Learn24 Newsletter - August 5, 2022

Learn24

Office of Out of School Time Grants and Youth Outcomes

Job Opportunities

Chief of Staff - Office of the Deputy Mayor for Education

Special Assistant for Grant Programs - Mayor's Office on Community Affairs

Library Program Coordinator - District of Columbia Public Library

Workforce Development Specialist - Department of Employment Services

Youth Nutrition Coordinator - Capital Area Food Bank

Program Associate for Youth Development - University of the District Columbia

Director of Development - Fair Chance

School Registrar - The Viva School

Professional Development Opportunities

Professional Wellness Strategies to Enhance Student Learning and Live Your Best Life -  August 10, 2022 (Webinar)

Teachers impact student achievement more than any other aspect of schooling. But what happens when educators are physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausted?  Learn more at this webinar hosted by EdWeek here.

Engage and Elevate Your Students and Staff - August 17, 2022 (Webinar)

Join Foundations Inc. for another fun, meaningful, and magical webinar!  During this webinar connect, create, laugh, share, and likely cry a little! Sign up to attend here.

Demystifying Systemic Social and Emotional Learning: Integrated Supports -  August 26, 2022 (Webinar)

SEL is seamlessly integrated into a continuum of academic and behavioral supports, which are available to ensure that all student needs are met. Register to attend this webinar hosted by CASEL Cares here.

Program Quality Assessment (PQA) Basics for the Youth & School-Age PQAs - September 16, 2022 (Webinar)

This workshop hosted by the Forum for Youth Investment  provides an introduction to the Youth Program Quality Intervention and Program Quality Assessment and prepares participants to conduct a self-assessment. Register to attend here.

NSLA's Summer Changes Everything Conference - October 24-26, 2022 (Washington, DC)

Join nearly 1,000 cross-sector civic and education leaders at the Summer Changes Everything conference hosted by the National Summer Learning Association. This conference gathers individuals from across the United States who are focused on providing high quality summer learning experiences to every young person in the country.  Learn more here

Note: References to events, workshops, organizations, or activities do not serve as an endorsement or recommendation from the OST Office, Learn24, or the Government of the District of Columbia.

Fiscal Year 2023 Students in the Care of DC Out of School Time Coordinating Entity Request for Applications

The 2023 Students in the Care of DC Out of School Time Coordinating Entity RFA invites high-performing, fiscally responsible, non-profits to apply for this grant competition. The intent of this RFA is to select one coordinating entity that will manage a high-quality OST program and manage subcontractors to provide evidence-based educational, social, emotional, and physical health opportunities and activities for students experiencing incarceration. OST Office anticipates awarding one grant of up to $420,000 to coordinate the OST program at DC facility. Applicants may request up to $420,000.The deadline to apply is Monday, August 29, 2022, at 5:00 pm. 

A grant information session will be held on Tuesday, August 16, 2022 from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm to provide information and answer questions related to the grant competition. Click here to join (no registration needed). 

View the complete RFA here. Applications can be completed here.

Reminder: Fiscal Year 2023 Safe Passage Safe Blocks Request for Applications

The OST Office, the DME, and the Bowser Administration invites nonprofits with strong relationships within the community, and expertise providing youth programs to apply for the Fiscal Year 2023 Safe Passage Safe Blocks (SPSB) request for applications. The SPSB programs will provide students safe routes to and from school and provide an afterschool program offering mediation and conflict resolution skill-building. The OST Office anticipates awarding up to $1.5 million in total awards for Fiscal Year 2023 SPSB grants. The maximum grant award amount is $1,000,000 dollars. The deadline to apply is Monday, August 8, 2022 at 5:00 pm. 

View the complete RFA here. Applications must be submitted here.

Train Your Team Virtually

Improve staff competencies by hosting a training through The Institute for Youth Development (The Institute). The Institute offers free virtual on-demand workshops to youth development professionals serving District of Columbia youth. A minimum commitment of 10 participants is required to host the workshop; request a training here. Email questions to learn24@dc.gov.

View the Institute for Youth Development Catalog of Workshops here

Please note: Requests should be scheduled at least six weeks in advance.

Publicize Your Upcoming Event with Learn24

Programs and organizations in the District of Columbia are encouraged to list their upcoming one-day educational and enrichment activities available for youth on the Learn24 event calendar. District of Columbia families are searching for new opportunities that help school-aged youth in the District learn, grow, develop, and play beyond school hours. List your event today by completing this brief form.

Promising Practices

In the first newsletter of each month, The Institute for Youth Development will highlight a specific indicator from the Weikart Center's Youth Program Quality Assessment (PQA) on promising practices in the field.

Building Community is essential in having effective programming for youth.  When youth have a sense of belonging, youth are more inclined to participate and develop ownership in the program.  Having a positive climate should begin on the first day and continue throughout the year.  Constant structured fun activities that promote interaction among peers allow youth to express themselves and develop relatability to the subject matter.

Building a strong working relationship among youth is very important for many reasons.  Once youth intentionally build bonds amongst peers, it will increase participation and attendance, help youth feel that they belong, help groups get along and be productive, and increase student learning.  All of these aspects are essential to maintain a well-balanced high-quality program.

There are four strategies to promoting a positive climate in programming as follows:

  • Creating avenues for community building should include welcoming all youth and having structured activities which encourage youth to get to know each other.
  • Be involved and mindful is important for staff to monitor the emotional climate and promote a positive environment.
  • Don’t leave anyone out always includes introducing new students, and ensure there are concessions that all youth are involved.
  • Promote respect for diversity by having staff lead diverse activities, and ensure there is an inclusive environment.

If you would like to learn more about the importance of sustaining a strong positive climate in your programs, check out this article from The Search Institute.

Community Opportunities

Sports Marketing Workshop hosted by Washington Capitals & Wizards

The Washington Capitals and the Washington Wizards have joined forces to host the Marcus Graham Project (MGP) Sports Marketing Workshop at Capital One Arena from September 19-22. This four-day workshop will give 25 students and young professionals of diverse backgrounds from the Washington, DC area the ability to gain experience and insight into the sports marketing field. Interested applicants can apply by clicking the button below by Friday, September 2, 2022. For more information, please click here

All DC Students Must Have Vaccinations to Attend School in Fall

District of Columbia students, including those who attend private and charter schools, will need to be up-to-date on their vaccines and immunizations in order to attend school this fall. Share this information and resources with youth and families. More information from OSSE can be found here

Learn more from DC Health about immunizations here

Funding Opportunities

Learn24 OST Youth Scholarship Program

The Office of Out of School Time Grants and Youth Outcomes is excited to partner with the Greater Washington Community Foundation to help provide OST programs to students with specific needs. Examples of programs that the scholarship may support include, but are not limited to, programs designed specifically for students with disabilities, advanced learners, and English Language Learners. Individuals not considered at-risk may also be eligible to receive a scholarship based on need and availability of funding. Scholarships of up to $10,000 are available for individual students for use in approved OST activities in calendar year 2022. The minimum scholarship award is $1,000. For more information, please click here

Up to $10K Available in DCTAG Funds For Students

The Office of the State Superintendent of Education's DC Tuition Assistance Grant (DCTAG) provides DC residents with $10,000 in tuition assistance for students attending out-of-state public institutions of higher education, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and select local institutions. All supporting documents must be submitted before 3:00 pm on Friday, August 19, 2022. Click here for more information.

$1K Grant for Ideas to Make DC More Awesome

The DC chapter of the Awesome Foundation is offering $1,000 grants to nonprofit organizations that make DC more awesome. DC residents interested in improving the District of Columbia through arts, culture, and/or community experiences are encouraged to apply. The deadline to submit an application is Sunday, August 21, 2022. The full application can be found here

TEGNA Foundation Grants

The TEGNA Foundation Community Grants offers up to $7,500 in grant assistance to organizations operating in the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area. Priority areas for this competition include programs targeting at-risk middle school students, services for veterans and nonprofits, and programs that support the LGBTQ population.  Grant applications must be received by Monday, August 29, 2022 to be considered. For information on how to apply for the TEGNA Foundation Community Grants, click here.

Classics For Kids Foundation

The Classics for Kids Foundation provides grants to schools and nonprofit organizations to strengthen music education and string instrument programs. Grants are designed to forge strong local connections between students, families, and communities. The deadline to apply is Friday, September 30, 2022. For more information regarding eligibility criteria, click here.

Serve DC - The Mayor's Office on Volunteerism and Partnerships Funding Alert

Weekly newsletter of funding opportunities.

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For resources and additional information on the District of Columbia Government’s response to coronavirus (COVID-19), please visit coronavirus.dc.gov.

Questions or feedback, contact Learn24 at Learn24@dc.gov, or visit us at Learn24.dc.gov.

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