NJSACC Afterschool FLASH

CANFit

California Adolescent Nutrition and Fitness (CANFit) – was founded in 1993 and has since become a leader in providing culturally appropriate nutrition and physical activity assistance and resources to organizations across the country. Because of the lack of resources that address cultural issues and the needs of low income ethnic youth, CANFit (www.canfit.org ) focuses primarily on programs with low income African-American, American Indian, Latino, Asian-American, and Pacific Islander youth. Many of these populations also have limited access to affordable healthy foods and safe places for physical activity, and suffer disproportionately from health problems such as heart disease and diabetes.

I recommend CANFit as they are reality based. This organization knows the limited resources that afterschol programs have and know that if youth do not like a project or activity they will walk. Many of their materials are free (downloadable from web site in Spanish too!) or inexpensive. The activities are youth tested and the foods are too! CANFit is also current with what youth want in a HIP-HOP Generation.

A new great free resource is the Healthy Snack Guide for Your After School Program is now available on their web site with 26 menus, two-week sample cycle menus, funding options and Best Practice Guidelines.
The guide makes it easier for after school programs to provide healthier snacks for the youth you serve.

http://canfit.org/resources.html

NJSACC has partnered with CANFit for many years. I urge you to take a look at the great resources available for free on their web site :
http://canfit.org/

END HUNGER NJ

The Hunger Prevention Advisory Committee, through its Food Security subcommittee, created this website to fulfill the primary goal of nutrition education. The website, which is known as End Hunger NJ has a wealth of resources for the afterschool program.

Often, we serve families we know are in need of assistance. This web site gives direct information, how to locate a food pantry or feeding program in your neighborhood, food stamp info, even a link to food allergies what to do/what not to do.

Take time and familiarize yourself and your staff with the resources on this site.

Some highlights include:

* Emergency Food Provider resources (food banks, soup kitchens, pantries, and shelters)
* Access to the Food Stamp Screening Tool
* Links to 211 (211 is a telecommunication resource referral system for social services)
* Nutrition Education links and materials including fact sheets providers could easily download for their families
* Recipes
* Links to other providers such as Women Infant and Children (WIC), County Welfare Agencies, Municipal Welfare Agencies,
* Links to County Cooperative Extension offices
* Transportation information to/from county agencies, food banks, soup kitchens and other establishments

www.endhungernj.org (more…)

The 21st Century Afterschool Science Project is now available to download!

The 21st Century Afterschool Science Project is a collaborative effort between the New Jersey Department of Education, Liberty Science Center and the New Jersey School-Age Care Coalition. This cooperative alliance uses the resources, technology, health and science of New Jersey to develop and integrate quality science and health education programs into afterschool programs.
This afterschool science model, guide and curriculum was developed by the 21st Century Afterschool Science Project (21st CASP) partnership to enrich student learning through inquiry-based, interactive science experiences. The project was funded in its entirety with federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as amended by No Child Left Behind, Title IV, Part B, 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC) grant funds through a cooperative grant agreement with the New Jersey Department of Education.

In response to increased receptivity to science programming in afterschool settings, and recognizing the potential of OST programs to enrich student learning through inquiry-based, interactive science experiences; the 21st CASP partners developed, prototyped, implemented and evaluated a model for integrating science into afterschool settings from October 2005 through September 2007. The 21st CASP goes beyond simply providing services; this collaborative effort has produced a replicable model that will engage adults and children in the joy of exploration and discovery, the satisfaction of thinking critically about the ‘why’ and the ‘how’, and the freedom to pursue the questions about the natural world that intrigue and delight us.

The 21st CASP focuses on collaborative efforts designed to integrate science into afterschool programs. The project connects New Jersey’s afterschool community to the unique educational experiences provided by Liberty Science Center — exhibits, trained staff, and informal inquiry-based learning and teaching approaches; the extensive network, training and technical assistance provided by the NJ School-Age Care Coalition; and the educational resources and authority of the NJ Department of Education to affect educational policy.

The project emphasizes and pursues the connections between the essential components of scientific inquiry and the skills of language and mathematical literacy through a multifaceted model. The focus is on children in grades 4 – 8 and afterschool staff -– including professional educators, youth workers and paraprofessionals.

TO DOWNLOAD FREE CURRICULUM

CLICK HERE