On the fourth Thursday of each month, Ignite Afterschool hosts, “Minnesota Afterschool Connect”, A 60min virtual call to keep afterschool and summer program providers up to speed on all the latest state and federal guidance, funding sources, trainings and policy happenings during the Covid-19 global pandemic. This blog post is a summary of all the updates shared during the virtual call.
Here’s what you need to know:
The Latest on Federal Covid-19 Relief Funds and the American Rescue Plan
Watch the Afterschool Alliance Webinar on using American Rescue Plan funds for afterschool and summer learning here. They also launched the helpkidsrecover.org page specific to this topic.
Coming soon…..Ignite Afterschool is working to put together Minnesota specific information, webinars and support around this topic. More information to come in May and we’ll send out e-alerts when more information and specific supports are ready.
Your “To Do” list – important actions to take.
Connect Metro Youth Workers to State Fair Vaccine Event! The State of Minnesota is running a community vaccine event at the Minnesota State Fair for residents 16 and older who live in Hennepin, Ramsey, Dakota and Anoka counties. If you have youth workers, older young people, and staff who still need a vaccine, please connect them to the event here. This event is running April 14th through June 9th, 2021.
Participate in Vaccine Outreach to 16 & 17 Year-Olds: MDH is working to connect 16 and 17 year old young people to Covid-19 vaccines. If you would like to be part of efforts to provide parents and young people with information about vaccination, please send an email to kari@igniteafterschool.org to be added to a specific information list on this topic. Ignite Afterschool and MDH may also hold a meeting with afterschool and summer learning providers specific to this topic. More to come soon!
Supporting Young People and Communities in Times of Crisis
Find information to support the Brooklyn Center Community here. Brooklyn Center Community Schools have put together this list of opportunities to support the Brooklyn Center Community as the community grieves the loss of Duante Wright. Donations of physical items will not be accepted beyond April 22nd but monetary donations can be made to the organizations linked on the site.
Resources and information to support young people in times of violence and crisis include this page titled “Resources for talking about race, racism, and racialized violence with kids” from the Center for Racial Justice in Education, the Minnesota Department of Education has created this page on responding to tragedy and trauma, PBS has a “How to Talk Honestly with Children about Racism” page here, and this page has general information from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Professional Development: Get support to do your best work.
Register for the FREE Amplify! Youth Workers Connect conference taking place TOMORROW! Students from the Youth Studies and Youth Development Leadership program at the University of Minnesota have organized a free conference by youth workers for youth workers. It will be held on April 23rd from 9am-3pm. Register here.
Check out the Youth Power Toolkits by MHA Labs in partnership with (Un)Learning Space and Power on Chicago available online here. Five new culturally responsive leadership development toolkits for youth workers and young people. These ten resource collections are based on feedback from youth workers and young people. Dive into topics such as culture, identity, race, allyship, and how to lead with authenticity.
Start HERE with a short tour by toolkit developer, Lydia Mercer about each of the toolkits.
Opportunities for Young People and Families
Family Engagement and Cultural Learning home kits by Twin Cities nonprofit, Network for the Development of Children of African Descent (NdCAD). NdCAD worked with parents to design these home learning kits that recognize the power of parents to teach and learn with their child. The three kit bundle (21 Standards for a Healthy African Community, The Art of African Communication, and African American Inventors) is $66.99 and can be ordered here or contact NdCAD at info@shopndcad.com.
Girls Are Powerful Day Event will take place May 22nd from 10am-2pm. The event is hosted by the nonprofit, Girls Are Powerful and is designed to inspire young girls to embrace their whole selves while building community in a series of sessions focused on celebrating their identities, nurturing self-love, and amplifying their powerful, unique voices. Registration fee $40-$50/girl. Register here.
