Navigating Challenges, Strengthening Community

In times of political and societal change, it is natural to feel a sense of unease. Policies and decisions made at every level of government have a direct impact on the lives of our youth, families, and the communities we serve. As we navigate these complexities, one thing remains clear: our commitment to empowering young people, fostering equity, and building a brighter future remains steadfast and unwavering. During these turbulent times we as a Network are staying the course. It is more important than ever to remember why afterschool and summer programs are critical to our community. These programs provide a safe environment, nutritious meals, academic assistance, and opportunities for personal growth. Not only do these programs benefit the participants, but they also give parents peace of mind while they are working. Parents know where their children are, and they know that they are safe, building relationships with caring adults which creates an additional safety net for them.

With only four months left of the school year as a network, we are actively improving our programs through intentional training and support. This spring we will be looking at how much we have improved since last year through observations and assessments. We are excited to see those results!

Communities in Schools

Collective for Youth (CFY) supported Omaha Public Schools in another Communities in Schools school day initiative. CFY and our partners were able to provide high quality enrichment opportunities to help cover just under 200 classrooms.

While students were participating in partner programming, the teachers were attending professional development to support instructional strategies. We would like to extend a big thank you to our following partners who supported this initiative in January:

Kids Can Community Center Completely KIDS BGCM YMCA Urban League of Nebraska AIM Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium Future Kids Fitness Keep Omaha Beautiful Fitucate

Big Garden No More Empty Pots WhyArts? Rose Theater Snapology Invention Scouts Emerging Ladies Spark Positivity African Culture Connection

 

Afterschool Alliance – Addressing Chronic Absenteeism

Chronic absenteeism is a critical issue in education today, with both immediate and long-term impacts on student success and a disproportionate effect on historically marginalized students. Afterschool Alliance’s new issue brief, “Addressing Chronic Absenteeism: How Afterschool Programs are Building School-Day Engagement and Improving Attendance,” explores how afterschool programs support school-day attendance and engagement by promoting youth voice, creating a culture of care through supportive adults and mentors, and helping young people explore their passions and talents. Read the full issue brief to learn more about how afterschool programs are tackling chronic absenteeism and creating a sense of belonging for students. Click here to read the article.

Legislative Bill 162

Under the proposed bill, child care centers would receive real-time alerts and information during emergencies such as severe weather events, active shooter situations, and other critical incidents. Additionally, LB 162 would mandate training for child care staff on emergency response protocols, including lockdown procedures, evacuation plans, and communication strategies during crises.
Site visits are essential for out-of-school time programs, as they provide a unique opportunity to observe how these programs operate and serve young people. These visits empower afterschool programs to demonstrate their quality, impact, and the services they offer to the community.
“This legislation is a crucial step towards ensuring the safety and well-being of children in child care,” said Robert Patterson, CEO of Kids Can Community Center. Patterson was instrumental in advocating for the bill as well as bringing the bill to Senator Juarez for consideration during the 109th legislature. Robert Patterson explained that the current system leaves child care centers vulnerable during emergencies, as they may not receive timely information or have adequate resources to protect the children in their care.”
The bill has garnered support from various child advocacy groups, parents, and other child care providers. Proponents argue that integrating child care centers into the existing emergency notification system will provide a consistent level of safety for children across all educational settings.
The Health and Human Services Committee reviewed LB 162 on Wednesday, Jan 29th during a public hearing on the bill. The fate of the legislation will ultimately depend on the committee’s recommendations and subsequent votes by the full legislature.

Save the Date for these High-Quality Trainings Offered by CFY

STEM Skills Series- Workshop #2
February 26, 2025 @ 9:30 am – 11:30 am 

Engaging Authentically in STEM Practices
March 6, 2025 @ 10:00 am – 11:30 am

SEL Methods: Facilitating Problem Solving
April 1, 2025 @ 9:30 am -11:30 am

Third Thursday Training – Planning and Reflection
April 17, 2025 @ 10:00 am – 11:30 am

SEL Methods
May 6, 2025 @ 9:30 am – 11:30 am

National Conference Opportunities-

National Afterschool Association
March 9 – 12, 2025 in Nashville, TN

Beyond School Bells- Innovation Invitational 2025
March 12-15, 2025 in Lincoln, NE

Every Hour Counts
May 14-16, 2025 in Minneapolis, MN