|
The OST Office is currently accepting applications from qualified individuals to join the team as a Data Analyst. The ideal candidate will be committed to improving the educational, social-emotional, and physical health outcomes of school-aged youth through participation in OST programs in the District of Columbia. Applications must be received by Monday, August 14, 2023, to be considered. For more information or to apply, please click here.
The OST Office values community input, feedback and engagement to help drive equitable outcomes for afterschool programming for all students in the District of Columbia.
The information and feedback collected from this survey will help inform the OST 2023-26 Strategic Plan (view the draft 2023-2026 strategic plan here) in the following areas: access, impact, quality, and areas of growth. Additional information will also help inform the implementation of the My Afterschool DC initiative, which is a new initiative with an overarching goal of increasing access to afterschool and summer programs in select schools, in a more inclusive way.
Please complete this brief survey to provide your valuable feedback and insights for our future work. Feedback must be submitted by COB on Wednesday, August 16, 2023, to be considered.
We thank you in advance for your participation and feedback!
There will be an OST Commission Meeting dedicated to discussing the draft OST Strategic Plan on Thursday, August 24, 2023, at 6:00 pm. Any individuals and representatives of organizations who wish to comment at this meeting should notify the OST Office in advance by email at learn24@dc.gov. Individuals should furnish their names, addresses, telephone numbers, and organizational affiliation, if any, and if available, submit one electronic copy of their testimony two business days prior to the meeting.
Register here to attend.
Join the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Education's (DME) Office of Out of School Time Grants and Youth Outcomes (OST Office) on Saturday, September 9, 2023, from 11:00 am - 2:00 pm for Afterschool in the City 2023! This event will take place at Turkey Thicket Recreation Center (1100 Michigan Avenue NE, Washington, DC 20017).
Hear directly from government agencies, nonprofit organizations and more about the wide range of afterschool opportunities available for school-aged youth during the school year.
Come play games, network, see live performances, and learn about the various options available for children and youth. Register to attend here.
The OST Office is currently accepting applications for individuals with expertise or background in youth development to serve as a grant reviewer. Current grantees and applicants are eligible to volunteer. Interested individuals should complete this brief interest form.
College Tribe provides project-based STEAM and mentoring to 3rd to 8th grade boys living in Washington DC. Programming is designed to cultivate character, scholarship and social competence. Students develop competencies in STEAM topics and mentoring that directly relate to real world jobs and careers.
Learn more about College Tribe and their programming here.
 Having an Authentic Engaging Environment
 Over the last few months, we have explored the first three domains of the Pyramid of Program Quality, Safe Environment, Supportive Environment, and Interactive Environment. In this month’s edition, we will explain what is contained in the tip of the pyramid, which is the Engaging Environment.
The components of the Engaging Environment and some strategies to apply to programming are described below.
-
Planning - Youth should be given the opportunity to make plans. Staff will provide youth with multiple opportunities to make plans for projects and activities. While planning projects and activities, staff should use two or more planning strategies. Examples of planning strategies include brainstorming, idea webbing, and backward planning.
-
Choice - This covers youth being able to make authentic choices based on their interests. Staff should give the opportunity for all youth to make open-ended content choices within the framework of the activity. For this, youth can decide on topics within a subject area. Staff should also provide opportunities for all youth to make at least one open-ended content choice. An example of this would be youth choosing what role they will play within a group.
-
Reflection - Towards the end of the programming day youth should be given the space to reflect. Staff can engage youth through intentional reflection on something they covered during that program time. Staff should use two or more strategies to encourage youth to share what they have done and their experiences. Staff should also initiate structured opportunities for youth to give feedback and allow all youth to make presentations to the group.
Explore additional resources about the David P. Weikart Youth Program Quality model for Program Quality at this link.
On Saturday, August 19, 2023, Fight For Children will host a free event that will be fun for the entire family! Come learn about afterschool programs that integrate sports with mentoring, social-emotional learning, academic tutoring, civic engagement and more. This event will take place at The Fields at RFK and will feature sports activities, games and prizes, music, special guest and food trucks. More information can be found here.
The Afterschool Alliance is currently recruiting the next cohort of Afterschool Alliance Youth Ambassadors! Youth ambassadors receive 6 months of advocacy and communications training, a $1,000 stipend for their participation, and opportunities to advocate on behalf of their afterschool programs at the national level. Youth ambassadors are ages 13-18 and need to be currently enrolled in an afterschool program or are working/volunteering at a program in their community. Applications are open until Thursday, August 31, 2023. The application can be found here.
More information on their current class can be found here.
The application deadline for the FY24 Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) grant competition has been extended. Applications are now due in the Enterprise Grants Management System (EGMS) by 12 pm EST on Wednesday, August 23, 2023.
The Office of the State Superintendent for Education (OSSE) published a FY24 21st CCLC Grant Competition Questions and Answers document on August 4. The competitive priorities (CP) section of the document includes responses to questions about application priority four--additional funding available through the federal Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. OSSE conducted additional research and, as a result, updated and republished the FY24 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) Grant Competition Questions and Answers document on August 9 to clarify that federal Bipartisan Safer Communities Act funds may only be used for programs that serve middle and high school students. This update is consistent with the original Request for Applications. Applicants that only serve elementary school students may not select this fourth competitive priority.
For questions or additional information, contact Dr. Kelly Rudd Safran at KellyRudd.Safran@dc.gov.
Constellation’s Community Champions program invites organizations to apply for small grants (up to $500) from Constellation for causes that are important to the community. Preferred consideration will be given to those requests where the project, organization, or initiative focuses on education, environment, or youth. Applications must be submitted no later than Friday, September 15, 2023 to be considered. For more information regarding eligibility criteria, click here.
Diverse City Fund is a grantmaking organization dedicated to racial & social justice that invests financial and social capital that transforms systems in DC. This opportunity is available to any BIPOC-led, DC, community-based organizations or groups, including startups, located in Washington DC. Successful awardees can receive up to $15,000. The deadline to apply is Monday, September 25, 2023. Learn more about eligibility, selection criteria, information sessions, and more here.
The Capitol Hill Community Foundation awards grants to non-profit organizations, schools, and other neighborhood groups in support of programs and projects that benefit residents of the Capitol Hill neighborhood. Organizations can apply for up to $3,000. Applications must be received by Monday, September 25, 2023, to be considered. Read more about criteria and past grantees here.
The D'Addario Foundation is accepting letters of inquiry from programs that bring music back into communities and schools and get kids playing as early and as frequently as possible. The D'Addario Foundation is recognized as a global leader in finding, funding, and partnering with transformative music education organizations. Prospective grantees must complete a letter of inquiry by Sunday, October 15, 2023. Learn more here.
The Sparkplug Foundation seeks to fund projects that educate and support communities, including but not limited to school-age students, that move beyond traditional classroom instruction. Priority areas of funding include education, community organizing, and music. Past awardees have received grants up to $20,000. For consideration, preliminary questions must be received by Thursday, November 2, 2023. For more information on deadlines and criteria, click here.
Weekly newsletter of funding opportunities.
 For resources and additional information on the District of Columbia Government’s response to coronavirus (COVID-19), please visit coronavirus.dc.gov.
|
