NYS TARC Newsletter—December 2025
- NYS 21CCLC TARC
- 18 hours ago
- 9 min read
Jump to section: NYSED News/Updates
December 5 (deadline) 2026 Art Contest (NYS Network for Youth Success)
December 10 Career Conversations - Let's Talk About... Goal Setting
December 11 Addressing the Youth Mental Health Crisis in Schools and Afterschool
December 17 Career Conversations - Social Media and Professionalism
April 29 - May 1 Empower Youth Success 2026 (NYS Network for Youth Success Annual Conference)
April 30 21stCCLC Spring Conference (Day 2 of the Empower Youth Success 2026 Conference)
Important Reminders from the NEW '25-'26 21st CCLC Timeline:
Local Evaluators: The 24-25 Annual Evaluation Report (AER; MS Word Document) and accompanying Evaluation Plan & Results Tables (MS Excel Workbook) was due to the Program Director and NYSED via EMSC21CCLCSTCCLC@NYSED.GOV by November 30, 2025. Evaluators who anticipate needing more time beyond this deadline should reach out to NYSED directly to request an extension. Obtain student outcome data from districts as needed for local objectives.
Convene 2nd Advisory Board Meeting. Include all stakeholders. Topics might include review of initial program implementation efforts, enrollment/participation, family engagement plans/activities, staff development plans, internal improvement cycle/QSA process.
Participate in the 1st Evaluator’s Site Visit, conducted by the Local Program Evaluator. This is an opportunity to open the program to the observation of the partnering evaluator, collaborate to track progress indicators, and to receive valuable, actionable feedback about program implementation. Summary findings from this visit can inform the continuous improvement cycle and communicate progress updates to staff and stakeholders.
Update the Evaluation Plan and Logic Model/Theory of Change, see SMV indicator H-3, as needed.
Enter program fall 2025 participation and activity data into AS21 by December 31, 2025. Conduct required, Internal Review/Check-In of Program Service Delivery. This is the opportunity for Program Leaders to observe their staff using a formalized process/protocol while staff are delivering programming to participants; they review the implementation of activities as designed/planned, the performance of staff, and the levels of engagement/targeted responses from participants. This provides valuable formative feedback to integrate into the internal improvement cycle. Additional information about this requirement and the Program Activity Implementation Review (PAIR) is in the Site Monitoring Visit Tool (SMV), Indicator D-2.
Afterschool21 Guidance
Pathwise Afterschool 21 (AS 21) Starter Guide
This guide provides step-by-step instructions for new users of AS 21. It is designed to help staff quickly understand their roles, enter accurate information, and manage program operations effectively. View Guide.
AfterSchool 21 Office Hours
12/8/2025 10am - 11:30am Register Here *Office hours attendance is optional
Reach out to your Technical Assistance Resource Center with any questions.
PD/Events
December 5 (deadline) 2026 Art Contest (NYS Network for Youth Success)
Calling All Young Artists!
We invite all youth in New York State afterschool programs and/or community schools to submit artwork on the theme:
“Together, We Build Belonging”
Celebrate friendship, teamwork, and learning together. Show how afterschool and/or community schools help everyone feel welcome and shine bright!
Submission Details
Deadline: Friday December 5, 2025
Size: 8.5 x 11 w/ 0.5" white margin on all sides
Orientation: Portrait (no landscape format)
Format: PDF (max 50 MB)
December 10 Career Conversations - Let's Talk About... Goal Setting
Virtual - Zoom
Host: New York Early Childhood Professional Development Institute
Wednesday December 10, 2025
11:30am - 12:30pm
In this year-end conversation with career advisors, discuss how to set goals, how to make an undefined goal into a SMART goal, and how career advisement can support you in these endeavors.
December 11 Addressing the Youth Mental Health Crisis in Schools and Afterschool
Virtual - Zoom
Host: Temescal Associates, HKLF and APAF
Thursday December 11, 2025
1:00pm - 2:30pm
Note: There will not be a recording of this webinar to access at a later date.
Most indicators show that youth mental health has worsened over the past decade, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. But what can we do in our schools and afterschool programs to build the skills of youth workers and teachers to recognize early warning signs of declining mental health, speak with youth and their families and to refer youth, as needed, to mental health resources?
Notice. Talk. Act.® at School is a training designed and delivered by the American Psychiatric Association Foundation in partnership with Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA). This training equips all adults who work in your school—afterschool staff and school personnel: school administrators, coaches, custodial staff, food service staff, mental health staff, nurses, and teachers—with the right tools to make a difference in the mental health of your youth.
December 17 Career Conversations - Social Media and Professionalism
Virtual - Zoom
Host: New York Early Childhood Professional Development Institute
Wednesday December 17, 2025
6:30PM - 7:30PM
We will take a look at social media platforms such as LinkedIn as tools for enhancing your career and job search strategies. How can these tools enhance and highlight your skills, abilities and interests as a professional in early childhood education?
April 29 - May 1 Empower Youth Success 2026 (NYS Network for Youth Success Annual Conference)
Registration is Now Open!
This is THE event for education professionals to push the boundaries and create high-quality expanded learning and development opportunities that support New York’s youth. Join us for one or more days of innovative learning, engagement, networking, and fun with the New York State Network for Youth Success!
Find more details and information on our website: https://networkforyouthsuccess.org/annual-conference/registration/
Register Now - https://networkforyouthsuccess.org/annual-conference/
April 30 21stCCLC Spring Conference (Day 2 of the Empower Youth Success 2026 Conference)
Register Now - https://networkforyouthsuccess.org/annual-conference/
On-Going Offering: Self-Paced Professional Development on Change Up Learning
We're happy to remind you that 21C subgrantees have access to a number of free, self-paced courses through our partnership with Change Up Learning! Each course takes approximately 1-1.5 hours to complete, offers a Certificate of Completion (with SACC credits), and features resources you can utilize at your site.
With over 50 topics and a growing library, consider one of these areas relevant to your role:
Youth Development: Ages + Stages: Child + Youth Development; Boosting Engagement & Belonging; Equitable and Inclusive Approaches to SEL
Curriculum and Lesson Planning: Curriculum + Lesson Plans; Culturally Responsive Practice; Educational and Fun Project-Based Learning
Leadership and Staff Development: Communication for Managers; Activating Leadership Skills; Effective Program Management
Equity and Inclusion: Introduction to Equity and Inclusion; Antiracism in Organizations; Understanding LGBTQ+ Inclusion
Get started today!
If you’re based in NYC, activate your account here.
If you’re based in the rest of NY state, activate your account here.
Resources
Update: Afterschool Alliance's Policy Pulse & Resources
Every second Friday at noon ET, our own Senior VP of Policy, Erik Peterson, will recap the latest policy developments, what we know (or don’t know!) about how they may impact afterschool and summer programs, and what may be coming up next. Submit your questions in advance so we know what's top of mind for you.
Below are resources to learn more about what was discussed on this webinar:
Blogs
October 24, 2015: The stars of Lights On Afterschool
November 10, 2025 (updated on November 13): Longest federal government shutdown on record may end soon
November 11, 2025: Election 2025: New governors elected and local funding for young people passes
Additional Resources
Afterschool Works for America (help get the word out and engage the public in saving afterschool and summer program funding)
Recap: NYS Network for Youth Success at SOMOS Conference
Last week, the NYS Network for Youth Success partnered on a panel -- Supporting Vulnerable Communities Through Creative School Partnerships-- in Puerto Rico for the annual SOMOS conference. The event was sponsored by Assemblymembers Gonzalez-Rojas, Cruz, and Rivera. Panelists included:
Manuela Zamora, NY Sun Works Executive Director
Danielle Ellman, Commonpoint CEO and President
NYC Public Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos
Rachel Sabella, Director, No Kid Hungry NY
Dr. DaMia Harris-Madden, Commissioner, NYS Office of Children and Family Services
Maria Fernandez, Deputy Secretary of Education, Executive Chamber
Jennifer Pyle, Executive Director, Conference of Big 5 School Districts
Costa Constantinides, Executive Director, Variety Boys and Girls Club
The panel discussion explored ways that, in the wake of major federal cuts that have left schools and students with fewer resources, community-based organizations and educational partners are stepping up to bridge the gap. These partnerships not only provide critical academic and after-school support, but also connect young people with essential services such as food access, skill development, and sustainable food education.
Together, they demonstrate how creative collaborations can sustain vulnerable communities and expand opportunities for the next generation.
Coming Soon: 21stCCLC Program Directors Manual
The updated Program Directors Manual is set to be released very soon. This is the place for directors to reference any part of the 21st CCLC program. Stay tuned for more information/ release date.
Reminder: Resources from Fall TARC conferences available
Reminder that resources for the Fall conferences (both TARCS) are available on our website. https://www.nys21cclc.org/webinars-events
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Program Spotlights
Meet the New RoS TARC Team Members!
Aubrey Roefs, Program Specialist
Aubrey Roefs is a Program Specialist at Binghamton University’s Technical Assistance Resource Center. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Adolescent Education and started her career as a public school teacher, where she discovered her passion for supporting other educators. In her current role, Aubrey helps coordinate educational programs across New York State and loves working with schools and organizations to empower teachers and enhance student learning.
Leslyn Walters, Program Specialist
Leslyn Walters is a Program Specialist for the NYS 21st CCLC ROS Technical Assistance Resource Center at Binghamton University. She obtained her Master of Social Work from New York University. Leslyn’s career spans over 15+ years in Administration and Social Work. She intends to continue her dedication to children and families in the TARC team. In her down time, Leslyn enjoys learning new things, DIY home improvements projects, the arts, journalism and quality time with family.
Stronger Together: A Reconnection Story
I came to the 21st CCLC Conference to be inspired, but I didn’t expect to be taken back to my own childhood in the process. It reminded me how our work creates ripples in the lives of youth that stay with them forever.
My middle school years at I.S. 292 in East New York were truly life-changing. At a time when it was difficult to find a safe, academically challenging school in the neighborhood, I was fortunate to have Principal Everett Hughes leading the way. Under his leadership, I was able to pass the SHSAT and later graduate from Brooklyn Technical High School.
It was rare to see SHSAT preparation built directly into the curriculum the way it was at I.S. 292. That experience shaped my path and inspired me to pay the blessing forward by preparing hundreds of youth in Title I schools for the SHSAT in the years that followed.
At 292, I also discovered my love for public policy and community engagement when I served as 8th-grade class president. During my term, I worked closely with Mr. Hughes to plan events and fundraisers for our school community, a responsibility I took great pride in. That spark led me to pursue a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s in public administration.
My love for music and live performance also began at 292, where Mr. Hughes somehow managed to bring in some of the most popular performers of the time, like Pretty Ricky and Lil’ Mama. For many of us low-income kids from East New York these moments were deeply meaningful and unforgettable. Years later, in 2020, I was honored to return to I.S. 292 as an alumni panelist, though Mr. Hughes had long since moved on from those hallways.
Fast-forward to the recent 21st Century Community Learning Centers conference: I heard a familiar name being congratulated after the children’s performance. I couldn’t see him, but I immediately jumped out of my seat to find out if it was the same person I remembered from nearly 20 years ago. Sure enough, standing right in front of me was Mr. Everett Hughes, the very person who helped jump start my journey as an educator and community leader.
Seeing him again, now as a thriving professional still rooted in the East New York community, was an incredibly fulfilling full-circle moment. Mr. Hughes continues to inspire educators and youth as a global educational consultant.
I am deeply grateful to the 21st Century Community Learning Centers for creating the opportunity that brought such a special person back into my orbit and for reminding me of the transformative power of educators who believe in their students.
Stephanie Abreu, MPA
Community School Director
Counseling in School
Evaluators' Corner
Reminder:
Please complete the post-conference survey for NYC Fall conference.