We are so glad you are here.
Thank you for your interest in joining the Ecosystem Plan Strategy & Design Team! The application will take approximately 15 to 30 minutes to complete. We encourage you to find a quiet space where you can reflect and respond without interruptions. Please submit your application by April 11, 2025, at 11:59 PM (PST), as late submissions may not be considered. If you have any questions or need support, feel free to reach out to Vanessa Hernandez at vhernandez@afterschoolnetwork.org. We appreciate your time and look forward to learning more about you!
As a member of the Design Team, you will play a vital role in shaping the future of Expanded Learning by integrating systems transformation, collective care, and equity-driven design into the strategic planning process. The Strategy & Design Team is responsible for analyzing data, developing engagement strategies, and crafting dissemination plans to connect with a broad network of youth-serving providers. This work will take place within a Community of Practice framework, fostering collaboration, shared learning, and co-creation of innovative solutions to strengthen the Expanded Learning field.
Building on the foundation of A Vision for Expanded Learning in California and the Strategic Plans 1.0 and 2.0, California’s Expanded Learning leadership has launched an expansive strategic design process to develop an Ecosystem Plan that leverages the state’s Expanded Learning infrastructure. The California AfterSchool Network is proud to partner with the California Department of Education Expanded Learning Division to co-host this initiative, positioning Expanded Learning as a key partner within California’s Education, Health & Human Services, and Workforce Development ecosystems.
Our approach to strategic direction moves beyond traditional planning methods by centering care, sustainability, and collective well-being. This means:
- Prioritizing relationships as the foundation of our work
- Ensuring those most impacted by systemic inequities lead decision-making
- Measuring growth not only by outcomes but by the health and wellness of our programs and communities
We believe transformation happens in community—through intergenerational wisdom, mutual accountability, and regenerative practices that replenish rather than extract. By embedding these values into our shared vision, we create the conditions for a long-term, adaptable, and inclusive impact that is deeply responsive to the needs of young people, educators, and community partners.
More than just a strategic plan, this Ecosystem Plan is a collective care response—a coordinated effort to elevate Expanded Learning as a wellspring of community, healing, and opportunity. In a time of uncertainty, we are building a future of abundance—one where young people are not just supported but uplifted by a community that truly cares for the next generation.