Updates on Funding in Virginia in your April 2022 News!

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Subject: Updates on Funding in Virginia in your April 2022 News!

Please Continue to Support Afterschool in Virginia!

Virginia’s General Assembly adjourned on March 12th without a budget and as of this newsletter being published, the special session, which will finalize the budget, remains adjourned. VPOST will update you as new developments arise. Thanks to you, over 1,000 letters were sent to the General Assembly between March and April of 2022 in support of the budget proposal that would make a $4 million statewide investment in afterschool through the 21st Century Community Learning Centers programs.

As the legislators deliberate over the budget, we are asking that you reach out once more to voice your support at this critical time. Please take two minutes to send a message to Virginia legislators.

Show your Support!

VPOST Welcomes Dr. JoWanda Rollins-Fells and Bridget Langer to VPOST

Dr. JoWanda Rollins-Fells’ career has expanded across the fields of education, public service, consulting, and business.

She has been involved in public education for over 20 years. In 2014, Dr. Rollins-Fells began her tenure on her local school board and currently serves as the chair. In 2020, she was elected the Eastern Region chair for the Virginia School Boards Association representing 15 school divisions. She is a national educational consultant and international speaker committed to supporting youth.

Bridget Langer is the Administrative Assistant for the Virginia Partnership for Out-of-School Time (VPOST). Her primary responsibilities include network correspondence, updates to the VPOST website, meeting preparation and follow-up, research, record management, scheduling, and data collection.

Bridget enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with her pets in her free time.

VPOST is joining the National Afterschool Association (NAA) in celebrating Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week on April 19-23, 2021. Every April we recognize, appreciate, and advocate for those who work with young people during out-of-school hours.

We believe afterschool professionals make a profound difference in the lives of young people and want to show our gratitude. Share with us why you appreciate an afterschool professional in your life and we may feature their story on our social media and communications during Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week!

Share your Appreciation!

Power of Us Workforce Survey: Calling All Youth-Serving Professionals and Volunteers

Every person who works with young people is committed to helping them thrive. On athletic fields, in afterschool programs, in libraries, in faith-based institutions, youth-serving professionals and volunteers are making a difference every day. Through the Power of Us Workforce Survey, youth-serving professionals and volunteers can contribute to a national effort to explore, define, and elevate their profession. Take the survey today! www.powerofussurvey.org

Action Alert! Federal 21st CCLC Funding for FY2023

Congress recently passed the FY 2022 spending bill including a $30 million increase in funding for local afterschool and summer learning programs through the 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC) program. While we are grateful for this support, programs at the local are seeing unprecedented staffing challenges and face waiting lists of students who are unable to participate due to lack of funding. Take a moment to reach out to your U.S. Representative and Senators to thank them for their past support and to urge them to consider a significant increase in funding for local afterschool and summer learning programs next year.

Act Now!

Join us for the May Equity in OST STEM Coalition meeting on May 11, 2022, at10:30 AM. Previous attendance is not required, just a desire to make more equitable STEM opportunities for children and youth participating in afterschool programs! Register here.

Applications Now Open for the Summer Food Service Program

The Summer Food Service Program operates at sites such as schools, public housing centers, community centers, playgrounds, camps, parks, and churches. Organizations that may qualify to participate in the program include public and private schools, local governments, public, and nonprofit private residential summer camps, and faith-based and community-based non-profit organizations.

The program — which is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture — allows organizations to combine a feeding program with another activity in communities where at least 50 percent of the children are eligible for free and reduced-price meals.

Full details here.

Celebrate Rev Your Bev, May 2-6, 2022

Join the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth, along with providers all across the Commonwealth to celebrate healthy hydration! Head on over to https://revyourbev.com/registration/ to sign up! A FREE Rev Your Bev classroom kit will be mailed to the first 500 early care providers!

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Subject: Updates on Funding in Virginia in your April 2022 News!