Stepping Stones and Pathways A Collaboration Between the Davenport Community Schools, the City of Davenport and the partners of the Community Education Advisory Council

Davenport Model Framework Capacity Building and Adaptability Program Creativity Financial Stability Program Creativity Staffing Management and Administration Community Involvement Parent Engagement Programming Volunteers Capacity-Building and Adaptability Research foundation Knowledge-base Quality Standards Advocacy Evaluation Professional Development Financial Stability Partner in-kind Grants/Charitable Funds Sliding Fee Tuition Discount Structure Scholarships DHS Childcare Assistance The Model has evolved over the past decade to balance and create a dynamic between three key functions:

Phases of growth Phase I - Partners shared in-kind resources and coordinated local charitable funds to create innovative summer programming. Partners learned from each other and research base on out-of-school time programming, to build a foundation for collaboration and competitive grant funding. Phase II – With financial stability of federal 21st Century funding, the partnership increased program quality and developed a Framework of Best Practices adopted by all partners. Programs established a level of quality that parents came to depend on, creating a consumer demand for services. Partners created a solid program model to develop new funding streams for long-term sustainability.

Phase III - Beyond the federal grants, local seed money was used to establish a new mixed revenue model, including a sliding-fee structure. The fee system allowed a lower cost for families receiving Free and Reduced Lunch and added a critical revenue stream from families who could afford tuition. Fees included discounts for multiple siblings and employees. Program administration worked closely with the Department of Human Services to establish Child Care Assistance for eligible families, charitable funds provided scholarships and new Iowa 21st Century grants funds supported sites with the highest poverty Phase IV - A solid, mixed revenue model has been established. Programs continue to evolve in program creativity with new staffing and program models, such as co-staffing by partners, and a deepening evaluation system. The new evaluation framework assesses, not only student outcomes, but also implementation in four areas: Staffing and Training, Effective Programming, Environment, and Advocacy.

Operational Efficiencies Shared staff and human resources function provided by the City of Davenport Fees and scholarships administered by the school district as holder of FRL info, eligible entity for DHS Childcare Assistance, scholarships and employee giving Schools provide academic element and Parks and Rec and other partners provide enrichment programming Joint marketing and registration processes

Awards and Recognition The National Community Development Association’s Audrey Nelson Community Development Achievement Award for outstanding use of Community Development Block Grant funds The Iowa Community Education Association "Community In Education" Award As a featured presenter at the 2008 National "Learn and Serve America" Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. Acknowledged as a model in sustainability by the Iowa Department of Education and the Iowa Afterschool Alliance, who featured the programs in their publication, "A Blue Print for Quality After School in Iowa," unveiled at the 2008 Davenport Parks and Recreation Youth Fest. Profiled in the National League of Cities, Iowa League of Cities and the Iowa Afterschool Alliance Mayoral Webinars Presented at "Standing TALL," the 2009 Iowa Community Education Association Fall Conference.