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 Date Change!
We have had to change the date of our next Coffee and Conversation, so now we will get together on Tuesday, January 23rd to talk about Elevating and Incorporating Youth Voice!
What better way to kick off the new year than with meaningful dialogue around how OST programs can better meet the needs of youth and families in Denver by learning from, listening to and advocating for the young people we care for and serve?!
Join us on Tuesday, January 23rd from 9am - 11am (location TBD)- we'll bring the coffee!
Fall Award Reports are due on January 22 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.
We will be offering a few ‘Award Report Working Sessions.’ These sessions are optional, but we encourage you to sign up for one. This will allow you dedicated time to complete your report and our DAAconnect Team will be available if you need any assistance. Please click a link below to sign up for a working session—Spaces are limited!
Below are some helpful reminders when completing your award report:
Plan early!!!! Do not wait until the due date to complete your report. 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!
Download the template from DAAconnect and start filling out your roster now. Be sure to include the required fields: participant first name, last name, DOB, DPS ID, gender, ethnicity, and total time attended (summary attendance) for the fall 2023 term.
Make sure the correct sites are appearing in the participant data tables in the Program Data form when you start the OCA Award Report. If you do not see all of your award-funded sites, please reach out to our DAAconnect team at DAAconnect@denvergov.org.
City of Denver's Foreclosure Financial Assistance Program
In partnership with the City and County of Denver, Brother's Redevelopment is administering funds for the City's Foreclosure Financial Assistance Program to assist households at or below 80% Area Median Income. If eligible, households can receive up to $20,000 in HOA/mortgage financial assistance.
For more information about this program, including applications (in both English and Spanish), click HERE.
Households with technology or language barriers can contact Colorado Housing Connects for support at 1-844-926-6632
Share Your OST Success Stories
Colorado Afterschool Partnership (CAP) is looking for stories that highlight the positive impact OST has in your community! Share your story and you will have a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card for your program!
Submit your story HERE. The winner will be chosen at the end of January!
2024 Tasty Food Serving Schedule!
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.
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!
Explore.Act.Tell is a free experiential learning program, funded by Albertsons Companies Foundation Nourishing Neighbors Program, that teaches students to understand and act on solutions to end food insecurity in their community. If you work with youth in grades 6-12, this program is for you!
Using a project based learning strategy, students will:
The Butterfly Pavilion's Butterfly Quest is a community science initiative designed to track the lifespans of butterflies within the pavilions conservatory. It is an awesome way to get students involved in real science! It is offered afterhours (after 5pm) every second Tuesday of the month (although their team is open for other days for a private session).
Butterfly Pavilion is offering a special discount to afterschool groups that are interested in this opportunity!
For more information or help booking, please email the family programs coordinator, Maddie, at mmathew@butterflies.org. *Please note, they require a ratio of 1 chaperone for every 10 students- the same ratio that is required for field trips.
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. Join a webinar on January 11 at 2 p.m. ET to learn more about this opportunity.
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:
Make 2024 Yours!
We invite you to take in and process this quote from Beyoncé as we begin 2024. See the opportunities. Set intentions. Create space to be human. Make it ours. Make it yours. We invite you to practice reflection and intention setting as we move into the new year and consider the space you want to create for yourself, your team and the young people you serve. Here are few ideas to spark your creativity. Make it yours!
Use ahappiness calendar like the one created by the Greater Good Science Center. Use it as is, or make your own!
Ask your team to choose a “word of 2024” that captures their intention for the year and use it as an anchor for their professional and personal development
Create a group program goal that you can work on together (e.g., greet each young person and their family member by name every day)
Intentionally celebrate yourself and each other each day
Create an affirmation and/or gratitude wall for staff and youth people
