NYS TARC Newsletter—June 2026
- NYS 21CCLC TARC
- May 26
- 8 min read
Updated: May 28
Jump to section: NYSED News/Updates
Important Reminders from the '25-'26 21st CCLC Timeline:
Submission deadline for 2026-2027 Budget Packets (FS-10 Budget [in Excel], Budget Narrative, Composite Budget, and M/WBE documents) sent electronically was May 15 in Survey Monkey. Budgets sent in through email will be returned to the sender with instructions to use SMA. Please do not send hard copies until they are requested by NYSED’s Office of Student Support Services.
Attend mandatory training on determining GPA equivalents for grades 7,8, and 10-12 (GPRA Outcome Indicator) using GPA Calculator. A 21CCLC GPA Calculator Training Zoom session has been scheduled for Monday, June 15th at 1pm – 2:30pm. Registration via the Zoom link below is required. The meeting will be recorded and made available to anyone not able to attend the live event.
After registering, individuals will receive a confirmation email with information about joining the meeting.
The GPA calculator files unchanged from 2024-25 and may be downloaded from the Evaluation & Data Management section of the TARC website
Administer the Student Outcomes Survey or another validated student survey to program participants in grades 4 and above. This survey measures indicators of satisfaction and perceived outcomes.
Administer Teacher Surveys for participants in grades 1 through 5. Survey responses are due no later than June 26.
Enter spring 2026 program participation and activity data in AS21 by June 30.
Complete MI’s “EOY Staff Survey,” which will be distributed by email mid-June.
Engage in 2nd Internal Improvement Cycle Session. Use the Quality Self-Assessment (QSA) Tool to guide the process of assessing indicators of success and reviewing progress towards the measurable targets/goals set at the beginning of the year. Additional information about the QSA Tool is available at: http://networkforyouthsuccess.org/qsa.
Convene 4th Advisory Board Meeting/Year-End Review. Include all stakeholders. Topics might include a review of program accomplishments, areas for improvement, organizing information to communicate out to stakeholder audiences, and to begin strategic planning.
Collaborate with Data Manager and Local Evaluator to complete any final data collection and quality control, share available program and participant data, and to schedule receipt of AER once analyses are completed, results and findings can be presented.
Afterschool21 Guidance
Please see the new NYSED Guidance for Data Managers here.
NYS 21st CCLC AfterSchool 21 Teacher Survey Training, April 2026.
PD/Events
NY PD Support Series
The 21st CCLC team wanted to make you aware of an upcoming professional development opportunity that may be valuable for your program staff.
This PD is designed to support, strengthen, and empower your program as well as your community. We would love to have members of your program attend.
Please feel free to share the flyer with your staff or anyone who may be interested. We hope to see your team there!
Session 1: Championship Triage: Building Communities of Care Tues, June 2 @ 10:30am
Every strong season begins with intention. As we open to Spring, it’s time to bring staff and leaders together to reflect on why they do this work and how care shows up in every day during unprecedented times. Together, we will explore Communities of Care through a servant leadership lens, grounding our work in belonging, shared purpose, and connection.
Objectives:
Identify key components of Communities of Care approach
Discuss how Servant Leadership can strengthen community building
Wellness Check-In Focus Questions: What does being part of a supportive community mean for you right now? What brings you back to this work when things feel challenging? What helps you feel grounded as we head into spring?
Knowledge Network Prompt – Share one intentional connection with a colleague/youth that is meaningful to you.
Session 2: Leading with Empathy Thurs, June 4 @ 10:30am
As the year continues and stress builds, how adults respond makes all the difference. This month centers on empathy, regulation, and recognizing as essential leadership practices in 21st CCLC programs. Together, we’ll reflect on how stress and trauma show up for youth and staff today and explore healing-centered approaches that prioritize dignity, safety, and care over control.
Objectives:
Recognize how community trauma shows up in program environments today
Apply strategies to create a healing culture for youth and staff
Wellness Check-In Focus Questions: On a scale of 1-10, how are you feeling as we head into this month? What helps you pause and reset when things feel heavy?
Knowledge Network Prompt – Share how you responded during a challenging moment, what helped or didn’t?
Session 3: Team Strength and Conditioning Mon, June 8 @ 10:30am
Healthy programs are built on strong teams. Together, we will focus on collaboration, trust, and shared leadership as key components of a healing culture. With a servant leadership lens, let’s explore how listening, shared decision-making, and authentic voice strengthen both staff morale and youth engagement.
Objectives:
Identify how healing practices differ across self, relationships, and systems
Apply healing strategies into personal practices, relationship-building approaches, and organizational systems to promote a healing-centered culture
Wellness Check-In Focus Questions: What do you need more of from your team right now? Where do you feel supported and where could support be stronger?
Knowledge Network Prompts – Whose voice did you center this month? Whose voice is missing?
Wed, June 10 @ 10:30am
As this season winds down and summer approaches, this final session will focus on a space to reflect, restore, and prepare for what’s next. Together, we’ll look back on what has helped to sustain program and youth wellness. We will walk into the new season with ways to embed wellness, reflection, and care into everyday routines so that the Communities of Care continue to grow over time, not just during the spring.
Objectives:
Use the pillars of Servant Leadership to redesign strategies that support belonging
Examine progress made in building belonging and sustaining a healing-centered culture and determine areas for continued growth
Wellness Check-In Focus Question – What has helped you keep going this year? What do you need to keep going? What is one practice you want to carry with you into the summer?
Knowledge Network Prompt – Name one practice to continue and one to gently release.
Deadline: June 5
Students in grades 6–12 across New York State are invited to share their voice and creativity by designing a short, powerful slogan that captures what community schools mean to them.
THE CHALLENGE
Create:
A slogan (10 words or less)
A design that brings the slogan to life (including font, color, layout, and the NYS Community Schools Network logo)
Submissions should reflect themes like belonging, opportunity, support, community, and student success.
PRIZE & RECOGNITION
$150 VISA gift card
Statewide recognition
Winning slogan featured across New York State
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE
Students in grades 6–12
Enrolled in a school in New York State
IMPORTANT DATES
Submission Deadline: June 5, 2026
Winner Notified By: June 12, 2026
HOW TO SUBMIT: Students should share their completed design with a school or program staff member. Staff members will submit entries on behalf of students through the official submission form.
One submission per student
PDF format only (10 MB max)
GUIDELINES
Slogan must be 10 words or fewer
Must include logo and design elements
Must be original and inspiring
Final slogan may be edited for use
Design Tip (Optional): You are welcome to use NYS Community Schools Network colors in your design:
By submitting, participants grant permission for their design to be used in statewide promotional materials and assign all rights to the New York State Community Schools Network.
Encourage students in your schools and programs to participate and help elevate youth voice across New York State.
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
Conference Resources: Spring '26 21st CCLC Conference (April 30, 2026 | Albany, NY)
21st CCLC Welcome and Updates Session
NYS 21st CCLC "Fun with Fiscal" Presentation
NYS 21st CCLC Data Management Session
Access presenter handouts and resources here.
NTAC Resources: 21st CCLC NTAC Collaborative Connections Fact Sheet | 21st CCLC and Title I Schoolwide Programs: Opportunities for Collaboration
Dear SEA Coordinators:
The announcement below provides information on a new resource developed by the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) National Technical Assistance Center (NTAC). Please share this information with your subgrantees so they can take full advantage of these opportunities.
When 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) and Title I schoolwide programs work together, educators can transform how they support student success — during the school day and beyond. This fact sheet highlights practical, compliant ways to align funding, data, and strategies to expand learning opportunities, strengthen family engagement, and improve outcomes for students in high-poverty and historically underserved communities.
By coordinating comprehensive needs assessments, braiding or consolidating funds, and aligning academic and enrichment activities, educators and partners can build seamless systems of support that maximize resources and reduce duplication. From afterschool tutoring and academic enrichment to unified family engagement and shared accountability, collaboration across these two programs creates a more cohesive, sustainable, and well-rounded approach to supporting student success.
Whether you’re an SEA, LEA, school, or out-of-school time program leader (or a community partner), this fact sheet shows where to start — and how intentional collaboration between 21st CCLC and Title I schoolwide programs can drive lasting impact for students and families. Keep your eye out for a LIVE With the 21st CCLC NTAC virtual event this fall, during which this collaboration will be explored in even greater depth.
Target Audience: SEA Coordinators, Project Directors, Site Coordinators, Frontline Staff
If you have any questions, please email them to: info@21stcclcntac.org.
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Program Spotlights
VIDEO: West Hempstead Ram Pathways Program Highlights!
Special thanks to West Hempstead for showcasing their program during the Spring Conference. If you missed it, check it out here!
VIDEO: CAMBA Kids Unite @ P.S. 170 in the Limelight!
CAMBA Kids Unite @ P.S. 170, 4th & 5th graders worked with Marquis Studios under the 21C funding to put on a number from Hell's Kitchen featuring music from the talented Ms. Alicia Keys!
View the recording here.
—Submission by Michael Pang, Program Director
To be featured in an upcoming newsletter, submit your stories and photos here.
Evaluators' Corner
The End of Year Program Staff Survey will be sent out during mid-June. Please look for the survey invitation in your email.
The GPA Calculator Training Session will be conducted virtually for RoS programs by NYSED and MI on Monday, June 15, 1:00 pm.
Spoiler alert – there have been no changes to the GPA calculators.
AER Templates will be released in early June! Look for updates in your email.
Have you had an SMV this year? The NYSED Team is committed to maintaining and supporting high quality programming and evaluation that helps drive continuous improvement and raise the effectiveness of statewide 21st CCLC programming. We hope you and your colleagues who participated in your program’s SMV will help us continue to improve the SMV process for all grantees by providing honest feedback about your experiences using a brief online form.All responses will be kept private unless you choose to identify yourself. Only group information will be shared with NYSED and the TARCs.
Please complete the form via the link below and share this same link with the members of your team who participated in your program’s SMV: https://mi-surveys.com/smv
Contact Laura Sweig at Measurement Incorporated LSweig@MeasInc.com if you have any questions about the reflection form or the evaluation overall.
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