NYS TARC Newsletter—May 2026
- NYS 21CCLC TARC
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
Jump to section: NYSED News/Updates
Important Reminders from the '25-'26 21st CCLC Timeline:
Submit 2026-2027 Budget Packets (FS-10 Budget (in excel), Budget Narrative, Composite Budget, and M/WBE documents) electronically by 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. TBD
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” TBD.
Engage in the 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 - Offered in May & June, Dates and Time TBD
This 4-part professional development series is designed to support subgrantees through 1-hour trainings followed by 30-minute facilitated wellness check-ins that promote communication and collaboration around program-level challenges impacting youth and family engagement and participation. The series incorporates resources from the 21st CCLC NTAC’s Servant Leadership: A Deep Dive Webinar Series to model empathy, active listening, and community-centered decision-making within their teams.
Wellness check-in questions are embedded to support staff readiness, reflective practices, and emotional regulation, that are key components of both servant leadership and directly impact the quality of youth programming. Both elements help staff cultivate safe, supportive environments that foster meaningful engagement for youth and families.
Session 1: Championship Triage: Building Communities of Care
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
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
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?
Session 4: Championship Triage - Sustaining Communities of Care
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.
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
New! Check out the new 25-26 21st CCLC Round 8 Program Manual!
Reminder: Lights On Afterschool Art Contest
This year, they are looking for artwork that captures the spirit of afterschool programs. Has your program helped you discover a new passion, build a new skill, or make a new friend? Show us what makes your afterschool community special and what it means to you through your art!
Entering the contest is easy!
Fill out this entry form and send it, along with your artwork, to Afterschool Alliance, Lights On Afterschool Poster Contest, 1101 14th Street NW, Suite 700, Washington, D.C. 20005.
Or, email your artwork to lightson@afterschoolalliance.org.
The Lights On Afterschool poster contest is open to everyone. If you know of a program that may be interested, please spread the word! The deadline for submissions is June 18, 2026.
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Program Spotlights
The RoS TARC Visits Sodus CSD!
The TARC saw Sodus CSD students engaged in lively “Would You Rather” conversations during carpet time, encouraging discussion and connection. They also observed strong collaboration during STEM enrichment, where students worked together to build balloon cars, problem-solve, and support one another throughout the activity. During homework support time, students stayed focused on their academic work and utilizing their resources. In the gym, students brought great energy while demonstrating their soccer and volleyball skills.
Thank you for having us Sodus, and keep up the great work!
From City to Campus:
Students Explore Syracuse and Beyond
Students from HSGC in Brooklyn joined peers from Global Kids programs in Manhattan and the Bronx for an overnight college tour at Syracuse University. During the trip, students also explored Chittenango Falls State Park, where they enjoyed a scenic hike and took in the breathtaking views of the park’s impressive waterfall. 🌄 🎓
—Submission by Global Kids 8090 Director Blerina Hoti
To be featured in an upcoming newsletter, submit your stories and photos here.
Evaluators' Corner
How do 21CCLC subgrantees work with their Educational Liaisons to ensure school-day linkages with Out-of-school-Time programming?
On their Mid-Year Reports, nearly all Program Directors shared that their Educational Liaisons facilitated ongoing communication among key stakeholders, such as program staff with school staff and administrators. They also reported that Educational Liaisons ensured alignment and bridged gaps between 21CCLC programs and their schools, addressed a myriad of student needs, assured quality programming, supported teachers, collaborated about lessons, and facilitated parent and out-of-school communication.
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