SEARCH FOR RESOURCES
This webinar explored how to better meet the needs of Native American and Indigenous youth and families in OST programs. Panelists representing national, state, and local organizations explored topics such as the goals of OST programs from family and caregiver perspectives. The barriers identified included lack of access to programs, transportation challenges, cost, and culturally insensitive funding streams. Also discussed was the importance of family engagement, the importance of preserving cultural traditions, and strategies to improve programs for indigenous youth. A related resource is the Afterschool Alliance survey results, America After 3 pm for Native American Families. This resource support equity.
This webinar features authors from the recent volume, The Heartbeat of the Youth Development Field: Professional Journeys of Growth, Connection, and Transformation. Youth development professionals and researchers share how to build relationships that increase engagement that is centered in equity, inclusion, and diversity. This resource supports equity.
This toolkit provides programs with an overview on the importance of youth voice, along with tools and examples. The key takeaways are to meet youth where they are, train adults to exist in youth spaces and youth to exist in adult spaces, and let youth take the lead. It also has a section with many resources on culturally responsive voice. Grantmakers in Education featured this resource and examples in this one-hour webinar, Youth Voice Initiative Share-Out and Discussion, found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZnHO1t6fDE
This report from the Afterschool Alliance summarizes the results of a survey from Fall 2022 of 1,016 providers representing 7,400 centers. The survey found that 1 in 4 providers have not been able to return to pre-pandemic program capacity due to difficulties recruiting and retaining staff; increased costs of running programs; and some issues with demand since many parents are working from home. When asked about supports that would be helpful, the priority was advice about preventing staff burnout and keeping teams engaged.
The Afterschool Alliance, in partnership with the National League of Cities, has created a map and a chart that shows where states, cities, and school districts are investing COVID-19 relief funds. The charts show how funds are being used, including American Rescue Plan, ESSER III, and local recovery funds. The majority of funds are being used to increase access to afterschool and summer programs, and in addition for teen jobs programs, technology, and staff supports.
This user-friendly toolkit includes a wealth of resources and examples needed to start or grow a program. It has four sections: (1) Starting a program; (2) Running a program; (3) Sustaining a program; and (4) Getting help. Within each section there are links to existing program start-up guides, connections to curriculum and professional development, funding, marketing and media, and partnerships. This resource supports equity.
For the first time, this analysis of America After 3PM data provides an in-depth look at the afterschool experiences of Native American children and youth, including the availability of afterschool programs, qualities Native American parents care most about in afterschool programs, and potential areas of growth for the afterschool field to reach more Native American young people.
This report analyzes data from a survey of approximately 1,500 parent and guardians conducted by Afterschool Alliance in spring 2022. It explores parent perceptions of OST program access, availability, and quality, along with the characteristics of the unmet demand in the context of the new federal Engage Every Student Initiative. The findings continue to show disparities for Black and Latino parents as they report facing greater barriers for enrollment on things like cost, location, hours, and availability. This resource supports equity.
This engaging webinar and panel explores what it will take to make Summer 2022 successful. Panelists shared out information on evidence-based practices like attendance, duration, site climate, and staffing. Program directors had tips on summer planning, designing a balanced program to support whole child needs, and partnerships with school and community.
Based on a survey of parents or guardians of school-aged children living in a rural community, this blog provides insights into the current afterschool and summer program landscape in rural America, in particular the significant and rising unmet demand in rural communities. It compares and contrasts the experience of rural parents to their non-rural counterparts. The full report can be found at https://www.afterschoolalliance.org/documents/AA3PM/AA3PM-Rural-Report-2021.pdf?utm_source=AfterschoolSnack&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=AA3PM_Rural&utm_term=Walton