Advisory Committee Minutes April 15, 2025

Before and After School Advisory Committee meeting [In-person]

April 15, 2025

Members Present

• Tia Dwyer
• Tiffany Gipson
• Cindy Hasse
• Sandra McBrayer
• Julee Brooks
• Oliva Kernen
• Brad Lupien
• Tony Brown
• Diane Ortiz
• Chris Meza

Others Present

• Michael Funk, California Department of Education (CDE), Expanded Learning Division (EXLD) Director
• Joshua Brady, California Department of Education, (CDE), Expanded Learning Division (EXLD) Administrator I
• Fred Buggs, California Department of Education, (CDE), Expanded Learning Division (EXLD) Consultant

Members Absent

• Sam Buenrostro
• Jennifer Cisneros

Commencement:

The meeting was called to order at approximately 9:34 a.m. by Sandra McBrayer, Chair

Review of Meeting Materials

The November 19th and January 28th meeting materials were reviewed by members

Approval of Minutes

Review of the November 19th meeting minutes materials. November 19th motion approved by Brad Lupien, 2nd by Tony Brown. All members voted to approve the minutes.

Review of January 28th meeting minutes. January 28th motion approved by Brad Lupien, 2nd by Tiffany Gipson. All members voted to approve the minutes.

Before and After School Advisory Committee Chair Report – Sandy McBrayer

Sandra gave an update on the proposed Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELO-P) budget bill.

Expanded Learning Division Staff Report

Joshua Brady, EXLD Administrator – Reductions, After School Education and Safety (ASES) and 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) Updates

-    Reduction Review – reviewed the reduction amounts for ASES, 21st CCLC elementary/middle and High School After School Safety and Enrichment for Teens (ASSETs). Reminder the reductions were based on 75 percent attendance and next year will be 85 percent.

-    Advisory Committee requested a breakdown of the reductions for 21st CCLC elementary/middle for all components. Josh will request and this will be part of the handout that is posted on the website.

• ASES Universal – new grants management system, members discussed disqualifications criteria and raised concerns.
• Cohort 16 21st CCLC Proposed Changes:
  • GovGrants – new grants management system in place of After School Support and Information System (ASSIST)
  • Intent to Submit an Application (ITSA) - Failure to submit an ITSA results in not being able to apply for the Cohort 16 21st CCLC Request for Applications (RFA)
  • RFA Timeline - reviewed Potential Changes to the Cohort 16 21st CCLC form 
  • Title I Status – will be acquired from fiscal year 24–25 or the most recent data available on the CDE website prior to the RFA application deadline
  • Grant Reductions – Grant reductions will be implemented. Grant reduction data will be assessed in Spring of 2026 based off attendance in calendar year 2025
  • Narrative Review – changing the narrative review process makes it more intentional to provide technical assistance
  • Assessment – review 6 videos with 1 assessment
    
    
• Digital vs wet signatures – with new grants management system, everything will be digital

Michael Funk, EXLD Director - brief update on ELO-P

• Tier one funding is proposed to be lowered to 55 percent from the current cut off of below 75 percent.
• Stability of states economy. ELO-P will remain a priority.
• Update on Unspent ELO-P funding
• Tier two funding stability is a continued concern by the Administration and the legislature. All state that it must be stabilized.
• Michael has advocated that the minimum apportionment for local educational agency (LEAs) move from $50k to $100k. There was a commitment by the Administration and the legislature to work on this issue.

Special Presentations

Jeff Davis, California Afterschool Network (CAN), Senior Specialist, Policy & Outreach

• Quarterly strategy report
• Reviewed CANS updates
• Strategic Design: An Ecosystem Plan to Leverage California’s Expanded Learning Infrastructure

Emerging Issues

• Olivia Kernen – Region 1 (monitoring vs auditors) would like to understand how there is vast differences in auditors’ interpretations. There have been independent auditors, confusion around fiscal and programmatic penalties. She would like to see consistency on auditor’s training and interpretations 
• Diane Ortiz – asked if it was possible to live stream or record Advisory Committee meetings
• Sandra McBrayer let members know that they will receive materials 48 hours in advance of meetings moving forward. Sandra highlighted questions for follow up from several members including: additional analysis on reductions for 21st century including If grantees who were reduced had received system of support help, how many grantees were listed as critical, breakdown by region, older youth, etc.  

Next Meeting Date:

The next meeting will be held on August 19, 2025.

Adjournment:

The meeting was adjourned at 12:02 p.m. by Sandra McBrayer