Kansas Enrichment Network -

Youth Voice Needed: Apply to be a part of the solution

During the 2007-2008 school year, 3,515 Kansas students dropped out of school, putting themselves at a severe disadvantage for the rest of their lives. Kansas DropINs is committed to seeing that all Kansas youth graduate from high school. To be successful, we need youth voice from a soon to be formed Kansas DropINs Youth Council.

Perhaps someone you know is struggling in school, knows someone who has dropped out or has dropped out your. No matter the circumstances, their story is important to us.

The Kansas DropINs Youth Council provides Kansas youth (ages 12-21) a voice in the dropout prevention conversation. The Council is composed of 16 youth, with two reps from each of eight regions of the state. Encourage your young people to apply.

A website with more information will be launched in the near future with details of the upcoming summit. Check back for a link to this site.

The eighth annual Afterschool for All Challenge was held April 27-28, 2009 in Washington, D.C.

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, Chicago's Maggie Daley and Judge Glenda Hatchett joined parents, children, educators and policy makers from around the country to discuss ways to ensure that all children and families have access to quality afterschool programs. Organized by the Afterschool Alliance, the Afterschool for All Challenge gave people the chance to tell law makers about their support for the afterschool programs that keep kids safe, inspire them to learn and help working families.

Afterschool advocates from Iola, Arkansas City, Abilene and Ottawa and staff members from Kansas Action for Children and Kansas Enrichment Network joined in sharing the importance of quality extended learning opportunities for youth.

"Attending national events like the Afterschool for All Challenge helps us bring attention to afterschool by fostering important connections with our state and national legislators" said Marcia Dvorak, project director for the Network. "We visited with all of the Kansas legislators, and they expressed strong support for afterschool."

Afterschool in the News

National League of Cities' Institute for Youth, Education, and Families
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009: Expanding and Strengthening Afterschool and Summer Programs for Children and Youth

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Secretary Arne Duncan Takes Listening Tour Online, Invites Comments on Raising Standards

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First Lady Michelle Obama Visits Afterschool Program to Call Attention to Need

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Connections for Success Conference

Thanks to all who attended the conference in Topeka. It was a great success. There was a great representation of many people in the world of afterschool. A special thank you goes to our wonderful speakers for their expertise and information. Another special thank you goes out to all of the youth who attended the conference. We enjoyed your enthusiasm and willingness to participate. We were pleased to have Representative Bob Brookens in attendance to show his support for afterschool.



	When I think of Van Go, I think of much fun And the art we create when the day is done. I think of friends and the good times we shared And all the experiences that happen there. When I think of Van Go, I think about art I think of a place I hold close to my heart.

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Govenor Sebelius signed the proclamation for
Lights on Afterschool

**SAVE THE DATE: The 10th Annual Lights on Afterschool, October 22, 2009.**

In 2008 more than a million people rallied for afterschool programs at 7,552 events nationwide. Check out the list from our 2008 Lights On Afterschool, with descriptions of hundreds of events: http://www.afterschoolalliance.org/loaEvents2008.pdf.