Workshops & Webinars

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & NETWORKING

MAKING CONNECTIONS IN WYOMING

Afterschool programs keep kids safe, inspire them to learn, and give working parents peace of mind. They help children learn, grow, and reach their full potential, offering new learning opportunities that help students do better in school and in life. Children in afterschool programs attend school more often, get better grades, and are more likely to graduate. Afterschool providers connect to young people across the state of Wyoming. To encourage professional development and networking, the Alliance offers opportunities to convene and to learn from each other.

Safety and Workforce Summit: Reimagining Our Workforce

April 18-19, 2023

The Wyoming Afterschool Alliance will participate in Wyoming Department of Workforce Services Safety and Workforce Summit. Keynote speaker Shari Harley, author of How to Say Anything to Anyone, will provide insight on attracting and retaining the right employees, as well as managing business relationships and professional reputations. WYAA will present a breakout session on leveraging the power of out of school time to grow talent and increase competitive advantage. Download the flyer to print!

Leaders Learning Network

Afterschool professionals and volunteers are creative and resourceful. This fall, the Wyoming Afterschool Alliance invites dynamic youth professionals to a series of conversations that will introduce evidence-based practice through concrete examples in action, showcase innovation and ideas happening in Wyoming, and cultivate connections among peers across the state. 

October 26: The Use of Trauma Informed Practices – Watch the Recording

The first session was held on October 26 and highlighted the use of trauma informed practices in out of school settings. It began with an overview of trauma informed practice from Julia Cathey and then profiled the experience of the Boys and Girls Club of Douglas as Director Joey Burke worked to transitioning the club’s practices to a trauma informed organization. 

Featured Resources

• Laurence Steinberg – Age of Opportunity
• Alex Korb, PhD – The Upward Spiral
• Wheel of Life 
• NAA – The Afterschool Guide to Trauma-Sensitive Practices
• Afterschool Alliance – Building a Trauma Informed Care Approach for Afterschool  
• HHS – Workplace Well Being
• Wyoming Community Foundation – Grants

November 9: Building Powerful Partnerships – Watch the Recording

What if we invest in connecting systems and supports so that all young people can reach their highest potential? This is the compelling question posed by the School Superintendents Association in their Power of Partnerships initiative. Over the last two years, our systems have shown that they are flexible and agile. We now have new funding streams that make it possible to work toward that goal. Forming and sustaining strong partnerships takes intention and trying new approaches. Dr. Margaret Crespo, Superintendent of Laramie County School District #1 and Carisa Barnett, Director of Operations K-12 Programs for Teton Literacy Center shared their perspectives about the value of partnerships. 

Featured Resources

• School Superintendents Association – Power of Partnerships

November 30: The Impact of Elevating Youth Voices – Watch the Recording

When young people are involved in meaningful opportunities to plan, implement and evaluate program activities they are more likely to stay engaged as they deepen their learning and skills. We gathered together to discuss ways that youth professionals can partner with youth to support strategies that promote young peoples’ agency and contributions to our communities. Artist and educator Aubrey Edwards spoke about the Youth Justice Institute – a paid program for Wyoming teens  where youth participants learn how to investigate the inner-workings of Wyoming’s juvenile justice system and communicate what they have learned through multimedia arts projects. Dr. Susie Markus, Coordinator of the Wyoming Youth and Young Adult (YAYA) Council. The Council’s mission is to create an engaging environment among Wyoming’s youth and young adults to improve our health and well-being through connection to resources, education, community, and policy.

Featured Resources

• Laurence Steinberg – Age of Opportunity
• Risk and Protective Factors for Youth – youth.gov
• The Science of Resilience – Center on the Developing Child 
• Street Data – Jennifer Gonzales
• YaYA Recruitment Flyer – Click Here