Louisiana Center for Afterschool Learning

The Louisiana Center for Afterschool Learning (LACAL), is an initiative of Education's Next Horizon. LACAL was awarded a three-year statewide afterschool network grant from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, thanks in large part to the generous matching contributions from the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana, Partnership for Youth Development, and the Irene W. and C.B. Pennington Foundation.

The mission of LACAL is to build a statewide coalition of partners and develop policies to expand and sustain high-quality afterschool programs across Louisiana that improve outcomes for young people and help working families. The long-term goal is to provide meaningful bridges between leaders of schools, communities and families in order to better support student learning imbedded in youth development principles, and life-long learning opportunities. LACAL will focus on three primary goals:

• Create a sustainable structure of statewide, regional and local partnerships that advocates for high-quality programs.
• Support the development and growth of statewide policies to secure resources for new and existing afterschool programs.
• Ensure that high-quality afterschool programs exist in every community.

In 40 other states, statewide afterschool networks have fostered systems to connect education, child care, youth development, juvenile justice, and workforce development with community partners. Examples of statewide network initiatives include: (1) developing common standards for high quality afterschool programs, (2) increasing school-age professional development opportunities through the development of core competencies and trainings, (3) promoting programming for middle school and high school to reduce dropout rates and disengagement, (4) expanding policies to promote STEM, project-based learning, physical activity and nutrition in afterschool programs, and (5) advocating for increased funding for afterschool programs.

2012 Initiatives

Afterschool Steering Committee
The Louisiana Center for Afterschool Learning Steering Committee is a group of high-level stakeholders responsible for providing guidance and feedback on the overall strategic direction of the Network as well as assisting with implementation and development of Network goals. Steering Committee meetings are held every other month and can be attended in person or by phone/web connection.

Increasing Physical Activity and Nutrition in Afterschool
Afterschool is often a prime time to help young people learn how to develop lifestyle choices including increasing physical activity and eating healthier foods. A recent research report from the Center for Disease Control shows the link between physical activity and academic success. Further, research shows that students who are involved in extracurricular or afterschool sports and performing arts are less likely to dropout. LACAL's work in 2012 will develop strategies to further connect best practices in physical activity and healthy eating in the afterschool and summer hours.

The federal Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 created an afterschool meals program, which allows afterschool enrichment programs serving 50% or more of children eligible for free or reduced-price lunch to receive reimbursements from the USDA. However, many programs only serve USDA reimbursable snacks or pay for snacks through their own budgets, leaving a large portion of federal funds on the table. LACAL's work in 2012 is to help increase awareness of the Afterschool Meals program and increase access to the meals through direct assistance to schools and programs.

Statewide Mayoral Summit on Afterschool and Summer Learning
Connecting municipal leaders to afterschool opportunities and tools in local communities at the first Statewide Municipal Summit for Afterschool and Summer Learning, which will be held on Thursday, August 2nd in conjunction with the Louisiana Municipal Association's 2012 Annual Convention. LACAL was one of nine states awarded a Statewide Mayoral Summit from the National League of Cities. The annual convention attracts over 700 mayors, city council members, police chiefs, and municipal staff.

Baton Rouge Afterschool Learning Community
LACAL's new pilot initiative will identify and develop collaborations, resources and professional development opportunities for afterschool providers in the Greater Baton Rouge area.