TheConnector

TheCONNECTOR is Youth Community Connections’ (YCC) communication tool for sharing updates and for seeking action from its partners. TheCONNECTOR contains the following highlights:

RECENT NEWS AND EVENTS
YCC to Launch New Funders Database
National Survey of Program Directors about Physical Activity and heatlhy Eating Standards and Practices in Out-of-School Time Programs
2010 Red Wagon Awards to Honor Youth Leaders

NEW RESEARCH AND RESOURCES
Minnesota Department of Education Releases the Minnesota Out-of-School Time Funding Streams Report

POLICY AND ADVOCACY
ActionAlert on Out-of-School Time
YCC Policy and Advocacy Committee Meeting, Friday, May 14, 2010
Legislative Session Update

FUTURE EVENTS
Congressman Keith Ellison to Host an Education Town Hall Forum
Minnesota Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota to Host Metro Mentoring Network Event
5th Annual Mann Foundation Symposium

YCC To Launch New Funders Database
Youth Community Connections has partnered with Access Philanthropy to develop a searchable Youth Funders Database.  This online database was designed for youth service providers, organizations, and other stakeholders to search for funding opportunities and search for organizations that fund quality opportunities for children and youth in Minnesota. The database will be launched later this month.  Watch your inbox!

National Survey of Program Directors About Physical Activity and Healthy Eating Standards and Practices in Out-of-School Time Programs
The National Institute on Out-of-School Time (NIOST) at Wellesley College, with funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, is conducting a national survey of program directors about physical activity and healthy eating standards and practices in out-of-school time programs. This work will inform new national policies and guidelines for physical activity and healthy eating, in addition to development of implementation supports for programs. Youth Community Connections is proud to support this effort and encourages your participation in the survey.  Your effort to participate in the survey is greatly appreciated and will make an important contribution in our work together to ensure childhood wellness.  Please respond to the survey by May 28, 2010.

Click here to take the survey.

2010 Red Wagon Awards to Honor Youth Leaders
The Minnesota Alliance With Youth (The Alliance) is now accepting nominations for the 2010 Red Wagon Awards. A ceremony will honor youth leaders from around the state in the fall. 

The  Alliance would like to recognize young people who have demonstrated any or all of the following:

• Increased academic achievement (i.e. improved attendance, increased GPA, etc.)
• Civic engagement & service ( i.e. participated in service, advocated to town/city council, etc.)
• Exemplary leadership (i.e. led a service project, started a tradition at your school, etc.)

There is still time to submit a nomination!  If you are interested in nominating a young person, please see the nomination form on the Alliance website:  www.mnyouth.net.  All forms must be submitted by May 17, 2010.

NEW RESEARCH AND RESOURCES

Check out some of the latest research on after school, youth engagement and quality improvement on YCC’s website under latest research.

Minnesota Department of Education Recently Released the Minnesota Out-of-School-Time Funding Streams Report
The Minnesota Department of Education recently released its Fiscal Year 2009 Out-of-school-time (OST) Funding Streams Report. This report takes a deep look into all state and federal funding sources of OST in Minnesota and looks at some of the trends in these funding sources.

You can review this report on Youth Community Connections’ website; http://www.youthcommunityconnections.org/PDF/Connectors/2010%20Connectors/April10/UPDATED%20PRIMARY_Funding_Streams_Full_Report-FINAL.pdf.

POLICY AND ADVOCACY UPDATES

Action Alert on Out-of-School Time
The Obama administration has proposed changes to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), also known as No Child Left Behind, which is currently up for reauthorization. Among the proposed changes in the administration’s Blueprint is the recommendation to reduce funds for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grants (21 CCLC).  The Blueprint also contains proposals to extend the school day. 

Congress has been reviewing these recommendations and Youth Community Connections’ (YCC) staff has learned there is confusion about the likenesses and differences between extending the school day and providing quality afterschool or summer learning programs. 

YCC is asking its partners and stakeholders to contact your congressional representatives to share with them the value and benefits of your afterschool and summer programs. You might also consider inviting them to visit your afterschool or summer program! We encourage you to access the various research and policy briefs about the benefits of quality afterschool and summer programs on our website. 

Don’t know who your congressional representatives?  Click here and enter your home address (or business) to find out!

YCC Policy and Advocacy Committee Meeting, May 14, 2010
Youth Community Connections’ Policy and Advocacy Committee will meet on May 14, 2010 at the Oxford Community Center (270 N Lexington Parkway, Saint Paul, MN) from 9am to 11am. With the end of the 2010 Legislative Session rapidly approaching, YCC’s Policy and Advocacy Committee will hold a briefing on the most recent legislative action and proposals regarding the reconciliation of Minnesota’s current budget deficit.  We will discuss the implications of those actions to stakeholders in youth development and education all across our state.

There will also be briefings on the current status of 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grants and Minnesota’s second attempt at Race To The Top federal funding.  Youth Community Connections invites you to attend.

To RSVP, please e-mail Abou Amara, Jr. at abou@youthcommunityconnections.org.

Legislative Session Update
The 2010 Legislative Session is scheduled to adjourn on May 17, 2010. With only a few days remaining, legislators have focused on reconciling the $1 Billion budget deficit coming. Thus far, the 2010 Legislature has resolved about a third of that budget shortfall. Soon after the Legislature resolved a third ($312 Million) of the $1 Billion deficit, the Supreme Court ruled that Governor Pawlenty exceeded his constitutional authority in his exercising of unallotment last year (specifically ruling on the $5 Million Dietary program).  While this Supreme Court case ruled on a specific program, the case has broad implications that will affect Minnesota’s State Budget. 

YCC will closely follow the conclusion of the legislative session and disseminate information through its list serve and website.  Go to www.youthcommunityconnections.org for more information.

FUTURE EVENTS

Congressman Keith Ellison to Host an Education Town Hall Forum
U.S. Congressman Keith Ellison will hold a town hall meeting focused on education, specifically addressing the achievement gap. Assistant Secretary of Policy and Strategic Initiatives of Elementary and Secondary Education in the U.S. Department of Education, Carl Harris will be present to speak with education leaders and stakeholders in Ellison’s 5th Congressional District and leaders statewide.

"The Future of Our Schools: Closing the Achievement Gap" 
Monday, May 17th, 2010 4:30 P.M. - 6:00 P.M.
Columbia Heights Senior High School - Hylander Center
1400 - 49th Avenue Northeast
Columbia Heights, MN 55421-1939

Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota to Host Metro Mentoring Network Event
The Metro Mentor Network (MMN) is a great opportunity to build stronger connections with others in the field of mentoring and bring new energy to our shared challenges. MMN meetings feature networking, professional development, program announcements, mentor program recognition and access to training & technical assistance from the Mentoring Partnership and our partner programs. Anyone involved in staffing, starting or supporting a mentoring program is welcome to participate!  

The event will be focused around; The Changing Volunteer: How Mentoring Programs are Responding.

May 20, 2010 9:30 - 11:00 am

Minnesota Alliance with Youth
2233 University Ave West, Ste 235
St. Paul, MN  55114

FREE - coffee and refreshments will be served. For more information, please visit www.mpmn.org.

5th Annual Mann Foundation Symposium
The Ted and Roberta Mann Foundation Symposium is a great opportunity for outstanding learning opportunity for general education teachers, administrators and parents interested in understanding more about mental health and learning disabilities in children and young adults.

Date | Time
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Location
Sheraton Bloomington Hotel, Minneapolis South
7800 Normandale Blvd
Minneapolis, MN 55439

Registration
Registration is limited to the FIRST 1,100 reservations received. To register online Click Here

Lunch will be provided.

Youth Community Connections
200 Oak Street SE, Suite 270B ~ Minneapolis, MN 55455
PH: 612.627.0160
WEB: www.youthcommunityconnections.org