MAKING AFTERSCHOOL A COMMUNITY EFFORT Presented by Patricia Cole, Public Policy Consultant, National Afterschool Association

About NAA… Founded in 1987 A professional organization with a membership component Membership includes more than 9,000 youth workers, practitioners, policymakers, administrators Affiliate organizations in 35 states Professional Development Program Improvement and Accreditation Public Policy and Advocacy

Issues in Afterschool: What Do They Mean for Communities? What is your community’s vision of afterschool? The three-legged stool: availability, affordability, and quality Local funding strategies

What Is Your Vision of Afterschool? Safe place for kids during out-of- school time? Extension of academic learning? Opportunity for enrichment? Kids just want to have fun!

Afterschool can: Keep kids safe and away from negative behaviors Support success in school Offer alternative ways of learning Open doors to new experiences (Kids don’t have to know this is happening.)

Communities need to be aware of the different roles of afterschool in order to define goals and set expectations.

Communities Face the Three- Legged Stool Affordability Program costs can be beyond the reach of many families – as much as $4,000 for full year Communities can help by –Facilitating financing that reduces or eliminates fees –Helping finance or fundraise for scholarships to recognized high quality programs

Addressing Quality Often lacking in programs serving low-income children who need high-quality services most Staff training and qualifications most important component Quality is enhanced by: –Professional development and support for the afterschool workforce –Retaining quality individuals –Fidelity to proven models –Standards and accreditation –Federal/state program and licensing requirements

Communities can promote quality by: –Facilitating staff training –Adopting and implementing core competencies –Seeking solutions to compensation issues –Helping programs meet requirements –Expanding opportunities for enriching activities –Becoming involved with the kids

Availability Afterschool programs aren’t available for many children – especially in low-income areas Communities can help by –Helping establish programs in areas where they are most needed –Seeing afterschool as a community need –Developing financing strategies

Two Funding Realities While there is much support for afterschool, federal and state funding streams don’t meet the need for solid, on-going core financing. There is no simple, magic formula for communities and individual programs trying to find funding for afterschool.

Kaleidoscope of Afterschool Funding Strategies Making better use of existing resources Cobbling together federal/state funding Public/private partnerships Support from foundations, national and local Parent fees Working for more flexibility in existing funding streams

Kaleidoscope of Afterschool Funding Strategies Generating new dedicated funding streams Private donations and fundraising events Corporate donations Often one partnership will lead to the ability to tap into new sources of support.

Community Leadership Frame afterschool as a community effort and community need Create a community vision for youth Provide an overview of needs and resources Promote a unified strategy Facilitate solutions to funding needs Bring stakeholders together to identify new resources and commitments

Stakeholders and Resources in Your Community Parents Schools Local government agencies, including Parks and Recreation Youth serving organizations Intermediary organizations/Resource and referral agencies Faith-based organizations Business community

More Stakeholders and Resources Colleges, community colleges, universities, technical schools Law enforcement Local professional organizations Libraries Theater groups Artists Museums And many more!

Not Everyone is a Funder Partners can: Donate materials or facilities Provide mentors or tutors Provide internship/service learning opportunities/civic involvement Offer special activities/instruction Provide technical assistance Help programs meet quality-related requirements

Connecting the Dots: Intermediary Organizations Provide community overview and strategic planning—bridge between vision & programs Develop information systems for mapping and accountability Promote networking and sharing resources Establish systems for staff training and professional development Provide technical assistance Help parents find afterschool arrangements

Intermediaries and Funding Help leverage funds/plan for sustainability Apply for funds so programs concentrate on services Pool funds and redistribute, buffering programs from fluctuations in funding sources Assist programs in applying for funds/meeting requirements Attract new partners to community collaboration

Promoting Afterschool in Your Community Advocate for core funding streams Be mindful of all the legs on the stool! See the kaleidoscope as a thing of beauty: Use the funding process to give the entire community a stake in afterschool.