from the office of Dr. Paul G. Young, Executive Director

Visit our website at: http://www.westafterschoolcenter.org/
This weekly update is distributed via email to the WASC Board of Directors & Staff, Volunteers, School Staffs, Parents, State and National Afterschool Advocates, Providers, and Community Leaders

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! GREAT NEWS!!
Afterschool providers and advocates have reason to celebrate the start of a new year! The U.S. Congress had to make some very difficult spending decisions as 2007 came to an end and despite cuts to some critical programs for kids – including level funding the Child Care and Development Block Grant – after months of receiving calls, emails and letters from the afterschool community, Congress and President Bush are giving the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) Program a badly needed and well deserved funding increase. On December 26th, the President signed an omnibus spending bill that provides a $100 million increase for 21st CCLC for Fiscal Year 2008, putting the total funding at an all time high of $1.1 billion. To see how this funding increase will affect each state, click here. For Ohio, this means an increase of $3,360,655 for 21st CCLC programs in Fiscal Year 2008 that can potentially help 3,361 additional children and youth be served in quality afterschool programs. Thanks to all the hard work of countless individuals, particularly the efforts coordinated by the Afterschool Alliance, an additional 100,000 kids in the United States will have access to high quality afterschool programs.
Bridges Out of Poverty: Strategies for Professionals & Communities January 25, 2008 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Registration/coffee: 8:00-8:30 a.m. Lunch is provided Location: Crossroads 2095 West Fair, Lancaster CMEs, CEUs (social work/counselor), 5.5 hours provided pending approval R.S.V.P. to Judy at 687-6771 by January 11, 2008 to receive a workbook				Sponsors
		The West After School Center has been awarded two mini-grants that will provide support the development of information technology and multimedia literacy of our students. We have been awarded grants from the Gannett Foundation and the Fairfield County Foundation to support this special project. Dr. Alison Colman, formerly an art education professor at Ohio University, has extensive experience conducting multimedia workshops for students will begin working with our students and staff on Fridays beginning on January 4, 2008. Stop by and learn wit our students.
WASC Awarded New Mini-Grants for Student Staff Computer Training
Get to Know a WASC Volunteer	My association with the WASC is: volunteer tutor    How Long?  5 years.  I was born in: Buffalo, New York My childhood ambition was to be: successful My job has been: being a mother My favorite pastime is: bothering my husband If I were not living in Lancaster, I'd rather be: in a large city My favorite food is: Mexican My favorite style of music is: Rock My favorite television show is: OPRAH My favorite movies is:  Gone with the Wind My biggest challenge is: staying away from cookies I am inspired by: my son Chris To me, a perfect day is: a sunny day at home with my guys
Judy Osgood