COVID-19 Resources

Welcome! Here you can find resources that Network has been curating regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. We will continue to work hard to provide you with the most recent postings from OCFS and other state agencies, as well as resources such as: at home activities, virtual platform resources, virtual learning, and more. This page will be updated frequently, so please check back often. You can also find helpful resources sent out in our weekly e-Newsletter and daily posts on our Facebook page. Click here to sign up for our weekly eNewsletters or to view past eNewsletters, and here to view our Facebook page.

The Network is thinking forward to the needs of the afterschool providers, children, families, and communities once programs resume. We are planning support and vision for the field to continue the Network’s mission driven work towards increasing access to high-quality programs and services beyond the traditional classroom.

For those interested in at-no-cost professional development opportunities, click here to view the Network’s available virtual trainings in your area. 

Resources for Serving Students Virtually

Connecting Virtually

How to Create Meaningful Connections While Apart (TED talk): Author Priya Parker shares tools for creating meaningful connections with friends, family and coworkers during the coronavirus pandemic — and shows how we can take advantage of gatherings that are unique to this moment of social distancing. “We don’t necessarily need to gather more,” she says. “We need to gather better.” (50 minutes)

Virtual Planning Resources from the American Camp Association: resources include Quality in Online Camp Programming, Best Practices for Keeping Your Online/Virtual Programming Safe for Campers, Virtual Program Platform Pros and Cons, What to Evaluate in Virtual or Alternative Programs. Written for camps but absolutely relevant for afterschool too.

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Diversity and Equity Issues

American Alliance of Musuem’s COVID-19 Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion Resource List – information that will support individuals, teams, and institutions in centering diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion while they work to understand and respond to the moment at hand, as well as navigate whatever challenges the future may hold.

American Youth Policy Forum Resources – resource list that includes the topics of justice-involved youth, English Language Learners, youth in foster care and rural populations.

Centering Equity and Inclusion during Virtual Meetings and Working from Home (written with a business perspective but relevant to afterschool providers)

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Free Webinar

Virtual Camps and Strategies to Reach Underserved Communities and Underrepresented Groups, Recorded May 5 

More

Activities

13 Activities to Make the Most Out of Video Chats With Kids (PBS)

Mizzen by Mott, app built with and for afterschool professionals to provide high-quality, engaging learning content and tools to the field. To meet the needs of this moment, the Mizzen team has added new activity playlists and multi-week modules that can be done at home or in small-group settings.

Virtual Afterschool Resource Guide PDF from The Network for New Jersey’s Afterschool Community (NJSACC)

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Using virtual meeting apps and video production

Video editing and uploading to Facebook, Instagram and YouTube (information statrs partway down the page followed by instructions to make videos accessible)

Making Videos (and have good audio during conference calls, YouTube video)

Getting Started with Zoom and Streaming Platforms

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COVID-19 Resources

Forms and Guidance

Connecting Virtually

Diversity and Equity Issues

Accessibility

Equity

Free Webinars (Upcoming and Recorded)

Upcoming

Trauma-Informed Practice in Afterschool Network for Youth Success, June 1, June 2, & June

Join the Network for Youth Success’ Timothy Fowler for a no-cost training on trauma-informed practices. Discover the role that afterschool programs play in helping children survive and thrive after traumatic experiences. Using trauma informed care research, Timothy will explore how afterschool programs can be safe places for all children. Emphasis will be on practices in afterschool, including interactions with children and program development. This workshop is for all afterschool, summer, and expanded learning staff who want to integrate trauma-informed practices into their program.

Taking Your Camp Virtual – Learnings from the Field American Camp Association, May 22, 11am-12:15pm ET (REGISTRATION REQUIRED) Are you taking your camp virtual this summer? Or considering a hybrid of in-person and virtual programming? Or still exploring options and want to learn more? If so, join us to hear from three camp pros who have been providing a variety of virtual programming this spring (from enrichment to vacation camps) and are working through their camps’ plans for the summer.

Become a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Virtual Camp Champion American Camp Association, May 28, 1-2:30pm ET (REGISTRATION REQUIRED) ACA has a commitment to promote and champion diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the camp world. As camp leaders, you are being asked to consider approaching the preparation and delivery of all virtual camp sessions with a DEI lens to ensure participants are left with the feeling of an inclusive camp experience. ACA has teamed up with Nika White Consulting to further explore DEI in the camp setting. Join us for a webinar that will focus on different areas of DEI that will drive the execution of inclusive virtual camps.

Coronavirus Considerations for Camp: The Conversation Continues American Camp Association, May 29, 1-2:00pm ET (REGISTRATION REQUIRED) This webinar will expand on topics from the original Coronavirus Considerations for Camp webinar in March.  We will address potential changes camps will need to make this summer due to the COVID-19 pandemic and provide tools and resources to help camps mitigate risk and prepare for a communicable disease outbreak.

Check back often for new webinars.

Recorded

Virtual Camps and Strategies to Reach Underserved Communities and Underrepresented Groups, May 5 https://www.nisenet.org/events/online-workshop/online-workshop-virtual-camps-and-strategies-reach-underserved-communities

Activities

STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics)

Literacy

Art/Music

Physical Activities

Meditation and mental health

Games

Remote Learning

  • Khan academy – Resources on a wide variety of academic topics available in 21 different languages

Misc

Using virtual meeting apps and video production

Self Care for Providers

Resource Lists (Multiple Topics)

PBS Stations Updated Educational Broadcasting

This is great information to share with families who have no access or limited access to the internet or internet-connected devices.

Supporting Families

Reopening Guides

Please note that these guides are being shared for informational purposes and the Network for Youth Success is not recommending or endorsing the following guides. 
New York State Reopening Plan:
Child Care and Afterschool:

Information for State-Funded Grantees

  • 21st Century Community Learning Centers – Guidance Document 1, Guidance Document 2
  • Extended School Day/School Violence Prevention – Guidance, similar to the 21st CCLC guidance above, has been provided directly to grantees. Please reach out to your New York State Education Department Contract Manger with any questions.
  • Empire State After-School Program – Guidance has not yet been issued*
  • Advantage After School Program – Guidance has been sent to grantees allowing program modifications as of May 12th. Please reach out to your OCFS Contact if you are a current grantee have not received guidance.

*The Network for Youth Success has submitted sign on letters to the Governor’s Office and the Office of Children and Family Services requesting immediate issuance of guidance allowing these grantees to utilize contract funds to continue paying staff throughout this crisis. The Network is in frequent contact with these agencies to continue advocacy and will provide updates on this issue as they become available. 

Advocacy Efforts

(4/28) Media release: Afterschool Programs Seek State Guidance to Remain Operational Through COVID-19 PAUSE

(4/27) Assembly Sign-on letter to Governor- Request for guidance on contractual flexibility

(4/23) Network’s recommendations to support children and youth

(4/2) Letter to OCFS- Request for guidance on contractual flexibility

(4/14) Summary: Impact of COVID-19 on afterschool (ESAP and AASP) grantees survey

(3/31) Statement: Budget Funding for Afterschool Programs Essential to Coronavirus Response

(3/26) Afterschool memo to Governor- Request for guidance on contractual flexibility

Fundraising and Funding Opportunities During COVID-19

Other COVID-19 Resources

Here you can find other useful resources regarding COVID-19.