Inspired by the Instructional Leadership Corps, a professional development model developed by the California Teachers Association, the Stanford Center for Opportunity Policy in Education, and the National Board Resource Center, this project provides professional development to site-level leaders who work in California Expanded Learning programs (before school, after school, summer learning, intersession). Designed by ASAPconnect, this leadership cohort intends to build the capacity of accomplished site leaders, known as Technical Assistance (TA) Fellows. The Fellows are tasked with facilitating dialogue that inspires action to integrate the Quality Standards for Expanded Learning at their sites and organizations to continuously improve the quality of their programs.

Applicants who are selected to participate as Fellows in the eight-month cohort will receive the following training and support to help them succeed:

• Attend a virtual orientation in October 2021 to understand the expectations for participation, program design, and project goals.

• Attend three consecutive days of professional development (virtual) in November 2021:

Days 1-2: Leadership, Personal Mastery & Facilitation Skills
Fellows will develop their leadership skills for personal mastery through the lens of their own natural talents and strengths. In addition, they’ll learn how to facilitate small/large group discussions and guide individuals through an action planning process to brainstorm solutions to a challenge and generate consensus.

Day 3: Project Action Plan Development
Fellows will be trained by the California Afterschool Network to better understand both the Quality Standards for California’s Expanded Learning Programs and the Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) process. Each Fellow will later meet with the ASAPconnect team and their local Regional or County Lead from the System of Support for Expanded Learning to explore possible project action plans that the Fellow will implement by providing technical assistance for a minimum of 40 hours across the project phases.

• Receive ongoing support November 2021 - June 2022 to implement their project action plans by:

• Attending virtual meetings about every three weeks.

• Receiving customized, individualized support via virtual Growth Coach meetings.

• Tracking implementation of their project action plans

• Requesting feedback from individuals whom they’ve supported and analyzing it to improve their own TA.

1. Commitment to ensuring your work site continues to run a high quality program and staff are well supported

2. Commitment to continuous quality improvement and the California Quality Standards for Expanded Learning

3. Is a current site leader who manages one or more expanded learning sites (district-based or agency-based)

4. Commitment to attending all convenings listed above in “Important Dates”

5. Commitment to fully and actively engaging in the project: learning at professional development convenings, developing and implementing a project action plan, actively participating in virtual convenings, receiving support from a Growth Coach, tracking and evaluating your TA, etc.

6. Commitment to providing facilitation support for a minimum of 40 hours across the project, with a priority focus to support Expanded Learning Programs in your local county or region around the California Quality Standards

7. Commitment to receive ongoing coaching in three 30-60 minute sessions with a Growth Coach

8. Commitment to tracking and documenting your TA

9. Commitment to meet with ASAPconnect and System of Support for Expanded Learning Programs (SSEL) Regional/County Lead to explore possible project action plans

The program is supported by the CDE Expanded Learning Division, and there is no tuition fee to participate.

Those who successfully reach the project milestones will earn a $750 stipend, paid in increments upon completion of each project phase.

See all of the program details.

Those interested in applying should complete the online application by end of Monday, October 18 (if you are applying and need more time, please let Julie Groll know).

Allow yourself some time to complete the application. It includes a few questions that might require some time to think through, including one question you will answer in a video. You will also be prompted to upload this Commitment Form, signed by you and your supervisor.

Please contact Julie Groll if you have any questions.