Nevada Afterschool Network (NAN) is part of the 39 states funded by the C.S. Mott Foundation for Statewide Afterschool Networks. NAN is a vehicle for bringing together policymakers, educators, childcare providers, youth development workers, program developers, advocates, parents and others interested in improving outcomes for children and youth through school-linked out-of-school time programs. NAN's focus is on actively coordinating, engaging and influencing key decision makers to support school-linked afterschool/out-of-school-time (OST) programs that support the success of children and young people in all of Nevada's 17 counties.
Assemblywoman Olivia Diaz honored as an Afterschool Champion in Nation's Capital
The Afterschool Alliance honored Olivia Diaz, an Assemblywoman in the Nevada State Legislature, for her support of afterschool programs. Diaz was named a State Afterschool Champion at the "Breakfast of Champions," a gala event in Washington, D.C. featuring actor Kevin Sorbo and Project Exploration co-founders Dr. Paul Sereno and Dr. Gabrielle Lyon. Diaz helped pass a bill to ensure higher quality in out-of-school time programs by creating a standard definition for those programs. She was one of just nine state champions from around the country honored at the Breakfast for supporting and working on behalf of afterschool programs. The Nevada Afterschool Network nominated her for the honor.
Assemblywoman Diaz began her first term in the State Legislature in February 2011. She was instrumental in the writing and passage of AB 362, which brought uniformity to out-of-school time programs in Nevada. The bill also created an Interim Task Force that is creating statewide, research-based standards for out-of-school time programs.
"Assemblywoman Olivia Diaz has fought hard for improvements to education and protections for Nevada's most vulnerable citizens – our children and seniors," said Danielle Bowen, Director of the Nevada Afterschool Network. "She knows our children are our most precious resource and deserve nothing but the best and she is committed to ensuring that we achieve the best for them."
The "Breakfast of Champions" is part of the eleventh annual Afterschool for All Challenge, sponsored by the Afterschool Alliance, which brings together hundreds of parents, educators, children, program directors and advocates from around the country for a series of events and meetings with Members of Congress. Following the Breakfast, participants fanned out across Capitol Hill to talk to Members of Congress about the importance of afterschool programs to children, families and communities.
For more information regarding the Afterschool Alliance click here.
Afterschool for All Nevada
Afterschool for All Nevada is an effort by the Afterschool Alliance to bring together all Nevada residents who believe that young people deserve positive, enriching opportunities after school and in the summer. The strength of this important national effort lies in the diversity and number of partners, among them governors, mayors, police chiefs, prosecutors, educators, policymakers, youth advocates, faith-based organizations, corporate leaders, afterschool providers, and others. Sign on to Afterschool for All Nevada today to help strengthen our voice for afterschool and summer learning in Nevada. Visit http://www.afterschoolalliance.org/a4aJoin_NV.cfm.