California School Age Consortium

Training: Developing the skills and capacity of youth development professionals - The Trainer Network provides a diverse array of experiential and interactive in-person, virtual and online trainings that build the knowledge and confidence of out-of-school time (OST) professionals at all levels. In addition, in response to the pandemic, CalSAC adapted essential youth development training modules for a virtual space and offered them free-of-charge to OST workers. In partnership with the California Academy of Sciences, CalSAC recruited 156 program sites to coordinate the Science Action Club for middle schools.See Schedule O for more details.

Advocacy, Community Building and Outreach: Building a base of educated citizens influencing policy and driving change - CalSAC is committed to empowering those closest to youth development work to engage in local, ongoing, grassroots advocacy through training, organizing and community building. The California Afterschool & Summer Challenge, was held virtually, engaging 335 professionals, youth and families in a statewide rally, civic engagement training, and virtual legislative visits. 75 youth were engaged for the Teens Advocating for Civic Action (TACA) program. In addition, CalSAC collaborated with four other intermediary partners for the Strategic Alliance Initiative by creating a forum to connect with each other and access free training and engage in professional learning communities.

Quality Counts: CalSAC provides fiscal management and administrative support to the Alameda County Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) known as Quality Counts. CalSAC is charged with distributing Quality Improvement grants and Quality Reward awards for state and privately funded preschool/toddler centers and family child care sites, in partnership with Alameda County Office of Education and First 5 Alameda County. CalSAC also administrates the Workforce Pathways Project professional development and higher education stipend program, in partnership with Alameda County Office of Education. 1,389 Stipends were distributed.