Subject: VPOST Leadership Advisory Council Bulletin, Third Edition

May 2021

Edition 3

Field News


The Potential ARP Funds for Afterschool and Summer Learning

As the ARP funds arrive in Virginia, our state education and human service agencies will make the decisions on how to distribute funds. The majority of the funding is flowing to the local district level. In terms of how these funds could be allocated to OST programs, the largest streams flow from the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER). Just because the funds can be used for OST does not mean they will be. It is a priority for VPOST to strategically advocate for these funds being directed to our field.

Thus far, VPOST has taken the following action:

  • Blaire has spoken in front of two local school boards and has had a letter and fact sheet (see above left) distributed to all of the Virginia School Boards Association.

  • Blaire has worked with Dr. Lane's office and he may present at the March 2022 Mott Meeting.

  • VPOST secured a small grant from the Afterschool Alliance that will help support VPOST outreach efforts (more below).

  • Christine has written to her local superintendent’s office and requested a meeting.

  • VPOST has developed information and resources that have been posted on the VPOST Resource Exchange and distributed via the newsletter. This includes info on ARP, a breakdown of the funding, and resources for influencing where the funding goes including a template letter that can be used to reach out to local educational leaders.

  • Mark had the president of the Virginia Association of School Superintendents (VASS) share an invitation to a webinar hosted by the American Association of School Superintendents and Afterschool Alliance with VASS, as well as had him ask them to share with the VASS members for their district personnel. The webinar was directed towards superintendents and demonstrated how they can partner their school districts with OST programs in pandemic recovery.

  • Blaire and Barbara published an op-ed in the Richmond Times-Dispatch advocating for ARP funding to go to OST programs.


Please come to the LAC meeting prepared to help brainstorm more strategies. 

Spring Field Survey


The results are in from the most recent wave of pandemic surveys. Thanks to the outreach efforts of many VPOST LAC members, Virginia had 99 responses and was able to secure Virginia data. We have published a fact sheet with the recent findings (see right). The data tells a story of programs that continue to expand services but are still insecure with funding. We can use this data in our efforts to advocate for further funding. Please share with your networks.

 

OST Broadband Survey


In February, in support of his White - Riley - Peterson Policy Fellowship focused on broadband access, Brent distributed a survey to OST providers across Virginia about access to high-speed Internet for their programs and the youth they serve. The results have been produced into an infographic that will be distributed in the field and used for advocacy efforts.

VPOST Updates

Educational Outreach Project


VPOST was awarded a small grant from the Afterschool Alliance for Educational Outreach. The project will focus on:

  • Enhancing the Youth Ambassadors program

  • A Position Statement for the upcoming gubernatorial race

  • Inclusion of Superintendents with our School Board Outreach

  • Publishing local op-eds using the one published in the Richmond-Times Dispatch on ARP funding as a model

  • Working with VDOE on ARP set-asides


Million Girls Moonshot


VPOST has been awarded the year two Million Girls Moonshot grant. This will allow us to continue to build capacity and a network of STEM champions. In addition, we were also accepted to participate in two optional opportunities. One will allow a team of program leaders to attend a national community of practice and the other will bring a coding program for Latinas for two summer programs.


Smart Beginnings Safe Place to Learn Program


Last month, VPOST kicked off a 6-month technical assistance program for the Smart Beginnings of Danville Pittsylvania that supports their school-age community learning hubs via the Safe Place to Learn Program.


Upcoming Presentations

  1. May 19th: VPOST to present to the Fairfax Office for Children and Women's Rights Committee on ARP funding

  2. June 2nd: Presentation to 21st CCLC grantees on Million Girls Moonshot resources and STEM Coalition

Updates from the Sub Committee:

Professional Development

The committee is continuing a macro-level assessment of the professional supports for the workforce. Using the NCASE Workforce System Development Questionnaire as a tool for guided discussion around different components of a professional development framework, the committee intends to assess where and how VPOST is best positioned to support the field.

Best Practices

The committee evaluated other state afterschool networks models of quality standards.


There was a focus on selecting a new format for Best Practices on our website. The goal being that they would be broken down into an easy to navigate format. The team will also be simultaneously thinking about the corresponding assessment tool as it will inform decisions on how to organize the content for each best practice.


Moving forward, Christine will create a mock web page for the first best practice while the team focusing on revision in order to establish a process for revision.

Policy and Awareness

Justin Peck, Policy Intern, has completed his internship with VPOST and the committee discussed recognizing him for his work.


The committee reviewed the OST Broadband survey information graphic prior to release to the field.


Also discussed were the goals and activities identified for the Education Outreach Grant .

Last, the group discussed strategies for advocating for ARP dollars, including brainstorming around parental involvement.

Sustainability and Development

The committee, along with the Board of Directors and staff, will be participating in a Brand Development Workshop with Sarah Featherstone. The workshop will focus on identifying how to communicate what we do and why it matters in a way that conveys our true value. The workgroup will define our brand message and identify the stories we should be telling so we can build a meaningful, recognizable brand that helps us grow our organization.

Conference (Ad-Hoc)


The conference committee had it's first 2 meetings, with the main focus being on whether or not to host the conference in-person or virtual. A survey of the field was conducted and over 80 responded. The results were a complete tie. It was decided that the committee would wait to see what the decision was from the VDOE 21st CCLC for their fall academy, as our conference is typically in coordination.

Upcoming Dates


  • Equity in OST STEM Coalition meeting, July 7

  • Summer Training Series: July 27-29, August 3-5

  • VPOST Conference: October 10-11

  • Upcoming LAC meeting date:

    • May 19

    • July 21

Birthdays and Milestones

  • Birthdays 🥳:

  • June 7, Ragen Johnson's Birthday

  • June 24, Marsha Granderson's Birthday

VPOST, 2644 Hensley Rd, Mineral, Virginia 23117, United States

You may unsubscribe or change your contact details at any time.

Powered by:
GetResponse

    This is an online snapshot of a newsletter created by the owner of vpost-listserv (VPOST, 2644 Hensley Rd, 23117 Mineral, United States) and sent via GetResponse on 2021-05-14. Report abuse