In this Issue

February/March 2009 Issue

We wish friends and family, far and wide, a very happy 2009 Carnival season, enjoy!

Please note the following events and deadlines, we look forward to seeing and hearing from you!

2/16 Monday - Advancing Youth Development applications DUE for 3/16-20 session, submitted applications must receive email confirmation; contact Shelley if you have NOT received confirmation email.

2/20 Friday - Unified Summer Grant Collaborative applications DUE for Summer 2009. Questions?
Contact Lauren

3/4 Wednesday - NAA Host Committee meeting, noon, 4319 Carondelet Street, contact Dennis
3/7 Saturday - Connect2Educate Event: A Community Resources & Public School Mixer, reception 4pm, UNO
3/20 Friday - Urban League's College Track student applications DUE for Summer 2009
3/21 Saturday - Urban League's Parent Information Center's School Expo, 9am-3pm, New Orleans Museum of Ar
3/25 Wednesday - Afterschool Partnership Resource Fair, 10am; NAA Host Committee meeting, noon, 4319 Carondelet Street
3/30 Monday - RSD, Common Application for
Pubilc Schools DUE

Afterschool Partnership,
Growing to Serve YOU

In response to our expanding needs here at the Afterschool Partnership, we are happy to share our new organizational structure. We will have staff bios available on our website in the coming months. Please don't hesitate to contact us, we look forward to hearing from you!

Dennis Bagneris, Jr. joined the Partnership this month with an emphasis on community outreach. He will be taking on organization of community events, day to day representation of the organization in local meetings, and a networking resource for our partners and stakeholders.
Eric Jensen joined the Partnership in January working directly with youth in our youth voice initiatives. He oversees the Youth Mapping Initiative, in partnership with Youthline America and concentrates on strategies for engaging youth in the work of the Partnership and our partners.
Dr. Lauren Bierbaum is responsible for coordination of research and technical assistance provisions to youth programs throughout the Greater New Orleans area. She leverages the results of her research to support local capacity-building initiatives and collaborates with the Louisiana Department of Education around data-driven decision-making and quality assessment.
Kathleen Whalen joined the Partnership this month and brings a strong background of service to our quality improvement efforts. She will be responsible for the development of a local training calendar, coordination of professional development offerings, and analysis of professional development needs for our partners.
Dara Lum is strengthening her focus on policy work and serving the Partnership locally and regionally by dividing her time between New Orleans and Baton Rouge. She links national trends in youth development and out-of-school time with local and state-level policy initiatives.
Shelley Warner is transiting into heading up operations for the Partnership. She will remain a strong presence in the community and afterschool field even as she streamlines the way we work internally and interact externally.
Gina Warner continues as our Executive Director and works closely with our board and staff to develop strong local, regional, and national relationships while providing strong staff and organizational leadership.

We are proud to have this impressive team empowering and augmenting our efforts to create a strong New Orleans infrastructure for youth success!

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Youth Mapping Initiative

Afterschool Partnership launched the first phase of the Mapping New Orleans Initiative in the Central City neighborhood on February 7, 2009. Working in partnership with Walter L. Cohen High School staff and students, 20 young people were able to participate. The young people conducted block-by-block inventory of resources available to youth, such as safe places to learn; safe places to go; structured activities; and, places where they can connect with caring adults.

This unique program is fueled by youth seeking out information in their respective neighborhoods which they determine to be valuable to their peers. The data gathered will be posted on a web site created by young people as it is collected. This is a one-of-a-kind tool for youth in New Orleans, who benefit from knowing what opportunities are available to them by simply going on-line. Searches will be possible by geographic area, neighborhood, resource name, or general services.

As the initiative moves forward, additional young people will be identified to map more neighborhoods in New Orleans. Information collected will be posted on the web site and updated as needed. When Phase I is completed, other neighborhoods in New Orleans will be mapped and documented in the same way. Afterschool Partnership is coordinating this effort in conjunction with Youthline America and New Orleans area providers. Please contact Eric to get involved!

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NAA Update

Plans for the 2009 National Afterschool Association conference to be held in New Orleans, 4/2-4/2009 are well underway. Afterschool Partnership convened the Host Committee at our last Provider meeting and we are all excited about the opportunity of having our national colleagues visit our home town.

If you haven't been able to attend a Host Committee meeting yet, but would like to find out more please contact Dennis. The next Host Committee meeting is scheduled for 3/4 at noon, 4319 Carondelet Street. All are welcome, as we prepare to welcome afterschool to New Orleans!

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SPOTLIGHT

RESOURCE SPOTLIGHT
Milestones Mental Health Agency, located on Magazine Street in Uptown New Orleans, is a mental health rehabilitation agency for children and adolescents with behavioral and emotional disorders who are on Medicaid. Their Masters level clinicians provide services in others settings, such as in the home or school. They also have 24/7 crisis services, as well as medication management. Currently, Milestones services kids in Orleans, Jefferson and St. Bernard. They are expanding, so they have openings. If you want more information, please contact Stacey Griffin, LCSW at (504) 269-0234 or go to www.milestonesmha.com.

Catholic Charities Community Housing Supportive Services recently re-opened the Sojourner Truth Community Center serving the people of Treme; Tulane/Gravier; and former Lafitte Housing Development resident families. They are interested in after school programs, weekend youth programs and hosting summer youth programs at their center. Their space is amazing and would like to share it with any quality youth programs in need of a location. Additionally, they would like to hear directly from youth about their needs, desires, challenges and interests so that they can develop appropriate services for this particular age group. If anyone can assist or is interested in more information about the Sojourner Truth Community Center, contact Jessica Kennington at JKennington@archdiocese-no.org.

PROVIDER SPOTLIGHT
This month, we feature Start the Adventure in Reading (STAIR) in our spotlight. STAIR is a volunteer-based children’s literacy organization that provides tutors for second grade students in public school. Founded in 1985, STAIR now operates 26 tutoring sites and serves nearly 250 students from 30 elementary schools in Orleans, Jefferson and Plaquemines parishes. More than 300 volunteers take part in their program each year.
The success of STAIR’s efforts is astounding. With the 2007-2008 school years, STAIR began using the Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS). Both fall and spring DIBELS test scores for each STAIR child were obtained from the schools to determine the success of their program. On average, scores in Oral Reading Fluency increased more than 150%!

Kudos to Sara Woodward, the STAIR staff and all of the tutors who work to give children in our area hope for the future. We appreciate the difference you are making in the lives of so many. STAIR always needs tutors, so please consider helping to teach a child how to read. The next tutor training session on February 4, 2009, so make plans to attend if you are interested. For more information, call STAIR at (504) 899-0820 or visit www.stairnola.org.
 

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Grant Opportunities

EDUCATION
Mentoring Services to High Risk Populations ojjdp.ncjrs.gov
2009 HP Innovations in Education Grant Programs www.hp.com/hpinfo/grants
National Economic Education Programs from Calvin K. Kazanjian Economics Foundation www.kazanjian.org
Nationwide essay contest for students in grades 6 through 12 on the Rights of the Child Treaty childrightscampaign.org
Music, education and community organizing start up programs from The Sparkplug Foundation www.sparkplugfoundation.org
Support for local history education and historic preservation efforts in partnership with schools and youth groups www.history.com
 

REBUILDING NEW ORLEANS
Programs or projects that address the needs of victims affected by Katrina fconline.foundationcenter.org
Young people who have projects related to disasters, especially in New Orleans www.dosomething.org
Awards for individuals making a difference in the llives of children across the globe www.worldofchildren.org

ENVIRONMENT
Creative Energy Projects for K-12 students www.johnsoncontrols.com

HEALTH
Children’s Running Programs www.sauconyrunforgood.com
Childhood Obesity Programs Robert Wood Johnson Foundation www.rwjf.org
Preventing youth from becoming tobacco users through the Louisiana Campaign for Tabacco-Free Living www.tabaccofreeliving.org
 Health Games Research: Advancing Effectiveness of Interactive Games for Health www.rwjf.org
Give Kids A Smile Grant Program www.ada.org
American Psychological Foundation Visionary and Weiss Grants www.apa.org
School and youth garden programs www.kidsgardening.org

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Upcoming Meetings

3/25/2009
4319 Carondelet Street
10:30-noon
Afterschool/Summer Resource and Curriculum Fair, providers will have the opportunity to learn about a wide range of available resources for their programs.
12:30-2pm
NAA Host Committee

4/2009 (date TBD)
4319 Carondelet Street
10:30-noon
Afterschool/Summer Programs Job Fair, providers will have the opportunity to accept resumes and meet with potential staff.

5/28/2009, Thursday
Louisiana State Capitol, Baton Rouge
Afterschool's Day at the Capitol
We are adjusting our meeting calendar by one day to accommodate a trip to Baton Rouge to meet with state legislators and afterschool providers from around Louisiana. Please plan to join us!

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