Oct. 22, Thursday -- More than 500 education and law enforcement leaders, parents, youth and day-care providers will gather from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the south steps of the state Capitol to celebrate after-school programs and their benefits to working families and the economy.

Jack O’Connell, state superintendent of public instruction, will headline the event hosted by the California AfterSchool Network, a coalition of stakeholders that charts the course for California’s after-school programs. The Network is managed by the UC Davis-based Center for Community School Partnerships. For additional information about the event, visit http://www.afterschoolnetwork.org/lights_on_2009 or contact Jeff Davis at jefdavis@ucdavis.edu, (530) 752-5965.