A Note from Megan Addison, CFY Executive Director

For Collective for Youth, springtime not only means warmer weather and sunshine but it also reminds us that summer is right around the corner. We have already been planning for summer programs for several months. We feel confident that our collaboration with Omaha Public Schools Next Level Learning and Summer Fun Field trips will provide a high quality learning summer for every youth in our program.

While we are committed to plotting out the next steps for summer, I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the uncertainty we are currently facing. On March 20th, Donald Trump signed an executive order to close the Department of Education. This executive order mandates the Secretary of Education take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure while ensuring the uninterrupted delivery of essential services, programs, and benefits. This monumental shift from federal control to local governance will involve identifying and eliminating non-statutory functions, programs, and offices. This executive order is significant for Collective for Youth because our 21st Century Community Learning Centers are funded through the Department of Education.

For more information on the impact of these policy changes on afterschool programs please visit New Executive Order Would Dismantle U.S. Department of Education.

In closing, rest assured that Collective for Youth remains committed to providing high quality experiences to the youth we serve. We will continue to be steadfast in our advocacy efforts for our partners and will keep you informed as developments unfold.

Network/Agency/Partner

Lavone Walker from CFY and Network members attended the Beyond School Bell’s Innovation Invitation in March. The conference is always a great opportunity to learn about youth development and youth focused initiatives. Staff were also given the opportunity to meet with legislators, and members of the CFY team met with Reps. Guereca, Spivey, and McKinney. We look forward to engaging with our representatives more in the coming months.

Program QUALITY

April is the month of our annual program quality assessments. We have over 20 certified external assessors in our network currently, and they will be working together to complete assessments on 41 sites and 26 providers. Collective for Youth utilizes the Weikart Center’s Program Quality Assessment as our quality framework for programming. The assessment looks at the learning environment, peer to peer and student to staff interactions, and student engagement. Individuals interested in becoming a certified assessor attend two days of training and participate in a scoring calibration to ensure they understand the tool and are reliable assessors. CFY designed training opportunities focused on the learning environment and interactions this past year so will be focusing assessments on those two areas.

Afterschool Ambassador Program: Legacy of Leadership: Nicole Everingham Chosen as a 2025 Afterschool Ambassador

The Afterschool Alliance has selected Nicole Everingham, Development Director at Collective for Youth, to serve as a 2025 Afterschool Ambassador – one of only 15 leaders in the country chosen for the honor this year. Afterschool Ambassadors continue working with local afterschool programs while serving a one-year Afterschool Ambassador term, during which they engage with community leaders and policy makers to organize events and in other ways grow support for the afterschool and summer learning programs that students and families rely on.
“I am excited to have the chance to work with the Afterschool Alliance to increase awareness and support for afterschool and summer learning programs this year,” said Everingham. “Now more than ever, students and families need the consistent support and enriching opportunities that afterschool programs provide. Policymakers need to double down on funding prevention programs that work, like afterschool, which not only keep kids safe and engaged but also help them thrive academically and socially. I’m incredibly proud to be part of the afterschool movement and to serve as a 2025 Afterschool Ambassador, advocating for these vital programs that make a real difference in the lives of our young people.”
Each Ambassador will organize a major event for Lights On Afterschool, the Afterschool Alliance’s annual rally for afterschool. Stay tuned to learn when Collective for Youth will host their event!
The Afterschool Alliance is a nonprofit public awareness and advocacy organization working to ensure that all children and youth have access to quality afterschool programs. More information is available at www.afterschoolalliance.org

New Data

New data released by the Afterschool Alliance, shows that most afterschool programs are able to serve as many students as they did before the pandemic, but a stunning 93% of providers report concerns about the mental and emotional health of students in their programs, with 73% extremely or very concerned. To view the full report in PDF, click here.

Advocacy

Collective for Youth encourages everyone to reach out to your members of Congress to thank them for their past support and share with them the importance of afterschool and summer learning programs including those funded through the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC) initiative – the only federal funding stream dedicated to supporting local school and community-based afterschool, before-school, and summer learning programs. Click here to reach out and sign the document and show your support of afterschool programs.

STEM Skills Spring Workshop Empowers Educators with Hands-On Learning

The STEM Skills Spring Workshop, in collaboration with two prominent local STEM organizations, Big Garden and Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium, offered an enriching experience to over 25 enthusiastic attendees. Participants were immersed in interactive STEM activities designed to be replicated at their own sites, fostering practical learning applications. Highlights included hands-on sessions in pickling techniques and collaborative exhibit building for a zoo animal. Post-event surveys underscored the workshop’s success, with participants rating their experience an outstanding 9.33 out of 10. Feedback indicated increased confidence among educators to integrate workshop concepts into their educational programs, signaling a promising impact on STEM education initiatives in our Network.

Lothrop Elementary Students Explore STEM with KEVA Wood Builds

At Lothrop Elementary, Kindergarten and 1st grade youth are immersing themselves in hands-on STEM activities that foster creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork. The classroom is buzzing with excitement as the young builders focus intently on constructing intricate designs using KEVA wooden planks. With the help of resources made available through the Collective for Youth STEM Library, the Kids can afterschool program is shaping the next generation of thinkers and innovators, one wooden block at a time.

The KEVA builds, a popular tool in early education, are helping students develop fine motor skills, spatial awareness, and critical thinking abilities. These simple yet versatile wooden pieces allow the children to create everything from towers and bridges to more complex structures, all while enhancing their understanding of engineering principles.

Save the Date

Engaging Authentically in STEM Practices

April 10, 2025 @ 10:00 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-

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