News
Check out the latest news about NAA and special announcements pertinent to the field of afterschool.
6 Tips to Navigating Holiday Fatigue
Monday, 19 December 2022 09:50The holiday season is often filled with loved ones, food and excitement. It can also be a time of anxiety and stress. Work deadlines, family obligations, disrupted sleeping patterns, and more add to physical and emotional exhaustion. Fortunately, there are ways to combat the effects of stretching ourselves too thin or the negative impact of holidays.
NAA COO Heidi Ham Named December’s Reloveutionary Leader
Wednesday, 14 December 2022 14:21The National AfterSchool Association’s very own Chief Operating Officer, Heidi Ham, has been announced as the December Reloveutionary Leader by Reloveution!
Reloveution (ree-love-ooshun) is a mission-based movement determined to create a world where every workplace is designed to support the needs of human beings AND achieve its highest goals with compassion and community. Founder Melissa Badgley explained that Heidi was nominated as the Reloveutionary Leader of the month because she lives the mission of the organization every day.
The Ultimate Middle School Science Challenge is Back!
Wednesday, 07 December 2022 08:24The 3M Young Scientist Challenge invites students in grades 5-8 to turn a great idea into a life-changing STEM adventure. Students submit a short video describing a unique solution to an everyday problem for the chance to win $25,000 and an exclusive 3M Mentorship. Kickstart student entries with a variety of resources including idea starters, challenge rules, important dates, and more!
Leading with Passion: OST Professionals Walking the Walk
Wednesday, 07 December 2022 08:22The National AfterSchool Association fosters positive youth outcomes by supporting, developing, and advocating for afterschool professionals and leaders. In 2022, our out-of-school time leaders face programmatic, funding, and workforce challenges – so what is their driving force to show up each day? Passion and a deep-seated desire to have a positive influence on the future of their communities.
5 Transformational Sessions You Don’t Want to Miss at NAA23
Wednesday, 07 December 2022 08:12The National AfterSchool Association develops each Convention with the goal of providing out-of-school time professionals the space to recuperate, share, and discover new ideas so that they may leave with restored passion for the vital work they do. NAA23 serves as the ultimate charging station for our people in the field. With over 50 workshops, community conversations, and leadership intensives — Convention will power human connections through transformational sessions like these five opportunities for inspired learning.
A Year of Advocacy & Life Lessons with Angelica Portillo
Wednesday, 07 December 2022 08:07It’s hard to believe a year has passed since the National AfterSchool Association announced its first Director of Advocacy & Workforce Initiatives position. This is a critical role for the Association’s ramped-up efforts to elevate the job quality of out-of-school time career opportunities throughout the United States, and NAA found the perfect fit in Angelica Portillo. We first met Angelica in 2018 when she was honored with the Next Generation of Afterschool Leaders award by NAA as the Director of Advocacy at Dallas Afterschool. In a year at the national level of out-of-school time support for programs and professionals, Angelica has hurdled obstacles and pioneered initiatives head-on.
5 Takeaways: Presenting the Thriving OST Workforce Initiative at the Colorado Afterschool Partnership Conference
Wednesday, 07 December 2022 08:06Recently, the Colorado Afterschool Partnership and the Colorado Department of Education hosted their inaugural statewide OST conference. The convening featured topics such as youth development, staffing, leadership, and partnerships. I was specifically invited to lead a session on Creating a Thriving OST Workforce. I then facilitated a conversation with 21CCLC grantees as they discussed the OST Job Design Framework and collaborated to design jobs that support program quality. As I listened to the discussions and asked participants to share, many of the same concerns and ideas were brought up.
Overhauling OST Job Quality with the Families and Workers Fund
Wednesday, 07 December 2022 08:04Supporting out-of-school time (OST) professionals has always been an NAA priority. More in depth advocacy for a comprehensive overhaul of job quality in the field has been an NAA priority since 2020 and a focus point that inspired our Thriving Workforce Initiative. Since the launch of this project, we have hosted and joined national conversations about defining ‘good’ jobs, creating them, and increasing their quality across all sectors. Leading and participating in these discussions grants NAA the opportunity to partner with new organizations like the Families and Workers Fund to gather insight into current workforce advocacy efforts across the country.
What’s in a Name? The Story Behind NAA23 Convention’s Theme
Monday, 21 November 2022 08:18You. Us. All: How Support for LGBTQA+ Youth and Current Policy in the Sunshine State Influenced This Year’s Convention
In October, we shared the first glimpse of our National AfterSchool Association 2023 (NAA23) Convention, which takes place March 19-22, 2023, in Orlando, Florida. You.Us. All. Together We Shine has been the anthem of our post-pandemic approach to supporting youth and youth-serving workers. However, with the enactment of Florida’s House Bill 1557, it has become a rallying cry.
Meet the STEAM Stars of Country
Friday, 28 October 2022 06:02Give your students a backstage pass inside the world of Country Music to see how STEAM skills make the magic happen both on and off the stage. Explore a variety of all-new standards-aligned digital resources including a Video Topic Series and student activities for classrooms and families.
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