NYS TARC Newsletter—January 2026
- NYS 21CCLC TARC
- Dec 22, 2025
- 9 min read
Jump to section: NYSED News/Updates
January 20 Tutoring Works! Lessons & Insights From Local Programs & Practitioners
January 27 High-Impact Tutoring as a Remedy for Pandemic Lost Learning: LA Settlement
February 17 Connection and Community: Networking With a Purpose
February 27 The Mott Million Dollar Challenge (App Deadline)
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:
Entering Fall 2025 participation and activity data into AS21 was due 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.
Perform Budget and Program Review and submit to NYSED via Survey Monkey Apply any necessary Budget Amendments (FS10A, Budget Narrative, and MWBE documents) and/or Program Modification Requests.
Receive and review Local Evaluator’s Interim Report. Share information with stakeholders and integrate actionable findings and recommendations into the ongoing internal improvement cycle.
Participate in the required Program Directors’ Mid-Year Report. Submit responses to NYSED’s via Survey Monkey Apply (SMA) by February 27, 2026. This information is used by the NYSED Program Office to review program progress, and to select useful, summary findings available to all statewide stakeholders in the Program Directors’ Progress Brief.
Convene 3rd Advisory Board Meeting. Include all stakeholders. Topics might include review of program progress and achievement of interim goals/mid-year benchmarks, reflect on internal review of staff performance/participant engagement findings, and integrate evaluation findings into continuous improvement plans.
Afterschool21 Guidance
Reminder: 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.
Reach out to your Technical Assistance Resource Center with any questions.
PD/Events
January 13
Mott Million Dollar Pitch Competition Workshop
Kids and teens everywhere have world-changing ideas that deserve the spotlight, and the Mott Million Dollar Challenge is their chance to shine. This national pitch competition invites K-12 students to submit a simple 30-90 second video sharing an idea that betters their very own school, home, or community.
Students can enter individually or in teams of up to three, and $1 million in prizes will be awarded across the competition! Submissions are due February 27, 2026.
Supported by funding from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, the Mott Million Dollar Challenge is powered by the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) in collaboration with VentureLab, Young Entrepreneur Institute (YEI), the Afterschool Alliance and Collaborative Communications.
Learn more at Mott Million Dollar Pitch Competition Workshop
January 13, 2026 12:00pm ET
Scott Mann of VentureLab will facilitate a conversation about how students in the OST space are already thinking and acting like entrepreneurs and provide specific guidance on how to prepare students for this competition.
Learn more and register here
January 20 Tutoring Works! Lessons & Insights From Local Programs & Practitioners
CGLR is excited for the new year and our plans to return from the holidays with a series of excellent live GLR Learning Tuesdays webinars touching on important topics that are on the minds of educators across the country.
This webinar will feature a conversation with Liz Cohen of 50CAN about her new book, The Future of Tutoring, along with a panel of national and local leaders successfully implementing programs on the ground.
3–4:30 p.m. ET
January 27 High-Impact Tutoring as a Remedy for Pandemic Lost Learning: LA Settlement
CGLR is excited for the new year and our plans to return from the holidays with a series of excellent live GLR Learning Tuesdays webinars touching on important topics that are on the minds of educators across the country. This webinar will explore how a lawsuit involving the Los Angeles Unified School District resulted in the district agreeing to provide high-dosage tutoring to more than 100,000 students, along with other important interventions to continue to accelerate equitable learning recovery. 3–4:30 p.m. ET
February 17 Connection and Community: Networking With a Purpose
9:30 - 11:30am
Join us for a virtual 21st CCLC Community Networking event! This will be an opportunity to connect with subgrantees across the region, explore program challenges, and share ideas. The session will offer space for self-reflection and peer collaboration, to enhance the work 21st CCLC programs do with students, staff, and communities.
February 27 The Mott Million Dollar Challenge (App Deadline)
Kids and teens everywhere have world-changing ideas that deserve the spotlight, and the Mott Million Dollar Challenge is their chance to shine. This national pitch competition invites K-12 students to submit a simple 30-90 second video sharing an idea that betters their very own school, home, or community.
Students can enter individually or in teams of up to three, and $1 million in prizes will be awarded across the competition! Submissions are due February 27, 2026.
Supported by funding from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, the Mott Million Dollar Challenge is powered by the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) in collaboration with VentureLab, Young Entrepreneur Institute (YEI), the Afterschool Alliance and Collaborative Communications.
Learn more at Mott Million Dollar Pitch Competition Workshop
January 13, 2026 12:00pm ET
Scott Mann of VentureLab will facilitate a conversation about how students in the OST space are already thinking and acting like entrepreneurs and provide specific guidance on how to prepare students for this competition.
Learn more and register here
March 4 Community Schools Advocacy Day (Albany, NY)
March 18 Afterschool Day of Action (Albany, NY)
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
National STEM Day Resolutions
The House STEM Education Caucus co-leads, Representatives Luz Rivas (D-CA) and Neal Dunn (R-FL), introduced a bipartisan National STEM Day Resolution that explicitly acknowledges the role of afterschool STEM programs in developing the U.S. STEM workforce, nurturing a STEM-literate society, and using STEM to improve people’s lives.
Members of the Afterschool STEM Hub collaborated to ensure that the need to invest in STEM education, including through afterschool programs, was part of the National STEM Day conversation. You can read the press release here. As a show of bicameral support, a STEM Day Resolution was also passed in the Senate.
OMH Funding Opportunity: Youth Safe Spaces (Round Two)
The New York State Office of Mental Health has issued a request for proposals for round two of Youth Safe Spaces – a program to create voluntary, youth-led, community-based, non-clinical mental wellness spaces for youth and young adults ages 12 to 24.
This initiative will fund four programs throughout New York State. Applicants may establish new Safe Spaces or enhance existing community settings – such as libraries, youth recovery clubhouses, and recreation centers – to offer Youth Safe Spaces programs. Applicants do not need to be licensed OMH providers.
Funded Youth Safe Spaces will:
Offer peer-led, culturally responsive, and supportive environments;
Increase access to wellness resources;
Facilitate individual and community youth mental wellness training; and
Provide opportunities to empower young people to advocate for change.
Priority will be given to rural communities, and those impacted by trauma, youth homelessness, transportation barriers, or limited behavioral health access.
The full RFP is available on the OMH website: https://omh.ny.gov/omhweb/rfp/2025/yssp2/index.html
Child Care Capital Construction Funding Program
New York State has opened the Child Care Capital Construction Funding Program, administered by OCFS and DASNY, to support the design, construction, renovation, and equipment needs of licensed child care centers and registered school-age child care programs. For FY26, $105 million is available statewide through this competitive reimbursement grant program.
Application period: February 2 – March 13, 2026
Eligible applicants include not-for-profit organizations, municipalities, public authorities, and colleges or universities with qualifying child care programs. Projects must be shovel-ready and meet minimum cost and site control requirements.
Learn more and access the RFA and application materials here: https://ocfs.ny.gov/programs/childcare/grants/construction-fund/
Federal tax credit scholarship program
Even with federal funding decisions still pending, this is an important moment for afterschool and community schools providers to be heard. Comments on the federal tax credit scholarship program were due December 26.
The U.S. Treasury and IRS are accepting public comments on implementation of a new federal tax credit for scholarship-granting organizations. The rules will determine whether “extended day programs” clearly include afterschool and summer learning, especially programs operated by community-based organizations and in community settings. This is the moment to weigh in so the program supports access and equity.
View the Afterschool Alliance’s Tax Credit Blog
Afterschool meals data highlight access gaps
New FRAC data show that while 2.4 million afterschool snacks and suppers are served daily nationwide, only one child receives an afterschool supper for every 16 who receive free or reduced-price lunch. These statistics are powerful tools for conversations with districts, local officials, and partners about barriers to access and equity.
NYC Commission on Universal After-School Interim Report Released
On December 15, the NYC Commission on Universal Afterschool released its Interim Report at a convening hosted by The Association for a Better New York (ABNY). The discussion highlighted the benefits of afterschool programs, ongoing challenges for providers, including contract payment delays, outdated procurement processes, and capacity constraints within city agencies, and the importance of coordinated public–private strategies to support children and families. The report offers a foundation that can help inform future city priorities.
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Program Spotlights
Rest-of-State TARC Visits Geneva
On Dec 9, 2025, the Rest of State TARC team travelled to Geneva to conduct a site monitoring visit. While there, they observed many different activities such as creating posters and crafts, listening to stories, participating in a drama club, a video game club, a music club, and more. Below are some pictures taken during our visit. Students are creating wreath ornaments at the Carter Club, along with pictures of students participating in the music and video clubs.
College Visits Show "Life After Lyons"
Lyons Community School students were able to visit colleges such as Adelphi University, Saint Peter's University, Mount Saint Mary College, SUNY Cortland, and SUNY Cobleskill. Students got to see life after Lyons through visiting universities and colleges in New York based on their interests and campus life.
Holiday Food Support at Lyons Community School
Grand Street Settlement and Hispanic Federation joined forces to donate pantry items to families in need at Lyons Community School this Holiday season. We noticed a high number of families in the community school not being able to receive any food support during this holiday season. We supported over 100 families in our community school.
Photos from Rose Mejia Community School Director, Lyons Community School
"City of Ember" in Sunset Park
Every year at MS 136/MS 821 our team adapts a middle grade novel into a full-scale musical production. This year, we performed "City of Ember" adapted from the book by Jeanne DuPrau. Every week, sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students work in their grade groups on original dances and songs. A cast of students rehearsed over the course of the two months to bring the story to life. All of the hard work and creativity culminated with three performances at the beginning of December. Our fall show allows students the opportunity to learn artistic skills, explore new interests, and discover the power of working as an ensemble to create something together.
Photos submitted by Hannah Allen MS 821 (Sunset Park Prep) Site Coordinator