The DAA Collective newsletter keeps Denver's afterschool community connected to resources, professional learning and networking opportunities. Learn more about us.
January Coffee and Conversation
Happy New Year, OST Community! We are excited to kick off our Coffee and Conversation efforts this year with a dialogue around elevating and incorporating youth voice! How do we ensure that our programs learn from, listen to and advocate for the young people we care for and serve? What can we do collectively to meet the needs of youth and families in Denver? Let's talk about it!
Join us on Tuesday, January 23rd from 9:00-11:00am at the Central Park Recreation Center (9651 M.L.K. Jr Blvd, Denver, CO 80238)!
A generalized agenda for the event is as follows:
9:00am-9:15am: Attendees grab coffee and mingle
9:15am-10:30am: Topic-focused conversation
10:30am-11am: Continued connection and networking time
Fall Award Reports are due on MONDAY, January 22nd and must be completed in DAAconnect! Instructions on how to upload your roster can be foundHERE, and instructions on how to complete your award report can be found HERE. Do not wait until Monday to complete your report! If you haven't started working on your fall award report yet, you need to get on it TODAY! Our team is small and may not be able to answer your questions or assist you in time to complete your report. If you call or email us the day before or day of the report due date, it is unlikely we will be able to assist you in time and your report may be late! Reach out to us TODAY if you need assistance atdaaconnect@denvergov.org.
Meet MyFriendBen: Online Benefits Navigation Tool
A new online tool called MyFriendBen, created by Gary Community Ventures, is now available to help Coloradoans determine which public benefits they are eligible for and thus ensure those in need can better access some of the most basic necessities such as food and heat. The tool scans over 50 programs across eight categories and matches people with resources that they qualify for- cutting down on the often daunting and complicated process of navigating eligibility rules for various programs.
Check out the most current list of benefits in MyFriendBen HERE.
Denver Public Library Card = Serious Perks!
The Denverite recently published an article outlining some of the underrated (and likely unknown) resources available to Denver Public Library card holders (check it out HERE). Make sure you and the families you serve know about all of the incredible benefits offered by Denver Public Libraries, including the following:
Free passes to various museums across the city (including Denver Museum of Nature and Science, Denver Botanic Gardens, Butterfly Pavilion and more).
Colorado state park passes available for check out
Equipment and tools that can be used around your home available for check out (including sewing machines, lawn mowers, power tools, draft check meters, and more).
Chromebooks with integrated Wifi or a wireless hotspot available for check out
Access to creative software (including 3D printers, laser cutters, recording studios and more).
Access to learning platforms like The New York Times, Kanopy and more
One-on-one access with library professionals for help on starting a business, technology services, genealogy research and number of other things!
Out-of-School Time Community, please let youth in your programs know about the FREE after-school meal program!
The Office of Children’s Affairs warmly welcomes all youth aged 5 to 18 to receive a nutritious after-school supper and/or snack at various Tasty Food sites across the city. No ID or registration required – just come on over and enjoy!
To find a Tasty Food site near you, please visit HERE
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Comunidad de tiempo fuera de la escuela, ¡infórmeles a los jóvenes en sus programas sobre el programa de comidas GRATUITAS después de la escuela!
La Oficina de Asuntos Infantiles da la bienvenida a todos los jóvenes de 5 a 18 años para que reciban una cena y/o un refrigerio nutritivo después de la escuela en varios sitios de Tasty Food en toda la ciudad. No se requiere identificación ni registro, ¡solo ven y disfruta!
Para encontrar un sitio de Tasty Food cerca de usted, visite AQUÍ
Esta institución es un proveedor de igualdad de oportunidades.
DAAconnect Updates
The Youth Program Locator has been updated! Thank you for your patience while the Locator has been under construction for the past few weeks. Please take a moment to visit the Youth Program Locator to be sure all of your programs look correct and that your programs in 2024 are appearing. Please reach out to our DAAconnect Team if you have any questions: daaconnect@denvergov.org.
Job Opportunities
Mile High 360 has two open job opportunities! Click on the links below to view descriptions and instructions on how to apply:
Throughout the month of January, Lavinia Group has been leading a series of free workshops and informational sessions highlighting strategies for improving academic results in youth in the United States. Sign up to attend an upcoming workshop or info session:
Summer Learning Planning Workshop
A Blueprint for Accelerating Math & Literacy Achievement Wednesday, January 31st, 2024 | 2:00 p.m. ET - 2:45 p.m. ET
This engaging workshop will offer you a comprehensive perspective of your current summer learning program's strengths, while also illuminating areas for enhancement. Packed with valuable insights, the workshop features a series of interactive activities, collaborative exercises, and complementary resources that will empower you to cultivate a top-notch summer school program. Register for this Workshop
RISE Informational Session
The Summer Learning Program that Delivers Extraordinary Results in Just 5 Weeks
This all-encompassing program provides essential tools like pre- and post-assessments, data analysis, and a tailored five-week curriculum for students from 1st to 9th grade. Key components include a Leader Intensive Workshop, a comprehensive three-day teacher onboarding, and versatile professional development choices, highlighting the crucial role of educator training in driving the program's success. Register for an Informational Session
With a strong focus on justice, racial equity and inclusion, the Youth Cohort of the Piton Fellowship is a paid summer fellowship aiming predominately to support aspiring social changemakers of color ages 14-20.
Fellows will conduct actionable research to inform community outcomes, learn from local experts, grow as leaders and connect with a diverse network of their peers. Applications and nominations for the 2024 Youth Cohort are being accepted now through March 1st!
The Access Opportunity application is now open! Please encourage your students to applyfor this six-year college and career preparation program + $10,000 scholarship if they are:
In the 10th grade at a high school in the Denver/Boulder area
Involved with their community through school activities and/or work
A dedicated student with an unweighted GPA of 3.5 or above (this is not a strict requirement – other indicators of academic success are welcomed!)
In need of extra support and guidance for the college/career process
Ready to be a part of a tight-knit community of like-minded students
The Denver Museum of Nature and Science has two upcoming events in January that are aimed towards educators:
The Science of Changing Your Mind: Building Deeper, Stronger Conceptions of the World is a professional development course available for PreK-12 teachers to learn and engage with practical strategies that empower students to take charge of their own learning. The course is offered both face-to-face and online! To learn more, click HERE.
FREE Educator's Night at the Museum is on January 23rd from 6pm - 9pm! More details about this event will be coming soon, so make sure you check out the museum website HERE.
And check outthis flyer about both of these great events!
Funding Opportunities
The New York Life Foundation's 2024 Aim High grant competition is now open! A total of 40 grants worth $1.8 million will be awarded to afterschool, summer, or expanded learning programs serving middle school youth living in under-resourced communities.
Programs will be selected for grants based on their ability to help youth transition successfully to ninth grade on time and provide academic, social, and emotional supports to youth. Programs may apply to one of four grant categories, ranging from $15,000 to $100,000, including two grant tiers with a special focus. The first will support programs' racial equity and social justice efforts. The second will focus on youth entrepreneurship and fostering an entrepreneurial mindset.
Applications are due on February 1, 2024 at 5 p.m. ET. For more information about the grant application, to view the RFP and to apply, click HERE.
Colorado Department of Education (CDE) has released the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) Cohort 11 grant application as well as the new Colorado Academic Accelerator Program (CO-AAP) grant applications!
Both grant programs seek to establish or expand community learning centers that will accelerate student learning by providing academic support and enrichment as well as family engagement activities in Out-of-School Time programs. CDE will award approximately $3 million in 21st CCLC funding and approximately $8 million in CO-AAP funding. Applicants to both grants may apply for up to $180,000 per center per year. The grant applications are online using CDE’s new grant management system, GAINS. More details on content, audience, and registration can be found on the GAINS Training webpage. To learn more about the grant programs, technical assistance opportunities and tools and resources for applying, visit the 21st CCLC webpageand the CO-AAP webpage.
Applications for both opportunities are due on Thursday, February 15, 2024!
Emotional Intelligence Corner:
Emotional Intelligence and Leadership
We often talk about how we can inspire positive behavior in the young people we serve, but what about the power we have to inspire our staff, coworkers, loved ones, etc.? In this leadership EI series, we invite you to dive a bit deeper on your emotional intelligence as a leader. A key component of emotional intelligence to reflect on and deepen is Self-Awareness.
Being aware of your emotions and emotional responses to those around you can greatly improve your emotional intelligence. Knowing when you're feeling anxious or angry can help you process and communicate those feelings in a way that promotes healthy results. To improve your awareness, start by noticing when you are being activated and having a strong feeling. Get curious about the feeling and take note of what happened before the feeling was there (e.g., your staff member was late again for the staff meeting), what that feels like in your body, and how you respond to the feeling. Does the response serve you and others? What can you try differently next time? (adapted from: indeed career guide) Start small and see what you notice. Just a reminder…all emotions are welcome and OK! It’s how we respond to them that models for others the kind of leader we are and strive to be.
