The Florida Afterschool Network will be featured at 5:53 p.m.

American Graduate: Let’s Make it Happen is a multi-year public media initiative, supported by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), to help local communities identify and implement solutions to the high school dropout crisis. We know that Public Broadcasting has a long history improving educational outcomes for high-need students and communities. The dropout crisis demands attention now, and Public Broadcasting has risen to the challenge to address this national problem.

In Tallahassee, WFSU will showcase 10 local organizations and the work it is doing on a community level to help students stay in school until graduation. In addition to the Florida Afterschool Network, others in the include Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Big Bend, 211 Big Bend, 50 Large of Leon County, The United Way of the Big Bend, Communities in Schools, The Early Learning Coalition of the Big Bend, Distinguished Young Gentlemen, The Boys and Girls Club of the Big Bend and Take Stock in Children program.  Each of these organizations strives to engage children and families with the goal of helping them live successful productive lives.  In order to do that, these organizations need ongoing community support whether it be financial or volunteer and mentoring.

Kim Kelling-Engstrom, Director of Educational Services, WFSU TV, and a Florida Afterschool Network Champion, was kind enough to include (FAN) as a partner agency. The FAN segment will air at 5:53. Please take some time out of your day to watch this important and timely program.

With special guests including Michael Powell, representing America’s Promise Alliance, and PBS NewsHour senior correspondent Ray Suarez, the national television broadcast will air live on public television stations from the Tisch WNET Studios at Lincoln Center from 1:00 to 8:00 p.m. EST on Sept. 22 on WFSU-TV.  The event will feature 20 national organizations that are working with local public media stations to help young people stay in school and on track for on-time graduation, segments about local community groups, compelling stories from students themselves, and highlights from PBS national and local content – from PBS NewsHour and Need to Know to Jim Glassman’s Ideas in Action and Tavis Smiley Reports: Too Important To Fail. The broadcast will also include the premiere of a new student film from Reel Works New York and a preview of the upcoming FRONTLINE documentary, Dropout Nation.

Dont' miss the chance to vote!

If you support children being our state’s highest priority, then the
most powerful tool you have in making that possible is your vote!

So, to ensure that each of us speaks up on behalf of all children, The
Children’s Movement has partnered with TurboVote, an online platform
that makes voter registration “as easy as renting a DVD from Netflix.”

Please know that The Children’s Movement and TurboVote are fully
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Here’s how it all works:

• If you’re not yet registered to vote - Complete the forms online
• If you’re already registered - Sign up for election reminders
• If you want to vote from home - Request an absentee ballot. If you
  register, re-register or request an absentee ballot, you will then
  receive a completed registration form along with a pre-addressed
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It’s that simple!

So, click here to sign up. And once you see how simple TurboVote is to
use, please be sure to share this with your family and friends.
Remember: Kids can’t vote, but we can.

FAN's CEO Interviewed for "American Graduate: Let's Make it Happen"

On August 29, Florida Afterschool Chief Executive Officer Larry Pintacuda participated in “American Graduate: Let’s Make it Happen”, a national public initiative and television program. His topic was the positive impact on quality afterschool programming as it relates to improved academic performance of kids.

Armed with strong facts documenting the importance of afterschool programs, Larry represented all the FAN Champions and Board Members in expressing why these programs are crucial to the development of our children. The program is scheduled to be aired during the week of September 22nd, and Larry’s portion was 4-5 minutes.

FAN would like to thank Kim Kelling Engstrom, Director of Educational Services for WFSU TV and a FAN Champion, for her efforts in getting represented in this wonderful program.  This is not the first time Kim and WFSU TV has addressed and promoted the importance of quality
afterschool. It was her efforts that brought national television show “Electric Company” to Florida to provide training for afterschool practitioners.

 The exact date and time the program will be aired will be posted as soon as it is released.

There is still time to apply for LOA mini-grant

The Florida Afterschool Network (FAN) and Bright House Networks are pleased to announce the 7th Annual Lights On Afterschool (LOA) Mini Grants.  These mini-grants are offered to support local afterschool programs in helping off-set event costs. 

Programs are invited to submit a request for funds to assist in covering expenses that would help increase the profile of their event, or to help make the event more attractive to media and policymakers.  Funding is allocated through a competitive grant process open to all afterschool providers including school board operated and private provider operated sites. 

The total fund amount is $10,000 for LOA mini-grants. There are two levels of scholarship. $2,500 will be available for multiple program community collaborative events, and $1,000 for individual (school or agency events). All public or private organizations are eligible to apply. Examples of agencies and organizations include, but are not limited to “For profit” and “not for profit” agencies, City or county government agencies, individual schools and Faith-based organizations.

All LOA funded programs must meet at a minimum the Florida Standards for Quality Afterschool Programs developed by FAN. These standards focus on positive youth development principles with developmentally age appropriate activities, and have appropriate staff to student ratios. Programs must exhibit a high degree of coordination and involvement with schools and other community partners. The funded programs must provide deliverables to FAN.

FAN and Brighthouse are very excited to be offering these mini-grants. Groups interested in applying can view the requirements and submission information at www.myfan.org. There is still time to apply. The deadline is THIS Friday, August 17^th.

About FAN, Brighthouse and LOA

The mission of the Florida Afterschool Network is to provide unified leadership to advocate for the development, enhancement and sustainability of innovative, high quality afterschool programs and policies statewide.  The Florida Afterschool Network joined a national initiative dedicated to afterschool programs with funding in 2005 by the Charles S. Mott Foundation.

Bright House Networks has long been a supporter of organizations that provide services to children and families, and recognized as being a good corporate citizen. Bright House employees take great pride in working, mentoring and serving the needs of others in their communities. Bright House is privileged to partner with FAN in celebrating Lights on Afterschool.

Lights On Afterschool is a nationwide event that recognizes the critical importance of quality afterschool programs in the lives of children, their families and communities.  It is a project of the Afterschool Alliance, the only organization dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of afterschool programs and advocating for more afterschool investments.  The Afterschool Alliance works with the Administration, the U.S. Congress, governors, mayors and advocates across the country. Today the Afterschool Alliance boasts more than 25,000 afterschool program partners and their publications reach more than 65,000 interested individuals every month.  More information on the Alliance and Lights On Afterschool is available at www.afterschoolalliance.org.

Missed the Afterschool Stakeholder Summit? Watch it here!

The Florida Afterschool Network is very pleased to be able to share video highlights from the inaugural Afterschool Stakeholder Summit.  We would like to thank Broward College and specifically, Greg Haile, for arranging the Summit to be recorded and enabling us to share the valuable conversation and discussions with those who were unable to attend.  Additional thanks to Travis Jordan, also from Broward College, for being an outstanding videographer. Also, thanks again to the Children’s Services Council of Broward County (our co-host) and to everyone who was able to attend. 

Please click on the links below to access each segment of the Summit.

Opening Remarks Part 1:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVquziU4zXs&feature=youtu.be

 

Opening Remarks Part 2:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5I5cyoQywxc&feature=youtu.be

Panel 1 (What’s Working):

http://youtu.be/uX0PaclG_WE

Panel 2 (Role of Afterschool):

http://youtu.be/ykVq2Y5kwpI

Panel 3 (Roadmap discussion): 

http://youtu.be/dwgUc75zP_w

Wrap up with audience participation:

http://youtu.be/3YKmnM4eYQY

We would love to have your feedback, and we look forward to follow up events in the near future! Additionally, this information can be found on our FAN website at http://myfan.org/news.html.  Please feel free to share with other stakeholders and help to spread the word that afterschool is accelerating student achievement.

Inaugural Florida's Afterschool Stakeholder Summit a Success

On June 6th, the Florida Afterschool Network partnered with the Children's Services Council of Broward County and Broward College to host the inaugural Florida's Afterschool Stakeholder Summit: The Power of Afterschool.  The summit’s purpose was to promote the powerful impact of afterschool programs and establish the guiding principles to ensure that afterschool programs will be a part of the educational landscape in Florida’s future.

Nearly 90 participants, including stakeholders from throughout Florida, attended the event to discuss important topics related to afterschool programs, including best practices and the future of afterschool programs.  In addition to getting input from the state’s most well respected afterschool champions, there was a great youth perspective. What we learned from Breon Callins is that we need to listen and hear from kids more. We are not just giving lip service to seek their input – be assured as we move forward with other afterschool summits FAN will do just that

It was evident from the summit that there is a strong support for professional development for afterschool programs, as well as support for maintaining and increasing funding streams.  Additionally it was agreed that it is necessary to increase the visibility of afterschool programs at both the local and state levels.

Afterschool programs are imperative to the success of our students. We hope that these types of meetings happen more often to help promote discussion and build support.

The speakers and panelists included some of the biggest advocates for the Florida afterschool programs:

·        Linda Lanier, Chair, Board of Directors, Florida Afterschool Network

·        Cindy Arenberg Seltzer, President & CEO, Children’s Services Council of Broward County

·         Representative Gwyndolen Clarke-Reed r

·        Mike Lannon, Superintendent of Schools, St. Lucie County

·        Dean Aline Sarria, Broward College, Superintendent

·        Ken Scubbs, Genesis Center 21st CCLC Program

·        Todd Rosenbaum, CEO, YMCA of Florida

·        Michael Skolnick, President of Community After School

·        Donna Lavalle, Co-Director of Smith Community Mental Health

·        Cynthia Reynoso, Program Specialist at CSC of Broward County

·        Suzette Harvey, Executive Director, PrimeTime Palm Beach County Inc.

·        Anne McKenzie, CEO of Boys and Girls Club of Martin County

·        Greg Haile, Vice President, Governmental Policy and Regulatory Affairs, Broward College

·        Lesley Fletcher, Deputy Division Chief of Education, NASA

·        Sharon Carie, President, Afterschool Alliance,

·        James Griffin Principal, Lauderdale Lakes Middle School and Florida Principal of the Year

·        Student Breon Callins

·        Glenn Gilzean, Executive Director, Educate Today, and Pinellas County School Board member

·        Modesto Abety-Gutierrez, CEO, The Children’s Trust of Miami/Dade County

·        Art O’Hara Executive Director, R’Club Child Care Inc.

·        FAN CEO Larry Pintacuda and COO Joe Davis

Florida’s Afterschool Stakeholder Summit - June 6

Today the Florida Afterschool Network, Children's Services Council of Broward County and Broward College will host the Florida's Afterschool Stakeholder Summit: The Power of Afterschool at Broward College.

The purpose of the summit is to promote the powerful impact that expanded learning and afterschool programs are having in accelerating student achievement and establish the guiding principles to ensure that afterschool programs will be a part of the educational landscape in Florida’s future.

Topics include a National conversation relating to afterschool and expanding learning to increase student achievement; What’s Working Panel Discussion highlighting best practices in afterschool programs from 21^st CCLC, Children’s Services Councils and Community-based and Faith-based programs; What Role Will Afterschool Play in Florida’s Future?; Panel Discussion on student’s needs and obstacles; and Florida’s Afterschool Roadmap.

The speakers will include some of the biggest advocates for the Florida afterschool programs, include FAN CEO Larry Pintacuda and COO Joe Davis; Linda Lanier, Chair, Board of Directors, Florida Afterschool Network; Cindy Arenberg Seltzer, President & CEO, Children’s Services Council of Broward County; Dean Aline Sarria, Broward College, Superintendent; Representative Gwyndolen Clarke-Reed; Daniel Lyons, President and CEO, Florida Boys and Girls Clubs; Ken Scubbs, Genesis Center 21^st CCLC Program, Todd Rosenbaum, CEO, YMCA of Florida; Michael Skolnick, President of Community After School; Donna Lavalle, Co-Director of Smith Community Mental Health; Cynthia Reynoso, Program Specialist at CSC of Broward County; Suzette Harvey, Executive Director, PrimeTime Palm Beach County Inc.; Greg Haile, Vice President, Governmental Policy and Regulatory Affairs, Broward College; Lesley Fletcher, Deputy Division Chief of Education, NASA; Sharon Carie, President, Afterschool Alliance,; James Griffin Principal, Lauderdale Lakes Middle School and Florida Principal of the Year; Aline Sarria, Dean, Teacher Education programs, Broward College; Glenn Gilzean, Executive Director, Educate Today, and Pinellas County School Board member; Mike Lannon, Superintendent of Schools, St. Lucie County; Modesto Abety-Gutierrez, CEO, The Children’s Trust of Miami/Dade County; Art O’Hara Executive Director, R’Club Child Care Inc.

A full report of the summit will follow.