I am thrilled to announce the release of “The Missing Manual for California Afterschool Programs,” a comprehensive resource designed to help administrators navigate the complex landscape of expanded learning in California. The book is now available for purchase on Amazon.com.
Why I Created This Manual
As afterschool programs have grown increasingly vital to California’s educational ecosystem, so have the challenges facing those who run them. When I founded Attendly, I discovered something surprising through hundreds of conversations with educators across the state: despite the billions of dollars flowing into expanded learning programs, there was no single, practical guide to help administrators manage these programs effectively.
The information existed, but it was scattered across countless websites, PDFs, webinars, and institutional knowledge. Administrators were spending precious evenings and weekends piecing together compliance requirements, staffing strategies, and program designs - time they could have spent focusing on students.
Our team recognized that the administrative burden was becoming a barrier to program quality. That’s why I created this manual - to bring together the essential knowledge that educators need in one accessible resource.
What You’ll Find Inside
The Missing Manual addresses the real-world challenges administrators face daily. Each chapter offers practical guidance, actionable tips, and field-tested approaches:
- Navigating Funding Streams: Clear explanations of ELO-P, ASES, and 21st CCLC requirements, with strategies for effectively braiding these funding sources.
- Building Your Extended Learning Ecosystem: Practical approaches to forming partnerships that reduce workload rather than adding to it.
- Staffing and Retention: Innovative models to transform afterschool positions from high-turnover jobs into sustainable careers.
- Smart Record-Keeping: Systems to maintain compliance without drowning in paperwork.
- Audit Preparation: Step-by-step guidance to ensure your program passes scrutiny.
- Program Design: Frameworks for creating engaging activities that balance academic support with enrichment.
- Role-Specific Guidance: Tailored chapters for directors, site coordinators, attendance specialists, and IT teams.
Unlike theoretical guides that gloss over day-to-day realities, this manual acknowledges the tensions inherent in balancing quality programming with compliance demands. I asked the team to gathered insights from experienced administrators who have faced and overcome the very roadblocks you might be encountering.
The Story Behind the Book
The journey to create this manual began with a simple observation: the most passionate educators were spending more time on administrative tasks than with students. As we built Attendly to address the technology gap, we realized software was only part of the solution.
Through our work with a fast growing number of school districts like we gained deep insights into the diverse challenges facing expanded learning programs. We saw administrators struggling with the same questions, developing similar solutions in isolation, and wishing for a guidebook that simply didn’t exist.
This manual represents hundres of hours of research, interviews, and collaboration with the California expanded learning community. It’s designed to serve both newcomers and veterans - offering clear starting points for those just beginning their expanded learning journey while providing fresh perspectives for experienced leaders.
My Vision for Impact
My hope is that this manual helps you navigate the administrative maze with greater confidence, freeing more of your energy to focus on what matters most: creating transformative afterschool experiences for the children and communities you serve.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. For every student who benefits from expanded learning, three more wait for an opportunity. By simplifying the complex administrative landscape, we aim to help programs expand their reach and deepen their impact.
“The Missing Manual for California Afterschool Programs” is available now on Amazon. We invite you to explore its pages and join us in our mission to transform administrative burdens into opportunities for program excellence.
Together, we can ensure that expanded learning fulfills its promise as a powerful force for educational equity in California.
