Foundations, Inc., in partnership with the Afterschool and Community Learning Network, has just announced the publication of Afterschool Advantage: Powerful New Learning Opportunities, a 72-page book of cutting-edge strategies that serve as a guide for building quality afterschool programs nationally. Afterschool leaders can use the book's ideas to start or expand afterschool programs that will offer students, especially those at risk, broader experiences and opportunities to help prepare them for a rapidly changing future.

Afterschool Advantage was authored by 16 national leaders from a variety of fields, who have special interest in the potential of afterschool and education for America's future. The book provides a multi- disciplinary view of afterschool - from the arts, technology, sciences, business, education, entrepreneurship, and more - to help children foster creativity, innovation, and interpersonal skills to their fullest.

With funding provided by the C. S. Mott Foundation, the University of South Carolina Foundation, the College of Charleston, and Foundations, Inc., and with a foreword by Richard W. Riley, former U.S. Secretary of Education, the book offers techniques for building programs that will help students get a step ahead.

As reported in the November GAIC newsletter, Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore has created a graduate-level certificate in "out-of- school-time learning." In response to strong national interest, the School of Education at Johns Hopkins University will now offer its new Out-of-School-Time Learning Certificate almost entirely online.

The program will require just three face-to-face meetings each year: two visits to Johns Hopkins' Baltimore campus, and attendance at the Center for Summer Learning national conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico in April. The 15-credit certificate is designed to develop leaders to develop, staff and manage high-quailty summer and after- school programs. Students may enroll in the certificate program as a stand-alone, post- baccalaureate credential or combine it with another JHU graduate certificate to complete a master's degree in education.

Summer changes everything. That's a bold statement. And it's true. Find out more when the Center for Summer Learning at Johns Hopkins University hosts its 2008 national conference, April 17-18, in Albuquerque, New Mexico-- an inspirational setting for this one-of-a-kind conference that allows attendees to confer, connect and come away equipped with fresh ideas and the latest approaches for effective summer learning programs. Join Center staff, your colleagues, and other national experts to:

• Connect with summer program providers, educators, school administrators, researchers and policymakers.
• Attend pre-conference institutes on relevant topics such as advocacy and leadership development.
• Discover the most effective program management strategies.
• Learn about and discuss the latest research and how it applies to your program.
• Find out what you can do to influence public policy and generate support for high-quality summer programs.

The following are tenative dates for GAIC's 2008 quarterly meetings:

• February 6, 2008
• May 6, 2008
• August 6, 2008
• November 6, 2008

On November 30, 2007, the Georgia Afterschool Investment Council and Family Connection Partnership hosted the fourth afterschool regional forum in Georgia. Held in Albany, Georgia, the southwest Georgia forum brought together more than 52 afterschool advocates and community leaders.

Forum participants addressed afterschool challenges facing their region, and developed a regional plan of action emphasizing collaboration and improved communication to the public on the benefits of afterschool programs in their communities.

The forum also featured a new youth survey element, which was distributed to youth throughout the region and illustrated youth perspectives on afterschool and summer learning. The survey provided insight into what youth perceive as positive attributes of their afterschool programs, as well as suggestions on how to improve attendance. The survey added significantly to the discussion and GAIC and FCP hopes to continue this practice at regional forums in 2008.

The President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities (PCAH) is inviting nominations for the 2008 Coming Up Taller Awards. In partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), this committee is embarking on the eleventh year of the Coming Up Taller Awards, which recognizes the accomplishments of exceptional arts and humanities after-school and out-of-school programs. Coming Up Taller finalists receive $10,000, an individualized plaque, and an invitation to attend the Coming Up Taller Leadership Enhancement Conference.

To help build support for afterschool with potential afterschool funders and local and state officials, Georgia Afterschool is searching for personal success stories about how an afterschool program has positively affected the life of a young person.

Maybe your child has a story to share? Or maybe a youth in your program? Help us to learn and document the links between afterschool and academic achievement, health and wellness, risk prevention, and success in life!