July 2021
Community Needs Assessment
The Iowa Afterschool Alliance has created a Community Needs Assessment to gauge the current status of afterschool across the state of Iowa. The results of this survey will help the IAA to:

  • Determine what before school, after school, summer, and other programming is available to Iowa's youth
  • Create a statewide map and directory of available programming
  • Understand how to grow our current services and add new services for the benefit of the network

We need all the help we can get. Please fill out this survey and let us know more about your program or programs in your area. This survey takes 5-10 minutes to complete. Programs who participate in the survey will have the option to be listed in our statewide directory at no charge- which helps us to direct families to your programs.
2021 Impact Awards
Nominations Now Open!
Know an outstanding program, colleague or student that deserves an award? Nominate them for an Afterschool Champion or 21CCLC Stars Award! To fill out the the nomination form, please click the button below! Award nominations are due by Friday August 20, 2021.
Updates to Tanager Place's Meraki Institute of Learning
The Meraki Institute of Learning at Tanager Place has launched it's new website!
In celebration of this new community resource, Tanager Place invites you to join them for a virtual Lunch & Learn series in August. Topics include parenting, wellness, and workplace culture.

The Meraki Institute of Learning is a program at Tanager Place focused on providing outreach and education to families, communities, systems, and professionals. Their purpose is to strengthen people and communities through increasing awareness and providing learning and growth experiences rooted in authenticity, empowerment, and excellence.

You can register to attend any or all of the virtual Lunch and Learn opportunities here!
Looking to Start a Program?
Live Support Session in SE Iowa
Many communities across the state have begun to reach out to the Iowa Afterschool Alliance to explore starting an afterschool program with funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). To better support communities looking to start a program, the IAA is hosting live regional support sessions.

We would like to invite you to a meet and greet event on Wednesday, August 18 from 9:00-10:00 in Mount Pleasant at the City Hall Conference Room at 307 East Monroe Street or at the Burlington Salvation Army from 3:00-4:00 at 323 Columbus Drive. Refreshments will be provided. During this event, the IAA will share our FREE Afterschool in a Box Toolkit, provide information on additional resources and technical assistance accessible, and hold a Q&A session. Questions? Please contact Crystal Hall at [email protected] or by phone at 319-310-8312.
Back 2 School Bash
The Cedar Rapids Parks & Recreation Department, Macaroni Kid Cedar Rapids and other local businesses have teamed up to offer another annual Back 2 School Bash beginning August 9-14, 2021, at 15 different stops through the Rollin Rec Mobile. Kids in the corridor will receive school supplies donated throughout the community. Rollin Rec stops also include crafts, games, entertainment and free meals/snacks. 

Please consider giving to the Back to School Bash so they can hand out as many school supplies as possible.

School Supply Drive Dates: Now until August 4.
  • Put a donation box at your place of business and encourage employees and customers to donate supplies.
  • Collect your own donations through your networks to donate.
  • Orders supplies online and have them sent to: Jones Park Club House 2901 Fruitland Blvd SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404

School Supply Drop Box locations – 
Twin Pines - 3800 42 St. NE
Prestige Dance Studio - 5005 Blairs Forest Ln NE Suite D  
City Service Center  - 500 15 Ave SW
Jones Club House - 2901 Fruitland Blvd SW

You can view and share the Facebook event with your network here!
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Iowa State Extension and Outreach 4-H has a lot of upcoming professional development that focuses on areas of equity, diversity and inclusion that impact students with disabilities. You can review these quality offerings and register below:

July 20 -Aug 02, Understanding Adultism: An Advancing Youth Development. Register here.

August 25 (Wednesday), 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM CDT Reimagining Family Placements for Youth with Disabilities. Register here.

September 23 (Thursday), 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM CDT 'All Inclusive?' - Disability Equality. Register here.
Professional Development Opportunities
2022 Foundations Beyond School Hours Conference
Beyond School Hours will celebrate its 25th anniversary next year! The 2022 conference will run from February 23-26 in Orlando, Florida. Participants can expect:

  • Hands-on workshops and pre-conferences led by national experts
  • Motivating keynote presentations and interactive discussions
  • Powerful networking opportunities and celebrations
  • Fascinating educational excursions
  • Premium exhibits unveiling the latest products and solutions

Registration is now open, and you can register here.
2021 National Family Engagement Summit
The 2021 National Family Engagement Summit will occur October 13-15 in Norfolk and will be hosted by Successful Innovations, Inc. in partnership with the National Association for Family, School and Community Engagement. There are options to attend in-personal or virtually. You can read more about this summit and register to attend here.
Out of School Time Professional Development Center
The Out of School Time Professional Development Center provides Out of School Time training to OST professionals. The classes provide in-depth curriculum and certificates. If you or your staff are interested in signing up for courses visit the Out-of-School Time website. Check out the entire course catalog here. 
Great Content on Y4Y!
You 4 Youth is a free online professional development site that is designed to support 21CCLC program staff, but is a valuable tool for any afterschool professional looking to build their skills! Recently, Y4Y has rolled out a whole module on literacy. Click here to register.
Afterschool Alliance Webinars
The Afterschool Alliance offers webinars on a wide range of topics, from policy and the new Every Student Succeeds Act, to STEM and Social-Emotional Learning. Find out more on their webinars website
Iowa Child Care Training Registry
Find professional development for school-age programming on the State of Iowa Child Care Training Registry on topics ranging from health and safety to developmentally appropriate programming. Find out more online.
National AfterSchool Association PD Resources
NAA provides afterschool professionals with resources to stay up-to-date on the latest topics in afterschool and summer learning.

Find out more on their website here
Resources for STEM Programming
The Center for the Advancement of Informal Science Education (CAISE) provides background information that is useful for the development of STEM programming. Find out more on their website.
 
The Afterschool Tech Toolkit aims to empower afterschool professionals and educators with strategies and training so they can provide students with access to technology outside of classroom hours. It includes training modules on getting started, training staff, accessing technology and devices, and more. Take a look at the toolkit here.  
Iowa Afterschool Alliance | www.iowaafterschoolalliance.org | [email protected]