Creating City Wide Infrastructure to Implement ASES
The state’s After School Education and Safety (ASES) Program (resulting from the passage of proposition 49), resulted in vastly expanded after school programming in Oakland. In addition to working to secure complementary funding streams for schools that receive ASES funding, matching schools with providers, and working with high school communities to bring afterschool opportunities to all students, OCASA launched quality and workforce initiatives with our partners, OUSD and OFCY.
Securing Funding Streams
As a result of OCASA’s advocacy with OFCY and the City Council, OFCY conducted an off-cycle granting process directed at providing the required matching ASES funds. This resulted in thirty $50,000 grants for new after-school programs that had been awarded ASES funding but were not receiving OFCY funding. These grants are being used to fund enrichment activities (arts, culture, sports, leadership, science, etc.), which together with academic support creates a comprehensive after-school program.
Helping to match Schools with Providers:
Working with high school communities to bring afterschool opportunities to all high school students
Building on the success of the Prop 49 school-CBO partner matching process, OCASA and the OUSD SUCCESS office continue to work closely to form partnerships between high schools and after-school providers to access new 21st Century Community Learning Centers funds. OCASA organizes informational meetings with CBO providers, school district staff, and community leaders to discuss the 21st Century Community Learning Centers grants and how to best provide needed services to high school students. Now every high school in Oakland (except for one new school) has an after school program funded by 21st Century Community Learning Centers grants.