Be Part of the Impact
Professional Development & Events
Events
OST Training That “Sticks”: Strategies for Out of School Time Supervisors
July 30, 2025
Are you an afterschool supervisor who struggles to train staff in the complicated area of behavior management? The Training That “Sticks” model aims to provide an approach to behavior management that promotes ongoing staff growth and development. This evidence-informed model was designed specifically for supervisors who face the unique challenges of the afterschool workforce: limited time for training, a high number of part-time staff, significant levels of staff turnover, and working with staff who haven’t had formal youth development training. Join this workshop to learn how to incorporate specific behavior management strategies into your programs and walk away with a training structure and curriculum to implement with your staff team.
Training is FREE for any out-of-school time program staff in North Dakota. Attend live and receive a FREE Training Kit ($87 value)!
Growing Futures approved training!
Events
ND Afterschool Learning Platforms: Cypherworx & The Flourish Lab
Info Session: August 22, 2024
Available for FREE starting in the 2024 – 2025 school year for all out-of-school time programs across North Dakota, Cypherworx and The Flourish Lab eLearning platforms are available for OST programs. Join this session to learn about how your program can access the trainings, suggested learning pathways based on staff roles, alignment with ND Quality Standards for Out-of-School Time Programs, and opportunities to join communities of practice to connect with peers across the state.
Contact Kristin.Knorr@k12.nd.us for information on how to access the training platforms!
Events
Lights on Afterschool
October 23, 2025
Launched in October 2000, Lights on Afterschool is the only nationwide event celebrating afterschool programs and their important role in the lives of children, families, and communities. The effort has become a hallmark of the afterschool movement and generates media coverage across the country each year.
The ND Afterschool Network encourages all out-of-school time programs across the state to register and host an event, big or small, to showcase the power of afterschool and add to your advocacy efforts.
Contact the Network to request supplies or resources for your event and share photos so we can help amplify your advocacy efforts.
Events
Ready, STEM, Go!
May 7 – 8, 2025
A national alliance of afterschool networks supported by the STEM Next Opportunity Fund are partnering to host a two-day virtual conference, shining a spotlight on resources, strategies and inspiration to boost out-of-school time (OST) STEM programming. Sessions will highlight resources and programs that support the unique afterschool STEM program models and provide actionable steps for OST professionals to:
- Introduce high quality curriculum options that challenge youth to problem solve with curiousity and creativity
- Increase equity in STEM programming
- Implement facilitation methods to promote an engineering mindset and positive STEM identity in youth
This no-cost virtual conference will provide opportunities for OST professionals to network with peers from across the country, engage with speakers committed to supporting others in designing enriching STEM activities beyond the classroom, and ignite excitement to help youth explore STEM and all the ways it can inspire and set their lives up for success!
Events
The Role of Afterschool in Championing Safe Childhoods
April 28, 2025
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and dedicated to raising awareness & taking action to strengthen families & protect children.
Join the ND Afterschool Network and Families Flourish ND for a free virtual session covering child sexual abuse prevention factors, healthy and concerning sexual development, and prevention strategies that afterschool programs can take to create safe environments for all youth.
Approved for 1.5 hours of training through Growing Futures!
Events
ND Afterschool Quality Coaching
Held as needed. Contact Kristin.Knorr@k12.nd.us if interested
For any supervisor overseeing staff who work with youth in out-of-school time settings, this 5-week series is offered FREE for ND programs! Sessions are typically held via zoom for 1 hour each week but can be flexible based on program needs. Interested? Contact Kristin.Knorr@k12.nd.us
Events
Technovation in Afterschool
Info Session: August 21, 2024
Info Session: Equipping Youth Organizations to Empower Girls in Technology
Join the ND Afterschool Network and Technovation to learn about a free program to empower young women ages 8 – 18 to create tech solutions to local and global problems, develop coding, AI, and entrepreneurship skills, and engage in a worldwide community of mentors and leaders.
Technovation offers free self-paced training, interactive online student curriculum, and ongoing support for out-of-school time facilitators to help students design App projects. Teams can connect to industry experts, submit projects to a global competition, and more!
Previously Held Events
21CCLC Support Series
May 6, 14, 22, 2025
Interested in submitting an application for the 2025 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant Competition? ND Afterschool Network is hosting open-house style virtual sessions for current and potential grantees to ask questions about best practices and learn from others about high-quality afterschool programming. Sessions will not be recorded but you can contact the Network at any time with questions.
Note: As a ND 21CCLC technical assistance provider, the Network is not able to review or provide specific feedback on proposals, but can provide resources on data and best practices.
Beginner's Guide to Grantwriting
May 13, 2025
With support from ND Afterschool Network, NDSU Extension will be offering a remote, shortened version, of their two-day Beginner’s Guide to Grant Writing. This class will take place over Zoom May 13th from 1:00 – 2:30pm CT. This condensed version will help you start thinking about the big issues you face when grant writing. During the workshop, participants will:
- Learn how to develop ideas for winning grant proposals.
- Identify and work with funding sources effectively.
- Learn the components of a grant.
- Learn where to find data and grants to fund successful projects.
- Build your grant resource toolkit.
To register, please click on link below. Once registered, you’ll receive a Zoom link for the workshop, which is free from support from ND Afterschool Network.
Approved for 1.5 hours through Growing Futures!
Afterschool Day on the Hill 2025
January 23, 2025
ND Afterschool Network hosted Afterschool Day on the Hill at the Capitol Building in Bismarck on January 23, 2025. With over 12 afterschool programs from across North Daktoa in attendance, we shared the importance of afterschool programs for our state’s youth, families, and communities. In attendance were Governor Armstrong, State Superintendent Baesler, state legislators, and other stakeholders.
The next Afterschool Day on the Hill will be held during the 70th Legislative Session in early 2027.
ParaPro Training for Afterschool Staff: Navigating Student Behavior
November 18, 2024
ParaPro Training for Afterschool Staff highlights the key traits of effective support staff in educational settings: professionalism, planning, positivity, persistence, and patience. By focusing on these traits, the training offers strategies to help staff better navigate student behavior.
Participants will learn how to proactively structure the environment for success, teach students clear expectations, observe and monitor effectively, interact positively, and correct behavior fluently.
No cost for training or materials. Training only offered live and was not recorded.
ND Out-of-School Time & Early Childhood Summit 2024
July 29-30, 2024
Ready, STEM, Go! 2024
FREE virtual STEM conference for OST professionals hosted by six statewide afterschool networks, including the ND Afterschool Network
March 27-28, 2024
Gateway to Afterschool
ND Afterschool Network & North Dakota’s Gateway to Science will hold an afterschool family event as part of Lights on Afterschool, a nationwide celebration of afterschool programs. Event is free + open to youth of all ages + their favorite adults.
- Hands-on activities from afterschool programs in the greater Bismarck/Mandan area
- Gallery open from 4-6pm and free for all to engage in hands-on exploring
- Free snacks from 3andMe
STEM After Hours
Are you interested in adding high-quality STEM lessons to your out-of-school time program? Join the ND Afterschool Network and the Northeast Education Services Cooperative for an interactive, research-based professional learning opportunity from September 2023 – March 2024.
2023 ND Out-of-School Time & Early Childhood Summit
The ND Afterschool Network is joining efforts with Child Care Aware of ND to host the ND Out-of-School Time & Early Childhood Summit on August 1-2, 2023!
The Summit will provide two days of in-person learning and connecting, with keynote workshops and breakout tracks for afterschool, summer learning, and early childhood providers working with youth from Birth through Grade 12.
ND Quality Standards Revision Workshop
The ND Quality Standards for Out-of-School Time Programs are due for review in 2023. Any out-of-school time stakeholder in ND is invited to join this work session to:
- Condense similar indicators
- Provide feedback on what works well
- What could be stronger?
- Define self-assessment ratings
- Create targeted training needs list
ND Afterschool Professional Learning Community 2022-2023
ND Afterschool Network will host a monthly, virtual series during the 2022 – 2023 school year for afterschool professionals across the state framed by the ND Quality Standards for Out-of-School Time Programs.
Any level of program staff and any type of out-of-school time program is welcome: 21CCLC, community-based, faith-based, club-based, summer camp, school-age licensed childcare, director, site coordinator, teacher, youth professional, etc.
NOTE: ND 21CCLC grantee program sites who are receiving TARGETED SUPPORTS (new 21CCLC sites, high-risk sites, and self-selected sites) are required to attend at least 5 of the 10 sessions. Any staff is welcome, but content will be geared toward site directors.
Info Session: Pilot Opportunity - Literacy Supports in Afterschool with Waterford, May 2023
Flyer: Waterford Pilot Summer 2023
The ND Afterschool Network is partnering with Waterford.org to provide afterschool programs in ND with access to high-quality digital curriculum for reading, math, and science. There is no cost to programs to participate and stipends will be available on a first come, first served basis. Join this informational session to learn about the pilot opportunity to take place in the Summer of 2023 for OST programs working with students PreK – Grade 2 (or up to 4th Grade if students reading below grade level).
Ready, STEM, Go! - Virtual Conference - March 2023
A national alliance of afterschool networks partnered to host a two-day virtual conference, shining a spotlight on resources, strategies and inspiration to boost out-of-school time (OST) STEM programming. Sessions elevated resources available through the Million Girls Moonshot Initiative, unique STEM program models and provided actionable steps for OST professionals to:
- Introduce high-quality curriculum options that challenge youth to problem solve with curiosity and creativity
- Increase equity in STEM programming
- Implement facilitation methods to promote an engineering mindset and positive STEM identity in youth
Check out our Youtube page to access all session recordings below!
Empowering Kindhearted Kids - November 2022
In today’s world, providing Social Emotional Learning in all youth settings is more important than ever, as children struggle to develop healthy identities and emotional stability. Please join Two by Two Character Development to explore the latest research regarding Social Emotional Learning and the importance of explicitly teaching core values. Plan on loading up your “toolkit” with lots of fun and engaging ideas to immediately use with your children and walk away feeling empowered and rejuvenated for the important work you do.
Learning Outcomes:
1. Present and identify current research and social trends that have led to the critical need for Social Emotional Learning in all child-centered settings.
2. Immerse participants in activities and strategies that support adult Social Emotional Learning.
3. Transfer adult social and emotional learning strategies to helping children make good decisions and maintaining healthy relationships.
Audience:
– Elementary Level Educators (Before/After School: PK – 5th Grade)
– School Counselors
Presenter:
Kristin Vaassen, Director of Business & Curriculum Development, Two by Two Character Development
Session is aligned with ND Quality Standards for Out-of-School Time Programs Relationships & Interactions Domain.
ND Afterschool: Arts in Afterschool Funding Info Session - August 2022
The ND Afterschool Network, in collaboration with ND Council on the Arts, is pleased to offer funding to afterschool and other out-of-school time programs to increase opportunities for students in grades K-12 to engage in arts programming during the 2022-2023 school year.
Join this virtual info session to learn more about the types of activities that can be funded and how to access the funds. Applications accepted starting August 23. Find application here.
Using the Quality Standards for Out-of-School Time Programs - August 2022
The ND Quality Standards for Out-of-School Time Programs are designed to acknowledge the work afterschool programs do and help take your program to the next level.
Join this virtual training to learn about how the Standards were developed, what each of the four quality domains look like, and how to use the Program Self-Assessment Tool accompanying the Standards as part of your continuous quality improvement process.
Tuesday, August 16
1:00 – 2:00pm CST
Afterschool STEM with KEVA Planks! - March 2022
Events
Afterschool STEM with KEVA Planks!
March 31, 2022
DESCRIPTION: Bring fun and meaningful STEM learning into your afterschool or summer learning program with KEVA Planks! KEVA Planks are a versatile tool for teaching STEM concepts to any age or skill level. This hands-on virtual training will provide activities and lesson ideas including basic instruction for building, team building and engineering challenges.
COST: This opportunity is provided to ND out-of-school time programs at no cost with support from the Million Girls Moonshot Initiative. The first 20 afterschool program sites to register will receive a 1000 Educator KEVA Plank Pack at no cost ($450 value)! We encourage multiple staff per site to attend this training and learn how to use KEVA Planks in your program. A follow-up workshop will be held on May 6 to share how you have used KEVA Planks in your program and learn additional ways to use them in STEM learning.
Impactful Facilitator Tips: 8 Simple Strategies for Classroom Management - October 2021
Events
Impactful Facilitator Tips: 8 Simple Strategies for Classroom Management
October 13, 2021
“How do I manage kids?” Do you wonder where to begin? Whether you are in the classroom or working in an afterschool program, explore, learn and engage in hands-on activities, personal connections, and strategies to utilize with youth from all backgrounds. We will facilitate dialogue about how to develop strong relationships with youth, lead by example, and inspire your students.
Audience: Afterschool Program Staff, Directors, Site Coordinators and Teachers
Facilitator: Julia Gabor, Mindful Founder of kid-grit
ND ACRES: Afterschool Coaching for Reflective Educators in STEM - Spring 2021
Events
ND ACRES: Afterschool Coaching for Reflective Educators in STEM
April 9 – May 21, 2021
DESCRIPTION: We have created a special lunch and learn virtual professional learning for you to participate in. Participants will come together to learn and to practice two skills. We’ll reflect on how you support youth as they expand and clarify their thinking by diving into the skill of Asking Purposeful Questions and Modeling the Engineering Practices. Our questions create a path towards discovery, imagination, and STEM exploration. We’ll talk about how we can confidently bring engineering into our programming and support youth as they engage in problem solving.
By join these ACRES coaching sessions you will gain first-hand experience with and reflect on ways to incorporate more hands-on activities into your Out-of-School and virtual programs.
DELIVERY: Series will be delivered over 4 live Zoom sessions. Sessions will not be recorded and participants must attend all 4 sessions to receive credit and stipend. Links to join Zoom sessions will be sent out prior to first session.
AUIDENCE: Series is intended for afterschool professionals, STEM teachers, and other out-of-school time educators.
CREDIT:
- Educators: Up to 8 hours of cafeteria credit available.
- Early Childhood/Afterschool Professionals: Approved for 8 hours of Growing Futures credit. (Must attend all 4 sessions)
ND Afterschool Virtual Forum - October 2020
ND Afterschool Virtual Forum
October 28, 2020
The ND Afterschool Network is helping to shine a light on the important role of afterschool programs in our community by hosting a special Virtual Forum.
Afterschool and summer learning programs have been integral in responding to the diverse needs of young people as a part of the COVID-19 pandemic. Please join us for a conversation around how afterschool has stepped up to support North Dakota’s students, families, and communities. Speakers will include students & parents, along with the following special guests:
Rebecca Eberhardt, ND Department of Public Instruction
Candida Braun, Cheney Middle School, West Fargo
Beth Demke, Gateway to Science, Bismarck
Kayla Erickson, ENCORE, Grand Forks
We invite afterschool programs, businesses, policymakers and the education community to the Virtual Forum to hear from students, families and afterschool program staff about how they are supporting learning and why it’s now more important than ever to keep the Lights on both during and after school.
Afterschool Quality Coaching
Afterschool Quality Coaching
OBJECTIVE: The Afterschool Quality Coaching Book Study has been developed for program supervisors who support staff working directly with students in out-of-school-time settings. Book Study will support supervisors in learning about the coaching process to improve support for staff in the areas of lesson delivery, classroom management, behavior management, and student engagement.
DELIVERY: Book Study will be delivered in 6 – 1 hour virtual Zoom sessions. Sessions will not be recorded and participants must attend all sessions live. Participants will be expected to complete reading and practice coaching sessions between each session.
AUDIENCE: Afterschool Program Supervisors & Directors
CREDIT/HOURS:
- Educators: Up to 6 hours of Cafeteria credit.
- Early Childhood/Afterschool Professionals: Approved for 6 hours through Growing Futures if all sessions attended and final reflection completed.
