The California Afterschool Challenge
May 20 - 21, 2013
The CA Afterschool Challenge aims to educate and inspire professionals, youth, and parents in afterschool and school-age care programs to engage in grassroots advocacy to advance the out-of-school time field.
This unique event, held each May, includes a full day of training and networking that culminates with legislative visits and a rally at the State Capitol. Training is provided for middle and high school youth, professionals and experienced advocates. Participants learn about the issues impacting the out-of-school time field as well as educate legislators about the importance of these vital afterschool and school-age care programs from their first hand experience.
Support the Challenge:
We strive to keep the CA Afterschool Challenge free for participants through the generous support and contributions from volunteers, partners and sponsors. To sponsor the event, view our sponsorship packages then submit a sponsorship. For additional sponsorship opportunities or questions, contact Ruth at 510-444-4622 x101 or email ruthoj@calsac.org.
NEW! An Exhibitor Fair will be held on Tuesday, May 21st from 10am-2pm at the State Capitol. View our affordable packages. Register to exhibit here.
Join Us!
- Network with colleagues, youth and families from throughout the state
- Meet with legislators to share the importance of afterschool and school-age care programs
- Rally with motivating speakers including legislators, community advocates, and youth leaders
- Gain valuable advocacy skills and training experience that you can take back to your local community
Event Schedule:
| Monday, May 20 (times subject to change) |
Tuesday, May 21 (times subject to change) |
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11:30 Team Leader Prep Lunch (for Team Leaders only)
1:00 Check-in (no onsite registration)
1:30 Policy Plenary including Michael Funk,
CDE Afterschool Division Director; Jennifer Peck, Summer Matters Campaign;
OUSD Youth Action Team
2:30 Break (snacks provided)
3:00 Advocacy Training & Policy Roundtable
5:00 Break
5:15 Legislative Visit Team Meet & Greet
6:30 Youth Social (snacks and entertainment provided) |
8:00 Late Check-in
8:15 Legislative Visit Team Meetings (lbreakfast provided)
10:00 March to Capitol with the John Reith All-Star Marching Band & Color Guard
10:00-2:00 Exhibitor Fair
10:30 Rally & Lunch (lunch provided)
12:00 Legislative Visits
4:00 Check-out |
As a participant, we provide you with:
- All Materials - including factsheets and policy information, advocacy guides, legislative visit talking points and MORE!
- Trainings - for participants new to policy and advocacy, those more experienced AND for middle and high school youth!
- Legislative Visits with a Team - each team will have a Team Leader to support and prepare the group, includes visits with in-district representatives and visits with representatives in surrounding areas!
- Networking Opportunities - formal and informal activities to network and learn from providers, parents and youth across the state!
- Meals - afternoon snacks on Monday & breakfast and lunch on Tuesday
Advocacy Training Tracks & Policy Round Table:
- Youth Advocates Training - a youth-led session by the Learning In Afterschool & Summer Project and the Oakland Unified School District's After School Youth Action Team designed to prepare middle and high school youth for legislative visits and how to tell their story to policy makers.
- Emerging Advocates Training - for professionals with little to no experience with legislative advocacy. This session will prepare you to engage in an effective legislative visit.
- Experienced Advocates Training - a session designed for professionals with advocacy experience and/or who have participated in the Challenge several years and are looking for deeper training and strategy.
- Policy Round Table - this session is specifically for policy professionals who do not need advocacy training to prepare for legislative visits and who are seeking a space to discuss policy with peers in the school-age child care and afterschool field. This year's session is hosted by the Partnership for Children & Youth and the topic is "Updating California's 21st CCLC Law: Using Practive to Inform Policy".
Become a Team Leader:
As a Team Leader, you will support a group of out-of-school time professionals, youth, and families from across the state as they meet with legislators at the Capitol. The role of the Team Leader is to support and coach your legislative team as they make their visits – preparing them, coaching them after each visit, and managing the group to ensure a positive learning experience.
Whether you're an experienced or emerging advocate, being a Team Leader is an invaluable experience and a critical leadership role - we can't do this event without you!
Next Steps:
Event Logistics:
Below you will find event logistics to get you started on your journey to Sacramento.
- Youth Participants: If you are planning to bring middle and high school youth they must be registered by an adult attending the event. There is a limit of 2 youth per adult registration. Youth will be assigned to a legislative visit team with the registering adult. CalSAC does not take responsibility for youth participants.
- Legislative Visits: The Challenge team is working tirelessly to confirm visits with your legislative representatives specifically for you! If you are unable to participate in the legislative visits on Tuesday, May 21st please email Zak at zparpia@calsac.org immediately.
- Lodging: Click here to reserve a hotel room at the Sheraton Grand Sacramento and receive the CalSAC room rate of $139, not including taxes and additional charges. The deadline to book a room is Friday, April 26th. CalSAC does not cover the cost of hotel rooms.
- Meals: We are happy to provide afternoon snacks on Monday AND breakfast and lunch on Tuesday. Attendees are responsible for all other meals.
- Transportation: Travel to and from the airport is not provided. The Sheraton Grand is within walking distance to the Capitol. Please notify the CalSAC office if special arrangements are needed.
- Parking: Parking is available at the hotel for $18. There are also several parking lots in the area that cost up to $18 per day. Click here to locate parking options in the area.
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Coming from Central California?
Reading and Beyond and the CalSAC Central California Chapter are sponsoring a chartered bus to the Challenge! Stops will be made in Fresno, Merced and Modesto.
Contact the Central California Chapter at calsaccentralvalley@gmail.com to reserve your spot today. Space is limited! |
View highlights from 2012, visit our Facebook page and read what participants have to say for more info about this great event!
2012 Event Highlights
On May 21-22, over 150 out-of-school time professionals, parents and youth gathered in Sacramento for CalSAC’s 8th annual California Afterschool Challenge. This unique event aims to educate and inspire participants to engage in grassroots advocacy to advance the out-of-school time field. This year we focused on funding for school-age child care, celebrating the successes of the After School Education and Safety Program, and prioritizing summer learning.
View our highlights, visit our Facebook page and read what participants had to say for more info on this year's event.
We are proud to have had another very successful event and thank everyone who was able to join us! We also thank ThomasKelly Software for sponsoring the event and extend a very special thank you to the Challenge Advisory Committee, Team Leaders, Trainers and guest speakers!
5 Things YOU Can Do to Continue the Momentum:
- Join thousands in sending letters in support of school-age child care today by clicking these links: CA Child Care Resource & Referral Network AND Children Now.
- Invite legislators to visit your program site. Download the Advocacy Guide and Fact Sheets for useful resources to get started.
- Join a CalSAC Chapter in your region for Lights On Afterschool and continue advocating for out-of-school time at the local level.
- Share your Challenge experience and photos with others on the CalSAC Facebook and Twitter. Don’t forget to Like & Follow us to keep connected!
- Make a donation to the Challenge to help keep this event accessible to professionals, parents and youth across California.
