PASE Network News

Yesterday was International Self-Care Day – looking for ways to level up your understanding of and strategies for self-care? Temescal Associates and How Kids Learn Foundation recently released “Self-Care For Youth Workers,” a paper to raise understanding and awareness of the importance of self-care in afterschool programs. The paper provides definitions, shares a curated set of resources, and guides readers through crafting a self-care plan. This resource was designed with both organizational leaders (school leaders and staff, supervisors at the parent non-profit org, etc.) and program staff in mind, as they consider the best ways to promote self-care among youth worker staff. 

The Coalition to Support Grieving Students is a cross-sector collaboration to improve the level of support and care available to grieving children. The Coalition creates and disseminates resources through a user-friendly website featuring videos and downloadable grief-support modules for youth-serving professionals. Check out this handout to learn more about the Coalition to Support Grieving Students and its website as well as other grief initiatives for schools and youth-services programs from New York Life Foundation.

If you work at an organization that wants to make a difference in the lives of BIPOC youth and to support their mental wellbeing, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing and Team: Changing Minds have a new initiative to support your efforts.  The two organizations are partnering to offer fully-funded Youth Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) trainings to community organizations that align with the Team: Changing Minds’ mission and interact with youth, especially BIPOC youth who identify as male. The Youth MHFA training will help your team understand common signs and symptoms of mental health challenges in this age group, how to interact with a child or adolescent in crisis, how to connect youth with help, and more. Learn more about the initiative and apply today. 

Are you looking to build community and connected learning spaces in your afterschool program or school site? Check out Narrative4’s Story Exchange model for deep listening and peer connection as you plan for back-to-school season. Throughout July and August 2024, Narrative4 will host virtual Story Exchange facilitator training. This two-part training is free to educators throughout the US and gives participants an opportunity to experience a story exchange themselves, introduces the skills to lead them with their students, and connects educators with related resources. Check out Narrative4’s website to find upcoming dates.