SEARCH FOR RESOURCES
This article from the Journal of Youth Development highlights some learnings from a Community of Practice with 10 states on the strategic use of summer and afterschool ARP and ESSER funds. Findings are that states with existing OST infrastructure and cross-system relationships were better equipped to meet youth and family needs. The states have created action plans that focus on: (1) strengthening data to promote access, quality, and outcomes; (2) TA systems to build capacity and promote quality; (3) promoting partnerships; and (4) strategic and sustainable use of funding. There is a suggestion that states invest a portion of their remaining funds to plan for sustainability.
This journal article in Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences examines the role of afterschool and recommends that programs focus on relationships, developing youth interest, identity and social capital. Given the pressure from government and funders to focus on academics, this is an equity issue because research shows that wealthier youth are more likely to be offered enrichment experiences to develop interests and identify, but low-income and youth of color are more likely to have OST as extended forms of child care or schooling. This resource supports equity.
This journal article explores a large national childcare provider serving PreK-8th graders in hundreds of school-based programs and its efforts to reduce staff turnover among program managers and educators. Although the article is somewhat dense and long, the concept shared about how to increase retention by increasing managers' knowledge, skills, motivation, and organizational influences is worth it.
Through a survey, this research study explored what Out-of-School Time (OST) program staff need in order to feel better prepared to support the inclusion of school-aged children with special needs in their programs. Results indicated that professional development on inclusion is key to success. These findings can inform policy and programmatic decisions on professional development.
This journal article documents one OST director’s journey through the process of becoming credentialed. It explores fears and challenges and what she—and her program participants, families, and staff—ultimately gained from the process. This story can bring a personal experience to life for state system planners creating or supporting a school-age credential.
This article explores the challenges and potential of school-afterschool partnerships. Based on interviews with school administrators, afterschool leaders, and front-line staff in three schools, the findings reveal both disconnections and opportunities for fuller communication and collaboration. This article would be helpful to OST system builders as well as practitioners/programs looking to enhance their relationships with schools.
This journal article describes the Center for Study of Social Policy's Youth Thrive Framework that is based on how the research on resilience, positive youth development, neuroscience, and trauma can help lead to healthy development and well-being for youth. There are multiple examples of how the Framework can be used to modify frontline practice, policy, and organizational culture. The examples rely on strong relationships and strategies based on neuroscience to alleviate the effects of trauma and especially to guide youth in foster care. This resource supports resilience.
This article presents recommendations from the RAND Corporation report, "Getting to Work on Summer Learning." Specifically, it focuses on those recommendations related to the hiring and training of teachers for school district-run summer learning programs. To ensure a successful summer, the report and article emphasize the need for districts to begin planning by January, to hire early, and to provide professional development and coaching for teachers. Recommendations in the report come from examination of summer programs offered in Massachusetts, Ohio, Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania and New York.