Building Healthy (Iron) Chefs: PS 64
Kids from New Settlement after-school program at PS 64 in the Bronx joined Food Network's Iron Chef Cat Cora at the Children's Museum of Manhattan in a workshop on healthy eating habits through imaginative food preparation. The kids, who are active in the Building Healthy Communities program, joined Cora in a hands-on demonstration to prepare a sample healthy lunch. The workshop was developed by Chefs for Humanity and the museum to fulfill a partnership with the National Institutes of Health's We Can program.

ABOUT TASC

The After-School Corporation (TASC) is a nonprofit organization established through a challenge grant from the Open Society Institute in 1998. Its mission is to enhance the quality, availability and sustainability of after-school programs in New York City and beyond, with the goal of making after school a public responsibility. TASC funds, monitors, evaluates and supports after-school programs in New York City. It works with local and national partners to build high quality, sustainable after-school systems in New York and beyond.

In a significant victory for advocates who have worked with state government to support high quality after-school programs, New York Governor Eliot Spitzer has proposed to provide $10 million for the 2008-09 school year to supplement federal funding for after-school programs. "We commend Governor Spitzer for taking action to assure that more kids get access to academic support and enrichment after school, especially those whose families can least afford to pay for after-school activities," TASC President Lucy N. Friedman said. "As we enter tough economic times, it's important to remember that after-school programs not only help kids succeed, but they support the economy by helping parents keep their jobs while their kids are safe after school."

For the 2008-09 school year, the governor has proposed the state should spend $10 million to supplement federal 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) after-school funding in New York State. These programs are targeted primarily to kids who attend schools in communities with pervasive poverty.

Friedman called on the State Assembly and State Senate each to provide an additional $10 million for after-school programs to match the governor's budget proposal. "Even with a $30 million increase in state spending for the next school year," Friedman said, "after-school providers will be able to serve only as many students as we served in 2006."

New York State
TASC and the families, educators, law enforcement officials and youth service providers who are part of the Coalition for After-School Funding are calling for New York State legislators to take these steps:

1. Enact Gov. Spitzer's Proposed $10 Million Increase
The governor's proposal to supplement federal 21st CCLC funds to after-school programs should be included in the final state budget.

2. Maintain the Legislature's FY 2007 $13.9 Million Funding Addition
In 2007, due to the crisis in after-school funding, the Legislature added $13.9 million for after-school programs, enabling many to stay open for this school year. The funding should be continued.

3. Increase Advantage After-School Funding by $6.1 Million
Since the program's inception, the Office of Children and Family Services has received more applications for Advantage programs than it can fund. A $6.1 million increase will help narrow the gap between the demand to serve children who have no after-school programs, and the supply of programs that receive funding.

New York City
In January, Mayor Michael Bloomberg released his executive budget for New York City for the coming fiscal year. Every agency is being asked to take a 2.5 percent cut in fiscal year 2009 and a five percent cut the following year. The agency budget for Out-of-School Time was reduced by $3.8 million in 2008 and by $2.6 million in 2009. For Beacon after-school programs, there is a proposed reduction of $2.3 million in 2009 and subsequent years for existing contracts. The City continues to face significant projected budget gaps for fiscal year 2010 and beyond.

Improving Literacy: School Libraries Program
Deadline: March 7
The US Department of Education (USDOE) is accepting applications from local educational agencies for projects that aim to improve student reading skills and academic achievement by providing students with increased access to up-to-date school library materials, well-equipped, technologically advanced school library media centers, and well-trained, professionally certified school library media specialists. For more information, visit the Youth Funders Database.

Safe Schools/Healthy Students Program
Deadline: March 14
The USDOE is accepting applications for projects that implement integrated community-wide plans that create safe and drug-free schools and promote healthy childhood development. For more information, visit the Youth Funders Database.

Drug Free Communities Support
Deadline: March 21
The US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announced the availability of funds to support community coalitions working to prevent and reduce youth substance abuse. For more information, visit the Youth Funders Database.

Be the Change! Program Grants
Deadline: March 31
Be the Change! is a youth-led sustainable development action program related to the Millennium Development Goals, which aims to empower young people around the world to "be the change they want to see in the world." Peace Child offers support and advice to young people to create and complete a variety of projects serving the needs of their communities. For more information, visit the Youth Funders Database.

2008 Eli Segal Award
Deadline: March 31
Eli Segal served as the first CEO of the Corporation for National Service and under his leadership, AmeriCorps was born. To honor and build upon his legacy, AmeriCorps Alums will honor one alum who has demonstrated outstanding entrepreneurial commitment to service. For more information, visit the Youth Funders Database.

Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes
Deadline: April 30
The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes honors outstanding young leaders who have made a significant positive difference to people and our planet. Each nominee, who may range in age from 8 to 18 years old, must have been the prime mover of a service activity, and demonstrated positive spirit and high moral purpose in accomplishing goals. For more information, visit the Youth Funders Database.

For the most up-to-date funding opportunities, be sure to visit the Youth Funder's Database.

Family and Neighborhood Risks: How They Relate to Involvement in Out-of-School Time Activities
A new Child Trends fact sheet finds that both family risks and neighborhood risks are related to whether children are involved in out-of-school time programs. The report finds that neighborhood quality is related to whether children from low-risk families are involved in out-of-school time activities. However, the vast majority of children in low-risk families are involved in at least one activity. For more information and to download the publications, visit the Child Trends Web site.

The Journal of Youth Development: Bridging Research and Practice
The Journal of Youth Development is a free publication produced by the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents, focused on the development of school-age youth through the transition to adulthood (ages 6-22). The current issue includes the articles: Developmentally-Responsive Relationships During After School and Addressing Hunger Issues through Service Learning. For more information and to download the full journal, visit the Journal of Youth Development Web site.

Girls Helping Girls Web site Launched
Girls Helping Girls is a youth-led international nonprofit organization that partners girls in the United States with girls in schools and community organizations in developing countries to jointly identify problems in their communities and develop social change through micro- lending projects. To learn more, visit the Girls Helping Girls Web site.

Collecting Data from Preteens
The Preteen Alliance, an initiative of the Lucille Packard Foundation for Children's Health, commissioned Education Training Research to review eight common methods used to collect data from preteens, including surveys, diaries, interviews, and observational methods. The results show how to obtain information from youth, ages 9-13, regarding their feelings, behaviors, or other issues. For more information and to download the full report, visit the Lucille Packard Foundation Web site.

For more resources, be sure to visit the TASC Document Library.

AmeriCorps Program Specialist
Location: New York, NY
The After-School Corporation (TASC)

Job Development Coordinator
Location: New York, NY
The After-School Corporation (TASC)

Program Officer, Teen ACTION
Location: New York, NY
The After-School Corporation (TASC)

After-School Activities Coordinator
Location: New York, NY
Greenwich Village Youth Council

After-School Specialist
Location: Bronx, NY
Homes for the Homeless

Elementary After-School Coordinator
Location: New York, NY
Harlem Children's Zone

Job Developer: REACH
Location: Brooklyn, NY
CAMBA

Have a job to advertise in our eNewsletter? Email info@tascorp.org. Please visit the TASC website for all of our current job opportunities.

Kids Meet Legislators: A Preparation Guide

The best way to get kids interested in civic life and lawmaking is to get them involved. The Coalition for After-School Funding (CASF), which coordinates New York State's annual After-School Advocacy Day, suggests trying a "people power" game with young children to teach important concepts.

An adult holds the end of a rope while one student pulls on the other end and tries to move the adult. One after another, kids join the first rope-puller until the group succeeds in moving the adult. Kids begin to grasp the strength of numbers in instigating change in a democratic society.

Some 700 kids prepared to travel to Albany this year to visit their elected legislators in support of after-school programs. The event was cancelled due to hazardous weather. Nonetheless kids from many programs will have opportunities to speak to their legislators closer to home.

CASF suggests that before visiting an elected official, kids work together to map out their goals and consider how best to make their cases. It's important for young people to be encouraged to develop their voices. A good way to do that is to have them craft the stories they want to tell about how their programs benefit them and their families or communities.

Group leaders should work with kids to have them role-play these legislative meetings. Knowing what to expect is essential both to the success of the visits, and to kids' enjoyment and eagerness to stay involved in a participatory democracy.