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Posted 21 December 2011
Summer Matters, Now
The Partnership and Superintendent Torlakson convene Calif. superintendents to strategize around summer-learning programs
On Dec. 1 in San Diego, Partnership for Children and Youth and California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson convened school superintendents from across California to talk about summer learning. The roundtable of education leaders discussed and strategized around ways that school districts can expand access to quality summer-learning programs in 2012.
Why talk about summer in December?
Because, when not addressed, the devastating effects of summer learning loss are ongoing and cumulative, affecting students' performance throughout the whole of their academic career. It's essential to start planning well in advance to deliver effective summer-learning programs.
- Read more at Huffington Post >>
Posted 08 December 2011
Senator Mark DeSaulnier Receives Champion of Summer Learning Award
National Summer Learning Association honors Sen. DeSaulnier for his work to expand access to summer programs
Congratulations to Senator Mark DeSaulnier on receiving the Champion of Summer Award from the National Summer Learning Association (NSLA). At the opening night reception for the 2011 National Summer Learning Conference in San Francisco, NSLA interim CEO Matthew Boulay presented Sen. DeSaulnier with the award in honor of the senator’s ongoing efforts to improve the quality of, and expand access to, summer-learning programs throughout California.
Partnership for Children and Youth has worked closely with Sen. DeSaulnier for a number of years in support of summer learning and enrichment. The Partnership staffed the State Legislative Task Force on Summer and Intersession Enrichment, chaired by Sen. DeSaulnier. In 2010 and 2011, respectively, we worked with Sen. DeSaulnier on Senate Bill 798 and Senate Bill 429. Both bills, now signed into law, expand access to summer-learning programs for low-income children and youth in California.
Congratulations to Sen. DeSaulnier and his dedicated staff on this well-earned summer-learning award.
Posted 02 december 2011
We’re Hiring | Director of Technical Assistance
Position will oversee the Partnership’s technical-assistance projects in the nine counties of the Bay Area
Partnership for Children and Youth is seeking a highly-motivated Director of Technical Assistance to oversee our technical-assistance (TA) projects in the nine counties of the Bay Area. Five ongoing projects are focused on improving the quality and quantity of after-school and summer programs for children and youth in underserved communities. The director will oversee these ongoing projects and develop new TA projects to address emerging needs. She/he will also provide direct TA to a new initiative focused on improving quality in two summer programs with a STEM focus.
- Download the full Director of TA job description >>
To Apply
Please send cover letter and resume to:
Partnership for Children and Youth
Attn: Beth Zygielbaum
1611 Telegraph Ave., Suite 404
Oakland CA 94612
Fax: 510-763-1974
E-mail:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
E-mail applications with attachments in Microsoft Word or PDF format only. We do not accept phone inquiries regarding the position, please do not call. Position open until filled.
Posted 21 October 2011
ESEA Amendment Strengthens 21st CCLC And Supports Community Partners, Local Choice and Expanded Learning Time
The Partnership and CBASS worked closely with Sen. Whitehouse to draft legislation that maintains support for after-school and summer programs, and community partners
Last week the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee introduced a draft ESEA bill that is currently being debated on Capitol Hill. Last night, Oct. 20, 2011, the HELP Committee passed an ESEA reauthorization bill by a vote of 15-7.
We’re pleased to share that the Partnership, as part of an effort by the Collaborative for Building After School Systems (CBASS), worked closely with the office of Senator Whitehouse to introduce an amendment to the HELP bill that supports and strengthens 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) in ESEA reauthorization. There is much work still to be done in the reauthorization process, but this is an important step in maintaining 21st CCLC and supporting out-of-school-time programs as ESEA reauthorization unfolds.
The legislative changes ensure that ESEA supports expanded learning time and high-quality after-school and summer programs that include community partners and local choice. Here are some of the key elements of the amendment in support of 21st CCLC:
- No federal preference or priority on which approach (after-school, summer, expanded learning for some kids, expanded learning for all kids) will be used.
- Support for community partners. The amendment strengthens the community-partner requirement, with only a narrow exception for particular rural communities for whom the requirement would be a significant hardship.
- Clarity on who can be a fiscal agent. The Whitehouse amendment ensures that either the district or nonprofit partner can be the lead fiscal agent.
- Support for quality programs as well as innovation. New language ensures that effective and innovative approaches to programs can be utilized by grantees.
We’ll continue to work to strengthen 21st CCLC as ESEA moves forward. Among the areas on which we and CBASS will focus is clarifying the definition of expanded learning time to make sure it’s inclusive of enrichment activities, community partners and is focused on ELT design, not whole school redesign.
To learn more about our vision for 21st CCLC in ESEA reauthorization, please refer to the CBASS letter of Oct. 13 to Senators Harkin and Enzi in response to the draft HELP bill.
- Download the CBASS response letter >>
Updated 10 October 2011
Gov. Brown Signs SB 429 Into Law, Expanding Summer Learning Access in California
Senator DeSaulnier’s legislation increases flexibility in use of ASES and 21st CCLC funds
We’re very pleased to share that on Oct. 8, 2011, Governor Brown signed into law State Senator Mark DeSaulnier’s summer-learning legislation, Senate Bill 429.
SB 429 increases flexibility around the use of After School Education and Safety (ASES) and 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) summer supplemental grants in order to maximize student attendance and increase student learning.
Thank you to everyone for your crucial support for this bill as it made its way through the Legislature and to the Governor's desk.
SB 429 was sponsored by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson and co-sponsored by Partnership for Children and Youth, and Children Now. Sen. DeSaulnier is a longtime partner in our efforts to expand access to summer-learning programs in California.
This is Sen. DeSaulnier’s third consecutive piece of legislation on summer learning, work for which he has received an honor from the National Summer Learning Association.
About SB 429
SB 429 increases flexibility around the use of summer ASES and 21st CCLC supplemental grants in order to maximize student attendance and increase student learning. SB 429 provides creative solutions to improving services to children in a time of diminished resources—with no additional cost to the state.
SB 429 was sponsored by Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson, and co-sponsored by Partnership for Children and Youth, and Children Now.
Senate Bill 429 is important to efforts to decrease the impact of summer learning loss by giving existing recipients of state and federal after school grants flexibility in how they spend summer supplemental grants. This legislation will:
- Allow programs to operate an extended program for six hours per day. The extended program hours are critical to provide a more comprehensive program that supports the needs of parents and students.
- Allow students from the entire district to enroll in the summer program. This will accommodate students at low-income schools that may not have supplemental grant funds to run summer programming.
- Clarify that programs may operate off-site. As schools become more likely to close their doors during the summer months, utilizing an alternate location is important to the success of the program.
Download an SB 429 fact sheet >>
Read the text of SB 429 as chaptered >>
Posted 30 September 2011
Watch the New Video, 'Moving Towards Quality'
California Afterschool Network video introduces after-school program providers to the Youth Program Quality Assessment (YPQA) tool
This new video, "Moving Towards Quality" offers insight into program improvement for after-school program providers. Watch as Oakland and Black Oak Mine after-school programs utilize and talk about the Youth Program Quality Assessment (YPQA) continuous improvement tool.
This video was produced for the California Afterschool Network by the Partnership. Thank you to Community Bridge Video for production services and the William T. Grant Foundation.
Posted 24 September 2011
G.O.P. Senate Bill Threatens 21st CCLC Program
Jennifer Peck and Lucy N. Friedman respond in the Huffington Post to Republicans’ proposed ESEA legislation
On Sept. 14, 2011, a group of Senators introduced five bills to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) that included the "Empowering Local Educational Decision Making Act," sponsored by Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC). The bill eliminates the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program that provides funding for critical after-school and summer-learning programs.
The proposed bill takes away dedicated federal funding for expanded-learning programming. It consolidates the 21st CCLC program into a diffuse block grant with 24 other programs that does not ensure any expanded-learning opportunities.
As Nora Fleming remarks in Education Week, “[m]any after-school and extended-learning advocates are worried the consolidation would pull substantial funding that supports after-school programs to others.” She also notes, “[t]he 21st CCLC program currently funds 8,900 centers that serve roughly 1.5 million students at about $1.1 billion annually.”
Last Friday, Sept. 23, the Partnership’s Jennifer Peck and Lucy N. Friedman of TASC responded to the misguided Republican bill with an informative blog posting on the Huffington Post.
“This block grant proposal comes at a time when organizations, including our coalition, the Collaborative for Building After-School Systems, are proposing to build on a decade's worth of research to strengthen and expand 21st CCLC to ensure that programs can do even more to improve student outcomes,” write Jennifer and Lucy. “Undermining that work turns back progress on reform.”
- Read the Huffington Post article >>
- Also read Nora Fleming’s article in Ed Week >>
The Partnership and TASC will continue to keep you informed of developments regarding this troubling piece of proposed legislation.
Updated 12 September 2011
SB 429 is Headed to the Governor for Consideration; Letters of Support are Needed ASAP
Summer learning bill passes the full Calif. Assembly and Senate
We’re pleased to share that Senate Bill 429 (DeSaulnier) passed the full Calif. Assembly on Sept. 8, 2011, by a vote of 42–20. The following day, SB 429 passed the full Senate, 30-9. The summer learning bill will now go to the Governor’s desk for consideration.
Authored by Senator Mark DeSaulnier, SB 429 increases flexibility around the use of summer ASES and 21st CCLC supplemental grants in order to maximize student attendance and increase student learning. SB 429 provides creative solutions to improving services to children in a time of diminished resources—with no additional cost to the state.
Letters of Support Needed Immediately
Please fax letters of support to Governor Jerry Brownas soon as possible. We've prepared a template support letter that you can use:
- Download an SB 429 support letter >>
Thank you for your support of this important summer learning legislation.
About SB 429
SB 429 is sponsored by Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson, and co-sponsored by Partnership for Children and Youth, and Children Now.
Senate Bill 429 is important to efforts to decrease the impact of summer learning loss by giving existing recipients of state and federal after school grants flexibility in how they spend summer supplemental grants. This bill would:
- Allow programs to operate an extended program for six hours per day. The extended program hours are critical to provide a more comprehensive program that supports the needs of parents and students.
- Allow students from the entire district to enroll in the summer program. This will accommodate students at low-income schools that may not have supplemental grant funds to run summer programming.
- Clarify that programs may operate off-site. As schools become more likely to close their doors during the summer months, utilizing an alternate location is important to the success of the program.
Download an SB 429 fact sheet >>
Read the text of SB 429 as amended Aug. 26, 2011 >>
Posted 30 August 2011
SB 429 Passes Assembly Appropriations
Summer learning bill now moves to the full Assembly Floor
On Aug. 26, 2011, Senate Bill 429 (DeSaulnier) passed the Calif. Assembly Appropriations Committee on a vote of 12–5. Next, SB 429 will be considered on the Assembly Floor, and if successful, would then go to the Governor’s desk.
Authored by Senator Mark DeSaulnier, SB 429 increases flexibility around the use of summer ASES and 21st CCLC supplemental grants in order to maximize student attendance and increase student learning.
At an earlier reading before Appropriations on Aug. 17, the bill was referred to the suspense file so that recommended amendments to the bill’s language could be completed. You can read the amended version, as passed, here.
About SB 429
SB 429 is sponsored by Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson, and co-sponsored by Partnership for Children and Youth, and Children Now.
Senate Bill 429 is important to efforts to decrease the impact of summer learning loss by giving existing recipients of state and federal after school grants flexibility in how they spend summer supplemental grants. This bill would:
- Allow programs to operate an extended program for six hours per day. The extended program hours are critical to provide a more comprehensive program that supports the needs of parents and students.
- Allow students from the entire district to enroll in the summer program. This will accommodate students at low-income schools that may not have supplemental grant funds to run summer programming.
- Clarify that programs may operate off-site. As schools become more likely to close their doors during the summer months, utilizing an alternate location is important to the success of the program.
Download an SB 429 fact sheet >>
Read the text of SB 429 as amended Aug. 26, 2011 >>
Posted 10 August 2011
A Blueprint for Great Schools Report Released
Visionary education plan was drafted by State Superintendent Tom Torlakson and a statewide advisory team directed by Jennifer Peck
On August 9, 2011, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson released “A Blueprint for Great Schools,” offering vision and direction for California’s education system. The report focuses on 21st Century learning and meeting the needs of the whole child.
Superintendent Torlakson’s 59-member transition team, comprised of leaders from across California, contributed their thinking to the report. Jennifer Peck, the Partnership’s executive director, has overseen the work of the team since she was appointed transition team director by Superintendent Torlakson in December 2010.
“What I’m particularly excited about, from the transition committee work and the superintendent’s priorities, is the notion of addressing the needs of the whole child,” says Jennifer.
- Read the report, A Blueprint for Great Schools >>
- View Superintendent Torlakson's press release >>
Posted 04 August 2011
Jennifer Peck Writes in the HuffPost About Bringing STEM to Summer Learning Programs
Jennifer Peck, executive director of Partnership for Children and Youth, blogs on Huffington Post about California's leardership role in making science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) priorities in summer learning and enrichment programs.
Posted 19 July 2011
Q&A: How States Can Improve Summer Learning
Education Week Beyond School blog featuring the Partnership's Jennifer Peck
Jennifer Peck of Partnership for Children and Youth discusses Calif.'s State Legislative Task Force on Summer and Intersession Enrichment, and creative strategies and resources for increasing access to summer learning programs.
Posted 06 July 2011
Why Summer Learning Matters
Beyond the Headlines, ABC-7 KGO-TV, San Francisco
Watch as the Beyond the Headlines TV program looks at how summertime could be dangerous to the physical and academic health of our low-income youth. They lack the fundamental resources and traditional opportunities most families associate with this time of year. (The program aired June 12, 2011 on ABC-7 KGO-TV, San Francisco.)
The show features Katie Brackenridge, Director, Out of School Time Initiatives, Partnership for Children and Youth.
Posted 06 July 2011
Thank You to Everyone for Summer Learning Day in Sacramento
Thanks to the many elected officials, honored guests and supporters who made the Summer Matters event in Sacramento on June 21 a great success
Special thanks to Ali Medina and the students from Mt. Diablo, Asha Mehta and students from the San Francisco Beacon programs, and Zenae Scott and Miamah Reed and the Sacramento City students.
Take a look at video and photos on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
- Learn more | Download the press release >>
Also, here's a great video and article by Katy Murphy of the Oakland Tribune.
Posted 19 June 2011
Join Us June 21 at the Capitol in Sacramento for California's Flagship Summer Learning Day Celebratory Event
Participants will include State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson and Senator Mark DeSaulnier
National Summer Learning Day is a celebration of the importance of summer learning programs, and their effectiveness in preventing student summer learning loss and engaging students in meaningful educational enrichment activities during the summer months.
California’s flagship Summer Learning event will be held on Tuesday, June 21st at the Capitol. Middle school students from summer learning programs in the region will visit the State Capitol and conduct a series of interviews with elected officials and community leaders about their favorite summer learning experiences.
Participants will include Senator Mark DeSaulnier and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson.
Join Us!
Please join us beginning at 10:00am on the South Steps of the Capitol. Throughout the day you’ll have the opportunity to participate in video interviews with students, and to engage with teachers, parents, students, media and business, civic and nonprofit leaders. If you can’t make it earlier, please stop by for lunch at noon. Thank you.
Event Details
What: Summer Matters Celebration of National Summer Learning Day
When: Tue. June 21, 2011, beginning at 10:00am
Where: The Capitol, Sacramento
Learn more
- Download an event invitation >>
- Learn more about why Summer Matters >>
- Find SummerMatters2You on Facebook >>
- Follow SummerMatters2You on Twitter >>
updated 07 June 2011
SB 429 (DeSaulnier) Summer Learning Bill Passes the Calif. Senate Floor
On to the Assembly
On June 1, 2011, Senate Bill 429 (DeSaulnier) passed the full Senate by a 26-12 vote. Authored by Senator Mark DeSaulnier, SB 429 increases flexibility around the use of summer ASES and 21st CCLC supplemental grants in order to maximize student attendance and increase student learning.
SB 429 is sponsored by Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson, and co-sponsored by Partnership for Children and Youth, and Children Now.
Next, SB 429 goes to the Assembly Education Committee for consideration. Thank you to everyone for your support of this bill and for helping to emphasize the importance of summer learning programs in California.
About SB 429
Senate Bill 429 is important to the efforts to decrease the impact of the summer learning loss by giving existing recipients of state and federal after school grants flexibility in how they spend summer supplemental grants. This bill would:
- Allow programs to operate an extended program for 6-hours per day. The extended program hours are critical to provide a more comprehensive program that supports the needs of parents and students;
- Allow students from the entire district to enroll in the summer program. This will accommodate students at low-income schools that may not have supplemental grant funds to run summer programming; and
- Clarify that programs may operate off-site. As schools become more likely to close their doors during the summer months, utilizing an alternate location is important to the success of the program.
Read | Senator DeSaulnier's SB 429 Media release >>
Download | SB 429 fact sheet >>
Read | SB 429 as amended Apr. 26, 2011 >>
Thank you for your support. We'll keep you updated on the progress of SB 429 and other key education bills.
Posted 26 May 2011
SB 429 (DeSaulnier) Summer Learning Bill Passes Calif. Senate Appropriations
Next up is the Senate Floor
We’re pleased to announce that today, May 26, 2011, Senate Bill 429 (DeSaulnier) passed through the Calif. Senate Appropriations Committee. Authored by Senator Mark DeSaulnier, SB 429 increases flexibility around the use of summer ASES and 21st CCLC supplemental grants in order to maximize student attendance and increase student learning.
SB 429 is sponsored by Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson, and co-sponsored by Partnership for Children and Youth, and Children Now.
Next, SB 429 goes to the Senate Floor. Thank you to everyone for your support of this bill and for helping to emphasize the importance of summer learning programs in California.
- Learn more in our eNewsletter >>
Posted 23 May 2011
California Community Schools Advocacy Network (CCSAN) eNews
Healthy Start Report Released at Senate Hearing on Community Schools
Posted 16 May 2011
Jennifer Peck Writes on SFGate.com City Brights about Summer Learning Loss and the Achievement Gap
The Partnership's Executive Director is the San Francisco Chronicle's newest blogger
"While many Bay Area families are planning summers filled with educationally enriching activities for their kids, the vast majority of low-income children in the Bay Area, and around California, lack access to meaningful summer learning opportunities," writes Jennifer Peck as she begins her tenure as the newest blogger on the San Francisco Chronicle SFGate.com's City Brights.
City Brights are prominent local citizens and experts with a unique Bay Area perspective.
- Read the article online >> | Download a copy >>
Posted 13 May 2011
Senator Hancock Convenes Community Schools Hearing
Chairwoman Loni Hancock and members of the Select Committee on Workforce Development, School Environment and Student Wellness hear about the community schools approach
On May 12, 2011 in Sacramento, Partnership for Children and Youth and Senator Loni Hancock, chairwoman of the Select Committee on Workforce Development, School Environment and Student Wellness, convened an informational hearing at the Capitol about the community schools approach as an important strategy for school improvement in California.
A panel of representatives from California schools and school districts presented background and viewpoints on why supporting children and families in a more comprehensive way is critical to school success and also makes good governance sense. Panel speakers included:
- Tony Smith, Superintendent, Oakland Unified School District
- James Hammond, Superintendent, Ontario-Montclair School District
- Jan Christensen, Superintendent, Redwood City School District
- Amaya Weiss, Healthy Start Coordinator, Freeport Elementary School, Sacramento City Unified School District
Deanna Niebuhr of Partnership for Children and Youth, and Joanne Bookmyer, PhD, of Center for Community School Partnerships, CRESS Center, UC Davis School of Education, began the day’s proceedings by introducing their new report, “California Healthy Start: Seed Funding to Build Partnerships for Student Success.”
The newly released Healthy Start report highlights the promise of utilizing schools as access points for a range of critical services for children and their families in California’s low-income communities. It showcases six (former) California Healthy Start grant recipients that have successfully built robust partnerships among the school district, local government and community-based agencies. The success stories suggest that providing seed funding for planning and coordination of learning-support services is a worthwhile investment in communities, one that contributes to sustained partnerships, programs and services, and ultimately better outcomes for children and families.
- Read the new Healthy Start report >>
- Learn about current community schools legislation >>
- View the May 12, 2011 hearing agenda >>
Posted 02 May 2011
Read Our Report to the Community for Spring 2011
Offers an overview of our after school, summer, community schools and policy work for the year ahead
In 2011, the Partnership is working to both deepen and broaden the scope of our commitment to children and families in the Bay Area’s lowest-income communities. Building on our core initiatives—community schools, after school and summer—we have added two new project areas, while continuing to play an expanding role in shaping state and federal education policy.
- Read the Report to the Community online >> | Download a copy of the report >>
Posted 02 May 2011
Partnership Executive Director Jennifer Peck Writes in the Huffington Post about Why Summer Learning Matters
We’re pleased to announce that Jennifer Peck, Executive Director of Partnership for Children and Youth, is officially one of the newest bloggers on the Huffington Post.
To kick things off, Jennifer has written about the importance of summer learning and enrichment programs, with reference to our eight Packard summer communities. Please stay tuned for future HuffPo articles by Jennifer on a range of education topics.
- Read the HuffPost article online >> | Download a copy >>
Posted 02 may 2011
Come to the Capitol on May 12 for a Hearing on the Community Schools Approach
Please join Chairwoman Loni Hancock and the members of the Select Committee on Workforce Development, School Environment and Student Wellness
Partnership for Children and Youth along with Senator Loni Hancock, chairwoman of the Select Committee on Workforce Development, School Environment and Student Wellness invite you to hear about the community schools approach as an important strategy for school improvement in California.
- Download the invitation >>
When: Thu., May 12, 2011
Where: Room 112, The Capitol, Sacramento
Time: 9:30am (or upon adjournment of session)
Hearing Speakers
Tony Smith, Superintendent, Oakland Unified School District
James Hammond, Superintendent, Ontario-Montclair School District
Jan Christensen, Superintendent, Redwood City School District
- Learn more about the May 12 Community Schools hearing >>
updated 15 April 2011
SB 429 (DeSaulnier) Summer Learning Bill Passes Senate Education Committee
Next stop is Senate Appropriations
On Apr. 13, 2011, Senate Bill 429 (DeSaulnier) passed through the Senate Education Committee by a 7–1 vote. Authored by Senator Mark DeSaulnier, SB 429 increases flexibility around the use of summer ASES and 21st CCLC supplemental grants in order to maximize student attendance and increase student learning.
SB 429 is sponsored by Superintendent of Public Education Tom Torlakson, and co-sponsored by Partnership for Children and Youth, and Children Now.
Next, SB 429 goes before the Senate Appropriations Committee. Thank you to everyone who was able to send letters of support on a tight deadline.
About SB 429
Senate Bill 429 is important to the efforts to decrease the impact of the summer learning loss by giving existing recipients of state and federal after school grants flexibility in how they spend summer supplemental grants. This bill would:
- Allow programs to operate an extended program for 6-hours per day. The extended program hours are critical to provide a more comprehensive program that supports the needs of parents and students;
- Allow students from the entire district to enroll in the summer program. This will accommodate students at low-income schools that may not have supplemental grant funds to run summer programming; and
- Clarify that programs may operate off-site. As schools become more likely to close their doors during the summer months, utilizing an alternate location is important to the success of the program.
Read | Senator DeSaulnier's SB 429 Media release >>
Read | SB 429 fact sheet >>
Download | SB 429 as amended Apr. 4, 2011 >>
Thank you for your support. We'll keep you updated on the progress of SB 429 and other key education bills.
Posted 13 April 2011
AB 760 (Gordon) Healthy Start Community Schools Bill Passes the Assembly Education Committee
Today, Apr. 13, 2011, Assembly Bill 760 (Gordon) Healthy Start Community Schools Act passed through the Assembly Education Committee. AB 760 will be a vehicle for emphasizing to Legislators the importance of the community school approach—supporting schools and students through interagency partnerships. AB 760 is authored by Assembymember Richard S. Gordon. The bill is co-sponsored by Partnership for Children and Youth, and the California School Health Centers Association.
Healthy Start represents California’s early investment in the community schools approach. AB 760 would make several improvements to the Healthy Start program, including:
- Requiring greater integration with academic programs and systems;
- Emphasizing alignment with existing children’s initiatives;
- Emphasizing district and/or countywide systems change;
- Refining the outcomes and evaluations process; and
- More strictly limiting the use of grant funds to planning and coordination.
AB 760 will also rename the law as the Healthy Start Community Schools program. Please note that this bill does not add any new funding to the Healthy Start Program.
- Read an AB 760 fact sheet >>
- Get a copy of AB 760 as amended Apr. 4, 2011 >>
Again, thank you to everyone for your support on this bill.
Join CCSAN to Stay Involved and Engaged
Help us create a supportive policy environment for community schools in California. Join the California Community Schools Advocacy Network (CCSAN).
- Learn more and sign up for the CCSAN mailing list >>
updated 28 March 2011
Community School Bills for 2011
Partnership for Children and Youth is working alongside a number of advocacy organizations to develop state-level policy that will support local community school partnerships. To achieve this goal, we are collectively drafting, refining and supporting a package of bills in 2011 that will raise awareness about the community schools approach and give communities additional support in their efforts.
The following are some of the key California community school bills being introduced this year.
- Assembly Bill 760 (Gordon). Healthy Start revisited. Jointly sponsored by Partnership for Children and Youth and the California School Health Centers Association | AB 760 fact sheet >>
- Assembly Bill 823 (Dickinson). Children’s Cabinet. Children Now is the current sponsor | AB 823 fact sheet >>
- Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 18 (Liu). California School Climate, Health, and Learning Survey (CAL-SCHLS). Children Now is the current sponsor | SCR 18 digest >>
Learn more about the 2011 bill package | Read CCSAN eNews >>
Posted 14 February 2011
The Impact of Proposition 49
A Profile of After School Policy and Practice in Oakland and San Francisco
Newly published report by Katie Brackenridge and Sandra Naughton
In 2002, California voters approved $550 million, the largest statewide investment in after school programming in the country, through a voter initiative called Proposition 49 (Prop. 49). When the funding began to flow to local communities in early 2007, the sudden influx of so many grants was chaotic, even for communities with an existing after school infrastructure.
Based on interviews, focus groups and document review, this article analyzes how this influx of new state funding impacted well-established after school fields in two Bay Area cities – Oakland and San Francisco – with a focus on policy changes, programming and practice, and power dynamics between key stakeholders in the cities.
Read this new paper, "The Impact of Prop. 49: A Profile of After School Policy and Practice in Oakland and San Francisco," by Katie Brackenridge, Partnership for Children and Youth, and Sandra Naughton, San Francisco Department of Children, Youth and Their Families. The Partnership and DCYF are grateful to the National Institute on Out-of-School Time and the Robert Bowne Foundation for making this paper possible.
- Download a copy of the Prop. 49 report >>
Posted 03 February 2011
Policy Briefs Published from the Working Families Policy Summit 2011
California Center for Research on Women & Families | Connecting Health and Education
The realities of working and parenting have meant that many schools are stepping up to provide more basic health and nutrition-related services for families. Below are recommendations and background materials prepared by summit advocates working to ensure that students are healthy and ready to learn.
Over 500 California leaders attended the California Working Families Policy Summit, convened by the California Center for Research on Women & Families, held on Jan. 12, 2011.
Read summit policy briefs on full-Service community schools prepared by Jennifer Peck, Executive Director, Partnership for Children and Youth.
- Recommendations on Community Schools | Recommendations >>
- Fact Sheet: Community Schools | Facts >>
- Legislative History: Community Schools, Healthy Start and Summer Learning | History >>
Read more briefs from the Connecting Health and Education summit strand >>
Posted 13 January 2011
Jennifer Peck Appointed Director of Transition Team for State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Tom Torlakson’s Transition Advisory Team is a bipartisan group of educators, and labor, business and community leaders
Partnership for Children and Youth is excited to share the news that Executive Director Jennifer Peck begins the New Year as Director of the Transition Advisory Team for Tom Torlakson, newly-elected California State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Mr. Torlakson took office on Jan. 3, 2011. The Transition Team will provide strategic advice on key issues impacting California students, schools, school districts and the California Department of Education.
In addition to her ever-growing responsibilities at the Partnership, Jennifer will devote roughly one day a week to the Superintendent’s office for the next few months. As director of the transition effort, Jennifer is responsible for ensuring that the 50-member Transition Team carries out its work in a timely, efficient and effective manner. She is also uniquely positioned to provide specific recommendations on after school and summer programs, as well as on community schools.
The Transition Team is co-chaired by Professor Linda Darling-Hammond of Stanford and David Rattray of UNITE LA.
- Learn more about the Transition Team | CDE news release >>
Jennifer Hicks Joins the Partnership Staff
Jen steps into a newly-created position, technical assistance manager
Please join us in welcoming Jennifer Hicks as the newest staff member here at the Partnership. Jen takes on the role of technical assistance manager, a new position that will provide training, consultation and coaching to after school and summer programs.
After starting with us on Jan. 3 (her birthday, by the way), Jen hit the ground running by taking on a new and innovative strand of the Partnership’s work—providing support for out-of-school-time programs in low-income housing developments.
Prior to joining the Partnership, Jen spent six years working on after school programs with the YMCA of the East Bay. She has also worked in the Oakland Unified School District’s Complementary Learning office.
Posted 10 January 2011
California Community Schools Advocacy Network (CCSAN) eNews
Upcoming Hearing at the State Capitol | Making Changes to Healthy Start | Realigning Funding Streams
Posted 01 December 2010
State Task Force on Summer Ratifies Findings and Recommendations
Policy recommendations on summer learning will go to the Governor, the Legislature and the Superintendent of Public Instruction
Chaired by Senator Mark DeSaulnier, and established and staffed by Partnership for Children and Youth, the State Legislative Task Force on Summer and Intersession Enrichment was designed to examine existing research and data, and produce a set of recommendations on what the state’s role should be in addressing the educational and health needs of California's children in the summertime.
On Nov. 29, 2010, the Task Force ratified its findings and recommendations for submission to the Governor, the Legislature and the Superintendent of Public Instruction.
In 2011, we at the Partnership will work to move forward the most actionable policy recommendations from the Legislative Task Force. We’ll also focus on implementing strategies to increase public awareness about summer learning to make it a higher-priority policy issue in Sacramento.
- Read the findings and recommendations >>
- Learn more about the Task Force on Summer and Intersession Enrichment >>
Posted 11 November 2010
We’re Hiring | Policy Associate
Position will support our ongoing policy development and advocacy efforts
Partnership for Children and Youth is seeking a highly-motivated Policy Associate to support our ongoing policy development and advocacy efforts to improve and expand support services for children in low-income communities. This position will focus primarily on afterschool and summer learning policy, community schools policy, and the emerging arena of “Expanded Learning Time.” The Associate will also support other key policy areas that relate to our work and mission.
- Download the full Policy Associate job description >>
To Apply
Please send cover letter and resume to:
Partnership for Children and Youth
Attn: Beth Zygielbaum
1611 Telegraph Ave., Suite 404
Oakland CA 94612
Fax: 510-763-1974
E-mail:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
E-mail applications with attachments in Microsoft Word or PDF format only. We do not accept phone inquiries regarding the position, please do not call. Position open until filled.
Posted 29 October 2010
Our Report to the Community for Fall 2010 is Now Available
Presents a snapshot of the Partnership's outcomes for 2010 and our outlook for 2011
Curious about what we've been up to lately here at Partnership for Children and Youth? Take a look at our Fall 2010 Report to the Community to see some of the outcomes we've achieved this year to date.
- Read the Fall 2010 Report to the Community >>
Posted 26 October 2010
21st CCLC and ELT | Jennifer Peck in Discussion with Sam Piha of Learning In Afterschool
Extended learning time discussed in the context of ESEA reauthorization
Blog post examines 21st Century Community Learning Centers funding in the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
Posted 26 October 2010
We’re Hiring | Technical Assistance Manager
Position will provide training, coaching and consultation to after-school and summer programs
We’re adding a new position to our team here at Partnership for Children and Youth. Please pass on the Technical Assistance Manager job description to interested friends and colleagues.
About the Job
The Technical Assistance Manager will provide training, coaching and consultation to after-school and summer programs across the nine counties of the Bay Area. Specific areas of focus will include:
- Supporting after-school providers (including residential services providers) in affordable housing projects in improving the quality of their out-of-school-time programs, and where appropriate, building partnerships with other technical assistance providers and networks.
- Supporting summer programs in improving and expanding their programs.
The TA Manager will also participate in developing and implementing other technical-assistance initiatives to strengthen Bay Area after-school and summer programs. When needed, he/she will also participate in the development of targeted low-income communities’ applications for state and federal after-school grants.
To Apply
Please send a resume and cover letter to Beth Zygielbaum at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by mail at 1611 Telegraph Ave., Suite 404, Oakland CA 94612
- Learn more about the TA Manager position | Download the full job description >>
Posted 29 September 2010
Governor Schwarzenegger Signs SB 798 (DeSaulnier)
The bill is sponsored by Partnership for Children and Youth
Governor Schwarzenegger's office has sent word that the governor signed Senate Bill 798 (DeSaulnier). Sponsored by Partnership for Children and Youth, and authored by California Senator Mark DeSaulnier, SB 798 will provide much-needed resources for summer learning programs to low-income children through California’s federal 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program (21st CCLC) dollars.
Thank you to everyone for your support over the last two years of moving this bill.
- Read the press release >>
- Learn more about SB 798 >>
Posted 22 September 2010
Education Week: Federal After-School Funding Bill Divides Community
Article Features Partnership Executive Director Jennifer Peck
Education Week’s September 22, 2010 article discusses the future of 21st Century Community Learning Center program funding in light of the recent proposal by the Senate Appropriations Committee to expand the 21st CCLC allotment.
Excerpt: “Jennifer Peck, the executive director of the Partnership for Children and Youth, in Oakland, Calif., supports expanding the federal program, but she is adamant that language be added to ensure that community organizations participate fully in the CCLC, and that added learning time means added “engaged” time, not simply more time in class. Other groups, including the After-School Corp., based in New York City, make the same point.”
Read the Ed Week article online >> | Download a copy >>
Posted 16 September 2010
Education Week Continues the Discussion on Expanded 21st CCLC Funding
Article Refers to the Partnership's Sign-on Letter in Response to Senate Appropriations
Ed Week's Beyond School blog explores, "...the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program and the appropriations bill in Congress that would allow the initiative to fund extended-learning-time efforts as well as the after-school, before-school, and summer school programs it now supports."
Read the Ed Week article >> | Learn more about the sign-on letter >>
Posted 08 September 2010
Support Senate Bill 1357
Tracking Chronic Absence Can Provide Critical Data for Community School Partners
Senate Bill 1357 (Steinberg) is on its way to Governor Schwarzenegger’s desk for consideration after having passed the Senate on August 26, 2010. SB 1357 requires the California Department of Education to include data on student absences in the California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System (CALPADS), contingent upon the receipt of federal funding for this purpose.
The bill received nearly unanimous support throughout its floor votes in both the Senate and the Assembly.
- More on SB 1357 | Download a fact sheet >>
Action Items | Send Letters of Support
Please send a letter to the Governor in support of SB 1357 as soon as possible.
The Fax number for Governor Schwarzenegger is: 916.558.3160 (new number)
- Template support letter for SB 1357 | Download >>
Add your organization to a coalition letter to the Governor in support of SB 1357. Organizations wishing to be added can send a request, along with their logo, to Brad Strong of Children Now (
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
).
Thank you.
Posted 25 August 2010
SB 798 (DeSaulnier) and AB 2178 (Torlakson) are Headed for the Governor’s Desk
Please send letters of support for these important after-school and summer-learning bills
Two bills that would significantly enhance after-school and summer-learning programs are moving quickly through their respective floor votes and are projected to reach Governor Schwarzenegger within the next few days for consideration.
Please use the attached templates to send letters to the Governor in of support of these bills as soon as possible.
The Fax number for Governor Schwarzenegger is: 916.558.3160 ( new number )
SB 798
Senate Bill 798 (DeSaulnier) would provide much-needed resources for summer learning programs to low-income children through California’s federal 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program dollars.
- Send a letter of support for SB 798 | Download the SB 798 template letter >>
- Learn more about SB 798 | SB 798 Background >>
AB 2178
Assembly Bill 2178 (Torlakson) would enhance development of after-school programming by allowing school districts to provide student evaluation information to after-school providers. Such information could greatly assist program providers in designing programming that best serves their student populations.
- Send a letter of support for AB 2178 | Download the AB 2178 template letter >>
- Learn more about AB 2178 | AB 2178 Background >>
Posted 17 August 2010
Partnership for Children and Youth Responds to U.S. Senate Appropriations Action on 21st CCLC Program
Recently, the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee passed a $100 million proposed increase for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program which funds before- and after-school, and summer learning programs in low-income communities.
With this proposed increase, the Committee also included language that would allow 21st CCLC funds to be used for an extended school day, a move that has been very controversial in the after-school community. There is concern that the current Appropriations bill language leaves open the possibility that funds could be used for simply lengthening the school day without integrating critical community partners, and that federal and/or state regulations could favor this model over existing high quality after-school programs.
Partnership for Children and Youth, along with many other organizations, have stated publicly in a sign-on letter to House Education Committee Chairman George Miller that we support extended/expanded school-day and year models if the following conditions are met:
- Strong community partnerships are required;
- Community organizations continue to have the right to be the lead agency and manage programs; and
- The choice about which model to select is entirely a local decision.
We believe the same policy provisions should be in place should the Congress move forward with an Appropriations bill that allows expanded day models in the 21st CCLC program.
Therefore, we and our partner intermediaries from the Collaborative for Building After School Systems (CBASS) have developed a new sign-on letter directed to Senate and House Appropriations Members requesting they amend the current Appropriations bill language.
Sign on to a Response Letter
We welcome and encourage the support of your organization on this crucial issue. Please read the sign-on letter and add your organization to the list of signers.
- Read the response letter and sign on >>
Thank you.
Posted 12 August 2010
SB 798 Passes Assembly Appropriations
Next stop, the Assembly Floor, then the Governor
Senate Bill 798 (DeSaulnier), which would bring critical resources to summer learning programs in low-income communities, made it over a big hurdle this week. The bill was approved by the Assembly Appropriations Committee and will next move to the Assembly Floor, and then on to the Governor.
Many thanks go to our partners who wrote letters in support of this bill, and to East Bay Assemblywoman Nancy Skinner for advocating for the bill with Assembly leadership.
We will send an alert along with a template letter of support as soon as we know more about timing and next steps.
- Learn more about SB 798 >>
Summer Changes Everything
Attend the National Summer Learning Association’s Conference, November 9-10 in Indianapolis
Summer Changes Everything, the only national conference focused entirely on summer, will be held at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown, November 9-10. If you work with children, operate or make decisions about summer programs, or are involved in youth education, you can’t afford to miss this conference. With 60 workshops on topics from STEM learning to social media outreach, NSLA is presenting the latest information regarding youth and summer learning. 
This year, NSLA is thrilled to welcome an exciting lineup of guest speakers, exhibitors, and panelists, including neurologist, author, researcher, and middle-school teacher Dr. Judy Willis. Tarik Glenn, retired Indianapolis Colt and co-founder of D.R.E.A.M Alive, Inc., will share how his experiences both on and off the field have helped him to build and maintain a successful youth program. Other presenters include social media guru Beth Kanter, policy experts, and NSLA staffers. Don’t miss out on what promises to be the best summer learning conference yet!
Learn how to build, strengthen, and expand summer programs at the Summer Changes Everything conference:
- Connect and network with colleagues, including summer program providers, educators, school administrators, researchers and policymakers.
- Choose the option of participating in one of two relevant, in-depth pre-conference institutes on November 8, on program planning or summer learning advocacy.
- Choose from 60 workshops in three exciting areas: Knowledge and Strategies for Summer Program Managers; Policy and Funding for Systems Building; and Innovative Instructional Approaches.
Learn more and register now at the conference homepage. Or, contact our Conference Manager, Ryan Rebarchick, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or phone at 410.856.1370 x203.
- Get more info and register >>
Posted 03 August 2010
Summer Learning Grabs the Spotlight in California and Across the Country
TIME Magazine cover story brings national attention to summer learning while members of California’s Legislative Task Force on Summer visit an LA’s BEST program
The Case Against Summer Vacation
The August 2, 2010 issue of TIME Magazine features a cover story on the importance of summer learning and enrichment, titled, “The Case Against Summer Vacation.” This insightful article discusses summer slide and the achievement gap between lower- and higher-income students that results from summer learning loss.
- Download a PDF of the TIME article >>
- Read an online version >>
Senators Mark DeSaulnier and Gil Cedillo of the Summer Task Force Visit Leo Politi Elementary in Los Angeles
On July 29, 2010, Senator Mark DeSaulnier, Chair of the Legslative Task Force on Summer and Intersession Enrichment, Task Force Member Senator Gil Cedillo, and Assemblymember Kevin de Leon accompanied Partnership Executive Director Jennifer Peck on a visit to LA’s BEST’s summer learning program at Leo Politi Elementary School in downtown Los Angeles.
The legislators got to see students engaged in a reading activity about Amelia Earhart, learning math through card games, making art with a local professional artist, and learning about science through a mock space exploration. All the guests were served orange juice that was freshly squeezed by the students as part of their nutrition education project. The students participating in this program all come from low-income households and without this program would likely have nowhere else to be in the summer. Instead, they are building their academic skills and having fun for seven weeks in the summer at their local school.
The purpose of the visit was to give the legislators a firsthand view of a high quality summer learning program that’s making a real difference in children’s lives, and discuss why the state needs to do more to prioritize summer learning programs for low-income children.
- Learn more about the Legislative Task Force on Summer and Intersession Enrichment >>
UPDATE: SB 798 (DeSaulnier) Goes to Assembly Appropriations August 4
Senate Bill 798 (DeSaulnier), which would provide much needed resources for summer learning programs to low-income children, goes before the Assembly Appropriations Committee on Wednesday, August 4, 2010.
Sponsored by Partnership for Children and Youth and authored by Senator Mark DeSaulnier, SB 798 seeks to dedicate 15% of California’s 21st Century Community Learning Centers dollars for summer learning and enrichment programs, and place more emphasis on year-round programs.
The 21st CCLC program supports before school, after school and summer programs for children attending schools in low-income communities. The original implementation plan for 21st CCLC did not accommodate the range of needs throughout the year, including services during periods when schools are closed (e.g. vacation periods, intersession).
- Learn more about SB 798 >>
Posted 28 July 2010
AB 1876 (Torlakson) Update
Governor Vetoes Proposed ASES Legislation
Assembly Bill 1876 (Torlakson), which would have allowed ASES programs to use their base grants to provide weekend activities, as well as give competitive priority to successful K-8 21st CCLC programs that re-apply for federal funding, was vetoed July 23 by Governor Schwarzenegger.
In his veto message, the Governor states that among the reasons for the veto is the long waiting list of schools in need of funding for after school programs:
It is a great testament to all the hard working after school program providers that California can be such a leader in providing educationally enriching activities to its students even after the end of the regular school day. The need is so great for these valuable after school programs that there is still not enough funding to meet the long waiting list of schools and students seeking to have an after school program.
Learn more about AB 1876 >>
Read the Governor's veto message >>
Source: League of California Afterschool Providers
posted 15 July 2010
Sign On to a Nationwide Letter in Support of Our Recommendations to Strengthen 21st Century Community Learning Centers Funding
Show Your Organization's Support in a Message to the House Education and Labor Committee
Partnership for Children and Youth is proud to be uniquely positioned as an advisor to Representative George Miller, Chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, with regard to the development of his out-of-school-time and expanded day policies in the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
Join us in a nationwide letter of support to express our thoughts on policy direction for the reauthorization of the 21st Community Learning Centers program (21st CCLC).
- Read the letter and sign on | Learn more >>
posted 07 July 2010
AB 1876 (Torlakson) Heads to the Governor’s Desk for Consideration
Please Send Letters of Support ASAP
Assembly Bill 1876 (Torlakson), a bill that would allow ASES programs to use their base grants to provide weekend activities, as well as give competitive priority to successful K-8 21st CCLC programs that re-apply for federal funding, has passed both houses of the Legislature and is on its way to the Governor for consideration.
Please send a letter to the Governor in support of AB 1876 as soon as possible. You can use the following template:
- AB 1876 Letter of Support template | Download >>
Please fax your support letter ASAP: 916.445.4633
More about AB 1876
AB 1876, sponsored by the Partnership for Children and Youth and authored by Assemblymember Tom Torlakson, would accomplish two important things for state and federally funded after-school programs:
Clarify that grants for After School Education and Safety (ASES) programs and 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) may be used for weekend activities for students. Weekend activities or field trips have been important incentives in some programs to enhance student participation, but in recent years, the state has disallowed grant funding to be used for this purpose.
Give expiring 21st CCLC grantees who have performed well over their five-year grant period, extra points when they are re-applying for new 21st CCLC grants. Federal law prohibits straight “renewal” of 21st CCLC grants, so this is a way to help strong 21st CCLC grantees continue their programs and services for students.
Read an analysis of AB 1876 >>
Posted: 29 June 2010
AB 346 AND AB 1025 (Conway) Update
New Language included in after-school legislation. Please send letters of support.
AB 346 (Conway), which would address the unintended impacts of AB 1025 (Conway), was passed by the Senate on June 28, and will be sent to the Assembly floor for concurrence on July 1. It will then be immediately sent to the Governor for his consideration. The bill was amended on June 24 to drop the one-year delay provision, and instead include language that is critically important to after-school providers:
E.C. 40924(e) This section does not apply to a candidate who is required by the school district to clear a Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation criminal background check prior to beginning the paid or volunteer activities described in subdivision (a).
This language would ensure that any persons who have already been cleared by the DOJ and FBI would not be required to additionally obtain an Activity Supervisor Clearance Certificate through the Commission on Teacher Credentialing. The supporters of AB 346 have asked providers to send letters to the Governor in order to help him understand why it is necessary to sign this bill without delay. Please cut and paste this template to your agency letterhead, then sign and fax to (916) 558-3160.
Source: League of California Afterschool Providers
Posted: 29 June 2010
Summer Food Update
California Children Missing Out on Meals During Summer Months
New Report Shows Drastic Fall in Participation in the Summer Nutrition Programs
Almost 80,000 fewer California children took part in the Summer Nutrition Programs in July 2009 compared to July 2008, according to a new report, Hunger Doesn’t Take a Vacation , by the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC). This represents a 13% decline in participation at a time when participation in other federal safety-net programs is on the rise. Nationally, the participation rate fell by 2.5 percent.
Leaders of the California Association of Food Banks and the California Food Policy Advocates said the significant drop-off in summer meal program participation means many low-income children in the state were going without enough nutritious food. They attributed much of the drop-off to cutbacks in state funding for programs -- like summer schools -- that also provide meals.
The two organizations held a conference call June 29 to draw attention to the report’s findings and discuss ways to increase participation. Kate Karpilow, executive director of the California Center for Research on Women and Families, which is working with the statewide Summer Meal Program Coalition to increase the number of summer meal sponsors and sites, and Jim Weill, president of FRAC, also took part in the call.
The Summer Nutrition Programs, administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, provide meals to children who rely on free and reduced-price school meals during the school year. Summer meals are offered at participating sites, such as public and private schools, city- or county-run children’s summer programs or nonprofit programs, with federal funding provided to offset the costs.
While participation in summer meal programs fell, participation in the National School Lunch Program rose from the 2007-2008 school year to the 2008-2009 school year, confirming the rising need for nutrition assistance among low-income families. More than 2.14 million California children relied on the School Lunch Program in 2007-2008; this number jumped to 2.26 million in the 2008-2009 school year. By comparison, only 509,710 California children took part in the Summer Nutrition Programs in July 2009 compared to 588,175 in July 2008. That means the Summer Nutrition Programs reached only 23 percent of low-income children who ate school lunch during the regular school year.
"It’s especially troubling to see such a large gap between the number of children who use the School Lunch Program versus those who use the Summer Nutrition Program," said Sue Sigler, executive director of the California Association of Food Banks. "As a state, we have to be concerned about where these thousands and thousands of children are getting their food during the summer. The truth is, in most cases they are having to go without."
If the Summer Nutrition Programs in California were to serve just 40 out of every 100 children who participate in the School Lunch Program during the year, the state would receive an additional $27,055,081 in federal nutrition funding -- and help an additional 392,900 low-income children.
California Food Policy Advocates also recently released an analysis of trends in summer nutrition in California, School’s Out Who Ate? 2010, providing insight into the decline, county-by-county participation details and state and local policy developments, such as the collapse of summer school, that have jeopardized children’s nutritional needs.
"The majority of summer feeding sites in California are held at summer school or other state-run summer enrichment programs, but the state’s budget cuts into these programs severely limited the feeding sites available last year," said Matt Sharp, senior advocate with the California Food Policy Advocates. "In today’s economy, families need assistance more than ever, but by cutting back on summer activities, we’re not only shortchanging their educational opportunities, but also reducing where kids can access nutritious meals during the summer months."
The California Association of Food Banks and the California Food Policy Advocates join FRAC in calling on Congress to expand the reach of the Summer Nutrition Programs by:
- Improving the program’s too-narrow area eligibility test so that children from low-income families in a broader range of poor communities are able to participate;
- Expanding to all states a Year-Round Summer Food Pilot, currently only in effect in California, which reduces paperwork and eases administrative requirements for community-based sponsors that serve children during both the summer and after school during the school year;
- Providing grants to sponsors for start-up and expansion costs and transportation of children in order to bring new sponsors into the program and allow existing sponsors to serve more children; and
- Increasing reimbursement rates so that schools, local government agencies, and private nonprofit organizations are able to operate the program without losing money and can provide healthier food.
- "Increased funding for child nutrition programs would ensure that more low-income children have access to summer meals that stave off hunger, help reduce obesity, and draw children into educational and enrichment programs that keep them learning throughout the summer," Weill said. "Congress must make these programs stronger so we can take a decisive step forward in meeting President Barack Obama’s goal of ending childhood hunger by 2015."
Source: California Association of Food Banks and California Food Policy Advocates
Posted: 25 June 2010
AB 1876 (Torlakson) Passes Senate Education Committee
AB 1876 (Torlakson), a bill that would allow ASES programs to use their base grants to provide weekend activities, as well as give competitive priority to successful K-8 21st CCLC programs that re-apply for federal funding, passed the Senate Education Committee on Wednesday, by a partisan vote of 5-2. The bill has been deemed non-fiscal and will therefore not require a hearing in Senate Appropriations. The author's office expects that the bill will be sent to the Senate floor for a vote next week. If passed, it will be then by sent to the Governor for his consideration.
Source: League of California Afterschool Providers
Posted: 02 June 2010
SB 798 (DeSaulnier) and AB 1876 (Torlakson)
Write Letters of Support for After School and Summer Enrichment Legislation
Help us support two pieces of legislation that protect and enhance critical funding streams for after school and summer enrichment programs.
Senate Bill 798 would provide much needed resources for summer learning programs to low-income children.
Assembly Bill 1876 would allow publicly-funded after school providers to use their base grants to pay for program-related activities on weekends and would give priority for federally-funded after school programs that seek a new grant to continue its program.
Here are templates that will help you draft your organization’s letters of support:
- SB 798 Template Letter of Support | Download it >>
- AB 1876 Template Letter of Support | Download it >>
More about the Bills
SB 798, sponsored by Partnership for Children and Youth and authored by Senator Mark DeSaulnier, seeks to dedicate 15% of California’s 21st Century Community Learning Centers dollars for summer learning and enrichment programs, and place more emphasis on year-round programs.
The 21st CCLC program supports before school, after school and summer programs for children attending schools in low-income communities. The original implementation plan for 21st CCLC did not accommodate the range of needs throughout the year, including services during periods when schools are closed (e.g. vacation periods, intersession).
- Learn more about SB 798 >>
AB 1876, also sponsored by the Partnership for Children and Youth and authored by Assemblymember Tom Torlakson, passed the Assembly Education Committee on April 21, 2010. This bill would accomplish two important things for state and federally funded after-school programs:
- Clarify that grants for After School Education and Safety (ASES) programs and 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) may be used for weekend activities for students. Weekend activities or field trips have been important incentives in some programs to enhance student participation, but in recent years, the state has disallowed grant funding to be used for this purpose.
- Give expiring 21st CCLC grantees who have performed well over their five-year grant period, extra points when they are re-applying for new 21st CCLC grants. Federal law prohibits straight “renewal” of 21st CCLC grants, so this is a way to help strong 21st CCLC grantees continue their programs and services for students.
Read more about AB 1876 >>
