Subject: Very Important LAC Meeting Update

VPOST staff has cancelled our October LAC Meeting due to staff travel. Please review the information below to stay informed on the work VPOST is doing. We will be meeting IN PERSON on December 13th, from 10-2 pm in Richmond, location TBD. Please be on the lookout for calendar updates.

We thank you for taking the time to review our correspondence, please contact one of our staff with any asks, updates, or offers and we will be happy to share them with the group.

WELCOME TO OUR
NEWEST MEMBER

Join us in welcoming Dr. Vaughn Garland of Mary and Frances Youth Center! Dr. Garland is a Richmond-based educator, community builder, and artist working with youth education, program development, community conversations and place-making. Check out Vaughn's profile page here!

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT

Government Relations

We are actively pursuing our top priority right now, which is to secure state funding for the continuation of the expansion of 21st Century Community Learning Center programs. We are currently advocating for Governor Youngkin to include funding in his December budget. If it is not in his budget, our next step will be to introduce budget amendments during the 2024 General Assembly session and advocate for it there.

We have met with the Governor’s policy staff and been in communication with them since then with follow up materials. We are also pleased that Senator Stuart and Hillary Pugh Kent (candidate for the House of Delegates) wrote a letter to the Governor urging him to include the funding. We will continue to reach out to other legislators who have programs in their districts and ask them to support the funding proposal.

Upcoming Elections

The elections are rapidly approaching. A third of the legislature will be new in January. After the elections, we will know which party is in the majority in each chamber and eagerly await committee assignments when the legislative session begins in January.

Supplement 21st CCLC Direct Aid to Public Education

VPOST’s CBO Program Manager, Brent Holsinger, is working alongside nine CBO grantees covering different regions of Virginia. Brent has been meeting with every CBO individually to continue ensuring that they have the support and tools necessary to succeed.

VPOST along with the VDOE have established mini-grants for CBO grantees for the Lights On Afterschool celebration for October 2023.

Engage Every Student requested that Virginia provide representatives to speak at their event. VPOST sent Brent Holsinger and Angela Mickens to speak about the impact of ARP Funding in Virginia along with the Afterschool Alliance.

James Madison University

VPOST's Principal Investigator (PI), Dr. Katie Dredger, has taken an active role since Diane's retirement. Congratulations to Diane on this exciting chapter in her life!

Mott Youth Entrepreneurship Opportunity Grant (YES)

YES grant is sunsetting in October 2023. VPOST is actively looking for a funder to continue this program.

Professional Development & Quality Coordinator's Report

Fall 21st CCLC Coordinators Academy

Christine presented at the Fall Academy on VPOST at the general session and two breakout workshops on family engagement.

Coastal Virginia STEM CoP

In September, we launched the Coastal Virginia STEM at the Library Community of Practice. Fourteen library staff from eight municipalities in the Hampton Roads/Eastern Shore area are participating in this CoP where they will create new STEM learning opportunities at the library. Participation includes stipends for the staff and a supply budget. This work is supported by the STEM learning Ecosystem of Coastal Virginia.

STEM Ecosystem Connection

Christine has taken on the role of Assistant Lead of the Central Virginia STEM Ecosystem and is working to keep the workgroups connected, as well as representing the ecosystem at professional events. This will allow us to connect to a larger audience and forge new partnerships, especially as it pertains to the workforce.

Youth STEM Ambassadors

We are continuing to coach our Youth STEM Ambassadors. This month they have formed their personal STEM stories and will be working on refining them.

Webinars

VPOST is planning a webinar for October on serving neurodivergent girls in STEM. Last month we hosted a webinar on the NBA Math Hoops Program.

STEM Policy Grant

VPOST submitted a proposal to secure a STEM Policy Grant that will provide media support around the 2024 GA advocacy efforts to secure state-level funding.

Conference

VPOST began conference planning for the 2024 VPOST conference. Members from the field are serving on the committee including one staff from Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services, one staff from On the Road Collaborative, and two staff from the Campagna Center. The theme will be around connection. We are now trying to figure out how to proceed with scheduling the date and location as the 21^st CCLC office does not have the spring coordinator academy date/location confirmed.

Lights on Afterschool

We are working to promote and coordinate for Lights on Afterschool.

Data Mapping Project

VPOST is hoping to secure student support from JMU to refresh the data on the mapping project

Board of Directors Retreat Summary

The VPOST Board of Directors hosted a 3-day Retreat in Harrisonburg in September.

Focus areas for the retreat included:

Teambuilding

Designing a Team Alliance

Situational Assessment:

What from VPOST’s past, present,

and anticipated future will inform our planning?

Environmental Scan:

A shared understanding of VPOST’s current reality

Governance Self-Assessment

Equity Pause:

How are we designing our plan for equity?

Organizational Commitment Statements:

Why do we exist?

What do we do and for whom?

What do we value?

Strategic Tool Building:

Who’s our customer?

What value do we provide them?

What makes VPOST unique?

What criteria are necessary for future decision-making criteria?

Practical Visioning:

What does VPOST want to see in place in the next 3 years as a result of our actions?

Bringing Down the Vision:

What blocks/barriers prevent VPOST from realizing this vision today?

Which elements are a goal, strategy, value, or given?

What are some key measures of success?

What key actions must we take to realize our goals?

Action Planning:

What are our commitments?

What structure/s will set us up for success?

All of this and more will be discussed at our December 13, 2023 in person meeting in Richmond from 10am - 2pm. We can't wait to see you all!

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Subject: Very Important LAC Meeting Update

WELCOME TO OURNEWEST MEMBER

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT

Professional Development & Quality Coordinator's Report

Board of Directors Retreat Summary

WELCOME TO OUR
NEWEST MEMBER