The Pennsylvania Department of Education in Partnership with the Center for Schools and Communities is pleased to present the 2010 Extra Learning Opportunities Conference, Promising Practices-Proven Strategies: Afterschool Programs in a Time of Change, which will be held in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania at the Hilton Harrisburg on March 9-11, 2010. The conference will focus on advancing the systems that support and promote collaboration and youth success and on key elements of high-quality extra learning opportunities: Academic Achievement; Child Wellbeing and Resiliency: Community and Family Involvement; Financing; Global Learning; Management and Administration; Policy and Advocacy; Quality Programming; Research, Evaluation and Knowledge Base; Staffing and Training. These key elements will provide the backdrop for participants to learn about the development, implementation and sustainability of a vision of learning that is shared and supported by schools, youth, parents and the community at-large.  According to the Finance Project’s August 2009 report, What Works to Promote Positive Youth Development, “Research suggests that protective factors have a synergistic effect, so developing more or enhancing existing assets promotes resiliency in the face of challenges.”  This research highlights the importance of providing quality out-of-school time programs and professional development to those who work with youth. While we recognize that the challenges facing today’s youth are vast, quality staff can augment these risk factors and assist youth in becoming more resilient. 

Who should attend? All who work on behalf of children and youth, including school and community administrators, grant writers, evaluators, program directors and coordinators, as well as afterschool staff will find workshops to further enhance their skills and knowledge. Those who work with beforeschool, afterschool, childcare and summer programs are all welcome to attend.  Act 48 and CBK credits will be available. This conference is presented by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the Center for Schools and Communities. Funding for this conference is provided by the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Initiative and the Pennsylvania Department of Education.