Network accomplishments in 2009
Click the image to read our 2008 - 2009 Annual Report!
Events
On February 17, 2009 the Network held a press conference at the Capitol to protest the proposed $5 million cut to the after school program grant fund. Over 100 providers, parents and kids were in attendance. Speakers included Rep. Betty Boukus, Plainville Assistant Superintendent David Telesca, Mike Lengle of West Haven Community House, Tom Buckley of AT&T, Speaker of the House Chris Donovan and others. NBC 30 and WFSB Eyewitness News covered the event. You can view video from the press conference on our Facebook page!
After School Day at the Capitol was held on March 3, 2009. The event featured an “Advocacy 101” training for approximately 50 participants who then met directly with their state legislators to talk about after school issues. The Network featured a photo exhibit, “The Faces of After School” in the upper concourse of the Legislative Office Building throughout the month of March to coincide with the After School Day event. Click here to view the photos from the exhibit.
Awarded Grants:
In September 2009, The Perrin Family Foundation awarded the Network a $25,000 grant to assist after school programs throughout the state with their sustainability planning and capacity building efforts.
The Network was awarded an Achievement Grant from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation in October of 2009. The three-year grant totals $225K and will be used primarily for the expansion of the Network’s quality initiatives.
Training and Conferences:
We held our second annual Middle / High School Conference on February 6th in Rocky Hill. Rebecca Saito (bio here) was the keynote speaker. The interactive conference drew over 100 participants! Click here for an overview of the activities and photos from the event.
In March 2009 the Network held its semi-annual After School Conference with close to 200 participants. The conference was held at the Frenchtown Elementary School in Trumbull.
In November 2009, the Network held its semi-annual After School Conference in Farmington with over 250 in attendance. We celebrated the 20th anniversary of the founding of the organization during an extended lunch time program. Long time members were recognized with commemorative clocks. Click here for details and photos.
Over the course of the year, the Network also brought workshops directly to after school program sites. Our Training & Consultation Service instructors conducted 64 workshops that provided training to 1545 staff on a broad range of topics. Click here for a sample list of workshop topics.
The Network began hosting free monthly conference calls and webinars on topics ranging from autism to H1N1 flu prevention. Recordings of the calls, as well as any Power Point presentations included in the webinars can be found here.
Other 2009 highlights include:
In fiscal year 2008–09, the Network awarded a total of $14,714 in tuition reimbursement grants to after school professionals currently working in after school programs in Connecticut who take college credit based courses that are relevant to their work with children and youth. There were $13,558 additional requests for spring term grants. Click here for additional information on this program.
The Network published the first, “Great Ideas In After School” booklet highlighting exemplary programs throughout the state. Click here to download your copy!
Michelle Doucette Cunningham was featured in a half-hour television program on WHPX TV (ION Media Networks) in New London. The program ran twice on Saturday mornings in April and May.
The Network completed the upgrades to the Web site including new donation, membership and conference registration capabilities.
The Network staffed six meetings of the After School Advisory Council.
The goals of the Network are to:
- Create a sustainable structure of statewide, regional and local partnerships, particularly school-community partnerships, focused on supporting policy development at all levels.
- Support the development and growth of statewide policies that will secure the resources that are needed to sustain new and existing after school programs.
- Support statewide systems to ensure programs are of high quality.
- Build the Connecticut After School Network as an entity, with increased capacity to carry out its mission.
The Network has the potential to secure the financial resources and provide the guidance necessary to frame a broad vision for ensuring success of programs across the state. We serve as a driving force in bringing stakeholders together to build public will and influence public policies focused on quality and sustainability. We build the necessary partnerships that develop the balanced and diversified funding needed to sustain high quality programs over time. With this approach, the Network holds the promise for building the capacity of programs — and the field — to have positive and enduring impact on literally hundreds of thousands of children and families in Connecticut. Please join us to help build upon these accomplishments and help the children and youth of Connecticut reach their fullest potential.