FLASH

NJSACC Celebrates French-American Heritage Month. You can too. French-American Heritage Month takes place in July and is a month to celebrate the contributions French-Americans have made to American history, society and culture. SOME French-American Heritage Month Resources Bastille Day Activities for Kids France Lesson for Kids: History & Facts France Lesson Plan for Elementary School French Art Activities for Kids The French-American Cultural Foundation’s History and Resources NJSACC staff has taken full advantage of this…

A Statement From our CEO Ebony D. Grace 🏫 New Jersey’s 21st Century Community Learning Centers Face Uncertainty as Federal Funds Withheld, Impacting Thousands of Working Families The Federal Administration’s decision to freeze $142.8 million in K–12 education funding is a betrayal to New Jersey’s students, families, and our economy. These dollars were approved by Congress and committed by states and local communities months ago. Families are counting on these funds to ensure their children…

🚨 Funding Withholding Threatens 10,000 Afterschool and Summer Programs Nationwide Take Action Now! Breaking News: States will not receive their allotted funding for local afterschool and summer programs as expected on July 1. The move could immediately impact summer and afterschool programs funded by a 21st Century Community Learning Center grant for the 2025-2026 school year. A critical funding delay from the federal government is putting more than 10,000 local afterschool and summer programs—and the…

🚨 Advocacy Alert: NJ’s Afterschool & Summer Programs at Risk Due to Federal Delay Advocacy Toolkit We want to share an urgent update that directly impacts thousands of NJ students, families, and the dedicated staff who run our afterschool and summer learning programs. The federal government is currently withholding funding for the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) — a critical program that keeps students safe, engaged, and supported outside regular…

5 Strategies for Sustaining Summer Learning Programs Strategies for Sustainability OST professionals understand that summer learning programs face various hurdles. From funding fluctuations to staffing issues and beyond, these challenges underscore the importance of long-term planning and sustainability. Podcast guests covered helpful strategies, starting with creating a sense of ownership among stakeholders. Actively engage stakeholders so that they’re invested. Cultivate a positive culture. Develop mindset shifts in adapting to changing circumstances. Incorporate enrichment into summer learning, something that may be…

PASE’s annual conference, Activating the Power of Afterschool PASE’s annual conference will be held on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, at Baruch College, Vertical Campus. This signature citywide event celebrates the impact of the field on youth and families and promotes innovation and research to sustain this work. Join Executive Directors and supervisors from youth-serving community-based agencies, funders, colleagues in higher education, policymakers, and educators for a day focused on timely conversations, emerging trends, and vital…

🎆 Reflecting on Independence: Afterschool and the American Spirit As we celebrate the Fourth of July, we’re reminded that independence is not just a historical milestone—it’s a shared value we nurture every day. In afterschool programs across the country, young people are exploring their voices, building confidence, and learning how to contribute meaningfully to their communities. This holiday offers a chance to reflect on the freedoms we enjoy and the responsibilities we carry to ensure…

Camp Wisdom: Keep Fueling Joy…from the Inside! ⛺ From MIZZEN Education Dive into the activities now! And just like that, in the blink of an eye, we’ve reached our fifth and final week of Camp Mizzen: Fuel Your Joy From The Inside! From joy-centered programming to special events, we’ve shared quiet, everyday ways you and your young learners can reset, restore, and fuel joy…from the inside. This has included the release of two brand-new collections of K-2 and…

✈️ Over 100 professionals filled the rooms, fostering meaningful connections 🥏 June 4, 2025, Monroe Township, New Jersey’s Afterschool community came together again at the NJ Principals and Supervisors Association for Soaring Beyond Expectations: A Statewide Afterschool Celebration. Organized by NJSACC in collaboration with the NJ Department of Education’s 21st CCLC Programs, this all-day conference brought together afterschool personnel, youth workers, and program directors dedicated to enhancing OST. 🙋‍♂️ A Day of Intention & Connection…