OCASA update-
As the 2006-2007 school year begins, OCASA is working to help members prepare for Prop 49 implementation and to refine our collective agenda. Below are updates on issues that OCASA has been tracking and areas where your input and effort are welcome.
Major topics in this update include:
§ Prop 49 Planning and Update
§ Workforce Development Projects – Certificates and Career Fair
§ After School Job Board Successfully Launched
§ Professional Practice Survey - Update
§
Joint Powers Authority – City Tied To
§ Meetings Under Development – Prop 49, Membership, High School Agenda
§ Membership Continues To Grow
PROP 49 PLANNING AND UPDATE
Last week, OCASA sent a lengthy email update outlining
expected timeline, partnerships process and recommendations regarding Prop 49
implementation (available here). We expect major
state level announcements this week confirming the general timeline. Later this
week, we will be asking those organizations who have not yet indicated their
interest in working with select
schools to please complete a supplemental
survey. We will be asking all organizations to be sure that their online
profile is accurate. Information collected will go online and be shared
with schools within the next 6 weeks. Also, please note that next week,
September 14, the Bay Area Partnership, Senator Tom Torlakson,
and Assemblymember Wilma Chan will host a meeting on
Understanding Prop 49. Please contact
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS – CERTIFICATES AND CAREER FAIR
Over the past month, a relatively small group of OCASA members, OUSD staff, community college and legislative representatives, and other partner organizations have been meeting to think about how we might prepare to meet the workforce needs that Prop 49 implementation would create. One track of these meetings has focused upon creating a certificate course for (primarily entry level) afterschool workers (click here for early draft and feedback form). Another track has focused upon creating at least one career fair to attract new workers, currently targeted for mid-November. Our next meeting to continue these fast-paced efforts will be September 7 and we will continue to be asking for your expertise and ideas. If you would like to be involved, please let Jeff know (at jeffabra@rocketmail.com).
AFTERSCHOOL JOB BOARD SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHED
Last month, OCASA launched the Oakland After School Job Board as a
resource for helping employers and jobseekers find each other. Today, the board
has over 20 Oakland-specific positions posted and a handful of resumes from
interested jobseekers. A recent cross posting on Craigslist
dramatically increased traffic to the site (one posting has over 140 hits). We
hope to cross post again soon. Information about the board is available at http://oaklandafterschool.org/JobBoard.htm.
The board can be accessed directly at http://www.setbb.com/ocasajobs/.
Please continue to help this free resource grow by posting positions, looking
at responses, and spreading the word.
PROFESSIONAL PRACTICES SURVEY - UPDATE
As this school year unfolds, OCASA intends to offer a range
of professional development events and peer exchange/mentorship opportunities.
In August, we asked community members to complete an online Professional
Practices survey to help us identify needs and potential leaders. Thank you to
the 18 organizations who replied. This week, we will be examining results and
continuing the preparation process. More details are available online.
Please do not hesitate to contact us or fill out the survey if you’d like to be
involved at this stage. Relatedly, please hold
October 20-21 for the first annual Afterschool
Conference (contact the OUSD SUCCESS office or CalSAC
for details).
JOINT POWERS AUTHORITY – CITY TIED TO
In July, the City Council voted to become a charter member
of the Youth Ventures Joint Power Authority (JPA) if the school district also
agrees to do so by
MEETINGS UNDER DEVELOPMENT – PROP 49, HIGH SCHOOL AGENDA, MEMBERSHIP
A number of meetings are currently under development for the next couple months. Specific to Prop 49 implementation, we hope to convene a gathering of principals, interested after school organizations, and other supporters, that would focus upon fostering partnerships. We also anticipate a transition in 21st Century funding to a stronger high school focus and intend to host an informational meeting about 21st Century changes as well as creating a broader high school agenda. Separate or as part of these meetings, OCASA would also like to host a quarterly membership meeting. If there are topics of specific interest that you would like to see addressed at a membership meeting, please let us know.
MEMBERSHIP CONTINUES TO GROW
OCASA continues to grow. Nearly half of OCASA’s 37 participating organizations have now paid membership dues, and a number of individuals have also joined.Your membership contributions help guarantee that the core administrative costs of OCASA are met, and collectively they serve as a reminder that we are more powerful acting together than acting apart. Organizational membership is $250 per year for organizations with budgets of over $200,000, $125 per year for organizations with budgets under $200,000. All organization staff automatically become members when the organization joins. Members are invited to all membership meetings and only members are eligible to serve on the Steering Committee. If dues are a significant barrier to your membership, please contact Edward Hannemann. More information and a registration form is available online (click here).
Questions or comments about this update, please contact:
Edward Hannemann, Steering Committee Chair, ehannemann@sbcglobal.net
Jeff Abramson, Interim Director, at jeffabra@rocketmail.com