After School Program Start-up Tips… with No Fear Factor! Presented by 4-H Youth Development Specialists Vanette Grover & Karen Byers

Introduce yourself and share: Why are you here?

A 5-Step Approach…. 1)Call a Community Meeting 2)Create Advisory Committee & Conduct Planning Mtgs Form Sub-committees and Make Assignments 3)Hold Meetings With Committee Sharing Budget, Marketing, Program Plan, Next Action Steps, etc… Timeline 4)Finalize & Submit Proposal 5)Implement the Program

Step #1 – Call A Community Meeting Who are some of the people you would include? How many people would you include? When and where would you meet? What kind of information would you want to collect from them? Is there a special role you would like each person to play?

Step #2 – The Meeting Agenda What kind of research information and/or data would you like to share with them? Where do you get this information? What is each person’s role on the committee? Outline proposed activities.

Step #2 – The Meeting Agenda Define after school needs/options, target audience, and other participants. Determine goal(s) for the committee & program. Are there others to involve in this process? Create subcommittees and assignments based on goals. Create agenda for next meeting.

Sidebar Tip: Prior to 2 nd Meeting Distribute a family survey soon after 1 st meeting so they can be returned and tabulated prior to 2 nd meeting. Prepare an outline of proposed activities as discussed in 1 st meeting.

Steps #3 & 4 – Committee Reporting Review goals and assignments. Have sub-committees report to the group. Discuss reports and make any adjustments. Set Short-term, Intermediate, and Long-term goals. Set future meeting dates and timetables. Prepare a final proposal.

Sidebar on Program Financing Be prepared to talk about how the after school program will be financed: Fee Structure, Grants, Etc… Full-time or Part-time Coordinator Additional Staff paid or volunteer As a guide, you can figure approximately $3 per child if the coordinator is paid other than through fees and $4-$5 if paid through child fees.

Step #5 – Implement & Evaluate Be prepared to DWYSYWD…. ”Do What You Say You Will Do!” Continue to meet after the program starts to evaluate quality & sustainability.

The After School Program is Up and Running…Now What? What role do we play as Extension Educators? What might our long-term outcomes be? Is it enough to have a sustainable program? How do we impact the after school environment? How do we incorporate 4-H into After School? ~Let’s share ideas and thoughts~

Thank You! Presented by 4-H Youth Development Specialists Vanette Grover & Karen Byers